PSVR 2 retail availability won't be enough to address its sales woes

techradar.com:

PSVR 2's exclusive availability via PlayStation Direct is ending, and you'll soon find stock in big box retailers worldwide.

Participating retailers selling PSVR 2 units will include GameStop in the US and Game in the UK, and there'll most certainly be more big online presences to follow. It means you'll no longer need to go through Sony's online store to grab the PS5 headset for yourself. That'll potentially lead to an increase in bundles and offers, too.

PlayStation Direct exclusivity was always likely to end eventually, but there's a likelihood that Sony expedited its availability to retailers at large. PSVR 2 has reportedly underperformed since its February 2023 launch, shifting less than 300,000 units in its first month.

If Sony wants PSVR 2 to outsell its predecessor, then heading to retail early is a good first step. But will it be enough to really get the ball rolling? I'm having a hard time thinking it will be.

That's not to say retail availability won't sell more PSVR 2 headsets. Just by nature of it being available on more shelves, with more eyes on it, Sony's internal graphs will most likely tick upwards. Throw in the fact that PSVR 2 is genuinely one of the best VR headsets, and how word of mouth improves the tech's chances of success; then I think the ailing headset will start showing signs of improvement. At least in the short term.

PSVR 2's biggest obstacle remains its price point, and even at retail, it's going to be tough to convince PS5 owners that they should spend even more on a headset with a relatively small library of games. If you're new to the VR space, then a standalone headset like Meta Quest 2 will likely be more appealing with its larger library, not to mention that it doesn't require an