You no longer need an Xbox to play Xbox games. From now on, you can also play Meta Quest 2 or 3 – I’ve tried it out

Unlike Sony with the PSVR, Microsoft has so far shown no interest in virtual reality. However, this only seems to apply to hardware support on the Xbox, as the company has now teamed up with Meta to bring Xbox Cloud Gaming to Meta Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest Pro. 

This not only opens up a new audience for the Xbox manufacturer, but also supports another platform so that you can enjoy Xbox games without Xbox. 

Although I have an Xbox Series X in my living room, I didn’t miss the opportunity to try out the new app with Meta Quest 3. However, there are a few things to consider first

Beta, controller and more

First of all, the Xbox Cloud Gaming app is currently still a beta and can hang a little here and there. In my test with Forza Motorsport, Forza Horizon 4 and other titles, I had no problems. The app is available for free in Meta’s digital store

You will also need a controller, which you can easily connect to the Quest 3 using the settings. I used an Xbox controller by default, but a DualShock 4 (PS4 controller) or Nintendo Switch Pro Controller can also be used. Support for the DualSense of the PlayStation 5 will be added at a later date. 

After the beta has been installed and the controller connected, there is still one small thing missing. You need the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to be able to start Cloud Gaming. 

(In passthrough mode, it becomes clear how large the display really is.)

How well does it work?

Once all the requirements have been met, you can get started. Open the app and you will be beamed into the green Xbox world. If this is too much for you, you can activate the usual passthrough mode so that only a window floats in the room that you can move.

Below you can set the size of your virtual display from S to XL&nbsp. It is now also possible to connect your gaming controller to the VR headset. There is a controller icon next to the size settings that you can use to quickly connect a controller

The user interface offers you the typical Xbox design, as you know it from the store on one of the consoles, for example. There you select a title and then simply press Play The entire process is kept very simple, so it takes no more than five minutes from download to the first game.

Well. The streaming. This is where it gets a bit tricky, of course, as every internet and Wi-Fi connection is different and there are of course different factors everywhere. I have a 100 Mbit line and my Wi-Fi point is on the ceiling about three meters away from where I usually play. 

Noticeable input lag: Not suitable for multiplayer titles

However, I have tried titles from different genres. From a racing game (Forza Horizon 5, Forza Motorsport) to an action adventure (Rise of the Tomb Raider) to a shooter (Halo Infinite). While the picture quality was stable and surprisingly good, there were only rare dips that made the picture a little pixelated. However, input lag was noticeable from time to time It varied from barely noticeable to clearly noticeable

The Google Stadia setting deserves another positive mention here, as this did not occur there. This was mainly due to the fact that the controller connected directly to the servers via WLAN and therefore did not have to take a detour via a dongle – or in this case the Meta Quest 3 

Such hardware is not available for Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming, so the input signal takes longer to travel and causes input lag. However, it should be noted that this only plays a limited role in single-player titles. For competitive multiplayer titles, however, a console or PC should still be used.

(Games look even better when you use the virtual environment of the Xbox Cloud Gaming App.)

My opinion on cloud gaming

Cloud gaming is an exciting thing that I’ve been watching for years. I was also a Google Stadia user from the very beginning and it worked surprisingly well back then.

In the meantime, Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud Gaming has also reached a very good level for playing games quickly, smoothly and without major problems. 

Only the high payment barrier through the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate could be an obstacle for some users. Why the basic packages can’t at least play games from your own game library is a mystery to me.

On the other hand, it is more pleasing that Microsoft is keeping its word and making games available to more people. The release of the app on Meta Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest Pro is therefore an important step and it works amazingly well. 

If Sony were to follow suit and release an official remote play app for the VR headsets, Meta’s Quest 3 would be a real all-round gaming device. 

Have you already tried the Xbox Cloud Gaming app with Meta Quest or are you still planning to? Are you impressed with the performance and image quality, or have you faced any challenges? Or: Which games do you think can gain the most from VR? Tell us about your experiences in the comments. Because who knows, maybe this is the future of gaming!

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