With its arrival into Ireland being teased as far back as 2023, Sandbox VR has finally landed in Dublin, opening its doors on Nassau Street on Thursday, March 27th. As someone who’d describe themselves as having a keen interest in all things VR (owner of a PS VR2 and Meta Quest 3 headset and having trailed other VR experience offerings in Dublin) I was keen to see what Sandbox VR had to offer.
The space itself is seriously impressive, with a sleek and futuristic design that sets the stage for the immersive experiences on offer. Compared to other VR venues in Dublin, it feels more polished and high-end, making it clear that a lot of thought (and money) has gone into the setup.
One of the first things you’ll notice is ‘Toni’, Ireland’s first robotic bartender, who’s ready to serve drinks with mechanical precision. Whether or not you’re into cocktails, the novelty of having a robot mix your drink is something people will definitely want to capture for social media. It’s a nice extra touch that adds to the whole experience, even if it’s not the main attraction.
The real draw, of course, is the variety of VR experiences on offer. There’s a good mix, ranging from sci-fi and fantasy adventures to zombie survival games. For our visit, my two brothers and I went straight for ‘Squid Game Virtuals’, the official experience made in partnership with Netflix.
As fans of the show, we were curious to see how it would translate into VR, and it did a solid job of making us feel like contestants. The game includes several well-known challenges, like Red Light, Green Light and the Glass Bridge, and it’s a mix of strategy, tension, and plenty of laughs when someone inevitably messes up.
The technology itself is what really makes the experience work. The haptic vests are a great addition, letting you ‘feel’ interactions in the game through built-in vibration motors. Whether it’s getting nudged by an obstacle or taking a hit in a more action-heavy scene, the added physical feedback makes a big difference. The VR visuals are also top-notch, streamed wirelessly to the headset, meaning you don’t have to deal with bulky equipment or trailing cables like in some other VR setups.
The tracking was smooth, and the overall experience felt very natural, with no noticeable lag or awkward movement limitations. Compared to other VR arcades where you might be stuck using controllers for most interactions, Sandbox VR’s full-body tracking makes a big difference in how immersive it feels.
Playing with my brothers was a blast, and the competitive/cooperative nature of the game made it a proper social experience rather than just an individual VR session. It’s definitely something I’d do again, especially as Sandbox VR continues to expand its game library.
Their partnership with Netflix could lead to even more well-known franchises getting the VR treatment—there’s already a Rebel Moon FPS experience available for fans of Zack Synder’s franchise.
If you’re planning a visit, Sandbox VR caters to groups of up to six people. Prices can go up to €50 per person at peak times, but if you’re flexible, you can grab off-peak tickets for €30. More details and booking info can be found on their official website: https://sandboxvr.com/dublin/.
Overall, it’s a really fun and well-executed experience. Whether you’re into VR already or just looking for something different to do in Dublin, it’s worth checking out.
REVIEW: Sandbox VR Dublin
- Overall
Summary
Sandbox VR Dublin is a really fun and well-executed experience. Whether you’re into VR already or just looking for something different to do in Dublin, it’s worth checking out.
