If you've been eager to dive into VR gaming but the high cost has held you back, the first discount on the Meta Quest 3S for 2025 might just be what you need. Currently, you can snag $30 off the wireless VR headset, applicable to both the 128GB and 256GB models. This deal is sweetened further with a copy of *Batman: Arkham Shadow VR* and a three-month trial of Meta Quest+. In IGN's 8/10 review, Dan Stapleton praised the game, stating, "Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off."
Free to Play VR Sandbox Game: DigiGods on Meta Quest
DigiGods is a free-to-play, physics-based VR game that lets players create, play, and share in a sandbox environment. Safety is paramount, with AI content filtering and human moderators ensuring a secure and positive experience. Check it out on Meta.
Meta Quest 3S VR Headset with Batman: Arkham Shadow
Meta Quest 3S 128GB VR Headset
$299.99 save 10%
$269.00 at Amazon
The Quest 3S is a significant upgrade from the Quest 2, offering enhanced features without a price hike. It incorporates many of the Quest 3's advanced features, such as the new Touch controllers, the upgraded SnapDragon APU, and full-color AR passthrough. In IGN's 9/10 review, Gabriel Moss highlighted, "raw processing power, full-color passthrough, and snappy Touch Plus controllers make the Quest 3S a fantastic standalone VR headset that also brings entry-level mixed-reality gaming to the masses for – arguably – the very first time."
What sets this deal apart is the ability to play the Meta Quest 3S completely untethered. This means you can enjoy games like Beat Saber or Pistol Whip without needing a powerful gaming PC or a PlayStation 5. At this price point, you won't find another standalone VR headset that offers such freedom.
How Is the Quest 3S Different from the Quest 3?
Even at its retail price, the Quest 3S is $200, or 40% cheaper than the $500 Quest 3. To achieve this competitive pricing, some compromises were made. Here's how they compare:
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Similarities
- Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor
- Touch Plus controllers
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Mixed reality passthrough (same cameras, different layout)
Quest 3S vs. Quest 3 Differences
- Lower per-eye resolution (1832x1920 vs 2064×2208)
- Fresnel lens vs. pancake lens
- Lower FOV (96°/90° vs 104°/96°)
- Smaller storage capacity (128GB vs 512GB)
- Longer battery life (2.5hrs vs 2.2hrs)
In essence, the Quest 3S is nearly identical to the Quest 3 but with downgraded optics. However, since both use the same processor, the lower resolution can reduce the load on the APU, potentially improving game performance and contributing to the longer battery life.
For the price, the Quest 3S offers better value than the Quest 3 and is a more suitable choice for most gamers, especially if the Quest 3 was out of your budget. Compared to the Quest 2, the decision is even clearer.
Why Should You Trust IGN's Deals Team?
IGN's deals team boasts over 30 years of combined experience in finding the best discounts in gaming, tech, and various other categories. We prioritize transparency and value, ensuring our readers get the best deals from trusted brands that our editorial team has firsthand experience with. For more on our process, check out our deals standards. Stay updated with the latest deals by following IGN's Deals account on Twitter.
