In a collaboration that blends console gaming with virtual reality, Meta and Microsoft have launched a new limited edition headset called the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition. This release marks the first time Meta has offered a limited-edition Quest device, and it’s being positioned as the perfect entry point for Xbox fans interested in jumping into the VR world without ditching their controller-based gameplay.
The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is essentially a 128GB Meta Quest 3S dressed up in Xbox branding. It comes in a sleek Carbon Black design with bright Velocity Green accents that mirror the look of an Xbox controller. Even the bundled Touch Plus controllers get the same aesthetic treatment. And yes, it also includes a special edition Xbox Wireless Controller that comes pre-paired with the headset, so you’re ready to dive into cloud gaming right away.
This new bundle is priced at $399.99 and includes the headset, controllers, the Meta Quest Elite Strap for added comfort, three months of Meta Horizon+, and three months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. That subscription gives you access to hundreds of Xbox titles through Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), including upcoming heavy-hitters like South of Midnight, Avowed, and the Oblivion remaster. The headset turns into a massive virtual display, meaning you don’t need a console or TV to get started.
While the Meta Quest platform is best known for motion-tracked VR games, the Xbox Cloud Gaming app for Quest works more like a virtual monitor for traditional gaming. You won’t be flailing your arms in Halo or ducking behind real-world furniture in Gears of War. Instead, you’re sitting in a virtual space, controller in hand, streaming your favorite console games from the cloud. Think of it as bringing your Xbox library to a private IMAX screen that you can take anywhere.
Meta and Microsoft say you can also connect other Xbox controllers, like the Elite Series 2 or Adaptive Controller, using Bluetooth. And with cross-progression support, your game saves, progress, and achievements will carry over seamlessly from VR to your console or PC and back again. That flexibility might make this headset a decent fit for gamers who don’t want to be locked into one ecosystem or device.
Availability is limited, and once these bundles sell out, Meta has made it clear they won’t be restocking. The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is being sold through Meta’s website, Best Buy in the United States, and Argos and EE in the United Kingdom.
Whether this headset is the future of Xbox gaming or just a marketing stunt remains to be seen. But for $399.99 (buy it here), fans of both VR and Xbox might find this to be a surprisingly affordable way to bridge both worlds.
