Astoria VR can mean two different products. One is AstoriaVR, a VR-only historical experience on Steam listed at $3.99, set in a 1986 Leipzig nightclub. The other is the older Astoria VR goggles, a phone viewer listed for phones 3.5 to 6 inches wide. Which one you need depends on what you own. A Windows PC with a SteamVR headset points to the Steam app, and a phone in that size range points to the goggles. This is desk research: each section names who makes each claim, whether that is the Steam listing, a Bonanza seller listing or a 2020 TechFuturae review.
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| What it is | Two products: the AstoriaVR Steam app and the older Astoria VR phone goggles |
| Steam price | $3.99 on Steam |
| Steam requirements | Windows 10, Intel i5-4590 or greater, Nvidia GTX 970 or greater, 500 MB storage, SteamVR-compatible headset, keyboard and mouse |
| Length of the Steam experience | About 10 minutes, per the Steam listing |
| Goggles phone size | 3.5 to 6 inches, per TechFuturae’s review |
| Goggles listing price | $15.00 on Bonanza, new in box |
| Product Page | AstoriaVR on Steam |
Is Astoria VR legit, and is it a headset or a Steam app?
Both are real, but they are different products. The Steam listing for Steam listing for AstoriaVR names blendFX as developer and hug Films as publisher, with a release date of May 20, 2022. Steam describes it as a single-player, VR-only experience that recreates the Astoria nightclub in Leipzig, in the former GDR, in 1986. It uses audio recordings of former employees, interactive objects, private conversations, photos, audio, stereoscopic real film and pre-rendered stereoscopic 360-degree CG renderings. The listing adds that the Stasi was also present at all times, documenting events.
The older Astoria VR goggles are a phone viewer with adjustable lenses, sold under the Astoria brand. TechFuturae’s Astoria VR review, published January 2020, describes a black viewer weighing 14.6 ounces. It has no HDMI connection, so it is not a PC headset.
On the seller side, the Steam listing shows one user review and no score yet, plus one curator review. The Bonanza listing for the goggles names the seller Rhineshill’s Booth, which Bonanza marks as a Top-Rated Seller with a 5.0 star average from 1,583 transactions. TechFuturae says the astoriavr.com website no longer resolves, so for support, start with the seller you bought from.
Search results can also show an “Astoria VR 3D” page on a metal fabrication company’s website. It has nothing to do with the headset, so skip it.
What does Astoria VR cost, and how do you buy it?
Prices as of October 30, 2026: AstoriaVR is $3.99 on its Steam store page, and a new Astoria VR goggles listing on Bonanza is $15.00. Prices and bundles change, so check the Steam checkout or the Bonanza listing for today’s price before you pay.
The $3.99 covers only the Steam software. You also need a Windows PC that meets the listed requirements and a SteamVR-compatible headset, which is the largest extra cost if you do not already own one.
| Item | What the listing says | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| AstoriaVR software | $3.99, Add to Cart on the Steam page | The app itself is a low-cost purchase. |
| Operating system | Windows 10 | Check your PC before buying. |
| Processor | Intel i5-4590 or greater | Compare it with your computer’s processor. |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 970 or greater | Confirm your graphics card meets the stated minimum. |
| Storage | 500 MB available | The install is small. |
| VR hardware | SteamVR-compatible headset; keyboard and mouse required | This is the major extra purchase if you do not already own one. |
The Steam page’s footer links to a Refunds page, next to its Subscriber Agreement. Open it before you buy so you know the terms. The Steam page also shows a notice reading “English language not supported” for this product. Its language list names full audio and subtitles in English and German, so check that list before you buy.
The goggles are sold separately, and the Bonanza listing for the Astoria VR goggles is the one to compare.
| Listing detail | What the Bonanza listing says |
|---|---|
| Price | $15.00; the listing says it may be possible to pay $13.05 with bCredits at checkout |
| bCredits offer | Sign up for $5.00 bCredits, and get another $5.00 after your first purchase |
| Condition and stock | New, with 1 in stock; handling time 7 days |
| Delivery | Estimated Mon, Nov 16th, by USPS Priority Mail; actual delivery may vary |
| Returns and refunds | Returns and refunds accepted; the listing says to see the booth or item description for details |
| Buyer protection | Bonanza Buyer Protection Pledge |
| Product Page | Bonanza listing for Astoria VR goggles |
Before you pay, ask the seller to confirm the model is the Astoria VR and read the return terms in the booth or item description. The listing names USPS for shipping and links to seller policies.
