Samsung Gear VR headset goes on sale

Rumours have been weaving their way around the internets today about the possibility of Samsung's Gear VR virtual reality headset finally going on sale, and the Korean giant has now confirmed it on the official US online store.

Priced at $199.99, it seems the virtual reality game has finally kicked off in earnest.

Although the Gear VR was designed in co-operation between Samsung and VR darling Oculus, this isn't a dedicated headset. The Gear VR is a face case that makes use of the Galaxy Note 4 as both a display, and the brains of the device.

The large-form smartphone provides all the split-screen 3D visuals, as well as head tracking and game storage. So early adopters might have been waiting for the £160-ish accessory to launch, but also need a Note 4 in order for virtual reality games to be played.

Perhaps what's more important about the Gear VR is the way it's being approached by virtual reality game developers. Many are looking to the device as a way to soft launch their Oculus Rift games when the dedicated VR system, and its online games store, eventually go live.

In the meantime the Gear VR will serve as a way to drum up publicity, test games and begin building the VR audience. And it seems to be working, as hype around the Gear VR has been rampant and, mostly, positive.

Although it's live now on the official retail page, exact delivery expectations still aren't known. Watch this 3D, 360-degree space.