Do you love to play VR games but cannot stand to use controllers? Well, you are not alone, for many people feel the same way.
The controllers that come bundled with most VR headsets today are included to make your VR gameplay easier and more convenient. However, these controllers can be quite cumbersome, which is why many users tend to stay away from using them.
This is especially true if you love to go on gaming marathon sessions. In that situation, holding on to these controllers for hours on end can make your VR gaming experience pretty inconvenient.
Thankfully, many modern VR systems have become developed enough to allow for hands-free gaming. And while most games are yet to switch to a controller-free experience, there are some titles that allow you to play without them. These are the games that we have discussed in this guide.
So, without any further ado, let’s get started!
9 VR Games That Can Be Played Without A Controller
1. Smash Hit
Smash Hit originally started out as a regular mobile game and was already quite popular, thanks to its simplistic gameplay and relaxing sound design. But once VR support was added to the game, it became even more of a smash hit (pun fully intended)!
This game is a first-person rail shooter where you traverse through abstract spaces with soothing lights and music. As you glide past the levels, different glass obstacles will pop up in front, which you will need to break by shooting metallic balls. Doing so increases your score and gives you more balls to shoot, so try not to miss!
Break the glass structures before you get too close, for there are only so many hits that you can take before it’s game over. The game also ends if you run out of balls to throw, which means accuracy is important. Likewise, the speed gets faster as you progress through the levels, so you need to have good reflexes and timing too.
Overall, it offers a very relaxing VR gameplay experience that doesn’t require a controller at all. Just press the button on your headset to shoot the balls – simple! And with enough precision and reflexes, you will breeze through the 50 levels of the game in no time.
2. VR X-Racer
Are you in the mood to play some VR racing games to get your adrenaline pumping? Well, VR X-Racer has got you covered in that aspect! The game is available on both android and iOS devices, which means you can play it regardless of your smartphone model.
In this game, you control a spaceship that hurtles through the landscape at breakneck speeds. The controls are relatively straightforward, and it doesn’t need a controller to play. All you need to do is tilt your head, and the ship will swerve in the same direction.
As you whiz past in your spaceship, you need to avoid the obstacles that are scattered throughout the environment. If you hit any of these obstacles, it will be game over, and you will need to restart again from the beginning. On that note, there are several ring-like structures scattered along the ground that you can collect for a bonus.
In short, you will need quick reflexes and spatial awareness to make it through each level. Graphically, the game features a voxel aesthetic along with impressive 3D visuals that will completely immerse you in its world. There are different-colored themes that help to keep the gameplay fresh. Besides, if you collect the bonuses, you get extra credits that can be used to upgrade the spaceship.
3. Trooper 2 VR
Trooper 2 is a relatively new VR game that is available on android devices. It is a first-person shooter that has garnered a lot of praise from critics and gamers alike. Usually, VR FPS games have complex gameplay mechanics that make the use of controllers mandatory.
However, that is not the case with Trooper 2, as it features simplistic gameplay that does not require controllers at all. It does not require you to have a high-end VR headset either, as it can be easily played with a Google Cardboard or any other affordable VR device.
Just move your head to look around and press the trigger button on the headset to shoot. This makes it highly accessible, which is one of the biggest reasons for its positive reception.
In this game, you are pitted against an army of blocky, green creatures, and your objective is to kill these “cube people” to progress through the levels. Similarly, the game world is comparatively barebones and consists of black, vector-like blocks that resemble buildings. Do not be fooled by this aspect, though, for the combat action in this game can get intense at times.
4. End Space VR
End Space VR is arguably one of the best VR games available on iOS. If you love sci-fi and deep space battles, then you should absolutely try out this game. It features stunning graphics and visual effects that will immerse you in the game universe entirely.
In this game, you need to defend your space station against invading aliens. The enemies become tougher and more aggressive as you progress, which means that good reflexes and accuracy are key to keeping yourself alive. You can simply press the trigger button on your VR headset to shoot, which means there is no need for a controller.
However, if your VR headset does not come with a trigger button, then no need to worry. The game comes with a gaze shooting feature, where you can shoot by simply gazing at your enemies. In other words, you can practically stare your enemies to death – what else could you ask for?
Aside from the console-level graphics, the game’s sound design deserves a special mention too. It helps to provide further immersion so that you can fully enjoy the experience.