How do Astoria VR goggles work?
With the goggles, the phone does the computing and the display. You slide a compatible phone into the viewer, start an app with a split-screen VR mode, and use the app’s controls. TechFuturae says a knob on the side adjusts pupil distance and focal distance, with a focal range it lists as 20mm. The goggles have no electronics, so the phone’s screen sets the sharpness. Head tracking comes from the phone’s own sensors and is rotation-only, so you can look around but not lean or walk.
TechFuturae describes the lenses as high-definition optical lenses with nano coating and 8 layers. TechFuturae notes the lenses were also said to filter blue light, and it says it could not verify that claim.
For a related VR topic, see this site’s Xscape 360 page.
Astoria VR goggles review: pros, cons and who they suit
TechFuturae’s review calls the goggles a good deal on a tight budget. It says the design is lightweight and ergonomic, with a durable leather adjustable strap and internal foam padding. It also says the goggles may disappoint high-end gamers and anyone wanting a truly accurate experience.
| Pros (per the review) | Cons (per the review) |
|---|---|
| Great value for money | Graphics are not as realistic as some other models |
| Works with just your smartphone | Tracking is not as accurate as more expensive options |
| Full 360-degree experience, depending on the phone | Lacks some features of top-end VR headsets |
| Customizable focus and eye spacing | Adjustments do not work perfectly |
| Lightweight design with a leather strap and foam padding | Sharpness depends on the phone’s screen resolution |
The review says customer reviews were mixed when it was written, with some buyers enjoying the value and others finding the quality lacking.
Which apps work with Astoria VR goggles?
TechFuturae says any app with a split-screen VR mode, sometimes called Cardboard mode, works with the goggles. Download one from Google Play or the App Store, and confirm it runs on your specific phone before you order a viewer. The review’s 2020 picks were Dive Launcher, Bubblecars and Shadowgun VR, plus VR content from Discovery, The New York Times, National Geographic and YouTube VR. Check your app store first, since those picks may have changed.
Phone VR has shrunk since then. Google stopped selling Cardboard viewers in March 2021, according to 9to5Google, and the Google Cardboard app for iPhone is still on the App Store. YouTube’s VR mode is Android-only, per TechFuturae.
Check your phone’s size as well. Apple’s iPhone comparison page, as TechFuturae cites it, lists the non-folding iPhones Apple sells today with 6.1 to 6.9 inch screens, which is larger than the goggles’ 3.5 to 6 inch range.
The Steam title is different. AstoriaVR runs through SteamVR on a Windows PC, not on a phone. Its listing says it was originally designed for a 3DOF headset and that positional head tracking is not supported, so it recommends a swivel chair for the best experience.
Why is VR declining, and what is shutting down?
TechFuturae reports that specific products have been discontinued. Meta ended sales of the last Rift model, the Rift S, in 2021, per Road to VR coverage. HTC began phasing out the original Vive in September 2019, in favour of the Vive Cosmos, according to UploadVR. Google stopped selling Cardboard viewers in March 2021, according to 9to5Google.
Meta still sells current headsets. TechFuturae reports that Meta raised US prices in April 2026, to $349.99 for the Quest 3S with 128 GB and $449.99 with 256 GB, per Meta’s pricing update.
What to buy instead of Astoria VR
The right alternative depends on whether you want to use a phone, a PC, or a headset that needs neither. TechFuturae’s comparisons are below, with each status as the review reports it.
| Option | Status and price, per TechFuturae | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Quest 3S | Current; $349.99 (128 GB) and $449.99 (256 GB) in the US after Meta’s April 2026 price change | A standalone headset that needs no phone and runs its own apps and games. |
| Meta Quest 3 | Listed from $599.99 in TechFuturae’s comparison | Pancake lenses and a higher-resolution display than the Quest 3S. |
| NOON VR | A phone viewer with a design much like the Astoria; slightly more expensive | The review reports it is heavy, does not hold the phone securely and can be uncomfortable after a short time. |
| Oculus Rift | Discontinued; the Rift S was the last model, ended in 2021 | A used Rift can still work for PC VR, with higher tracking accuracy than the Astoria. |
| HTC Vive | Discontinued; phased out from September 2019 | A complete PC VR system that still works with SteamVR if you find one used. |
For a basic viewer comparison, see this site’s VicoVR page.
