The Best Virtual Reality Experiences in North America

July 31, 2024 VRNerd

Virtual reality tech has, over the past decade, made significant inroads into home entertainment, often to the detriment of traditional 2D media. Until recently, the same could not be said for destination entertainment. Although 3D cinema saw a resurgence of interest between 2003 and 2010, that has since tapered off leaving audiences eager for more immersive entertainment feeling stranded. Now, 3D and VR is taking a more prominent place the world of active gaming and amusements. Here’s a look at some of the North America’s leading VR attractions as of mid-2024.

United States of America

The USA is easily the most visibly active market for VR amusements and entertainment. From independent single-location VR facilities to widespread multi-national entertainment complexes from American companies, the USA is a great place to be if you’re keen on exploring physical VR entertainment.

SandboxVR – 34 Locations and Counting

Three users playing a virtual reality game in a SandboxVR location. — SandboxVR has locations in the USA, Canada, Europe, and East Asia, making it one of the largest VR amusement enterprises on Earth. [Image: SandboxVR]

SandboxVR is arguably the world’s most widespread VR gaming and experience facility, with over 34 locations in the continental USA alone. With SandboxVR, players can immerse themselves in an impressive range of games and experiences, including one based on the acclaimed Netflix show Squid Game. If you balk at something so tense and potentially lethal, a cartoonish pirate adventure, Star Trek mission, or a futuristic fighting league may be more suitable.

SandboxVR, which opened its newest location in St. Petersburg, Florida, on July 17, 2024, remains the most accessible and readily available option for in-person group VR activities and fun.

Battleground – Los Angeles, CA

Four individuals in VR gear enjoying an experience at Battleground in LA. — Battleground brings an impressive range of VR experiences and games to the Los Angeles area. [Image: Battleground]

In the increasingly competitive Los Angeles market area, Battleground makes for a compelling part of the VR landscape. In Redondo Beach, western LA, Battleground brings zombie hordes, deep space travel, a time-traveling Aztec adventure, a violence-free dragon simulator, VR laser tag, cartoonish Bomberman-inspired games, Angry Birds VR, and a journey into the depths of the vast oceans of Earth among the experiences on offer, Battleground offers a lot more than the combat sims its name suggests.

Player One VR World – Santa Monica, CA

Player One VR World simulation in California. — Another player in the LA VR scene, Player One VR World hosts everything from zombie invasions to combat arenas, ninja adventures to deep sea exploration. [Image: Player One VR World]

Taking its name from a hugely popular VR-inspired fiction franchise, Player One VR World brings 4K and 5K VR with zero latency to the LA area. Players choose from a range of experiences including escape rooms, laser tag, PvP and single player games, shooters, treadmills, and ride simulators, and play in a 5000 sq. ft. “free roam” arena. The presence of treadmills gives Player One VR World a leg up on some of its competitors as they allow more (virtual) room to move and can help both heart rates and adrenaline pumping.

ExitusVR – Houston, TX

Four players that escaped the ExitusVR escape room in Houston Texas. — Houston’s ExitusVR features escape room fun for the whole family. [Image: ExitusVR]

A VR escape room suitable for groups and solo players, ExitusVR has been bringing immersive VR amusements to Houston residents and visitors for well over five years. With a refined range of virtual escape rooms suitable for an impressive range of ages and interests, ExitusVR should be proud to still operate and deliver excitement where so many other facilities have since shuttered.

Canada

Canada has a booming VR entertainment and amusement scene, largely centered around the western city of Vancouver, British Columbia. Alberta also gets some VR action but it’s Vancouverites who really have the pick of the litter where VR is concerned.

Zero Latency VR – Vancouver & Langley, BC

Zero Latency VR store front in Canada — Zero Latency VR may not be the largest group of VR centers in Canada, but it may be the most prominent. [Image: Zero Latency VR]

With two BC locations, Zero Latency VR is arguably Canada’s most prominent VR entertainment center. Hosting a range of game experiences for up to eight players, Zero Latency VR serves up popular titles like Far Cry VR, Outbreak, and Space Marine VR.

Evolve Virtual Reality – Vancouver, BC

A woman enjoying an experience at Evolve Virtual Reality while her friends watch. — With two locations in both British Columbia and Alberta, Evolve Virtual Reality is spreading across Canada like a zombie horde hungry for brains. [Image: Evolve Virtual Reality]

“Step into the future of gaming,” at the Vancouver location of Evolve Virtual Reality, where players can enjoy access to more than 50 games including all the most popular VR titles. Escape rooms are also on the menu here, 11 of them, to be more precise. Evolve even has VR devices for rent by corporate clients and a VR Day Camp for 8-12 year olds.

VRCore – BC & Alberta

A man experiencing VRCore with an HTC Vive Headset. — VRCore gives players access to HTC Vive headsets and a wide range of games, events, activities, and even educational experiences. [Image: VRCore]

Formerly known as VRKade, VRCore has not only changed its name but also its reach. Now operating four locations, two each in British Columbia and Alberta, VRCore brings players free-roam arenas suitable for solo or group play, and perfect for birthday parties, team building exercises, or family events.

The Future of VR Centers

VR gaming and entertainment centers have historically been hard to sell to the general public. With the current generation of VR devices both carrying even heftier price tags than their predecessors and garnering more mainstream interest, VR centers are an excellent way to bring the tech to as many users as possible. The audience is there. The technology is there. And now that we’re seeing this subset of the VR industry hold strong in larger cities like Los Angeles and Vancouver – as well as expanding into new areas like Bellevue, Washington – things are looking good for in-person VR amusements and group gaming.