Piñata Attack
Want to go to a birthday party with a giant piñata but don’t have any friends? We’re sorry, but you can do so virtually with Piñata Attack! The game puts one player in control of the VR headset as they attack to break a piñata. The other players control the piñata’s location on the main screen, attempting to move it out of the way. The VR wearer can only slightly see through a blindfold inside, so it’s quite the challenge!
Fitness Potential
As with hitting a real piñata, the VR player will be swinging their arms constantly in Piñata Attack. Alongside smacking it, you can try to stop the rope with the bat in order to get a better angle on the piñata. All is fair, and you can swing as fast as you want while trying to break it. As your opponents move it, you’ll need to be turning and adjusting on the fly, too.
Developer/Publisher: Alzan Studios
Release Date: February 3, 2020
Compatible With: HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: $2.99 to $3.99
Link: Piñata Attack
Malicious Payload
A science-fiction game that mixes elements of melee and shooter combat, Malicious Payload will put your skills to the test. Robots will attack you in waves, and you have to make use of powerful guns and a katana in order to eliminate them. The Rail Rifle can deal out damage, and you even have Blackhole Grenade for when things get sticky.
Fitness Potential
As in most survival-style games, your endurance is tested in Malicious Payload. If you’re making use of the katana, you’ll be swinging your arms the entire time. You can try to limit yourself on purpose in order to make the game more difficult and to get a better VR workout from it, too!
Developer/Publisher: Last Howl
Release Date: February 3, 2020
Compatible With: Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Valve Index
Price: $8.49 to $9.99
Link: Malicious Payload
RhythmDanceVR
Looking for your next favorite dancing game on HTC Vive? RhythmDanceVR makes use of your legs rather than your arms for VR dancing. You’re encouraged to attack the tracked motion controllers with a shin-guard bracket. Once you’ve done this, you can tear up the dance floor like a pro. There are multiple difficulty settings and a future update will add support for an eight-player mode.
Fitness Potential
As a dancing game, RhythmDanceVR is perfect for fitness. The game is extremely fast with its movements, and you’ll need to hit them in quick succession in order to get the highest score. A leaderboard will help keep you motivated, and there are songs at different beats-per-minute to try out when you’re first getting started.
Developer/Publisher: VRA-Games
Release Date: February 5, 2020
Compatible With: HTC Vive
Price: $14.99
Link: RhythmDanceVR
Knockout Bowling VR
Hey, cousin! Let’s go bowling in VR! In Knockout Bowling VR, you can go for strikes in two very different environments. One is a classic carnival and the other is a creepy, cobweb-filled tunnel. You have a choice of different balls and pins to use, and there is both a single-player mode and one that pits you against a computer-controller player. Are you the next Pete Weber, and do you know who Pete Weber is? You might after this game.
Fitness Potential
Depending on how quickly you want to bowl, you’ll be moving your arms a good amount in Knockout Bowling VR. In the single-player mode you’ll be challenged, but against the computer you will have to really be at your best.
Developer/Publisher: Zvky Design Studio
Release Date: February 1, 2020
Compatible With: HTC Vive
Price: $3.59 to $3.99
Link: Knockout Bowling VR
Throw Anything (PlayStation VR)
Available for the first time on PlayStation VR, Throw Anything offers a unique spin on the tired-and-true zombie attack game. Yes, you have access to some traditional weapons, but your best option is to destroy your surroundings and throw objects at enemies. You’ll make it through a variety of buildings, and the goofy graphics make it appropriate for younger players.
Fitness Potential
As you’ll be using the PlayStation Move controllers to throw objects, Throw Anything is a great way to get a workout. Destroy objects and chuck them as quickly as you can in order to eliminate the zombies. You’ll have to get creative, but never stop throwing, even if it’s your prized guitar!
Developer/Publisher: VisualLight
Release Date: February 6, 2020
Compatible With: PlayStation VR
Price: $18.99
Link: Throw Anything (PlayStation VR)
