Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more

The official PC version documented for Zone of the Enders is ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS, sold on Steam. It is a remaster with native 4K and VR support, and Steam marks it as requiring an XInput-compatible gamepad. The original game and the separately documented Zone of the Enders HD Collection are different editions; the available official information does not establish a Windows PC release for the Collection.

To play on a computer, verify the regional Steam edition, meet the listed Windows and hardware requirements, connect an XInput controller before launching, and then configure video or SteamVR settings for your display. A keyboard-only control map is not documented in the official listing, so do not buy the game assuming that a keyboard can replace a gamepad.

Which Zone of the Enders edition is on PC?

There are several similarly named releases, which is the main source of confusion when searching for a PC copy. The PC release identified by the official store information is ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS on Steam. It contains the remastered version of The 2nd Runner, rather than being a port of every game in the series.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The 2nd Runner M∀RS

The Steam product is a remaster that advertises native 4K output and virtual-reality support. The Japanese-market title is styled ANUBIS ZONE OF THE ENDERS : M∀RS; that name refers to the same second-game remaster, not to a separate Windows engine or an additional campaign. Steam also labels the product as requiring a gamepad and specifically an XInput controller.

#1 Best Overall
Zone of the Enders HD Collection
  • The demo of "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" will be included in the game package of "Zone of the Enders HD Collection."

Zone of the Enders HD Collection

Konami maintains an official site for the Zone of the Enders HD Collection. That Collection is a separate release from the M∀RS Steam listing. The official materials available for this guide confirm the Collection exists, but they do not establish a Windows PC edition. Do not assume that buying or downloading the Collection gives you the Steam PC version, and do not treat a console copy as a PC license.

Edition Games or content identified PC listing established? Features documented in the available listing
ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS The remastered second game Yes, Steam Native 4K and VR support; XInput gamepad required
ANUBIS ZONE OF THE ENDERS : M∀RS Japanese-market naming of the M∀RS release Regional Steam availability varies Japanese audio and text for the Japanese-region title
Zone of the Enders HD Collection A separate collection documented by Konami Not established by the official materials reviewed PC resolution, VR support, and Windows requirements not stated

When a search result uses only “Zone of the Enders,” check the exact product name, publisher, platform, and region before purchasing. The second-game remaster is the edition for which the PC requirements and controller rule below are published.

Check your regional Steam version before buying

Steam warns that the version available depends on the buyer’s region. The title styling, audio, and text options can therefore differ between storefronts. Open the live Steam page while signed in to the account and country where the game will be played; do not rely on a screenshot from another region.

What’s actually slowing this PC down?

Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Store version described by Steam Audio Interface and subtitles What to verify
Non-Japanese version English English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish Confirm that this version is offered in your Steam country
Japanese-region title Japanese Japanese Confirm the regional title and language set before checkout

Those language details come from the store listing and describe the editions shown there, not a universal guarantee for every key, disc, or historical console release. If the Steam page for your country shows a different package or language list, use that current page as the controlling information.

Rank #2
Sale
Zone of the Enders HD Collection (Renewed)
  • The demo of "Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance" will be included in the game package of "Zone of the Enders HD Collection."

PC system requirements for M∀RS

The following specifications are the requirements displayed by Steam for the listed PC product. They are older published requirements, so compare them with the current store page and your operating system before installation. The recommended column assumes 1,920 × 1,080 resolution.

Component Minimum Recommended
Operating system 64-bit Windows 7, 8.1, or 10 64-bit Windows 7, 8.1, or 10
Processor Intel Core i3-6100 or higher Intel Core i5-7600K or higher
Memory 4 GB RAM 8 GB RAM
Graphics GeForce GTX 680 or higher GeForce GTX 1050 Ti or higher
Graphics API DirectX 11 DirectX 11
Storage 15 GB available 15 GB available
Input XInput controller required; Steam also labels the product “Gamepad required”

“Or higher” in the processor and graphics rows is Steam’s wording; it does not identify an exhaustive list of equivalent AMD or integrated-GPU models. If your PC falls between the two columns, the game may launch, but the listing does not promise a particular frame rate or resolution for that configuration.

Additional hardware for VR

Steam identifies SteamVR support and says a gamepad is required for VR play. The listing specifies a GeForce GTX 1060 or higher for proper VR performance. That GPU threshold is a VR-performance recommendation, not a replacement for the general requirements table. You also need a SteamVR-compatible headset and the headset’s working PC connection; the store information does not name a particular headset model.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Controller and keyboard support

What is confirmed

The store requirement is explicit: an XInput Controller required. In practical terms, prepare a PC gamepad that presents itself to Windows as an XInput device. Connect it by USB or by a wireless method that exposes XInput before starting the game, then check that Windows and Steam can see the controller.

