Racket: NX
Hit as many electric polygonal tiles as you can in this ultra fast-paced racquetball VR game. Multiply your score by hitting a burst of tiles. Stay light on your feet, Racket: NX feels a lot like you’re playing inside of a pinball machine with the ricochet of the ball. This is a single and 1v1 multiplayer game that takes focus and timing.
Fitness Potential
We put Racket: NX to the test with our early access game review which says it’s a 6/10 for fitness intensity. This game uses the arms to throw and catch and uses legs and core for pivoting and stabilization. Its upbeat soundtrack (add your own too!) and reactive physics make it a game you can warm up to or make the main event. Don’t miss a shot or your points meter will fall and keep playing games like this to keep your own fitness meter up.
Developer/Publisher: One Hamsa/Keshet International, Waves Audio
Release Date: July 17, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, with tracked controllers
Price: $14.99 to $19.99
Link: Racket: NX
Virtual Ninja
Now out of early access! Slice and dice foes with the katana as they approach or throw shuriken for a swift distance attack. Play Virtual Ninja as a lone ninja or rally behind your friends in multiplayer and kill a Big Golden Samurai boss together (plus 4 other bosses). Practice headshots, distance throws, and blade defense to protect yourself.
Fitness Potential
Using melee weapons like shuriken and katanas will give your upper body a light to medium warriors workout. Playing arcade mode and in multiplayer in room scale will exercise the arms mostly. The core and legs will get a workout when they swing a sword or throw ninja stars.
Developer/Publisher: MAMMOSSIX Co., Ltd.
Release Date: July 16, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, Windows Mixed Reality, with tracked controllers
Price: $6.99 to $9.99
Link: Virtual Ninja
10 Seconds
Video Credit: vrgamecritic
10…9…8…it’s impossible not to feel the pressure of timed events like guzzling magic potions, dodging pumpkins, or throwing daggers.10 Seconds gives you 10 fleeting moments of frenetic action to accomplish one task that can be played alone or with friends in local multiplayer. Each task gets more difficult as stages progress.
Fitness Potential
If you’ve been searching for a coordination game that isn’t heavy on movement this VR game should do the trick. It uses the upper body muscles to throw things sometimes but doesn’t do it repeatedly or for long durations. This is more of a light warm-up and skill game so you’ll want to play more active games to get your heart rate up.
Developer/Publisher: Zynk Software
Release Date: July 16, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers
Price: $3.49 to $4.99
Link: 10 Seconds
TimeCluster
https://youtu.be/n2tGXkpium0
Video Credit: TrailerStroller
This is an FPS game set in a future-meets-medieval timeline. Outsmart enemy aliens, and pull off defense missions when you keep villagers alive with shields. Use the time porter to insta-travel back to the ship and jump markers to move between other marked areas.
Fitness Potential
Shooting aliens with different abilities and kill difficulties make it an upper body game. Walking and responding to attacks and events in room scale makes this game a lower body game. We’re not sure how much movement this game will require but it can stand in as a warm-up or workout depending on how long it’s played. Add a weighted vest if it’s too easy for you.
Developer/Publisher: Vokana Technology, Inc., Aquila Blue Studios
Release Date: July 18, 2018
Compatible with: HTC Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, with tracked controllers
Price: $13.99
Link: TimeCluster
Hopalong: The Badlands
Hop around the desert with your trusty steeds (lol) and shoot bandits in the wild west. Shoot any bad guys that come your way and earn new weapons and horses as you advance. Escape whatever those highwaymen throw at you, including explosive barrels, Gatling gun bullets, and more.
Fitness Potential
Hopping up and down in Oscillot locomotion mode to move in the game makes it a leg burner and will make you sweaty in no time. Bouncing and squatting up and down as you shoot can be more effective for the core if you cinch in and tighten it as you move.
Developer/Publisher: From the Future, LLC
Release Date: July 17, 2018 (PC 2017 release)
Compatible with: PlayStation VR, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift, with tracked controllers
Price: $24.99, $14.99
Link: Hopalong: The Badlands, Hopalong: The Badlands