5. Deep Space Battle VR
While the last option is undeniably a great game, it is not available for Android, which is its biggest limitation. Not to worry, though, for if you own an Android device, you can scratch your itch of playing a space shooter VR game with the Deep Space Battle VR.
In this game, you play from a third-person perspective instead of the usual first-person perspective observed in most VR games. You play as a space pilot who is tasked with defending Earth from an invading fleet of aliens.
The game is visually captivating, as it allows you to explore beautiful galactic environments on your ship. Also, the sound design is top-notch, which means that you will have a lot of fun blasting through hordes of alien ships with your laser-powered spaceship!
This game is optimized to run on most mobile VR devices, including the Google Cardboard headset. So, just put on your VR gear, and get shooting by pressing the trigger button – no controllers required. Moreover, the game supports motion sensing, which means that you can move your head around to aim and navigate your spaceship.
6. VR Street Jump
VR Street Jump is another popular game that doesn’t require a controller to play. The premise of the game is pretty simple – you have to cross the street to reach the other side while avoiding incoming traffic.
It starts fairly easily, but as you progress, the streets get wider, and the traffic gets more aggressive. One hit from the incoming traffic, and you are toast! Thus, timing and spatial awareness are key here, and if you have those, you can easily cruise through the different levels.
The core gameplay system is very similar to the retro arcade game Frogger. In fact, if you are an old-school gamer, this game might bring back a lot of memories! However, here you play in a 3D, first-person perspective, which is different from the 2D third-person perspective used in that game.
You control your jumps by pressing the trigger button on your headset. And thanks to its 360-degree view, you can look around in all directions by moving your head. Graphically, the game features low-poly, voxel aesthetics, which is reminiscent of Minecraft – another popular sandbox game that is also available in VR.
7. VR Roller Coaster
Do you want to experience the thrill of riding a roller coaster without leaving your home? Then you need to play VR Roller Coaster which offers exactly that! In this game, you can plan and design your own roller coasters, which makes the game even more interactive.
Those with a vivid imagination can come up with a roller coaster design that will quickly get your heart racing. But if you just want to experience the ride without having to create anything yourself, that’s possible, too. There are several pre-made roller coasters to choose from, so just put on your VR headset and strap in for the ride!
As usual, you do not need a controller to build or ride the roller coasters. As a matter of fact, if you are not interested in building one, there is no additional gameplay to worry about either. In that case, it essentially becomes a virtual reality game that lets you ride roller coasters for some fun and excitement.
8. Snow Strike VR
Snow Strike VR is a game that you get when you combine a tower defense game and an FPS into one single package. In this game, you have to defend your snow fort against evil snowmen. And guess what weapon you use to accomplish that task? That’s right – snowballs! Therefore, it is essentially a snowball fight, which makes it a perfect game for the winter festivities.
In order to throw the snowballs, simply look toward your foe and press the trigger button. Be careful, though, for your enemies will throw snowballs back at you. Take a few hits, and it will be game over for you. So, in order to stay in the game, you need to dodge the enemy snowballs by weaving your head away in time.
As you can see, none of these actions require a controller, which keeps your hands free. The graphics and sound design are nothing fancy, but it successfully captures the snowy aesthetic, which makes it immersive enough.
9. VR Racer
Have you always wanted to experience the thrill of street racing? Well, you can experience it now in virtual reality, thanks to VR racer. It is the second racing game that we have included on our list, and it can be played without a controller on all mobile VR headsets.
You can easily control the direction of the car by tilting your head. For example, if you want the car to go right, just swing your head to the right, and vice versa. Furthermore, the game features a head gaze system that makes navigating through the menus a breeze. So, in order to select an item from the game menu, all you need to do is gaze at it.
In terms of graphics, the game does a fairly good job of immersing you in the world. You might not get Need For Speed Levels of graphical fidelity here, but the environments are detailed and illuminated enough to give you authentic street racing vibes.
What’s more, the gameplay is smooth and well-optimized, which means that you won’t get any motion sickness as you zip past the traffic in your racing car.
Final Words
Playing VR games without controllers is becoming more commonplace as features like hand tracking, motion sensing, and others are refined further. On that note, there are many other games that can be played without controllers, but the ones discussed above are some of the most popular and well-received titles.
If you haven’t gotten into VR gaming yet, you can give these games a try. Their immersion and convenience will surely get you hooked from the get-go. And believe us – once you get a taste of it, you’ll never want to go back to regular gaming ever again!
Anyway, that brings us to the end of this guide. So, grab your VR gear and get gaming!
