Futuristic controllers from Facebook are a real game changer for virtual reality
There's more than a touch of magic about Oculus' new handsets
When the Facebook’s VR headset, Oculus Rift, launched back in September there was something missing - a natural way to interact with the world inside the headset.
But now the Oculus Touch controllers have arrived, and just in time for some arm-flailing family fun this Christmas.
The ability to reach out and touch the make-believe world around you in VR is mind-bendingly cool.
I cackled with joy the first time I picked up a weapon and pulled the trigger, waved at a friendly robot and it waved back, or just poked a ball to watch it roll away.
Covered in sensors to tell what your hands are doing, you'll quickly forget that you're holding the light-weight controllers.
Point your index finger out and your VR hands will do the same, grab something by making a fist and your on-screen self will grip that basketball, cliff face or coffee cup, just like in real life.
From launch day the Oculus store has 53 titles that support Touch, ranging in price from £49.99 to free. Games vary from the simple but addictive Fruit Ninja VR which has you dicing fruit with two samurai swords, to the complex and creepy escape room game, I Expect You To Die.
But our favourite so far is Superhot VR, a game that sees you face off against hordes of faceless enemies in Matrix-style slow motion gun battles and hand-to-hand combat.
The £189 Oculus Touch, which includes two controllers and an extra tracking camera, is a pricey but essential add-on to the £499 Oculus Rift.
4.5 out of 5