PlayStation Vita Review

By Tom Bramwell Published 4 January, 2012

The ultimate hardcore gamer's handheld?

Version tested: PlayStation Vita

These days there are so many handheld devices available that allow you to play games on the move - small and large, cheap and expensive, buttons and touch - that it's a challenge to stand out from the crowd. Where do you put your focus? Judging by a fortnight with PlayStation Vita, even Sony's hardware designers couldn't make their minds up about that, because the initial impression is that they threw everything at the wall and everything stuck. The result is a handheld that can do pretty much anything. The good news for hardcore gamers is that in amongst all of that functionality are a few things that could - if the software follows - make this the best gaming portable ever.

PlayStation Vita isn't going to infest the world like iPad did two years ago, but it faces the same scepticism - that Sony is answering a question no one's asked. Apple's tablet quickly rose to that challenge by seeping into the gaps between other devices to become the best at things we forgot we wanted, and gamers may discover that Vita pulls a similar trick. Now you can sit on a train playing a new Uncharted adventure and it looks almost as good as the one at home, and crucially it feels the same.

"We need that second analogue stick - something that even Nintendo has belatedly acknowledged with its revisions to the 3DS - and it's here at last."

You can argue that we had that before with PlayStation Portable, but the truth is that we didn't. We need that second analogue stick - something that even Nintendo has belatedly acknowledged with its revisions to the 3DS - and it's here at last, and makes as profound a difference to handheld gameplay as anything since the original DS second screen and stylus. There is a lot to be said for simplicity in control, but core gamers need flexibility and precision, and Vita should be the most flexible and precise handheld console ever made.

This is a handheld with two analogue sticks, a traditional d-pad and face buttons, two shoulder buttons, PS (home), select and start buttons, independent volume controls and a power/sleep button, a 5-inch capacitive OLED touch-screen, a rear touch panel of the same dimensions, a built-in microphone, a headphone port, front and rear cameras, and dedicated AV, power, memory card and game card slots. You can add a sim card slot to that if you buy the 3G model.

It's big, too - bigger than the original PSP - but it's also thin and very light at just 263g (slightly over half a pound) and feels sturdy. The flaps for the AV cable and game and memory cards need a good bit of jimmying with a fingernail to access, and the only other moving parts that seem to hang off the unit are the squat, robust analogue sticks, slightly rubberised so your thumbs don't slip away but otherwise - along with the rest of the frontend furniture - discreet. The only slight drawback is with the face buttons, which are small and micro-switched rather than analogue, so they don't feel as comfortable as a DualShock, but you should quickly adapt.

Sony has caught up with its competitors in touch control quickly, too, with a fine capacitive screen that registers inputs as smartly as any other device I've held, allowing you to zip between screens, scroll around comfortably and respond to button and gesture prompts in Uncharted in a split second. Rear touch is similarly responsive, although a little harder to get your head around. The one criticism is that the screen smudges easily compared to modern smartphones.

That broad range of control inputs is reflected by a launch line-up that excites the senses more than any in recent memory. Many of the titles that lined up on 17th December in Japan were ports or adaptations of thoroughbred series like Everybody's Golf, Ridge Racer, Katamari, Virtua Tennis and Marvel vs. Capcom, but there was also a fabulous new instalment of Uncharted, and new titles Army Corps of Hell (a game where you use an army of goblins to assault your enemies, Pikmin-style) and Little Deviants (from UK-based Bigbig Studios), with the likes of WipEout 2048, MotorStorm RC and Gravity Rush (an intriguing physics-bending action game from Siren series designer Keiichiro Toyama) to follow in the next two months.

European PlayStation boss Jim Ryan has previously described the European Vita launch line-up as "comfortably the strongest line-up we've had for any platform launch... since the year dot", and while such statements are always liable to elevate the internet's blood pressure, this line-up is a great advert for the platform's potential. This is a system where you can find a twin-stick shooter like Super Stardust, or a third-person action-adventure game, or a quirky puzzle game where you push the ground up beneath your avatar like Little Deviants, delivered without compromise.

The EGTV Show: Why should you buy a PlayStation Vita?

Vita doesn't attempt to compete with smartphones on portability - it's too big to be an 'everyday everywhere' device - but with this much functionality and this much raw graphical power, it is disappointing that it doesn't ape the smartphones' slightly more open approach to development. We never expected anything other than another walled garden console, but this is such an inviting set of specifications that it seems counterintuitive for a company with Sony's passion for creativity to keep it locked off to bedroom programmers and independent developers.

The Vita Interface

PlayStation Vita does away with the PS3's CrossMediaBar (XMB) in favour of a series of screens with little application bubbles on them that you can swipe between vertically. You can have up to 10 bubbles on a screen and customise the backgrounds as you please.

Recently opened or otherwise-current applications are kept up as pages that you can swipe between horizontally. Each panel allows you to resume the app quickly (although you can only have one game open at a time) and are only fully closed when you peel the screen down from the top-right corner to the bottom - Vita's rather likeable way of closing programs.

Meanwhile, like the PSP before it and virtually every other half-decent handheld, Vita saves the state of your current application when you hit the power/suspend button, even if Nathan Drake's right in the middle of a cut-scene. Bless.

I played a lot of Uncharted over Christmas, but I also played a lot of Temple Run on iOS. An iOS system will never allow me to have the Uncharted experience - the controls will be wrong, even if the graphics catch up - but Vita could render Temple Run in its sleep, and denying games like that space on this platform because they don't fit an arbitrary price structure is strange logic. Gamers are prepared to buy games at a huge range of price points, from 69p all the way up to £100-plus Collector's Editions, and forcing us to buy games from vetted studios and only at premium tags will not unlock more of our money - we will just spend it in the smartphone app stores against which Vita supposedly isn't competing. Sony might counter that it is trying to assure quality, but that doesn't wash either - the only protection we need from bad products is technical QA, a well-designed and curated interface, and our common sense.

The same sort of old-school thinking that locks out independent development to all but the coddled few is apparent elsewhere in the Vita design. It's in the proprietary USB cable and lack of universal USB charging, it's in the absence of onboard memory, and it's in proprietary, mandatory memory cards that are sold separately. Sony has said that it intends to go after core gamers first with Vita before tackling the mass market, and perhaps we are tolerant enough to put up with these little niggles and tolls (we usually complain and then hand over our money anyway), but these things will do Vita few favours when it tries to capture attention further afield.

Leaving those concerns aside, PlayStation Vita's great selling point should be that it offers high-definition gaming experiences on the go with the same improving social features - like friend and messaging alerts, Trophies and "near", which looks like a fun way of benefitting from the installed base growing around you day to day, rather like 3DS' StreetPass - and the same diverse array of content. More than ever, this is a device that fits Sony's marketing slug: "It only does everything."

For now then, PlayStation Vita is potentially the most powerful and flexible gaming handheld ever, but it is already a fantastic one. It has been built on old logic, and it may not be a successful commercial venture - the knives are already out for it in some quarters - but it has already yielded some brilliant titles and Sony has a history of strongly supporting its own formats with a mixture of traditional and innovative software, while Vita's functional similarity to home consoles makes it very third-party friendly, so it feels like a safe bet providing nothing catastrophic happens to Sony itself.

If you find iOS and Android hardware restrictive and yearn for home console experiences on the go, then by rights this is where they should appear if they are still to be found anywhere in the years to come. Between PlayStation Vita and a rejuvenated Nintendo 3DS, hardcore gamers are now spoiled for choice when they leave the house. Long may that continue.

PlayStation Vita is due for release in Europe on 22nd February 2012 at £229 / €249 for the Wi-Fi model and £279 / €299 for the Wi-Fi/3G version. Look out for Digital Foundry's in-depth PlayStation Vita hardware analysis coming soon.

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About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (217) Latest comment 3 weeks ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • karooo #1 2 months ago

    Great review, Tom. Stoked for the western release :D

  • onezeonx #2 2 months ago

    Good review!

    Looking forward to picking my wifi vita on 22nd February!

  • gamzino #3 2 months ago

    Post deleted at 18:49:34 22-01-2012

  • evilashchris #4 2 months ago

    Looks fantastic!

  • cjb110 #5 2 months ago

    Is it 'better' than the previous dozen PSP's though? Technically I mean? If it was then maybe you could overlook the stupid memory cards (probably different to the other PSP's as well?) and misshaped USB, unremovable battery and whatever other bat-shit crazy ideas Sony can't get over.

    If its not that much better then a) why upgrade? b) why not just stick to your phone? given that you won't get this on contract a phone will be much cheaper.

    Also even if the Vita was technically far greater than the current gen of phones, it wont be by the end of the year!

  • AMD500 #6 2 months ago

    Looking forward to picking this up.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #7 2 months ago

    Great review, Pre ordered mine yesterday!

  • silverjon #8 2 months ago

    I like the look of the Vita, but what the hell is wrong with Sony ? Why do they wall the garden with proprietory cables, memory sticks, and no standard USB charging ? Annoying as it is, I can understand why they'd choose to go with proprietory memory cards but USB ?
    It's as though the company sticks its fingers in its corporate ears and pretends the rest of the world doesn't exist.

    Anyway, good review. Looks like a great product. Shame about Sony's strategy.

  • wizlon #9 2 months ago

    The flaps for the game and memory cards need a good bit of jimmying with a fingernail to access
    As a person who bites his nails I would actually avoid the Vita because of this crazy design decision, why Sony, why?
    Edited by 2 at 04/01/12 @ 08:47

  • bjaar #10 2 months ago

    To buy or not to buy, that's the question.