Who are AstoriaVR and the Astoria goggles for?
Choose AstoriaVR if you have a compatible Windows PC and a SteamVR headset and want a short historical visit to the Astoria nightclub. The Steam listing says the experience runs about 10 minutes, and you can revisit the bar to find new details. It is single-player, and its Steam features include Family Sharing.
Consider the Astoria goggles only if your phone falls within 3.5 to 6 inches and you want a basic viewer for split-screen content. They are not the right fit if you expect PC connectivity, positional tracking or a self-contained game library. For the goggles side, the full astoria vr headset guide covers phone fit in more detail.
Is there inappropriate content in VR?
The AstoriaVR listing is a historical piece about a Leipzig nightclub in the former GDR, and it says the Stasi documented events there. Its Steam tags are Historical, Education, Singleplayer, Casual, Interactive Fiction and Indie. Check the age rating and content description on the Steam page before you buy it for anyone young.
For other VR apps, check each store page for its age rating and read recent reviews before you install.
Is VR healthy for your brain?
For brain-health questions, look at peer-reviewed research rather than product pages. PubMed research database, run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, is the place to search. Search for the type of headset you plan to use and the outcome you care about, then read the abstracts before deciding.
Is VR safe for your eyes?
Comfort starts with fit and focus. On the goggles, adjust the pupil distance and focal distance with the side knob, and check that the image is sharp before you start. If the image strains your eyes, stop and adjust the focus.
On the Steam side, the listing’s guidance is about seating and movement. It recommends a swivel chair for the best experience and notes that positional head tracking is not supported, so you should not expect to lean or walk around inside the scene.
For guidance specific to a headset, ask the seller for the user manual before you order.
How long does a VR headset last?
A headset’s life depends on the model, how it is cared for, and whether it still works with the software you want. For the Astoria goggles, the test is simple: they are a passive viewer with lenses and no electronics, so they keep working as long as your phone still fits and a split-screen app still runs on it. For SteamVR hardware, compatibility matters most. The original HTC Vive was phased out from September 2019 but still works with SteamVR if you find one used.
What is the cheapest or most expensive VR headset?
On the Poshmark smartphone VR headset category page, an ONN pink virtual reality headset is shown at $10, beside a $15 figure. The Astoria goggles’ Bonanza listing is $15.00. Among the headsets in TechFuturae’s review, the HTC Vive system is described as more expensive than the Oculus Rift, and the Meta Quest 3 is listed from $599.99.
The most and least expensive headsets ever sold depend on how you count: new retail, used, collectible or a full PC system. Compare the models you are actually considering.
A $1 headset deserves the same checks as any unusually low-priced listing. Confirm the exact model, what is included, condition, shipping, the return window and who the seller is before you pay.
Does Elon Musk own a VR headset?
Nothing about AstoriaVR or the Astoria goggles depends on that answer. If you want to check a claim like this, look for the person’s own statement or a named news report, not a product listing.
What should I check before I buy or download?
Use this short checklist before you pay or install anything.
- Decide whether you mean the Steam app or the phone goggles.
- For AstoriaVR, compare your PC with Windows 10, Intel i5-4590, Nvidia GTX 970 and 500 MB of storage.
- Confirm you have a SteamVR-compatible headset, a keyboard and a mouse.
- For the goggles, measure your phone, confirm it falls within 3.5 to 6 inches, and check that a split-screen app runs on it.
- Read the Steam Refunds page and the Bonanza return terms before you pay.
- Ask the goggles seller for the user manual and a current support contact before ordering.
- Check today’s price, delivery estimate and shipping at checkout.
By InfinitePowerSolutions.com Technology Desk
