Get ready for an exciting journey through the world of virtual reality as we unveil the winners of the UploadVR's Best of VR Awards for 2025!
The Future of VR is Here!
As the year draws to a close, we're celebrating the cream of the crop in the VR and XR industry. From mind-blowing software to cutting-edge hardware, we're highlighting the exceptional releases that have shaped the VR landscape in 2025. Each category has a clear winner and a bunch of honorable mentions, and we're about to dive into some of the biggest picks of the year.
Best Virtual Place 2025: Walkabout Mini Golf - A Place to Get Lost In
Some VR experiences have evolved beyond the traditional game label. Walkabout Mini Golf, for instance, has transformed into a virtual haven where players can spend countless hours exploring interconnected systems and diverse environments. It's more than just a game; it's a virtual world unto itself.
In 2025, Walkabout took mini golf to a whole new level, becoming a social hub in VR. The artists at Mighty Coconut, led by creative director Lucas Martell, crafted an incredible journey through iconic locations. From the mythical Mount Olympus to the whimsical Forgotten Fairyland, each course is a masterpiece. And the best part? It's constantly evolving with new secrets and activities to discover, ensuring players always have something new to explore.
Best VR Developer: VitruviusVR - Masters of VR-First Design
This year, we've witnessed some incredible VR developers pushing the boundaries of what's possible. Mighty Coconut, Flat2VR Studios, nDreams Elevation, and Fireproof Games have all delivered exceptional experiences. But our Best VR Developer award goes to VitruviusVR for their outstanding work on Arken Age.
VitruviusVR has mastered the art of VR-first gameplay design, creating an exemplary action-adventure experience. Their ability to leverage the strengths of each platform while delivering an exceptional VR experience is a testament to their skill and vision.
Best New Hardware: Meta Neural Band - Revolutionizing Smart Glasses Control
In the hardware department, Meta has broken its release streak, while Apple and Samsung have made their moves. But our winner for Best New Hardware is the Meta Neural Band, included with the Meta Ray-Ban Display.
Surface electromyography (sEMG) technology, as implemented in the Meta Neural Band, offers a sleek and comfortable way to control smart glasses without the need for voice commands or hand gestures. With all-day battery life and water resistance, it's a game-changer for smart glasses users.
Best New Multiplayer Game: Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked - A Natural Crossover
Social gameplay remains a cornerstone of VR's appeal, and 2025 has delivered some fantastic multiplayer experiences. Our winner for Best New Multiplayer Game is Demeo x Dungeons & Dragons: Battlemarked.
Resolution Games has taken the popular VR tabletop RPG and evolved it into a natural crossover with Dungeons & Dragons. It's an excellent option for those who want to experience a tabletop campaign without the commitment, and it even allows flatscreen players to join in on the fun.
VR Game of the Year 2025: Arken Age - A Sci-Fi Adventure Like No Other
Now, we move on to the big one - the absolute best VR game of the year. With an endless stream of releases, especially in the last few months, choosing one winner is no easy task. But our VR Game of the Year 2025 is Arken Age.
Arken Age has graced each platform with exceptional VR-focused design, delivering a satisfying sci-fi adventure with clever VR gameplay mechanics. Its vibrant presentation and rewarding combat make it a standout experience, and its availability on PlayStation VR2 and Steam makes it accessible to a wide audience.
Most Anticipated Game of 2026: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City - A Co-op Adventure
Looking ahead to 2026, we're excited about the promising VR and MR games on the horizon. Several early access titles are scheduled for full release, and there are VR adaptations of popular series in the works. But our top pick for Most Anticipated Game of 2026 is Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Empire City.
This action-adventure game supports single-player and up to four-player co-op, and we've already had a sneak peek at what's in store. Cortopia Studios is bringing the iconic series to life in VR, and we can't wait to explore the sewers of Empire City with our favorite turtles.
So there you have it, the winners of the UploadVR's Best of VR Awards for 2025! These exceptional releases have pushed the boundaries of VR and XR, and we can't wait to see what the future holds. Stay tuned for more VR updates and keep the conversation going in the comments! What are your thoughts on these winners and the future of VR?