  • BartsBlue #11 2 months ago

    I was pretty excited about Vita, because it seems that Sony has learnt from PSP mistakes (on a side note: had one, loved it). I imagined I'd be day one adopter. Unfortunately, I don't have much time for gaming recently and I travel less than I used to before, so I guess I'll hold off the purchase for a while.

  • kosigan #12 2 months ago

    Why is there a link to the scoring policy at the end of the review when there's no score given?

  • Dismiss #13 2 months ago

    What's this about alienating indies... will they stop supporting minis? If I recall correctly, a lot of star smartphone apps ended up in there anyway. Unless you're talking about prohibitive licensing costs.

    Anyway, pretty stoked about this, even if I rarely game on the go. Usually, I only play dedicated gaming handhelds when on holiday or on long trips. For day to day commute, my smartphone is all I need, and that's the biggest obstacle Sony needs to overcome. Unless they decide to ignore the pick me up factor and just focus on an increasingly niche audience, which is fine by me.
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 09:00

  • jyrque #14 2 months ago

    @cjb110 Vita and its predecessor PSP are both geared toward providing a console experience on the go. Their main user group are core gamers who want to play console games on the go.

    I don't think Vita really competes with one-dollar-gaming iPhone and Android offer but instead concentrates in creating a portable home console experience for a niche market.

    As for upgrade, it is a completely new device with better hardware comparable to PS3 graphics. PSP was nearly on par with PS2 so it's about time for an upgrade. Obviously there are hardware issues such as unremovable battery and proprietary USB charger but if iDevices could shrug that off then I can't see why a Sony device couldn't.

    Proprietary memory cards are still a crock of bull, though. PSP used Sony's own Memory Stick so you could use your camera's old memory card for your PSP or even buy one cheap in a sale or something. Proprietary memory cards are a way to ensure more reliable income when everyone has to buy one. It's 360's chargeable batteries all over again, a saddening fact.

    Nevertheless, personally Vita is interesting from a technical standpoint. Now if only there were some games, namely something to do with Hunting Monsters.

  • jaguarwong #15 2 months ago

    Should that not be 'Harcore Consumer' rather than 'Hardcore Gamer'?

    I didn't see too many bullet hell shmups in the launch line up, Uncharted is every bit as 'casual' (for lack of a better word) as Angry Birds.

  • dadrester #16 2 months ago

    denying games like that space on this platform because they don't fit an arbitrary price structure is strange logic.

    PlayStation Suite? FFS journalism?!

  • BigDannyH #17 2 months ago

    I just hope they have a good range of PSN quality games for around a tenner. Then I'd be interested, perfect platform for the smaller games.

    Although I'm still thinking the next gen consoles will have some form of portability (possibly able to save your games to a tablet style device plus controller) which may make the PSV a little redundant.

  • Laraman #18 2 months ago

    Post deleted at 10:49:28 04-01-2012

  • danathjo #19 2 months ago

    I would be chomping for a Vita straight away if I already didn't have so many free 3DS games to play right now, by the time I get through all of them i'll probably be cooled off enough to wait for the next version. That said i'll definitely get one eventually and will have a whole lot of brilliant games waiting for me :)

  • Eregol #20 2 months ago

    Seeing as you have your hands on one there at Eurogamer towers, maybe you can shed some light on whether it's possible to tether the Vita to an iPhone to use the 3G from that?
    If so, then the 3G model is a complete waste for those of us with decent smart phones.

    My WiFi model is pre-ordered, as is my memory card and copies of Uncharted and Everybody's Golf.

  • Venatio Verified Expo Community & Gaming Manager, Eurogamer Network #21 2 months ago

    @Eregol

    Next week's podcast will be about Vita and we'll be answering reader questions. I'll make sure that one's on the list!

  • frod. #22 2 months ago

    You can charge it over USB, you just need to turn the unit completely off first.

    The list of hidden caveats such as this one is so long right now I can't help but look at the four revisions that the PSP received and think that I'm going to wait for at least one before I consider jumping in. The lack of interesting software makes it pretty easy to do so, I still have uncompleted copies of mingol, wipeout and lumines from the psp here anyway. I didn't bother with unsharted 3 so why would I pick up a £270 inferior version of it? Sony need proper handheld IP, not console ports.

  • abigsmurf #23 2 months ago

    Sony tried catering to homebrew before with Linux. Look how that worked out for them. Thanks to that, it's probably safe to assume that no console manufacturer will ever willingly allow unsigned code to run again.

    Besides which, the iphone is a walled garden with you having to play cat and mouse with Apple to open it up.

    Also: You can charge the Vita through USB, there's a setting for it you have to enable.

  • frod. #24 2 months ago

    Yes, of course you can tether it via Personal Hotspot. It's just wifi.

  • Olemak #25 2 months ago

    The flaps for the AV cable and game and memory cards need a good bit of jimmying with a fingernail to access
    Surely you mean the DC cable, as the Vita has no AV connectivity?

    I do miss mention of the cross-play features with PS3, which is the feature I am most interested in. Continuing a game on the Vita when the missus wants to watch Desperate Housewives sounds awesome, but does it work as intended?

    Comparison to the iOS and Android devices is interesting,, but clearly the PSP titles and the minis on PSN is intended to meet this challenge? But oddly, the review does not cover compatibility with Minis, PSOne games and PSP games. WIkipedia states that the Wiki should have full backwards compatibility with any titles for the PSP bought on PSN, which should include minis. So.... something about the implementation of this strategy would make sense.

    Good review, but it answers few of my questions about the system. Probably something Dgital Foundry will elaborate on in their analysis, though.

  • X201 #26 2 months ago

    Wish they'd stick a PDF reader on it.

    I could stick my OU course material on it.

  • RGDfleet #27 2 months ago

    I still wish it wasn't so damn expensive...

  • dog2_99 #28 2 months ago

    I agree good review; I have one and am really enjoying it. Uncharted is good fun (if a little easy) and Marvel vs. Capcom is a great time killer. The device is solid and appears to hold a charge fairly well-ish...

    looking forward to the FEB wider release and getting some more games; Amazon appears to be pricing fairly aggressively as well.

  • ZizouFC #29 2 months ago

    Read like an 8.

  • beep #30 2 months ago

    Probably will get one eventually, but Sony would garner more goodwill amongst gamers if they weren't so bullish in pushing their proprietary crap.

  • NotSoSlim #31 2 months ago

    Loving my Vita and while expensive its clearly to get as many hardcore users first then mass market. Ninty want mass market strsight away.

    If you think its expensive wait for price drop. Gravity Rush for launch looks likely now...lovely

  • Daddy-Doom-Bar #32 2 months ago

    Not sure I want to play 'Rear Touch'...

    Could they not coin some other phrase for it?

  • jonfon #33 2 months ago

    The same sort of old-school thinking that locks out independent development to all but the coddled few is apparent elsewhere in the Vita design. It's in the proprietary USB cable and lack of universal USB charging, it's in the absence of onboard memory, and it's in proprietary, mandatory memory cards that are sold separately. Sony has said that it intends to go after core gamers first with Vita before tackling the mass market, and perhaps we are tolerant enough to put up with these little niggles and tolls (we usually complain and then hand over our money anyway), but these things will do Vita few favours when it tries to capture attention further afield.
    This is my main concern with Vita. Sony never seem to learn when it comes to making interfaces as open as possible (or maybe they live in continued hope, after all Apple get away with it) but for me personally sticking with proprietary cables etc is a big no-no. I already have a vast, tangled collection of wires, power supplies et all which lurks like a mini katamari ball in my drawers, I'd really prefer not to be adding further to it.

  • Zerobob #34 2 months ago

    The second analogue stick will make a huge difference in terms of the types of games that can be played on the device but seriously...no USB charging? No onboard memory? Very poor in this day and age.

  • FanBoysSuck #35 2 months ago

    I really like the look of vita and actually had it pre-ordered from shopto until I saw the price for might-as-well-be-mandatory memory cards, which would take the price of the 3G version with a game up to the £400 mark.

    I'll keep an eye on it an probably pick it up after the first price drop like I did with the original PSP. I love my iphone but proper buttons FTW!

  • NotSoSlim #36 2 months ago

    @Zerobob You can charge via USB and it does have onboard memory as when you put cart in it installs we just cant save to it.

    Expect 3g model to be discontinued soon going by Japan sales

  • Scopeh #37 2 months ago

    whattttt???? No 8?...I am Dissapoint.

  • roz123 #38 2 months ago

    I have been reading and hearing so much rubbish about this and how its going to be a sales disaster etc. One idiot journalist on CNET was claiming he doesn't even think it will get launched in North America.
    People were saying the same sort of shit about the 3DS, yes it was overpriced, needed a price cut and more distinction from the DS but once the big name games hit it sold like crazy.
    Sony doesn't have a Mario but I think all the PSVita needs to succeed in the UK is just that overrated yearly football game (FIFA) and lots and lots of fps games like COD, Killzone, Resistence etc. Seriously if Sony can get an average 1st or 3rd party shooter out of the door every 4 months or so they would rake in the money.

  • Tokyo72uk #39 2 months ago

    Love my PS Vita. It is however annoying that I could not charge it with my portable USB charger on the flight back from Tokyo :(

  • Goffee #40 2 months ago

    @cjb110 I'd stick to my phone if I wanted to play Angry Birds and some half-assed FIFA effort, but I'd like to play proper games on the go, therefore I need a Vita.

