When technology transcends the boundaries of imagination, the result can be nothing short of breathtaking. Enter GeForce NOW, NVIDIA’s premier cloud gaming platform, now available on various VR headsets like the Apple Vision Pro, Meta Quest, and Pico. My recent experience with GeForce NOW on the Meta Quest 3 was exhilarating, to say the least, even with some features still in development.
Key Takeaways
- Immersive Gaming Anywhere: GeForce NOW on Meta Quest 3 offers a versatile, portable gaming experience, perfect for on-the-go or at-home sessions.
- Top-Notch Graphics: The RTX 4080 ensures stunning visuals, even with current limitations.
- Flexible Modes and Screens: Tailor the gaming experience to your liking with multiple modes and adjustable screen sizes.
- Improvement Opportunities: Expanded controller support and higher resolution/framerate would make this service unbeatable.
Immersion Meets Performance
I opted for the GeForce NOW Ultimate subscription, priced at $20 a month. This tier provides access to the RTX 4080 GPU, ensuring premium graphics and resolution. Paired with the Meta Quest 3’s stellar display, the experience was immersive, almost akin to stepping into a 3D cinematic world. Here’s what stood out:
- Visual Brilliance: The Meta Quest 3’s display is top-notch, delivering vibrant and sharp visuals. I can only imagine how extraordinary this would look on the Apple Vision Pro.
- Gaming Anywhere: The versatility of GeForce NOW in VR is remarkable. Whether reclining on my bed or relaxing on my couch, the experience remained seamless. All I needed was a Bluetooth controller to dive into the action.
- Adaptable Modes: From mixed reality to virtual environments or a completely dark setup mimicking a movie theater, the flexibility in gaming modes enhances personalization. My preferred setup? A medium-sized screen in a dark environment while lounging comfortably—an ideal balance between immersion and comfort.
- Adjustable Screens: GeForce NOW lets you scale the screen to your preference. Opt for a giant, immersive screen or a smaller, more practical view. The choice is entirely yours.
How GeForce NOW Stacks Up Against Xbox Cloud Gaming on Meta Quest
Xbox Cloud Gaming on the Quest 3 is quite similar to GeForce NOW and has been available for some time. However, GeForce NOW stands out with its ability to deliver higher resolution gaming powered by a high-end PC setup. Xbox Cloud Gaming relies on Xbox hardware and is capped at 1080p, while GeForce NOW’s Ultimate tier leverages an RTX 4080 GPU for far superior visuals. Additionally, Xbox Cloud Gaming has a smaller game library. GeForce NOW already has an edge by offering Xbox titles through its platform, making it a clear choice for those looking for top-tier performance and a broader selection.
Memorable Gaming Moments
Two standout games highlighted the platform’s capabilities. I decided to try these two games because they were ones, I had recently been playing on GeForce NOW for Windows, and I was curious to compare the experiences. This might become my new favorite way to play.
- Cricket 24: Played on a massive screen in darkness, this game transformed into a visually stunning spectacle, filling my field of view (FOV) with breathtaking detail.
- Black Myth: Wukong: Set in a virtual aquarium environment, the game’s highest graphic fidelity was a joy to experience. What stood out was the near-zero latency—performance indistinguishable from native GeForce NOW on Windows.
Room for Improvement
As groundbreaking as the experience was, there are areas that could elevate GeForce NOW in VR further:
- Limited Controller Support: Currently, only Bluetooth gamepads like Xbox controllers are supported. Unfortunately, this excludes the Meta Quest 3’s VR controllers, and keyboard and mouse setups cannot be used either. This limits the potential for certain genres like shooters, where keyboard and mouse setups shine.
- Resolution and Framerate Constraints: The VR version caps resolution at 1440p and framerate at 60fps, unlike the desktop or mobile app’s 4K 120fps. While the visuals were still impressive, an upgrade in these parameters would be a game-changer. You can check this out in the image below where it shows all the settings available for us.
What’s Next?
NVIDIA’s commitment to innovation makes it likely that these limitations will be addressed in future updates. Enhanced controller compatibility and improved resolution are plausible, which would take the VR gaming experience to new heights.
Final Thoughts
GeForce NOW on VR platforms like the Meta Quest 3 is a glimpse into the future of gaming. While not perfect yet, it’s already delivering an unparalleled level of immersion and convenience. For enthusiasts and casual gamers alike, this is a journey worth embarking on. As technology evolves, we can anticipate even more breathtaking advancements in cloud gaming within the VR space.
You can check out the FAQ from NVDIA here for yourself https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5606
