8 experiences you should try on Google Cardboard right now

TheGoogle Play Store is already filled with apps that attempt to make sense ofvirtual reality. There are games, and videos, and things that are bestdescribed as experiences, which might see you hovering behind folks loping up amountain, or seated a few steps behind a band in the middle of a show. Here area few of our favorites.

This one's short and almost wholly overwhelming. There are a lot colors involved, and somethinglike a rollercoaster ride, monastic chanting and a cynical homage to Americana.You're really going to have to see this one for yourself.

AdultSwim Virtual Brainload

There are a coupleof car experiences floating about the Google Play store, and they're alldesigned to emulate the feel of riding around in a very fast, very expensivesports car. There are only two videos here and the first is a bit dull. But thesecond features popular gearhead Chris Harris, and "riding" alongsidehim as he prattles on in his characteristically breathless way makes me wishall of the rest of his video reviews were in VR, too.

This one is a littlecheesy, but also quite a bit of fun. Think of it as a 3D version of thoseclassic brick breaker games: a ball bounces around a tunnel, and you'll need tokeep it away from the floor by blocking it with a paddle. Except the "floor"is your face, and the paddle is also your face. You'll guide a translucent bluepaddle by turning your head about, keeping the glowing ball bouncing until you've cleared all of the blockshovering in front of you. It's a simple, fun experience with plenty of levels-- well worth $1.99 (£1.99, AU$1.99).

ProtonPulse

Tilt Brush is an appthat will ultimately let you paint in three dimensions, in virtual reality. Thecompany was recently bought by Google, and while they're not ready to let uspaint just yet, the Tilt Brush Gallery app gives you an early taste of what'spossible: you can load premade sketchesand watch them be drawn in real time.

TiltBrush Gallery

There are alreadyplenty of 360-degree videos available on YouTube, ranging from music videos andmovie trailers to a wide array of racing simulations. The quality here is goingto vary tremendously as there are a lot of amateurs getting in on the act, butit's still a fun way to see how creative folk are making sense of virtualreality.

YouTube 360 videos

There are plenty ofsnippets from concerts and full music videos to choose from among the appsavailable for Google Cardboard. I chose this Jack White sample because I'vebeen to the Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and it's a stunning venue. This concert putsyou backstage, behind the band and the members of the stage crew right in themiddle of a performance.

JackWhite: Third-D

This is short littlegame (also available for the Oculus Rift) is an experimental project designedto ease both the developers and gamers into the world of virtual reality. Youplay a pilot of sorts, traveling through the human brain zapping damaged neuronsby looking at them. The entire experience is on rails, which almost makes itpart rollercoaster, part turkey shoot -- a nice, free diversion, and a chanceto try to rack up a high score.

InMindVR

When I hear"base jumping," the first thought that comes to mind is"Nope." That's the second and third thought, too. But this North Faceapp is a fun little approximation of what it's like to throw yourself off acliff for your own amusement. To each their own, I guess? It's a fairly shortvideo, though I'll admit it is rather fun spinning around in my swivel chair tofigure out where the climbers are lurking, or following their leaps as thecamera drone flies past overhead.

TheNorth Face: Climb