    The iPhone's best game is Infinity Blade II a very pretty but an on-rails, limited interaction combat game - not a patch on the PSP's God of War titles or Metal Gear or Syphon Filter. There is little reason why a highly mobile gamer would want a smartphone over a Vita (budget aside).

  • trotskyicepick #41 2 months ago

    Only game that I want for Vita so far is Persona 4 the Golden. Is it worth buying it for one game?????

  • andywilkie35 #42 2 months ago

    Sounds great, can't wait for it :)

  • NotSoSlim #43 2 months ago

    I for one hope the top IOS games come over to Vita a surely extra sales is a added bonus for developers?

    On that note i hope more devs offer the option to buy one version like Ruin which works on PS3 and Vita. Another way to increase sales. Due to that i will by RC Motorstorm as its a great way to make more people play your game

  • NotSoSlim #44 2 months ago

    @frod. Uncharted is far from inferior to the console version. Also you mention console ports without even mentioning Gravity Rush, Escape Plan, Little Deviants etc.

    So just like 3DS with console ports of Zelda, Sar Fox amongst others there are proper handheld IP as you put it.

    Its a shame all people see is Uncharted and think Vita is a console port haven when it really isnt

  • jonfon #45 2 months ago

    So I know the Sony Phone allows one to play Android games, does the Vita in any way? Really Sony should be looking at something like the Amazon set-up where you create your own "walled garden" Android App Store, which enables you to vet things submitted to it and Vita owners would be more likely to buy from (Android Store is notoriously poor on both those fronts). Plus it would be also an environment any Sony Ericsson Android phones could also use in the same way.

  • dadrester #46 2 months ago

    @X201 does the browser not have a PDF reader built in?

  • dadrester #47 2 months ago

    @jonfon http:/ /en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayStation_Suite

  • midnight_walker #48 2 months ago

    I remember when the 3DS came out and everyone moaned their socks off that there were no original IPs in sight. Now people are losing their minds with excitement over the same old IPs redone for Vita. Why?

    I'll still get one of course.

  • jonfon #49 2 months ago

    @dadrester
    That seems to be a PS1 emulator for the Vita and some Android systems? I was talking the other way around, an Android environment for Vita with small, indie games for 99c etc.

    Also worrying is that the "suite" is 9 games and the list hasn't been updated in 9 months. That's one of my big concerns with Sony, they create these initiatives and systems and then let them slowly gather dust and sink into oblivion (and I say this as an avid Sony user).

    How is the browser on it actually? I don't want something to surf on every day, but I've attempted to use the PS3 and PSP ones for things like FAQs when stuck in games and they were very painful (PSP one kept running out of memory, I had to disable image loading on it to get it to work). Is it still a Sony one?
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 10:34

  • abigsmurf #50 2 months ago

    @midnight_walker

    Gravity Daze is looking pretty incredible and it's an original franchise coming out in the launch window.

    Little deviants is an original IP too.

  • NotSoSlim #51 2 months ago

    @EddieMink Well i disagree. Not worth £45 mind

  • Seoh #52 2 months ago

    @silverjon
    It's not that unusual, apple are exactly the same with their cables.

  • ElNino9 #53 2 months ago

    If there are phones that can produce better, more complete experiences out by the end of the year, then I'll eat my hat.

  • LooseUnit78 #54 2 months ago

    @Venatio Any new info on the much hyped Remote Play would be great too. This would be a big selling point for me but everything I've read since launch suggests that no current games are working. Maybe patches are being prepped for UK launch? Have you found any that work already?

  • DrStrangelove #55 2 months ago

    Sony has said that it intends to go after core gamers first with Vita before tackling the mass market

    Which means (I suppose), first 279 quid, then price cut.

  • NotSoSlim #56 2 months ago

    @JAGUARCD32x Browser is poor and no flash support. To be fair browser no different to PS3 one in all honesty and i think flash support is being sorted

    @LooseUnit78 No games work right now but PSOne games do via remote play. I think there is a update coming as they have demoed Killzone 3 running and no doubt all first party games will work

  • NotSoSlim #57 2 months ago

    @DrStrangelove Or 229 quid but yea give it until fall then they will cut price. Get as much as you can they go after mass market. Ninty want mass market straight away so do thing differently

  • berelain #58 2 months ago

    Nice article, wouldn't say its much of a review - you go into precious little detail on (to me) key features like interface, screen quality, etc - these are things that I really want to know before I decide to hand over my cash.

    I'm still very much on the fence about Vita - its a powerful and well-featured little thing, of that I have no doubt - but I'm not sure whether I want to spend £230 on one, and I'll be wanting a lot more info than this review gives me. More please.

  • DrStrangelove #59 2 months ago

    Also, sure it's not cheap, but think about what your paid for your iPhone. And I'm not quite sure that is so much more expensive to produce than a Vita.

  • NotSoSlim #60 2 months ago

    @DrStrangelove

    http:// www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2059829/Apples-iPho ne-4S-price-How-really-costs-make.html

    If that is Iphone 4s cost then does put price into context but they need to bundle a memory card or release a £250 bundle with game and card. Although i can see Game doing something like that

  • Arwin #61 2 months ago

    @berelain I agree, it's a cursory review. But it will be much more interesting to get a review by the time of the European release. I bet it'll have a(nother) new firmware by then too. ;) I imported the original PSP back in 2004, but this time I'll gladly wait until it is released in Europe. I do really look forward to it though!

    Hopefully they get PS Suite right, and it will go public in the near future (I think it is still in beta). If Sony doesn't mess up it could even become an important platform across most Android devices. My current guess (hope?) would be that they waited until they got the Android 4.0 support stable.

    @NotSoSlim Nintendo launched the 3DS at 249 as well.

  • 32768Colours #62 2 months ago

    Its a bit weird that they would arbitrarily restrict the sub £1 "app" type market, but only because I'd have thought they'd like to take a cut of that market.

    Perhaps its because they think most gamers will already have a smart phone for those sorts of products so they don't see the point in investing time and money into infrastructure to support that end of the gaming spectrum.

    Its perhaps not that strange a decision when you consider that the size of the gaming market has increased regardless of the smart phone sector; there are plenty of people who would jump at the chance to play COD on the go and that option simply wouldn't be possible without the existence of something like Vita.

    Let's not forget also that core gamers (if we must be called that) are and were gamers first and phone owners second. I had a Gameboy a long long time before I owned my first Nokia 5110! For me and millions like me, the Vita is the stand out choice for mobile gaming, whilst I consider my phone to be just that: a phone.

    I simply don't understand why so many people think that just because mobile gaming has moved on since Snake, traditional gamers have therefore disappeared. Not everyone wants to play physics-based or match-three puzzlers just because they're nowhere near a TV!

    Even if Sony focused on attracting people who just bought bullet hell shooters and JRPGS they'd sell plenty of units. The fact that people won't be able to buy a 69p fart sound board is hardly going to damage sales is it? To be honest, with MS chasing the family market and Nintendo currently struggling to define their position, I'm genuinely pleased that one of the 3 hardware manufacturers has the resolve to target actual gamers. Sure, the video clip says they'll start to target younger audiences too, but the main thing is they've got a product and strategy aimed at making games, not throw-away apps. Surely for gamers that's a good thing?

  • Rodster #63 2 months ago

    I agree with the Forbes article which indicates that this form of gaming is on the way out now that smart phones and tablets have become mainstream.

  • jonbwfc #64 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim It's a foolish assumption to believe the total cost of bringing a product to market is simply the cost of the components within it. It's one I'm not surprised 'journalists' of the Daily mail's quality are making, but I'm surprised people think it bears repeating on the likes of EG.

  • dadrester #65 2 months ago

    @jonfon PS Suite is a development environment for "PlayStation Certified" devices (of which Vita is one). It's not a PSOne emu but a platform that's meant to be able to deliver content across a range of devices.

    Essentially it's exactly what you were talking about with Amazon's walled garden in android marketplace, but with backend support and game engine support.

    The Beta SDK has just been sent out to devs (and bedroom coders) in the last month, so there's no wonder it's still not got much written about it. It is a shame it wasn't rolled out a little earlier so there'd be a wealth of content for the Vita launch.

    As for the browser, I don't have a Vita yet, but I'd hope it's better than the god-awful PSP one. To be honest if it's about the same or a bit better than my 3GS then I'd be pleased.

  • Nephirion #66 2 months ago

    Best wait and see what support this gets from the developers, after all without decent titles, new IP the Vita will end up being another expensive brick.

  • vizzini #67 2 months ago

    Good write up EG.

    But can EG or anyone else confirm if the non-3G version has the GPS sensor? ie Does the front/rear camera take photos that are geo-tagged in the Wifi model?

    From what I could make out from the info on Sony's website, the GPS sensor and sim card slot are the differentiating features for the 3G model, and the reason I'm looking at the 3G one instead.

    The Forbes analysis comment about a disappointing 2nd week sales trend in Japan takes no account of what drives high second week sales for hardware. With consoles, you typically get a scenario where friends will get to see the day one adopters console in the first week. Then they either love it(or hate it) and then go buy one when they can justify the expense.

    Between seeing my friend's PS3 and buying one, it took about 5-6 months, even though I wanted one the next day. But friends trying the Wii and PS3 at my house took far less time in going to purchase because pricing enabled them to do so. Like wise with the 360, I played Virtua fighter 5 online on a friend's 360, and bought one with a week or to later, to get my VF fix.