Rank #3
Zone of The Enders: The 2Nd Runner M∀Rs - PlayStation 4
  • The 2nd runner's unique graphics Technology, zoe shader, returns updated to 4K Resolution. With remastered visual effects, this iteration comes close to remake levels of graphics quality
  • The 2nd runner m∀rs features VR support. Enter jehuty's cockpit, fly through the martian skies, and enter a new dimension of mech action
  • The game's audio design has been remastered to accommodate next-gen Surround sound systems. Be immersed in the world of the 2nd runner through resonant stereophonic sound

This is a requirement stated by Steam, not a claim that every controller model has been tested. A pad that works in another PC game can still expose a different input mode, so confirm its XInput mode or compatibility setting in the manufacturer’s instructions.

What is not confirmed

The official listing reviewed here does not publish a keyboard binding table and does not confirm keyboard-only play. It would therefore be misleading to provide default key assignments or promise that a keyboard and mouse can replace the required gamepad. If you intend to use keyboard controls, inspect the current in-game controls screen after installation and treat any available remapping as an option that must be verified on your own system.

Step-by-step PC setup

  1. Identify the product. In Steam, search for the full name ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS. Check the publisher, platform, regional title, and language section rather than selecting a result that mentions only “Zone of the Enders.”
  2. Read the live requirements. Compare your 64-bit Windows installation, processor, RAM, graphics card, DirectX support, and free storage with the current store page. The figures in the table above are the published baseline, but storefront requirements can change after an operating-system or driver update.
  3. Prepare an XInput gamepad. Plug in the controller or pair it using its documented wireless procedure. If the pad has a switch between input modes, select XInput. Confirm that the controller appears in Windows and in Steam’s controller settings before launching the game.
  4. Install through Steam. Purchase the regional edition shown for your account, select Install, choose a library drive with at least the listed free space, and allow Steam to finish downloading. Keep the client open until installation and any queued updates complete.
  5. Launch with the gamepad connected. Start M∀RS from the Steam library while the XInput pad is already active. If the title opens without input, close it, reconnect the controller, and launch again so the game can initialize with the required device present.
  6. Check the controls screen. From the game’s menus, open its controls or options page and verify that stick movement, camera controls, targeting, and action buttons respond. This is also where you can determine whether the particular build exposes any keyboard bindings; the store listing does not document them.
  7. Set a sensible display mode. Begin at your monitor’s native resolution. The product advertises native 4K, but the recommended system specification is stated for 1,920 × 1,080, so a 4K setting should be matched to a system that can sustain it rather than enabled automatically on every PC.
  8. Only then configure VR. If you bought the game for VR, install and start SteamVR, connect the headset according to its manufacturer’s instructions, and keep the gamepad available. Use the VR mode shown by the game after SteamVR is running; the listing does not document a keyboard substitute.

Configuring resolution and performance

Choosing between 1080p and 4K

Native 4K is a stated feature of M∀RS, while Steam’s recommended hardware notes assume 1,920 × 1,080. That distinction matters: a PC meeting the recommended row is not automatically a 4K-performance machine. Start at 1080p if you are unsure, verify stable play, and then test a higher resolution in the game’s video options. Reduce the resolution again if movement becomes uneven or the display reports a refresh-rate problem.

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Storage and updates

The listing allocates 15 GB for the installation. Leave additional working space on the library drive so Steam can download updates and validate files; the published figure is the game’s stated storage requirement, not a promise that the drive can be completely full. If an update pauses, use Steam’s resume control and allow the client to complete file verification before launching.

Rank #4
Zone of the Enders (Renewed)
  • Complete, includes disc, case, cover art, manuals and inserts all in very good condition

Operating-system age

Windows 7, 8.1, and 10 are the versions named in the published requirements. Current Windows support policies and graphics-driver compatibility can differ from the original listing, particularly on a modern 64-bit installation. Check the live Steam page and your GPU driver notes rather than assuming that an older requirement guarantees support on every current Windows build.

Setting up and troubleshooting the controller

The game does not respond to the gamepad

  • Exit the game completely, connect the controller in XInput mode, and launch again.
  • Check Windows’ game-controller panel to make sure button presses and stick movement register outside the game.
  • In Steam’s controller settings, verify that the device is detected. If several pads are connected, temporarily disconnect the extras so the required XInput device is unambiguous.
  • Try a direct USB connection if a wireless connection is not being detected. Re-pair the device using its own instructions if USB works but wireless does not.
  • Open the game’s controls screen after relaunching and test each action. Do not assume a nonresponsive button indicates a universal default mapping; the official listing does not publish one.

