The NFL’s 98th season is upon us and VR Fitness Insider is pumped to help you find the best VR football games for the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift. It may be frustrating to wait to watch your favorite players and teams take to the field on gameday, but the good news is you’ll be able to play these football inspired games and burn off some of those gameday snacks you’ve been munching on.
Hot Runback – VR Runner
This is a single player running and throwing football game that’ll start you off in a locker room and bring you out to the field for practice. You’ll be running in place as you throw endless footballs at obstacles like cars, structures, and even an officer for points. You’ll be able to play for as long as you want because it’s designed to be endless. Don’t forget those other football players who’ll be on your tail if you stop.
Fitness Potential
Due to all the fast running, jumping, and dodging this will serve as a great cardio workout. You don’t have to use the controllers to move, instead, you use them to throw footballs at objects to destroy them or get them out of your way. Running while collecting coins and throwing footballs will give your whole body a workout. Enjoy the benefits of having a built-in fitness tracker that will monitor the distance you run and the calories you burn.
Release Date: September 24, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Yode group
Compatible With: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked motion controllers
Price: $2.99 to $4.99
Link: Hot Runback – VR Runner
2MD VR Football
You’ll be playing as a quarterback in the last 2 minutes of game time – no pressure! You’ll be playing in 8 stadiums as a single player deciding which plays to make as you lead your team to victory or to defeat. Customize your team’s name, logo, voice, colors, and music for personalization. The game stages take place in a third person and first person perspective, leaving some wiggle room for variety in gameplay.
Fitness Potential
Making offensive and defensive plays will give your brain a strategy exercise, but won’t do wonders for strength or cardio. The rapid-fire bonus round is where you’ll be throwing balls and eventually fireballs into hoops on the field. The bonus round seems to be the only upper body workout you’ll get from this game.
Release Date: September 26, 2017
Developer/Publisher: Truant pixel, LLC
Compatible With: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked motion controllers
Price: $10.99 to $12.99
Link: 2MD VR Football
VRQB
VRQB is a vibrantly designed arcade football game that other games just can’t compete with. You’ll be playing as a quarterback through 4 stages of play: Classic, 2 Minute Drill, Scramble, and Hot Routes. As you go, you’ll be challenging yourself to throw the football down the field, hitting yard markers that will give you points the further you throw with accuracy.
Fitness Potential
Get to the top of the leaderboard by aiming, throwing, and hitting yard markers as they travel down the field. VRQB is a great upper body workout that can be boosted by adding wrist weights or ankle weights to your gameplay. Rapidly throwing a football like the 2 Minute Drill involves quick movement to the core and upper body, making it a promising but fun exercise.
Release Date: September 8, 2017
Developer/Publisher: After Sunset Games, LLC
Compatible With: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked motion controllers
Price: $7.99
Link: VRQB
VR Sports Challenge
Video Credit to: Ars Technica for the VR Sports Challenge Football Gameplay Demo
This is an arcade and stadium style VR game that lets you choose between hockey, basketball, baseball, and football. Celebrate football season by choosing which plays will advance your team’s offensive or defensive line. Snap, throw, pass, catch, and run the football down the yard line to gain an advantage over the other team.
Fitness Potential
Since you’ll be using the controller to throw, pass, and catch as a quarterback or receiver, you’ll want to add weights to your arms, chest, or legs for a better overall workout. The combination of upper body throwing and core stabilization make for a good upper and mid-body workout. While you’ll find yourself squatting to catch footballs this is not an optimum leg day game. You’ll want to add weights for more of a workout or do deep squats in between plays.
Release Date: December 6, 2016
Developer: Sanzaru Games, Inc.
Publisher: Oculus
Compatible With: Oculus Rift with touch controllers
Price: $29.99
Link: VR Sports Challenge