    I suspect Vita is likely to sell very strongly with early adopters in the US and Europe for 4-6months who would just as happily go buy a new home console if Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft or anyone else had one to offer. After that, Sony might be relying on Japanese games to let their home numbers make up a dip for the months until a significant price reduction(£165 or less) allows them to bring on board the second phase of consumers, prior to a new revision.

  • Eregol #68 2 months ago

    @Venatio Thanks dude.
    Might actually make that the first podcast I ever listen to.

  • onezeonx #69 2 months ago

    @EddieMink

    why the fuck are you still here?

    It's clear you don't like or want a ps vita so stop posting your retarded drivel that NO ONE gives a crap about.
    You seem quite bothered by others who want the device...when it's nothing to do with you

    Sad
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 11:56

  • xMrBrown #70 2 months ago

    I am going to preorder mine from the states it is so much more cheaper the wifi version is like $250 and that is like £160 not bad i say :)

  • onezeonx #71 2 months ago

    @xMrBrown import tax and the issues if you have any faults with the vita puts me off any overseas buying.

    I'd rather get from the UK tbh and know I'm covered

  • guernican #72 2 months ago

    @cjb110

    I suppose those are all viable concerns. All of which you could level at the new iPhone / iPad as well. Or, indeed, any other technical upgrade on any platform.

  • abigsmurf #73 2 months ago

    @Eurogameruser

    The ipad 3 won't be able to match the Vita for a few reasons:

    OS overhead. IOS adds an extra application layer that makes everything a little bit less efficient.

    Slow ram and slow flash. Mobiles (iphone included) use horrible cheap memory. Big bottleneck for graphically intensive games.

    File size limitations. Given people have their music libraries on the devices and they can't be expanded. Having 1-2gb games on the devices is pretty problematic. Big, nice looking games use up lots of space.

  • NotSoSlim #74 2 months ago

    @jonbwfc Just replying to a post. There were numerous post stating the hike up in price. However we know Sony are selling the Vita at a loss so be interesting on wiggle room they have price wise in say 6 months.

  • frod. #75 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim Uncharted is quite obviously the worst entry so far in an already dying franchise. The rest are the usual Sony overhyped junk. The Vita is in its "Heavenly Sword/Lair" phase right now.

  • systems #76 2 months ago

    @vizzini GPS is only in the 3G model, as confirmed on official Sony site. It's not mentioned at all in the WiFi-only model.

  • jonfon #77 2 months ago

    @abigsmurf
    Plus interface. Other than a few exceptions (World of Goo) it's very hard to get something like a FPS or Fighting game to work nicely with touchscreen.

  • secombe #78 2 months ago

    Nothing to say on real-world battery life? That's probably the main thing that will help me in my decision.

    I've been spoilt with the iPad (comfortably 10 hours of use per charge and it's never switched off in-between) so it will hard to go back to something that won't last a flight and the waiting around at the airport.

  • NotSoSlim #79 2 months ago

    @frod. Of course it is mate. Not released anywhere else in world and its already judged. Also have you played Golden Abyss? Or any Vita Game?

    Also Gravity Rush overhyped? Gameplay says otherwise as do the people who have played the actual game. You stated Vita needs handheld IP and i give a few simple.

    Tone of post says its a pointless discussion.
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 12:39

  • kirankara #80 2 months ago

    @jaguarwong

    Utter bollocks mate.

    Game that every mom, gran and kid with phone in world owns and is usually played in spare few minutes travelling etc, against a game that requires skill, as opposed to often random luck in angry birds, as well as a more complex control scheme that most causual gamers would find intimidating.

    I last night started playing Fallout 3 , after years of refusing to play rpg's and really think they are completely dull tbh. Reading boring text and choosing moronic answers, when you just want to stab them in the face instead, but know you have to pick certain answers, as they're kinda expected of you.

    If that's an example of non casual gaming, then shove it up your backside, Im a casual gamer then

  • Toonster #81 2 months ago

    "Version tested: PlayStation Vita"

    Well I bloody well hope so.

  • Subdominator #82 2 months ago

    Eh ... how is this a review? Reads like a preview with all the talk about other systems, no score and not even the slightest bit of information on battery runtime. In a review I expect somebody to tell me how long I can actually play. After all this is a portable device, there is nothing more important than how many hours I can actually use it as such.

  • Daeltaja #83 2 months ago

    Great review, told me everything I needed to know. While it would be nice to own one, it was between this and an Ipad 3, and I can't buy both, so this will lose out unfortunately for now at least. If it was more of an open platform, it would have been a tougher choice.

  • CallousB #84 2 months ago

    It'll be interesting to see how well this does. I'm struggling to see a big market for it anytime soon (no matter how good the hardware is).

    There's alot of competition now...far more than when the PSP launched. As well as the current 3DS,iPad,iPhone etc(and future iterations) there's the Kindle fire (which will likely grab all the headlines) and the Wii U (will have taken the crown of "newness" from the Vita by the years end).

    Sony better have moneyhatted some GTA/Monster Hunter sized exclusives.

  • Grayvern #85 2 months ago

    The memory card prices kill it for me, I've got a 16 gb iPad 2 and that fills up super fast so not only are they overpriced they will actively constrain Sony's vita game download market.
    Edited by 1 at 04/02/12 @ 00:14

  • makeamazing #86 2 months ago

    Looking forward to picking my pre-order up on 22nd with Uncharted... not sure if there is anything else i want (and dont want to spend too much so early in the year!) :)

  • _LarZen_ #87 2 months ago

    I love my iPad and something tells me im gonna love the Playstation Vita just as much...cant wait for the 22nd feb to come...

  • simsini #88 2 months ago

    Can anyone tell me how 299 Euros = £279? The exchange rate is currently 1.2 Euros to £1, so it should cost £249 for the 3G version and they can't even use the VAT excuse.
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 13:23

  • simsini #89 2 months ago

    And where is the article in relation to the very poor post week one sales in Japan.

  • NotSoSlim #90 2 months ago

    @Grayvern No they wont constrain the market as its piss easy transfer thing to and from the console unless you have a mac.

  • orangpelupa #91 2 months ago

    thanks for the review, but can it be more detailed?
    like when you mentioning NEAR, its only mentioned as "looks like fun".
    also what about the UI is it good? and also maybe shed some light on the PSN locking?

    btw there already detailed review at theverge but it will be nice to see another detailed review, or even a lot more detailed review from digital foundry :)

  • NotSoSlim #92 2 months ago

    @simsini Maybey EG realised they still sold 400k in 9 days against the 3DS with Monstet Hunter

  • NotSoSlim #93 2 months ago

    @orangpelupa You cant go into the details you want as Western Vita stuff isnt functional yet. Near is good but i am finding due to no one having one yet its pointless.

    Also you can change accounts by either buying multiple cards or backing up other account with cintent manager.

  • Dreadaxe #94 2 months ago

    "Gamers are prepared to buy games at a huge range of price points, from 69p all the way up to £100-plus Collector's Editions, and forcing us to buy games from vetted studios and only at premium tags will not unlock more of our money - we will just spend it in the smartphone app stores against which Vita supposedly isn't competing"
    That sounds like a new years resolution that no one will keep, gamers will spend up to £100 on CE but that was before we're seriously changed now and will act like responsible adults and not man babies.

    This is the only part of the review i disagree with as no one is deciding between 40 apps and a vita game, if they like the game they'll spend money on it.

  • Street89 #95 2 months ago

    Can someone actually explain to me what the purpose of the 3G is for the Vita?

    Why the negs? I knew you couldnt game online or download anything on PSN (unless it was small in mb) so I wanted to know what it was actually for.
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 19:27

  • Street89 #96 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim So is an iPad but he's still having a problem with managing storage on that so he's just going to have the same issue with the Vita.

  • jonbwfc #97 2 months ago

    @Street89 The Vita contains a system called 'Near' which is similar to the 3DS's streetpass system which benefits from always having the net & GPS location available. For example, if you fire up a game it will tell you if there's anyone nearby playing the same game and offer to set up a match between you. Also it means you have the advantages of any other 3G device - the location based services that sprout from that and of course the simple ability to be online with it whenever you feel like it (coverage permitting, of course).
    If all you plan to ever do with it is SP game and not join in with any of the 'social' functions, then you it probably doesn't serve a purpose no. But it's useful to have if you feel like it.

  • superdelphinus #98 2 months ago

    "Version tested: PlayStation Vita"

    Thanks for confirming

  • simsini #99 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim And yet didn't notice that the PSP sold more units during the second week of the Vita.

  • Snake_2011 #100 2 months ago

    pre ordered mine yesterday great review. simsini but out sold the PSP in launch week by a lot. plus beat the PSPs launch by a lot as well.
    Edited by 2 at 04/01/12 @ 14:23

  • elrasho #101 2 months ago

    1. Need a list of launch titles
    2. How much for the extra memory modules?
    3. How long does the battery last?

    Three really important points a review should contain.

  • gandhimaster #102 2 months ago

    @frod. amen! this is purely a portable PS3 at the moment, which for me is pointless....When will Sony understand the market has changed a lot since the original PSP and that was designed wrong even then.

  • gandhimaster #103 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim there are quite a few non PS3 ports i grant you, but Sony's primary focus is the PS3-like experience. Very different from Nintendo's focus, which is franchise based and a bit more flexibility over the kind of games they make for their handhelds. I don't own either, by the way just an opinion as to why Vita already has that bad rep.

    edit - what was incorrect about that statement that required a neg??
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 15:01

  • gandhimaster #104 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim didn't sony say vita needs a full wipe and restore to use another account?

