Virtual reality Black Friday 2016 deals spill from HTC, Microsoft

With virtual reality systems like HTC Vive, Oculus Rift and PlayStation VR being the latest cool gaming gear around, it’s not surprising that consumers haven’t been offered a ton of Black Friday 2016 bargains. But some deals have started to trickle out.

HTC itself has announced Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, offering $100 off Vive hardware platforms, which usually start at $800. HTC Vive provides an immersive full-room VR experience, as you don goggles and hold a couple of controllers to navigate your way undersea, through space or through other worlds.

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HTC is also offering breaks on VR non-game apps through its online store, with bundle deals, in-store cash back offers and 50% off some of its titles. 

The deals are available online as well as in stores via retailers such as Amazon.com, GameStop, Microsoft, Newegg, Micro-center and Fry’s.

Microsoft has been touting (starting on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 24) $100 gift codes with the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift, which usually starts at $600 (keep in mind you need a good gaming PC to use Oculus Rift).

The HTC Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals start at 11:59pm PST on Nov. 24 and run through Nov. 28.

BEYOND VIVE

The gaming bundles that most retailers are really pushing this holiday season are for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 Slim, which can generally be had for $250, which is $50 off the regular price of the console, a controller and a game. Some deals are better than others, with extra games, controllers or gift cards thrown in, as you can see here.

If you’re really looking to get a taste of VR for less, you also have a few other options. You can snag Gear VR goggles from Samsung bundled with smartphones this holiday season (or Samsung itself will sell you the 1-pound headset for seeing things in 360 degrees for $70 instead of the usual $100). Bundled deals include: 

Best Buy: Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge bundled with VR kit

Best Buy will sweeten the purchase of a new Android phone, which costs about $28 per month for 24 months under an installment plan, by tossing in a $250 store gift card PLUS A Samsung Gear VR viewer.

Target: Samsung Galaxy S7 or S7 edge

Like Best Buy, Target is offering a $250 store gift card, plus a Samsung Gear VR headset. In addition, Target includes a $50 Oculus content pack to supplement the VR headset. 

Also, numerous retailers have real cheap VR goggles (i.e., JCPenney is offering the Tzumi Dream Vision Virtual Reality Headset for half price at $10 and Michael’s is selling the Sharper Image Virtual Reality viewer for $20 instead of the usual $50).