Sushi Cat VR was inspired by our love for fast-paced VR rhythm games and the satisfying feeling of slicing food with precision

We wanted to combine the energy and flow of Beat Saber, the juicy and satisfying cuts of Fruit Ninja, and the playful creativity of cooking games. From that idea emerged Hiro, a small but determined cat who dreams of becoming the best sushi chef in all of Tokyo. His story, the colorful world, and the dynamic gameplay all come from the desire to bring joy, humor, and adrenaline to VR players.

What it does

Sushi Cat VR is a high-energy rhythm-based cooking slicer where players must slice ingredients, prepare dishes, and serve eccentric customers—all in sync with the beat. Players wield katanas to perform precise cuts, assemble sushi combinations quickly, and keep up with a constant flow of orders. The game blends rhythm, cooking, action, and humor into an immersive VR experience.

How we built it

We developed Sushi Cat VR using Unity and optimized it for virtual-reality platforms. Key elements we focused on include:

  • A responsive slicing system inspired by physics-based interactions.
  • A rhythm-synchronized spawning system that controls ingredient timing based on BPM.
  • Interact with customers with unique personalities and animated reactions.
  • Highly stylized environments and assets to create a fun, colorful atmosphere.
  • A dojo-style progression system where players can upgrade their equipment.

Challenges we ran into

Building a game that mixes rhythm, cooking, and slicing mechanics came with unique challenges: Achieving precise hit detection for fast katana swings in VR. Ensuring all ingredients and actions stayed synchronized to the beat. Balancing difficulty so the game remains approachable but rewarding for skilled players. Maintaining performance while having many animated objects on screen simultaneously. Creating interactions that feel natural and satisfying in VR. Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud of

Crafting a VR slicing mechanic that feels smooth, reactive, and fun. Developing a unique world and character—Hiro—that adds charm and personality. Successfully merging rhythm gameplay with cooking in a way that feels intuitive. Building a playable, polished prototype with a strong visual identity and humor. Watching playtesters smile, laugh, and instinctively move to the rhythm.

What we learned

Throughout development, we gained experience in:

  • Fine-tuning VR interactions for fast-paced gameplay.
  • Designing rhythm-based systems and timing logic.
  • Optimizing assets and scene performance for standalone VR headsets.
  • Balancing multiple gameplay systems to feel cohesive.
  • Iterating quickly based on player testing and feedback.

What’s next for Sushi Cat VR

We plan to:

  • Add more levels, recipes, and rhythm tracks.
  • Introduce rival sushi chefs inspired by Tokyo neighborhoods.
  • Expand the dojo upgrade system with new katanas and abilities.
  • Add leaderboards, challenges, and endless modes.
  • Continue polishing the experience to deliver an even smoother and more vibrant VR game.

Built With

  • addressables
  • openxr
  • reflex-for-dependency-injection
  • unity-6
  • universal-render-pipeline-(urp)
  • xr-interaction-toolkit
+ 17 more
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