  • Sid-Nice #105 2 months ago

    Price cuts on the way
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 15:14

  • lexxx #106 2 months ago

    it does look like a great system - more than anything i want to play 'big' games on a handheld... however, after a bit of buyer's remorse over getting the 3DS at launch, i'm determined (though not guaranteed) to wait and see with PS Vita. it may not be very 'fair' to Sony, but there you have it.

    also agree with the comments over the glut of great games at the end of 2011 - really don't need anything new right now!
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 15:22

  • Feanor #107 2 months ago

    The better response of micro-switched buttons suit me. The analog buttons on the Dual Shock 2 and 3 never seemed to work that well.

  • Eregol #108 2 months ago

    @Sid-Nice That's for the 3G version. Which I'm pretty sure most people have stated they would avoid.
    I can't see the point in getting 3G and paying extra per month for the privilege of it.

    I do however believe we'll be able to tether the Vita to our smartphones with a little jiggery pokery, meaning the 3G model is pointless in the extreme.
    Edited by 1 at 04/01/12 @ 15:46

  • Sid-Nice #109 2 months ago

    @Eregol I was actually going to refer the link to Street89's question "Can someone actually explain to me what the purpose of the 3G is for the Vita?"

  • cyber_nicco #110 2 months ago

    What's the score?

  • Eregol #111 2 months ago

    @Sid-Nice I'm a little bit worried that services like NEAR won't work without it. Bit irritating as the 3DS' streetpass system doesn't use 3G.
    But that's something that I cannot justify paying an extra £50 plus a monthly fee for.

  • Neppy #112 2 months ago

    I definitely want one but I'll wait a while and see how it goes first (never bought a console on launch day). I think the price of the Vita itself is fine for what it is; those memory cards are indeed insanely expensive though. I don't like the PSN account limit either but at least the games are still region free... if they simply allowed me to buy off the american PSN store I and most others wouldn't have a problem I'm sure (yeah yeah legal and licensing issues prevent that; it also prevents the EU store from having even half as much content as the US store).

  • Falkano #113 2 months ago

    Interesting review there.

    I got to have a go with one when i was in Dallas recently.

    Have to be honest and say i disagree about the power comment. I was more impressed with a game called "Shadow Run" that they were demoing on a new Galaxy Nexus phone.

    Smartphone technology has seriously grown in the past year or two. In the next year or two i expect Vita to look seriously dated in comparison. The fact you can already get true HD on it prooves that imo.

    The days of old school lugging a handheld around are over.

  • Ryze #114 2 months ago

    8/10.

  • beatwolf #115 2 months ago

    Just bought a 3DS.. this looks nice as well.. But also owning a PS3, 360 and probably the upcoming WII U, where am I going to find the time??

  • FenderMaster #116 2 months ago

    Vita lacks system sellers, just like 3DS did. Price is certainly an issue, and IOS/3DS competition, but if there's a game people really want to play then it'll sell.

    Everyone keeps talking about Uncharted Golen Abyss as being a system seller, but even on PS3 the Uncharted games didn't sell systems, they were spectacular critical darlings. After the spectacle and characteristaion of Uncharted 2 and 3, Golden Abyss just isn't going to measure.

    I just don't think that gamers want an Uncharted game (not developed by Naughty Dog) that comes close, but isn't quite as good as the home console games.

    Gravity Rush looks like the sort of game that Vita really needs, add a new (exclusive) Resident Evil, Kingdom Hearts, Monster Hunter or Metal Gear and it will do fine in Japan, and with Japanese developer supporet it should start getting some momentum in the west too.

  • orangpelupa #117 2 months ago

    @beatwolf the good thing about portable game device is, it is portable.

    try playing games in the unthinkable places and moments.

    i usually play Professor Layton while brushing teeth, etc.

  • coolbritannia #118 2 months ago

    Cozmic, is that you?

  • Eregol #119 2 months ago

    @FenderMaster Agreed wholeheartedly.

  • NotSoSlim #120 2 months ago

    @simsini Which now basically given away price wise but still has great JRPG's, and what is lacking on Vita in Japan?

    They need Japan-centric software and this may help

    http://gamingbolt.com/rumour-ps-v ita-monster-hunter-due-for-second-half-of-2012

  • NotSoSlim #121 2 months ago

    @gandhimaster Yes it does but you can totally back up the system using PS3 or PC or use multiple memory cars. The accounts are locked to memory cards not the system.

    Also the rep is based on Uncharted being the main thing discussed by the gaming media not the more diverse portable experiences i.e Gravity Rush and Escape Plan

  • Sharzam #122 2 months ago

    People are funny, they moan about non removeble batterys, walled garden, proprietary cables..

    and yet buy Apple tat year after year iam still thinking over whether to buy a Vita personally. Most comic is that Tom Bramwell fully admits to loving his iPhone and playing games on it, and yet he is voicing negativity about the very things the iPhone does such as those proprietary cables.

    Make no mistake Apple and Sony are just as bad as each other when it comes to leverage themselves a competivie posistion.

  • Munkeh111 #123 2 months ago

    Sony is doing LOADS of stupid things here, but it had put in a second analogue stick, so I forgive them.

    The thing that does really matter is the software, and with Uncharted at launch, and Assassin's Creed and CoD promised (as well as many more), we just need a GTA for everything to be in place!

    As for having phone games, Sony is kind of trying to do that with the PS Suite, but they seem to be in a muddle over that, and I don't really see the point. I am not going to take my Vita with me if I only have a 15 minute journey, and if I do happen to be in that situation, I can always just put the console to sleep, I want the console to replace my PS3 when I am away from it, I will have my phone is my pocket anyway

  • secombe #124 2 months ago

    @orangpelupa

    Thanks for the link to The Verge review, extremely detailed and well written. Good info on battery life, charging times etc and I'm very impressed by the viewing angles.

  • JumpinJackFlash #125 2 months ago

    There are so many things wrong with this system it's difficult where to start. £40 a game, over £200 for the hardware, proprietary memory cards, one account log-in, etc, i could go on and on.

    It's a hard sell to those that aren't fanboys of Sony hardware.

  • michaelius #126 2 months ago

    @jonfon to be fair PS3 is most open stationary console this gen

  • michaelius #127 2 months ago

    @Goffee So true- smartphones have nothing that could match games like Gow or Valkyria Chronicles

  • Chufty #128 2 months ago

    The locked down walled garden approach is surely a response to the utter obliteration of the original PSP by piracy. Tom would have done well to point that out during his (justified) rant about it.

    Other than that, good article. One of the few consoles that is seriously making me consider adopting early, and that must surely be due to the software lineup.

  • BellyFullOfHell #129 2 months ago

    @32768Colours

    If I had to chose between an IThing Cave shooter at 2.99, and a PSV one at 30-40, it's iThing all the way. Digital controls are nice, but not 30+ quid nice, for the few hours a week I play portable games.

  • Rusty_M #130 2 months ago

    Pretty much read no previews about this. It really looks quite interesting. I'll see how it does. IMO, any games device lives and dies on its catalogue of games. The best device with nothing to play is worse than the worst device with the best game. Time will tell.

  • AnotherIdiot #131 2 months ago

    Sure they will get a lot of sales from the usual 'buy anything new' crowd, but after these early adopters I think this device has got fail written all over it.

  • uncleniccius #132 2 months ago

    Not gonna lie... I AM STOKED FOR THIS. I have a WiFi Vita, 16 GB memory card Uncharted (for £28!), Modnation preordered and I will buy another game! For those who are buying, buy from a retailer with the preorder bonus because you can get £5 off a game from the store! Retailers stocking it are Amazon, Game, shopto and I don't know about others! :D

  • espibara #133 2 months ago

    Had a go on my mates and had a major nerdgasm but the touchscreen is pointless as its sooooooooo glossy as soon as you touch it you need to clean it.

  • NotSoSlim #134 2 months ago

    http://playstationer.net/2012/01/ 03/playstation-vita-3gwi-fi-pre-order-for-244/

    Link for prices are within the link.

    @espibara - same as smart phones then? Screen protector helps. I have one on mine

  • Gruff #135 2 months ago

    I don't think you mentioned Uncharted enough

  • SirRodSpode #136 2 months ago

    The last dedicated portable gaming device I owned was the original Game Boy. Since then it's all been a bit meh for me really. I've played my share of 69p or £1.99 iOS games and find the controls naff and the depth lacking. This is the first time I've seen a new handheld and thought that I might actually buy it.

  • Zastai #137 2 months ago

    Also no mention of the fact that physical game purchases get locked to the first vita they're played on (or, if the owner has a psn account, that psn account). No trophies for second hand copies (not clear if this also impacts saves).
    Also, games and saves are considered one combined thing by vita and can only be baceked up or restored together (exception: game cards, where the game iself cannot be backed up). So no convenient savegame backup possible. In fact, if a physical game saves games to its game card, neither can be backed up at all (back to the days of game cartridges basically).

    There's also been no word from Sony (that I've heard) about the umd passport program in europe. I'm not holding my breath...

    They're all small niggles, but in my opinion they add up to a system that's not very customer-friendly.

    I'll have to see what happens in the first dozen or so firmware updates before I take the plunge.

  • NotSoSlim #138 2 months ago

    @Zastai I have played Everybodys Golf on 2 accounts both with trophies so i think your info may be wrong mate.

  • uninspiredcup #139 2 months ago

    I can't be bothered reading this bro, just give me a rating with lots of colorful pictures.

  • BadDevotions #140 2 months ago

    do. want.