A non-XInput pad is the only controller you own

Steam’s requirement is specifically XInput, so a device that exposes only DirectInput is outside the documented setup. If the controller offers an XInput mode, enable that mode and reconnect it. If it does not, you would need a compatible gamepad or a translation layer; the official listing does not promise that a particular translation utility will work, so test any such arrangement before relying on it.

Keyboard and mouse questions

Because no authoritative keyboard map is included in the available listing, there is no verified set of default keys to publish. You can inspect the installed game’s controls menu for a keyboard option, but the safe purchasing assumption is that an XInput gamepad is necessary.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

VR setup and limitations

Required pieces

  • A Steam copy of M∀RS that is available in your region.
  • A SteamVR-compatible headset connected and recognized by the PC.
  • An XInput gamepad; Steam says a gamepad is required even for the VR version.
  • A graphics card at or above the GTX 1060 threshold Steam lists for proper VR performance.

Practical order of operations

  1. Install SteamVR from the Steam client and complete its room or standing setup for the headset.
  2. Start SteamVR and confirm that the headset is tracking before launching M∀RS.
  3. Connect the XInput gamepad, launch the game, and choose its VR mode if the title presents a mode selection.
  4. If the headset view is unstable or performance is uncomfortable, stop play, return to the desktop, and check the GPU, driver, headset connection, and SteamVR status before trying again.

The store listing establishes VR support and the GTX 1060-or-higher threshold, but it does not specify headset models, a complete VR button map, or a universal comfort setting. Those details can vary by headset and game build, so use the controls and display options shown by your installed copy.

Best Value
Zone Of The Enders 2nd Runner Mars (PS4) (Renewed)
  • 1-2 players
  • 13 GB minimum save size
  • DUALSHOCK4 Vibration Function Native 4K graphics
  • PS VR Compatible - Optional
  • Metallic Foil Sleeve

Common purchase and installation mistakes

Buying the wrong release

The HD Collection and M∀RS are not interchangeable product names. If your goal is to play on Windows through Steam, confirm that the checkout page names the M∀RS remaster. The existence of an official Collection site is not evidence that the Collection itself has a PC build.

Ignoring regional language differences

A non-Japanese store version is described with English audio and English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish interface or subtitles. The Japanese-region title is described with Japanese audio and text. Verify the page for your country before paying, especially when buying a key from a different market.

Assuming a console controller will work automatically

Steam’s wording is not merely “controller recommended”; it says an XInput controller is required. Confirm the input mode and detection status before troubleshooting graphics or reinstalling the game.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Reading the requirements as a performance guarantee

The minimum and recommended rows are the figures Steam publishes for this product. They do not promise a particular frame rate, refresh rate, or 4K result on every system, and the VR threshold is separately stated. Use the lower resolution first when testing a borderline PC.

Expecting a keyboard guide from the store page

The available official listing does not supply exact keyboard bindings or confirm keyboard-only support. Any article or video that lists keys for a particular build should be treated as a separate, version-specific reference and checked against your own controls menu.

Quick decision guide

Your goal What to obtain or check Why
Play the remastered second game on Windows Steam listing for ZONE OF THE ENDERS THE 2nd RUNNER : M∀RS This is the PC release established by the official store information
Play with a controller An XInput-compatible gamepad connected before launch Steam marks an XInput controller and gamepad as required
Use a 4K monitor A system capable of more than the 1080p-oriented recommended specification, then test native 4K in-game Native 4K is advertised, while recommended specifications assume 1,920 × 1,080
Use a VR headset SteamVR, a compatible headset, the required gamepad, and at least the listed GTX 1060-level VR GPU threshold These are the VR conditions stated by Steam
Play the HD Collection on PC Do not assume availability; verify a current official PC listing first The available official materials establish the Collection but not a Windows release

For most PC players, the reliable path is therefore straightforward: select the regional M∀RS Steam listing, confirm the current requirements and language package, connect an XInput gamepad, and configure resolution after the first successful launch. The same checks prevent the two costly mistakes—buying a different edition and discovering too late that a keyboard or non-XInput controller is not supported by the documented setup.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 1
SaleBestseller No. 2
Bestseller No. 4
Zone of the Enders (Renewed)
Zone of the Enders (Renewed)
Complete, includes disc, case, cover art, manuals and inserts all in very good condition
$39.93
Bestseller No. 5
Zone Of The Enders 2nd Runner Mars (PS4) (Renewed)
Zone Of The Enders 2nd Runner Mars (PS4) (Renewed)
1-2 players; 13 GB minimum save size; DUALSHOCK4 Vibration Function Native 4K graphics; PS VR Compatible - Optional
$24.99

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.