Summary
- SkyTechSport: the most realistic ski / snowboard VR simulator
- Ski Rodeo: Bandai Namco's VR ski simulator
- SNOW: An Open World VR Winter Sports Game
- Fancy Skiing VR: the best skiing game on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive
- Goalie Challenge VR: the best VR ice hockey game
- Everest VR: climb Mount Everest in virtual reality
- Totally Realistic Sledding: the best sledging game in VR
- Snow Fortress: a VR snowball battle simulator
- Xtreme Snowboard: the best snowboarding game on Samsung Gear VR
- Ski Jumping VR: the best skiing game on Samsung Gear VR
Living extreme sensations from your living room, without exposing yourself to the danger of the real world, this is one of the main reasons for being virtual reality. In addition to VR flight simulators or even VR racing games, winter sports are one of the categories of experience that best meet this conception of immersive technologies. Here are the top of the best VR winter sports experiences.
SkyTechSport: the most realistic ski / snowboard VR simulator
Price: not communicated
SkyTechSport is not a simple VR winter sports game, but a real simulator. This impressive machine allows you to find all the sensations of skiing or snowboarding. After putting on his board or his skis, the user must move his body as on a real track. Gravity and biomechanics are realistically simulated to find the exact sensations of winter sports.
Thanks to GPS scouting technology, all the tracks in the world can be reproduced identically. However, there is no question here of wearing a helmet. The images are broadcast in 4K on a giant panoramic screen, but the immersion remains impressive. SkyTechSport is the world's most advanced VR winter sports simulator, and the US ski team uses it for training. Of course, this state-of-the-art device is not intended for individuals, but rather for ski schools, resorts and other event organizers.
Ski Rodeo: Bandai Namco's VR ski simulator
Ski Rodeo is a VR ski simulator available exclusively in Japan at Bandai Namco's VR Zone Shinjuku arcade. Equipped with an HTC Vive, the player must descend the slopes of a large snow-capped mountain at full speed.
To keep the balance he will have to move realistically on the machine, as if wearing real skis. The experience offers sensations of impressive realism with haptic feedback and vibrations.
SNOW: An Open World VR Winter Sports Game
Price: Free
Compatible : Oculus Rift, HTC Vive
SNOW is a open world VR winter sports game. The player enjoys complete freedom of action, and can explore a huge mountain at will. While exploring this massif, he will discover valleys, hidden villages and much more. When skiing or snowboarding, the feeling of sliding is very convincing. A multiplayer mode also allows several people to descend the mountain. The player's avatar can be personalized with clothing and equipment from leading brands. Currently in open beta, the game also has the advantage of being free.
VR compatibility is unofficial, but the game supports Oculus Rift and HTC Vive VR headsets in a certain way. Here's how to play SNOW in VR:
- Open the SNOW folder
- Copy the system.cfg file
- Rename it user.cfg
- Edit the file, and replace everything in it with “sys_vr_support = 1” (without the quotes)
- Save, and launch the game.
- Press F1 to switch to first person view.
Fancy Skiing VR: the best skiing game on Oculus Rift and HTC Vive
Price: € 9,99
Compatible : Oculus Rift, HTC Vive
Developed by HashVR with Unity Engine, Fancy Skiing is an Oculus Rift and HTC Vive compatible VR skiing game. The player uses his motion-sensing controllers like ski poles in order to control its trajectory and accelerate.
It is possible to jump over canyons, or hunt reindeer while skiing. Obstacles also arise to spice up the experience. The object of the game is to ski as long as possible to register the best possible score. Note that it is possible to play seated.
Goalie Challenge VR: the best VR ice hockey game
Price: Free
Compatible : Oculus Rift, HTC Vive
Ice hockey is one of the most fun winter sports. Unfortunately, at the moment, no VR ice hockey game is really interesting. The most successful experience to date is Goalie Challenge VR, which proposes to play a goal. Directly developed by a real ice hockey goalie, the title offers an experience that is both realistic and entertaining.
As in a real game of ice hockey, the player must stop the puck. The surround sound and haptic vibrations increase the feeling of immersion. Several difficulty levels are offered, as well as a local multiplayer mode. Note that the VR Sports Experience game for Oculus Rift offers a similar experience among the many mini games that it aggregates.
Everest VR: climb Mount Everest in virtual reality
Price: Free
Compatible: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PSVR
Climb Mount Everest in first person view in this photorealistic experience created with Unreal Engine. Developed by Sólfar in partnership with RVX, Icelandic leader in special effects, this experience offers you to experience the ascent of Mount Everest through 5 different scenes, from base camp to the summit.
Once the ascent is complete, God Mode lets you freely fly over the roof of the world and access places that are impossible to reach in the real world. A game that is both accessible and impressive.
Totally Realistic Sledding: the best sledging game in VR
Price: € 9,99
Compatible : Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality
This game is not free from flaws, but it is currently one of the only VR sledging games. By default, this is the best. This simulator is both realistic and fun.
Jump from the peaks, slide on the ramps while contemplating sumptuous landscapes. Watch out for obstacles! Still in Early Access, the game should continue to improve over time.
Snow Fortress: a VR snowball battle simulator
Price: € 14,99
Compatible: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, PSVR
How to talk about winter sports without mentioning the snowball battles? Probably the oldest winter sport in human history. Snow Fortress presents itself as the best simulator of virtual reality snowball battles.
Build your snow fortress, and destroy the opponent's one through 20 different levels. As they progress, the player unlocks new tools to improve their fort. A survival mode and an online multiplayer mode are also available.
Xtreme Snowboard: the best snowboarding game on Samsung Gear VR
Price: € 2,99
Compatible : Samsung Gear VR
In this crazy snowboarding game for Gear VR, you have to come to the aid of Santa Claus by throwing the presents in the chimneys. Time is running out, and you have to glide at top speed. Gain speed by sliding on trees and by jumping on the springboards, while avoiding obstacles.
In addition to the single player mode using the concept of an Infinite Runner, a multiplayer mode allows you to compete against your friends online. A very fun game for the Samsung Gear VR.
Ski Jumping VR: the best skiing game on Samsung Gear VR
Price: Free
Compatible : Samsung Gear VR
Ski Jumping VR is an unpretentious game, but offers a very nice experience. The jmust go down the ski slopes as part of the Olympic Winter Games.
Using the head-tracking of the Samsung Gear VR, it must keep balance so as not to fall and soar into the air to the applause of the audience. Free and fun, Ski Jumping VR is the best skiing game available on Samsung Gear VR.