  • FenderMaster #141 2 months ago

    @JAGUARCD32x Not to disagree with your point, but it was the GBC that was out during the N64 days, not the GBA. Also the GBA was the same generation as the Gamecube (hence GBA connectivity for Wind Waker). The DS didn't show up until the end of the GC's lifecycle, just like the 3DS is showing up at the end of the Wii's.

  • TrilbyG #142 2 months ago

    Tom, if you had to give it a score, what would it be? Let's say on a scale of 1 to ...oh, I dunno, 10?



    BTW. Great review,

  • infoxicated #143 2 months ago

    @Feanor Indeed - microswitched on a portable device is spot on. Stops you crushing the thing.

  • Nismo400R84 #144 2 months ago

    Please for the love of god stop comparing piss poor 79p games with £20-£40 games

  • monty_79 #145 2 months ago

    The thing which is dissapointing more than anything is that Sony have missed a real oppertunity to put a dent in the 3DS. The price of the actual console is fair in my opinion, considdering how much tech is included in it. However, I think they should have set a max RRP of £30 for the big games such as Uncharted. This would have been a fantastic price which would have allowed online retailers to sell for about £21, and I guarante the Vita would have sellout + resupply issues after day one.

    Sony could have taken a bit of a chance on the software and people would have easily bought 3, maybe even 4 games at launch which would have also sent a strong signal to the main consoles as well.

  • dorkacle #146 2 months ago

    bit of a gadget freak myself, love em and this looks sooo appealling!
    but i bought psp day one an tbh barely used it, i jus cudn get into a portable game the same way i do with a home console.

    ill stick to my short and to the point ios games for now, but wen the price drops itll be hard to resist!

  • Turfschipper #147 2 months ago

    I was so hyped forthis thing. But one thing is a dealbreaker for me. The internet browser. I expected same quality as a smartphone but its totaly useless.

    No flash, no video's.......

    Ok, this is the final push towards transformer prime.

  • smelly #148 2 months ago

    I hate the term "hardcore" its so pathetic - that it makes me look like a cool person.

  • jamesi #149 2 months ago

    @jaguarcd @notsoslim i find it astonishing that the browser is still piss poor.if my ipod can and most mobiles can browse properly why cant this or the ps3?it beggars belief in 2012.its supposed to be multimedia sony haven't learned from ps3.also i'm sure i remember seeing angry birds on my psp go.they were called minis so i assume this will be the same for vita?
    Edited by 1 at 05/01/12 @ 04:48

  • saeedscorpion #150 2 months ago

    I think apple's ipad is better what do u think ?

  • kirankara #151 2 months ago

    @saeedscorpion
    hate gaming on mobile phones, think its awful. i opted for 3ds, as i don't travel that much, and games are cheaper, but if i was a regular mobile gamer, id buy one of these in a flash.
    can't believe the amount of moaning at such a great piece of kit.it has it's negatives, and i can't believe it will sell huge amounts, but for those that want real games and not the retched rubbish.released on mobile devices at low prices, then this is a win IMO

  • ro-kurorai #152 2 months ago

    Thanks for the insightful review, Tom. It just confirmed that I want Vita badly. February 22nd can't come soon enough. Gravity Daze *drools*!

    Yea, Golden Abyss is not the title I'm buying Vita for, Gravity Daze (or 'Rush', as it's called on our shores) is.
    Edited by 1 at 05/01/12 @ 06:23

  • Biker_Bob_1971 #153 2 months ago

    Post deleted at 16:59:10 06-02-2012

  • NotSoSlim #154 2 months ago

    @Biker_Bob_1971 Battery lasts longer than 3ds and like anything if you play with everything on and at max i.e brightness of course the battery will not last long.

    Battery lasts 3-4 hours

  • NotSoSlim #155 2 months ago

    @Turfschipper and @jamesi Its a handheld gaming device first. Sony have been clear from day one. 3DS has a piss poor browser too. Its an extra thats all.

    People need to stop comparing to tablets and minature tablets. Software will decide Vita fate not the browser

  • Eregol #156 2 months ago

    My commute is over an hour each way. Bite size iPhone gaming just doesn't cut it for my journeys. My iPhone basicaly keeps me entertained when I'm on the bog.

    This will scratch my gaming itch on my train journeys. And hopefully it'll put a dent in my time flying to Mexico later this year.

  • johnson81 #157 2 months ago

    Imported the PSP from Japan originally and loved it at first, but after buying practically every launch title ended up getting bored of it. I really want this as I buy most gadgets from the off but after getting stung by the 3DS price drop, I think I'll wait a few months until more software is released.

    (Will probably still buy it anyway, cos I'm a mug for new hardware).

  • kaufmann #158 2 months ago

    PC is the king beehehe

  • mcmothercruncher #159 2 months ago

    "The one criticism is that the screen smudges easily compared to modern smartphones."

    NO SALE!!!


    Oh, and the stupid prices.

  • Retro_ #160 2 months ago

    Roll on 22nd Feb. I have the money ready and waiting. Finally, a proper gaming handheld.

  • jonfon #161 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim
    But a browser *is* software
    /nitpick :-)

    There may a different focus to the Vita compared to a Smartphone or a tablet but they are all roughly in the same area and more or less competing with each other for peoples disposible cash, whether Sony realizes it or not (sadly I don't think they do).

    In this day and age deciding to disregard things like the browser on a system designed to connect to the internet is just silly, especially since they have a nice touch screen for actually interfacing with (PSP you could forgive because trying to navigate with the controls was a nightmare)

  • jabberwoky #162 2 months ago

    cjb110 above mentioned an unremovable battery, I just keep hearing new issues almost on a weekly basis. So what happens if the battery needs changing. Please don't tell me you send it away for 3 weeks to Sony, then hope you get it back.

  • onezeonx #163 2 months ago

    @kaufmann

    Good luck strapping a pc to your back and getting on the train ;)

  • Alf-Life #164 2 months ago

    So as good as... oh.


    :)

  • Snufkin #165 2 months ago

    Sounds excellent, and as long as they continue to release Minis at reasonable prices I think the 'App' market will also be relevant to it. At least Sony aren't charging the extortionate prices that Nintendo seem to think they can get away with, though I agree with Tom that it would be ace to see 69p games on there that take up a couple of MB, I buy a couple a week on my iPhone - I'm sure Sony would love some of that action.
    However, seeing as I have a 10 min cycle to work and rarely travel on the train, I don't think I'll be picking one of these up. Can't really justify it, especially with my wedding coming up....

  • jonfon #166 2 months ago

    @Snufkin
    Sneak it onto the Wedding List!

  • Eregol #167 2 months ago

    @gfhgfh OMFG. Must get me some of them New Era Caps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Kostas #168 2 months ago

    What?? The machine has absolutely horendously ackward placement of the sticks and face buttons. How the hell am i supposed to reach the left stick without breaking my fingers and expected to perform? Thats not something i pull out of my ass either, if you look in the video you will see others holding the machine sideways in order to reach the sticks and face buttons properly.

    Give us some ergonomics please, for crying out loud, some of us have got a little larger hands and fingers but it does not help that the machines buttons are small too. I like the machine, truly, its one sexy piece of kit but god damn i do not like breaking my fingers every time i want to play.

  • man.the.king #169 2 months ago

    @Rodster

    I agree with the Forbes article which indicates that this form of gaming is on the way out now that smart phones and tablets have become mainstream.

    I took a look at your posting history and then corrected your post for you:

    I hopefully agree with the Forbes article which indicates that this form of gaming is on the way out now that smart phones and tablets have become mainstream.

    You are welcome.

  • NotSoSlim #170 2 months ago

    @jabberwoky You can remove the battery its in the ruddy manual its just very fiddly

    http://www.shoptonews.net/2 011/12/16/ps-vita-manual-reveals-replaceable-battery-more/

    Here you go mate. Be interesting if Sony release a bigger capacity one
    Edited by 1 at 05/01/12 @ 20:34

  • NotSoSlim #171 2 months ago

    @Kostas Try the machine yourself and see how it feels. Fits perfectly in my hand to be honest. Dont judge by videos..pop into a game or gamestation and give it a go

  • The_Weird #172 2 months ago

    Battery life is the thing that kills this for me, and is the reason I sold my 3DS. As a frequent flyer I want to have a device that is always ready to play when I am, and lasts at least as long as a couple of European flights. The 3DS claimed 3-4 hours of battery life, but I found it was really about 2 hours. After the first time I didn't dare use the Streetpass function because the battery was half gone before I even opened the device up. Basically a complete fail for a portable device since it always seemed to be about to run out.

    Looks like the same issue with the Vita but I don't understand why really. An iPhone lasts all day with wifi, bluetooth and 3G turned on. My Xoom tablet which replaced the 3DS (Baldur's Gate in the palm of my hand with GemRB - awesome!) has a battery which lasts 7-10 hours of continuous use - that's with the screen and radio on, and lasts for a week on standby. Both of these devices may lack physical controls, but they have GPUs which are pretty comprable to the Vita's at least.

    Even 4 hours is just not good enough for a handheld, portable device. Like the 3DS I see that I would simply never bother to take this out as a single missed charging opportunity would mean no play. Best this could realistically be is an alternate screen to play on at home when the missus is watching "Celebrity" Big Brother.

  • Turfschipper #173 2 months ago

    @notsoslim

    i dont compair tablets and the vita in general. Its just that i am looking for a mobile device that plays games plus has a decend camera and a very good browser.

    SMartrtphones is not my thing, to small. Plus i need a good gamepad, be it the vita or attachting a gamepad to the transforemr, i dont care.

