Virtual reality is here. Well, it’s here in the sense that all of the big names in VR have launched or are very close to launching their VR platforms. Whether it’s here for good as an established and widely accepted product category remains to be seen. VR is a fascinating way to put you somewhere else through the power of technology, using a headset and motion tracking to let you look around a virtual space as if you are actually there. It’s also been a promising technology for decades that’s never truly caught on.

This could change with the current wave and popularity of VR. While VR was a non-starter in the 90’s, develops are now creating mind blowing experiences that look set to revolutionize gaming and entertainment. Meanwhile, AR and mixed reality are starting to appear on the screen, blending our world with a virtual one.

Oculus has released the consumer-ready Rift, HTC and Valve have put out the Steam-friendly Vive, Sony has finally launched the PlayStation VR, Samsung continues to incrementally improve its Gear VR, and Google’s getting ready to let its Daydream platform emerge like a butterfly from its Cardboard cocoon. There are a lot of promising headsets across a lot of different price and power spectrums. The question to whether it’s worth it or not however, arises. Most people don’t want to pay over $200 dollars for something that they would only use around 3 times a week and for entertainment purposes only.

“I got the Oculus Rift goggles for Christmas and I thought I would never use it, but it’s fun to use with friends and have a good laugh and a cool experience,” sophomore Kylie Chalmers said.

The Oculus goggles on Amazon go for about $600.

“It’s definitely worth the price in my experience, I feel like I’m in a totally different place. I have the VR app called Orbulus which lets me see different places in the world like Paris or a sandy beach in California, and it’s 360 degree view is super convincing,” Chalmers said.

However, there are other companies that sell the VR goggles for cheaper.

“Google Fiber handed out free google cardboard which is where you assemble it yourself and place your phone inside. It’s actually not that bad, you just have to download the app and it automatically takes you to the virtual reality,” senior Amy Gross said.

Online the google cardboard goes for about $10 to $15 dollars.

“I don’t think I ever used it more than once, it gets pretty boring after a while and it doesn’t have much variety to it. I rather buy something that has more variety, and experience something I’ve never seen before,” Gross said.

While there are some cons to VR, there are much more pros to buying the VR headsets.

“People buy the virtual reality headsets because it’s a really fun and cool experience. I feel like I can reach out and touch the things around me, that’s how real it feels,” sophomore Courtney Rudolph said.

Different headsets have different games that you can play, from horror to adventure, action and etc.

“I know I don’t watch a lot of TV or play videogames, but with the VR headsets I can just put them on for like 10 seconds and be in a different place before I have to go to school, or a practice, or even dinner,” Rudolph said.

The headsets aren’t meant for time-consuming games, they can be used for the smallest things like entertainment or to escape reality.

Virtual Reality headsets also vary for what type of phone a person has. Certain headsets like Urge Basics VR headset works with all fit smartphones, even IPhones and Samsungs. Unlike the Samsung Gear that only works for Samsung phones. Prices for each one vary, but also check to make sure it fits the phone, or if it doesn’t require a phone.

“It would be cooler to see it work without your phone, it would just enhance the experience a hundred times more,” Rudolph said.