Virtual reality gaming has come a long way in recent years, with advancements in technology making it more immersive and accessible than ever before. While many VR games require handheld controllers for input, an increasing number of titles now support alternative control methods like hand tracking and headset triggers.
This means you can dive into VR without needing to hold controllers, allowing for greater freedom of movement and more natural interactions. In this article, we’ll highlight 10 of the best VR games you can play without a controller.
The Benefits of Playing VR Games Without a Controller
Before we get into our top picks, let’s discuss some of the key advantages of playing VR games without a controller:
- More Immersive Experiences: Without controllers to remind you it’s “just a game,” controllerless VR can feel more like reality, enabling deeper immersion in virtual worlds. This is especially impactful in atmospheric games like VR horror titles.
- Greater Freedom of Movement: Ditching the controllers allows you to move your hands and body more naturally, unrestricted by holding devices. This is great for active games and VR experiences designed for full-body movement.
- No Need to Learn Button Controls: Motion controls often feel more intuitive than memorizing complex button layouts. Controllerless games let you jump right in, making them ideal for VR games for kids or newcomers to VR.
- Easier to Manage: No need to keep track of controllers, change batteries, or put on straps. Just put on the headset and start playing. Fewer accessories also mean fewer items to troubleshoot if something goes wrong.
Okay, now that we’ve covered the benefits, let’s get into the 10 best VR games you can play without controllers!
1. Unplugged: Air Guitar
Unplugged: Air Guitar is a unique VR rhythm game that uses hand tracking instead of controllers. Strap on your headset and rock out, strumming along to songs using only your hands. With an extensive track list and challenging levels to master, it provides hours of rockin’ fun without needing to hold plastic guitars.
For the best audio experience, check out our picks for the best headphones for Oculus Quest 2.
2. Smash Hit
In this popular VR adaptation of a mobile classic, the goal is to throw balls to break glass obstacles in your path. Using gaze controls, you aim and launch projectiles to clear barriers before they stop your momentum. The satisfying physics and soothing sounds make Smash Hit an engrossing, controllerless VR experience.
3. Epic Roller Coasters
Experience the thrills of a roller coaster from the comfort of home with this collection of VR amusement park rides. Sit back, strap on your headset, and go for a wild ride, no controllers needed.
Choose from a variety of coasters or build your own, then let the twists, turns, and drops transport you to a virtual theme park. It’s also a great VR experience for movie fans looking for more immersive thrills.
4. VR Racer
VR Racer is an intense racing game that puts you behind the wheel without controllers. To steer your car, simply tilt your head left and right – your headset’s gyroscopic sensors will translate that to turns on the track. It delivers fast-paced fun that feels natural and intuitive.
5. End Space VR
In End Space VR, you pilot a spacecraft using only your gaze. As enemies appear, look to aim and press your headset’s trigger button to blast them away. With gorgeous galactic vistas and exciting dogfights, End Space provides an exhilarating space combat experience without complex controls.
6. VR X-Racer
Another racing game designed for controllerless play, VR X-Racer pits you against alien ships in high-speed chases. The motion sensing controls respond to your head movements for steering – it’s easy to learn but tricky to master, especially with obstacles appearing along the way.
7. Trooper 2 VR
This first-person shooter was built from the ground up for headset-only input. Aim your gun using gaze controls and pull the trigger on your headset to blast baddies.
Trooper 2’s fast pace and 360° battlefields will keep you on your toes. If you enjoy futuristic shooters, you might also like these games similar to XCOM.
8. LiteBoxer
LiteBoxer gamifies boxing workouts, tasking you with punching specific targets in time with music. The game’s hand tracking functionality allows it to score your jabs, hooks, and uppercuts without controllers. It’s a fun, active VR experience and a great way to work up a sweat!
9. Darknet VR
In Darknet, you play as an elite hacker infiltrating virtual computer networks. Solve puzzles and deploy viruses by looking to aim and using your headset’s triggers. Its neon-soaked cyberscapes provide a stylish setting for controllerless gaming with a techy twist.
10. Snow Strike VR
Recapture the magic of a snowball fight without the ice-cold hands! Snow Strike’s intuitive gaze-based controls let you scoop up and throw snowballs just by moving your head and clicking your headset’s trigger. Duck and dodge return fire in epic snowball showdowns.
Are VR Games Better Without Controllers?
So with these great examples of controllerless VR gaming, you might be wondering if ditching controllers is the way of the future. While hand tracking and other innovations are exciting, the reality is a bit more nuanced.
Controllers still have advantages in VR – they provide precise tactile inputs and help ground you in the experience. Many of the most popular VR games use controllers to great effect.
That said, VR input is evolving rapidly and controllerless options are only going to grow. Hand tracking continues to improve and companies are working on advanced solutions like haptic feedback gloves and ultrasonic speakers to engage your other senses in VR.
Conclusion
Playing VR games without a controller offers unique advantages, enabling immersive experiences with intuitive, natural control schemes. From fast-paced action to atmospheric exploration, there’s a wide range of controllerless VR titles to try.
While controllers aren’t going away anytime soon, the games on this list showcase the potential of alternate VR inputs. Advances in hand tracking and other interface innovations could eventually make controllers obsolete. But in the meantime, dip your toes in with Unplugged: Air Guitar, Smash Hit, or another excellent controllerless VR game. Happy gaming!