    I really taught vita was the thing i was waiting for. But its not cause the browser is absolutally unacceptable.

    (for me personally)
    Edited by 1 at 05/01/12 @ 20:56

  • MichaelDark #174 2 months ago

    PSP Vita is already a failure. It will never catch up to 3DS. Kids buy Nintendo handhelds. Grown ups buy i-stuff. No room for Sony's little console. Vita's sales have already droped down to hell in Japan in 2nd week. If you are a hardcore gamer you don't buy handhelds. You have a high-end PC and a new-gen console. There is no such thing as a "hardcore gamer's handheld". And if Vita's impending failure is combined with a new attack on PSN, 2012 will be the end for Sony Computer "Entertainment".

  • Kostas #175 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim I did mate...i did...

  • NotSoSlim #176 2 months ago

    @Turfschipper Thats fair but i think as Sony have said its a gaming device first expecting a decent browser was never going to happen. Its a bonus and like Ninty probably think everyone has a decent browser on smartphones nowadays anyway so no big deal.

  • BigHal #177 2 months ago

    @FenderMaster I'm a gamer and I want uncharted on vita. Sick of angry birds, bejewelled, nin-jump, swipy swipy infinity blade crap (although cave shooters are great).

  • bemani247 #178 2 months ago

    just got mine in Japan from my fiance, with Uncharted, Katamari, Everybody's Golf and Ridge Racer, can honestly say, it was worth the wait, the battery life is pretty good too, if you can get one now, get it, if not, Feb will be a date for your callendars!

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #179 2 months ago

    No way I could justify a Vita at the prices they are charging in the UK.

    The 3DS had a unique selling point, whether anyone likes it or not, it does something that no other video games machine does right now.

    Vita, as nice a piece of kit as it appears, simply doesn't. It's in a no man's land.

    I hope there are enough early adopters to ensure it doesn't go the way of PSPGo, because I would like to own one at a much latter stage, when there's a reasonable price tag and decent software library.

    But in 2012, as it stands, Sony have a very tough sell to get Mr Schmoke-n-a-pancake to pick up a Vita.

  • NotSoSlim #180 2 months ago

    Post deleted at 09:58:00 06-01-2012

  • jabberwoky #181 2 months ago

    @NotSoSlim OK, its back on my list again as a maybe.

  • Eregol #182 2 months ago

    @Schmoke-n-a-pancake Vita has no USP? You're having a laugh right?
    Home console style gaming on the go and the ability to continue your PS3 play session on the move if you have to go somewhere?
    Not to mention the fact I can earn trophies towards my PSN ID.
    The 3DS' USP is that it gives you 3D without the glasses, providing you don't move your head and you do not have a condition that could possibly make your head explode as it tries to process the two pictures.

  • GamesProgrammer Verified Games Team Programmer, Eutechnyx Ltd. #183 2 months ago

    @Schmoke-n-a-pancake

    Not that im having a go at the 3DS its a good games console, but whats its USP, if you mean 3D, then its not the only machine to currently do that

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #184 2 months ago

    @Eregol It's you that's having the laugh. "Home console style gaming on the go"? And what exactly did the PSP offer in 2005? I'll tell you what it offered, "home console style gaming on the go". So Vita has a UNIQUE selling point does it? And you believe the quality of gaming on this machine equates to that of the home experience? Get real.

    You've clearly never actually used a 3DS, coming away with that sort of crap about moving your head and having conditions. 3DS is a simple, effective system to use.

    Take your Sony fanboyishness and stick it. To reiterate my point, I like this system, but it's a hard sell given the price, memory cards and lack of a unique experience.

    I don't in any way hate the Vita, but it will be a long, long time before I'm convinced to actually buy it.

    1.5 million sales for 3DS against 500,000 for Vita in December show I'm by no means alone in that perspective.

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #185 2 months ago

    @GamesProgrammer It's the only machine to do glasses free 3D, as far as I'm aware

  • xero521 #186 2 months ago

    cant wait till the 22nd only thing once again is price of games,if a ps3 title is £40 then handheld shouldnt cost more than £25 imo but gonna use it a lot more for psn titles until the price of games drops still looks and sounds like a great peice of tech

  • Darksjeik #187 2 months ago

    26 launchgames for a dual analog stick device and not one of those an fps, the single most popular genre on planet Earth... A bit sillly that.

  • vizzini #188 2 months ago

    @schmoke-n-a-pancake

    It might be the only console to have a lenses free stereoscopic screen, but that is the main reason the 3DS hardware completely missed the target with me; even at its current price.

    The rendering in the 3DS games are without the basic real-time lighting fx(eg shadows, fog, reflections) that are needed to produce a coherent image for the brain when being presented with images stereoscopically rendered, so it doesn't produce a true 4D viewing experience as I would call it(full 3D render + stereoscopy) as seen in something like Killzone 3 or Motorstorm Pacific Rift 3D.

    The absence of these essential depth cues in stereoscopic viewing leaves the 3DS games producing a 3.5D effect akin to something out of 80's film Labyrinth intending to be incoherent.

    That type of rendering I personally find too jarring for gameplay, and therefore turn that feature off straight away; meaning the component that borked the 3DS' performance and 2D screen quality isn't even useful.

    The Vita on the other hand is the only portable console with proper twin stick controls by design, that has the performance to do full 3D rendering(ie has a quad core “A9” + SGX543MP4 graphics, rather than “A5/A6” tech from iPad1/2/3), and has a “multi touch” “capacitive” “OLED” screen(not resistive), and another rear capacitive touch panel, with wireless “802.11n + bluetooth 2.1" rather than just old b/g with IR.

    So the unique features of the device are hardly a problem compared to the other hardware platform offerings; whether a twice the price tablet, or ae half priced 3DS imo.

  • Nephirion #189 1 month ago

    I had a PSP and thought it was terrible, not tempted to pay £300 for another brick.

  • eviroboy #190 1 month ago

    I guess a lot of people do have more money than sense. I'll take the Wii U.

  • eviroboy #191 1 month ago

    @vizzini Does the Vita really require such a defence, already? Not a great sign.

  • Eregol #192 1 month ago

    @Schmoke-n-a-pancake The PSP never offered home style gaming on the go. It just wasn't feasible on the machine. I loved my PSP, but all I ever played on it was Football Manager, hardly the stuff dreams are made of.
    I also love how you ignored the second of my considered Unique selling points. Obviously because you know that no other machine offers that.
    My stepson owns a 3DS and I play on it ocassionally, the 3D makes my head hurt (and a few of my friends heads too incidentaly).
    The LG 3D smart phone offers glasses free 3D too.

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #193 1 month ago

    @Ersegol

    The PSP offered portable versions of PS2 games to the same degree of quality that the PSVita will offer portable versions of PS3 games. If you can't see that, more fool you.

    No need to get emotional that I ignored your second "point". Let's be clear. USP is an acronym for three words, not one. Just because something is unique does not mean it's a selling point. You've clearly no understanding of marketing so let's not go too far down this path.

    Yet again you feel the need to have a go at the 3DS. I've got to wonder why that is. If it's not your thing, get over it. Millions are enjoying their 3DS. I hope everyone who buys a Vita enjoys the experience they get too. But as yet, Sony have not convinced me that I should part with 300 pounds. Is it your job to convince me and others here that we should? If it is, kudos for getting money for lurking on a forum. If it's not, stop being such a sad fanboy.

  • vizzini #194 1 month ago

    @eviroboy

    I know there is a thin line between defending something and clarifying what differentiating features a device has for point of fact. But when the launch market think it is just another PSP according to EG, I think being marked down for highlighting how it is different is more a sign of reacting to trolling, than being defensive.

    If someone wants to tell me what I've misunderstood, and make an argument for why I shouldn't think the device's parts are worth the asking price(and hence my pre-order), then by all means do, so I can cancel it, if your argument is convincing.

  • Eregol #195 1 month ago

    @Schmoke-n-a-pancake
    Just because something is not a selling point to you, does not mean it isn't a selling point. What you're doing is arguing over your definition of USP and that anyone who deviates from your template is wrong.

    At any point have I decried the 3DS as a bad system? No, I have re-iterated that it does have issues. I'm not the only one to experience these as has been well documented in several news stories since it's launch. And, since it's been pointed out that it's USP isn't exactly 'U', what exactly is it's USP?

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #196 1 month ago

    @Ersehol

    It's not "my" definition", it's THE definition. If the definition of a banana is "it's a banana" and you claim it's an orange, guess what, you're f'ucking wrong!!

    Like I said, I'm not going down this path of USP with you, because you clearly don't know what you are talking about. You're looking at it from your personal perspective, what sells it to you, not what sells it to the mass market. Or, perhaps more likely, you're on someone's payroll and tasked to skew the public perception of the Vita.

    The 3DS USP is U. It's the only games console with glasses free 3D. If you think an obscure phone cuts it for gaming then no wonder you're wetting yourself for the Vita at this point. Although I already see further up the thread that you moaned about iPhone gaming not cutting it, so highly hypocritical of you to bring in an LG smartphone as a comparison to a 3DS.

    At every point you've decried the 3DS as a bad system and peddled the constant myths about headaches. Given the quality of dialogue I've had with you so far though, I really shouldn't be surprised that a machine like the 3DS would literally blow your tiny mind.

