They actually did it..

In a move that surprised absolutely no one paying attention, but still managed to feel like a stealth drop. Xbox and Meta have officially launched the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition, a limited edition VR bundle that’s more about branding than breaking new ground. It’s sleek, it’s black-and-green, and it’s exactly what we thought it would be: a collector’s item with just enough extras to justify its existence, if not its price tag.

Let’s start with what you get. For £379.99, the Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition includes:

• A 128GB Meta Quest 3S headset in a limited edition black colorway with Xbox-green accents

• Meta Quest Touch Plus controllers

• A Meta Quest Elite Strap (a welcome ergonomic upgrade)

• A pre-paired Xbox Wireless Controller

• 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

It’s a tidy package, clearly aimed at Xbox diehards and VR newcomers who want a plug and play experience. The headset comes preloaded with the Xbox Cloud Gaming app, meaning you can boot it up and start streaming games on a massive virtual screen almost immediately.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t Xbox’s grand entrance into native VR gaming. You won’t be swinging lightsabers in Beat Saber using your Xbox Series X, nor will you be exploring Starfield in full 360°. This is a Meta Quest 3S with Xbox branding and a few thoughtful extras. It’s not a new headset, and it doesn’t unlock any new functionality that wasn’t already available on the standard Quest 3S. What it does offer is a streamlined way to access Xbox Cloud Gaming in VR. And for that, it works surprisingly well. Reviewers have praised the ease of setup and the immersive feel of playing on a cinema sized virtual screen. You can pin windows, multitask, and even carry your Xbox saves across devices thanks to cloud syncing.

So here is What's Good

1. Seamless Xbox Integration: The pre-installed Xbox app and pre-paired controller make this the easiest way to dive into Xbox Cloud Gaming in VR. No fiddling with settings or pairing menus. Just sign in and play.

2. Ergonomic Upgrades: The inclusion of the Elite Strap is a big win. It improves comfort for longer sessions, which is crucial when you’re trying to squeeze in “just one more match” of Halo Infinite.

3. Aesthetic Appeal: Let’s be honest this thing looks cool. The black and green colour scheme is a refreshing change from the standard white; and it’ll look right at home next to your Xbox console.

4. Value (Sort Of): When you tally up the cost of the headset, strap, controller, and Game Pass, the bundle actually saves you a bit compared to buying everything separately.

The Not So Good

1. Display Limitations: The Quest 3S uses older Fresnel lenses and has a narrower field of view compared to the more premium Quest 3. That means slightly grainier visuals and some peripheral blur noticeable when reading in game text or navigating menus.

2. No Native Xbox VR: This is still just cloud gaming on a virtual screen. If you were hoping for native VR titles or deeper Xbox integration, this isn’t it.

3. Extremely Limited Availability: Microsoft and Meta have made it clear once it’s gone, it’s gone. That scarcity might drive up collector interest, but it also limits accessibility for curious gamers.

The Meta Quest 3S Xbox Edition is exactly what we expected: a stylish, limited-edition bundle that leans heavily on branding and convenience. It doesn’t revolutionize VR or Xbox gaming, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a love letter to Xbox fans who want to take their Game Pass library on the go—or into the virtual void.

If you already own a Quest 3S, there’s no compelling reason to upgrade. But if you’re new to VR and want a headset that plays nice with your Xbox ecosystem, this bundle is a solid (if slightly overpriced) entry point.

And let’s be real—Microsoft didn’t need to shout about this one. They knew the fans would find it. Quietly released, instantly recognizable, and just exclusive enough to feel special. Classic Xbox.