Sandbox VR San Jose Review: We Survived the Upside Down and We’d Do It Again
If you’ve been curious about Sandbox VR San Jose but hesitant about the price, let us settle it for you. We went, we played, and we came out sweaty, exhilarated, and already talking about going back.
Sandbox PR San Jose hosted me, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Check-In at Sandbox VR San Jose Was Seamless
Sandbox VR San Jose is a full-body virtual reality experience that puts players inside an immersive game environment. Unlike traditional VR where you sit or stand in one spot with a headset, Sandbox VR tracks your entire body using sensors on your wrists, ankles, and a vest, so every movement you make is reflected in the game in real time.
Sandbox VR San Jose is located at Westfield Valley Fair mall. Parking is an extra cost, so make sure to grab a ticket on your way into the mall.
We checked in online ahead of time, which made arrival incredibly smooth. We showed up about ten minutes before our game time and were escorted to our playing room immediately.
Our host Eduardo, was patient, thorough, and took the time to walk us through the entire process without making anyone feel rushed or confused. For a tech-heavy experience like this, having a calm and knowledgeable explanation makes a difference.
Sandbox VR San Jose itself was clean and well-maintained, which matters when you’re about to put on shared equipment. Each sensor, VR headset, and vest is sanitized before gameplay.
Getting Geared Up
Each player is fitted with sensors on both ankles and wrists, a vest, and a VR headset with built-in headphones. The headset is on the bulkier side, but you have time to adjust the fit before the game begins, so don’t let that discourage you. Once everything is calibrated and comfortable, you are ready to go.
When you book, you have the option to have a private room or share the experience with other people.
We Played Catalyst — A Stranger Things Experience
We chose to play Catalyst, the Stranger Things-inspired experience, and it was the right choice. Before the game kicked off, we got to name our team (we went with the Upside Downers, obviously) and each player had the chance to take an individual photo, which was a fun touch before heading into the private game room.
Created in partnership with Netflix, Stranger Things: Catalyst drops players directly into an all-new chapter of the Stranger Things universe.
Players become one of Dr. Brenner’s test subjects and move through some of the most iconic locations from the show, including the sinister halls of Hawkins National Laboratory, the eerie Rainbow Room, the shadow-haunted woods of Mirkwood, and ultimately the nightmarish Upside Down. Catalyst isn’t a retelling of the popular show. It’s a new story set inside the world fans already love, which makes it work for die-hard fans and people new to the Stranger Things universe.
The tutorial section eases you in by teaching you how to grab objects and hurl them at Demogorgons, and how to use telekinetic powers to repel enemies the way Eleven does in the show. It sounds simple, but the moment you realize your hands are actually doing what you see in the headset, the immersion kicks in completely.
The level of detail in the game is remarkable. You can wiggle your fingers. You can look over and actually see your fellow players as their in-game avatars moving around the same space.
Sandbox VR San Jose Is Very Immersive
We had a teenager in our group and she had an absolute blast from start to finish, screaming and laughing as we worked together to survive the Upside Down. Getting a teenager genuinely, enthusiastically engaged for the full experience is not an easy thing to do, and Catalyst delivered.
The game itself is surprisingly strenuous. Your arms will be in constant use, and there were times we had to crouch down to dodge the Mind Flayer and Demodogs. The game has a visible red box to stay within, so you don’t walk into a wall.
The 40 minutes flew by faster than any of us expected. We did have a moment when the game paused, but it was less than a 2 minutes and it restarted at the point where we stopped.
NOTE: The staff does ask that you call out “Boss!” whenever there are any issues with the game or equipment.
When staff came in at the end to help remove the headsets, our first reaction was that it couldn’t possibly be over already.
Sandbox VR San Jose sells Path water bottles on site and also has a water filling station available. Bring water because you will need it. By the end of the game, you will be hot, tired, and very glad you have something cold to drink.
Is It Worth $69 Per Person?
Yes, with context. Sandbox VR San Jose is not a casual drop-in activity. At $69 per person it is a deliberate outing, and it earns that price tag for the right occasion. It is an amazing choice for birthdays, a memorable option for teenagers, and a genuinely unique experience for groups looking for something well outside the ordinary. If you go in knowing what it is, you will not feel like you overpaid.
Sandbox VR San Jose delivers on its promise of full-body, fully immersive virtual reality, and Catalyst is a fun way to experience it.
