VR Extra, which opened earlier this month is Kingston’s newest VR attraction and is located on the Lower Ground Level of the Bentall Centre.
It’s a fresh take on virtual reality gaming, offering more freedom to move and some of the best VR equipment I’ve ever used.
The headsets are still wired, but the cables are suspended from the ceiling, meaning they never get in the way.
You’re free to move around your designated space without feeling restricted, and if you step out of the square, the VR cuts off instantly, letting you see the real world again.
It’s a clever system that stops you from walking into walls or crashing into other players—something I’ve had happen in other VR places.
The first thing that struck me was the sheer quality of the equipment.
I’ve used plenty of VR headsets before, and they’ve always been a mixed bag—sometimes blurry, sometimes heavy, and more often than not, leaving me slightly motion sick.
These were the sharpest, clearest VR visuals I’ve seen, and for the first time ever, I didn’t feel even a hint of nausea.
The headset itself was lightweight and comfortable, with a stylish retro design that added a bit of character.
The only minor issue was hearing the staff over the noise, but stepping out of the VR zone to talk made communication easy.
The arcade (Xtra Games) mode let me pick from over 60 different games—everything from high-intensity zombie shooters to more relaxed simulations.
I tried a kayaking experience, and it was shockingly realistic. The motion of paddling, the way the water reacted—it genuinely felt like I was out on a lake.
One of the funniest games I played was Clash of Chefs VR, a competitive cooking game where you race to finish orders as quickly as possible.
It sounds simple, but it’s absolute carnage, especially when you’re up against a friend. You can actually throw pizza bases like frisbees at them, which quickly turns the game into a ridiculous food fight.
Probably not what the developers intended, but easily one of the highlights of my session.
For those who prefer puzzles over action, there’s also a selection of VR escape rooms.
There are over 14 different scenarios to choose from, ranging from escaping a space station disaster to surviving on a deserted island. I didn’t get the chance to try one, but from what I saw, they looked really detailed.
The staff were friendly and helpful, though it was clear they were still getting to grips with all the different games available.
That said, they were always on hand to offer advice or troubleshoot any issues. There’s also talk of expanding beyond just entertainment, with plans to introduce VR for educational purposes.
Schools could soon be using this technology to bring subjects like history and science to life, though that aspect is still in the early stages.
VR Extra offers different pricing options depending on the experience.
Xtra Games, which lets you pick from over 60 different games, starts at £14.40 per session if booked before 4pm on weekdays (thanks to their early bird discount).
VR escape rooms, which last an hour, are available for groups of 2 to 6 players, and the huge multiplayer games like Smash Point are designed for parties and team play.
The open movement system, the high-quality headsets, and sharp visuals make it stand out.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just looking for a fun and different activity, it is definitely worth a go.
A new VR gaming centre has opened in Kingston and it has some incredible quality headsets that really do take you to a whole new reality.
VR Extra, which opened earlier this month is Kingston’s newest VR attraction and is located on the Lower Ground Level of the Bentall Centre.
It’s a fresh take on virtual reality gaming, offering more freedom to move and some of the best VR equipment I’ve ever used.
The headsets are still wired, but the cables are suspended from the ceiling, meaning they never get in the way.
You’re free to move around your designated space without feeling restricted, and if you step out of the square, the VR cuts off instantly, letting you see the real world again.
It’s a clever system that stops you from walking into walls or crashing into other players—something I’ve had happen in other VR places.
The first thing that struck me was the sheer quality of the equipment.
I’ve used plenty of VR headsets before, and they’ve always been a mixed bag—sometimes blurry, sometimes heavy, and more often than not, leaving me slightly motion sick.
These were the sharpest, clearest VR visuals I’ve seen, and for the first time ever, I didn’t feel even a hint of nausea.
The headset itself was lightweight and comfortable, with a stylish retro design that added a bit of character.
The only minor issue was hearing the staff over the noise, but stepping out of the VR zone to talk made communication easy.
The arcade (Xtra Games) mode let me pick from over 60 different games—everything from high-intensity zombie shooters to more relaxed simulations.
I tried a kayaking experience, and it was shockingly realistic. The motion of paddling, the way the water reacted—it genuinely felt like I was out on a lake.
One of the funniest games I played was Clash of Chefs VR, a competitive cooking game where you race to finish orders as quickly as possible.
It sounds simple, but it’s absolute carnage, especially when you’re up against a friend. You can actually throw pizza bases like frisbees at them, which quickly turns the game into a ridiculous food fight.
Probably not what the developers intended, but easily one of the highlights of my session.
For those who prefer puzzles over action, there’s also a selection of VR escape rooms.
There are over 14 different scenarios to choose from, ranging from escaping a space station disaster to surviving on a deserted island. I didn’t get the chance to try one, but from what I saw, they looked really detailed.
The staff were friendly and helpful, though it was clear they were still getting to grips with all the different games available.
That said, they were always on hand to offer advice or troubleshoot any issues. There’s also talk of expanding beyond just entertainment, with plans to introduce VR for educational purposes.
Schools could soon be using this technology to bring subjects like history and science to life, though that aspect is still in the early stages.
VR Extra offers different pricing options depending on the experience.
Xtra Games, which lets you pick from over 60 different games, starts at £14.40 per session if booked before 4pm on weekdays (thanks to their early bird discount).
VR escape rooms, which last an hour, are available for groups of 2 to 6 players, and the huge multiplayer games like Smash Point are designed for parties and team play.
The open movement system, the high-quality headsets, and sharp visuals make it stand out.
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just looking for a fun and different activity, it is definitely worth a go.