  • Eregol #197 1 month ago

    @Schmoke-n-a-pancake
    Let's review:
    Schmoke said: 'It's the only machine to do glasses free 3D, as far as I'm aware.'
    No, no it isn't. You mentioned nothing about it having to be a games machine. So, the U in USP is null and void. It's a DSi, with additional jumpy out the screen gwaffix. I'm peddling no myths, the headaches are a widely known issue, and are why Nintendo advises that younger children should not handle the device with the 3D on. You might want to consider doing some research before you start mouthing off.

    Schmoke said: 'Like I said, I'm not going down this path of USP with you, because you clearly don't know what you are talking about. You're looking at it from your personal perspective.'
    As far as I can see, you are also doing this. Just because the USPs of the Vita don't appeal to you, you're decrying them as not Unique, which to handheld consoles they are completely.

    Schmoke said: 'Although I already see further up the thread that you moaned about iPhone gaming not cutting it, so highly hypocritical of you to bring in an LG smartphone as a comparison to a 3DS.'
    I love my iPhone. Really I do. It made my life a hell of a lot easier getting job interviews and the like during a tempestuous period and has kept me entertained for some period with bouts of bite sized gaming. It's a wonderful device, but for proper on the go, 'I have an hour to kill' gaming it just doesn't cut it. Virtual controls on the screen just aren't good enough. FFIII was an absolute slog at times to negotiate.
    I only bring up the LG phone as an example of the 3DS to not be the only portable machine to be able to deliver glasss free 3D. As a result it's not really hypocritical at all is it?

    I have no personal beef with the 3DS, in fact, I'm glad my step son has one. That way I can play the Prof Layton vs Phoenix Wright game when that finally sees the light of day. I just wont have the 3D on. No 3D, no headache. Simples.


    Seeing as you're unable to have a discussion in a mature manner, resorting to childish name changes and all, it's obvious that you just can't really back-up your own argument sufficiently.
    I'd stop now if I were you.

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #198 1 month ago

    @Ersehol

    You're a sad sad person, with way too much time on your hands. That post is obsessive. Go out and have a pint to celebrate your "win". You need to get a life mate. Seriously.

  • theloz #199 1 month ago

    Unless I can run a SNES emulator on this thing, I'm not prepared to buy one. The homebrew PSP spoiled me. I could never go back.

  • MDJRUK68 #200 1 month ago

    Post deleted at 00:58:33 17-01-2012

  • Raptaur #201 1 month ago

    Eregol #195


    You're having a laugh right?
    Home console style gaming on the go and the ability to continue your PS3 play session on the move if you have to go somewhere?





    Does this mean that you have to have two copied of the same game? One copy of the game that will play on the PS3 and another copy of the game to be played on the Vita.

    Cause that sounds expensive :(
    Edited by 1 at 11/01/12 @ 12:03

  • Eregol #202 1 month ago

    @Raptaur I don't believe that applies to games like Ruin, Wipeout 2048, and others developed for the cross platform play.
    Whether the next iteration of FIFA will just be one copy that supports both systems remains to be seen too.

  • mark1 #203 1 month ago

    Does anyone know if you can play PS3 games on it through remote play?

  • Eregol #204 1 month ago

    @mark1 There has been video footage of Killzone 3 being played through it. But at the moment it's the same as the PSP's remote play.
    It's rumoured to be coming properly in future firmware though.

  • penhalion #205 1 month ago

    Rejuvinated 3DS....what?

    Anyhoo. Being honest. At 229 quid the price is too rich for me. The real price on day one will be 229 for vita + 20-30 for memory + 40 for a game so a whopping 299 quid.

    I drive to work so I'm not playing this on the commute (unless I like to be excavated from my car with the jaws of life).

    Got bills to pay so I'm going to be one of the people waiting for the inevitable 3 - 6 month price drop.
    Edited by 1 at 12/01/12 @ 00:31

  • Boogalicious #206 1 month ago

    Well written article though I would consider it more to be impressions given the current limitations - still very informative coupled with the Vita podcast (cheers for answering my question regarding phone tethering).

    In regards to being more open to small developers while true, I think many are forgetting about the whole Playstation Suite programme - if Sony promote it effectively then we could very well see smaller scaled on-to-go games familiar to that on iOS and Android or even a full port (whether they make use of all the new inputs is another matter).

    Another aspect to consider with these potential Playstation Suite games is having the infrastructure to accommodate developers - hopefully doing so will translate in also benefiting the consumer to being competitively priced whilst also being fully featured.

    Sony have made baby steps towards this approach of a more open and accessible platform with their SDK being apparently affordable as well as easy to operate - furthermore there was that instance where they loaned Rubicon Development (studio behind iOS title, "Little Great War";) several SDK (Dev. Kits) for free:
    http://www.gama sutra.com/view/news/36275/Sony_Generous_Enough_To_Loan_Vita_ Dev_Kits_To_Indies.php

    Personally I have not pre-ordered a Vita nor do I intend to buy one day one as unfortunately money is tight - regardless I do look forward to see how the launch transpires.

    Here's to hoping that I can eventually buy one.

    Till then happy gaming!
    Boogalicious

  • optimuspriceps #207 1 month ago

    I good, balanced review. Cheers EG. Now, if only they announce a few good western RPGs for the system, I'm sold!

  • KrazyFace #208 1 month ago

    I'm excited for the vita, I really am. But with my good ol' PSP having only gathered around 15 games in its entire lifespan I think I'm gonna play the waiting game like I did with the 3DS. So far (the 3DS) has only one game I'm interested in, and still lacks online support from its creators. I know Sony aren't quite as bad as Nintendo when it comes to sitting on their hunkers but given how slowly the PSP's online support grew over the years I'm willing to bet the vita will take a while too. Throw in the mandatory (and over priced) limited-use memory cards, coupled with yet more awkwardly shaped charging cables and my wallet seems to bury itself deep into my pockets and chant "don't let them take me, don't let them take meeee!!!"

    I'll tell you what, all you first adopters can come back here in 6 months and tell the rest of us how sore your shafting was with all of this. Unless of course, you can legitimately tell us it was worth it. I'm hoping for the latter.

  • jonbwfc #209 1 month ago

    One thing occurs to me. It's undoubtedly true that while the later revisions of the PSP and PS3 were technically better, they were also aesthetically worse. I had an original US launch PSP and (which it got nicked) bought a PSP-3000. The 300 was lighter and the battery lasted longer but it simply didn't have the quality of finish and 'high end feel' the original PSP did. Likewise the PS3 'fat' is generally considered to be a nicer object than the PS3 slim, despite being larger and noisier and having a smaller hard disk.

    I can't argue with people saying 'I'll wait and get it later when it's cheaper' - that's a wise view and entirely fair. But I do think people have to realise that there's a good chance that they'll get what they pay for - they'll get something that is cheaper, and feels like it.
    Edited by 1 at 17/01/12 @ 10:48

  • beercr8te #210 1 month ago

    Nice Review, Have a 3G version pre-ordered.

  • Manticornea #211 1 month ago

    I'm psyched about the Vita's controls and resolution (though I'd love to be able to connect it to a larger monitor on the road),* provided there will be a massive number of game ports that manage to take advantage of both. The 3DS has Zelda and all that. I'd like to see the gorgeous, creepy, violent, luxuriant complexity of certain PS2 games make it to the Vita, since its audience is supposed to be "cor(e)" and, for Sony, that means a degree of mature content and satisfying complexity and precision.

    Here's what would do it for me: If Sony found a way to make PS2 games easy and enticing for devs to port this time. Isn't that the appeal of the 3DS anyway -- a handheld with a massive legacy library and console-like controls?

    One of the many frustrating things about the PSP was its next-gen position and limitation to last-gen legacy content. That said, it did and does provide content

    Certain classic games never quite fit the PSP due to the missing second stick. Now that they can, the only quality I might still miss is the towering sense of space one gets at home. Hard to imagine a Fumito Ueda effort being satisfying on the Vita, but I'd still love to try that out. And grim RPGs and horror games that make use of detailed but claustrophobic environments will fit right in.


    --------
    * And yes, I do realize the Great Walled Garden will no doubt prevent any external monitor from being used as long as Sony makes the PS3 (though the obviousness of that last point is mitigated by the hilarity of its placement -- how many posters are pretentious enough to add footnotes to a comment field below a review, let alone write this parenthetical -- very few, I hope for the sanity of the planet (and speaking of points, I like the way Mr. Mink parts his hair around his (another parenthetical -- the only thing left to do now is quote Ezra Pound and write *I'm an asshole in Sanskrit!))?).

  • FortysixterUK #212 1 month ago

    From a technical standpoint this a great piece of kit.

    I will not be early adopting this console however.
    I want a big price drop, The Wi FI version of the console, a memory card and a triple A game in one package for me to go for this.....give me all the above for £149.99 and you have a sale Sony !

  • Bangaioh #213 4 weeks ago

    Just preordered mine and after reading this review I'm all the more excited :)

  • JoeGuy #214 4 weeks ago

    You have to admit that itunes 'walls the gardens' too. You can't access the system or add content without it. At least second hand games and multiple storage devices are available for the PSV. It's all a matter of what the systems aims are as a device. Microsoft introduced 3rd party usb saves years after release. The devs will get their chance one way or another.

  • samezac #215 4 weeks ago

    @Tokyo72uk if you want to charge by usb the ps vita has to be off but if you want to charge and play a vita game at the same time then use the other charger :)
    Edited by 1 at 29/01/12 @ 02:02

  • samezac #216 4 weeks ago

    i all ready have it with 32gb card it's so awesome even i have 3DS i like vita more:) best handheld i ever own :-)

  • Samielo #217 3 weeks ago

    The ultimate hardcore gamer's handheld = the DS/DSi.