For me, the PlayStation Vita represents everything I’m currently looking for in a mobile device: console-style games, innovative new features and a focus on the social aspects of gaming without any particular sacrifice. The fact that I’ve already bought one means I’m already over the price of the console (apart from having to pay off the loan, of course) and I’ve sampled five or six of the machine’s top games, so I know what it’s capable of.
It is, in short, utterly brilliant. I’ve been a strong believer of iOS gaming for a while, publicly so, but for one reason or another I’ve found myself becoming disenchanted with iPhone games and have moved back to the 3DS and – more recently – the Vita. Of course, if I’ve only got five minutes to kill chances are I’ll fire up Jetpack Joyride and have a quick blast, but anything more and I’m more likely to want to spend it with Mario Kart 7 or Uncharted: Golden Abyss.
[drop]I think both Nintendo and Sony have learnt a lot of late, making mobile gaming titles better suited for the time that players might have available. With the former, their latest flagship Mario Land game neatly divides levels up into short bursts of platforming class, and with Sony they’ve had a proper focus on similar methodologies – not least because the Vita’s UI means you can pause a game and do something else without any fuss.The new Uncharted is paced similar to a console title, but most levels are merely ten or fifteen minutes long, meaning a game saving checkpoint should easily fit within your commute. Likewise, some of the more download-orientated titles like Escape Plan are specially designed to be easily stopped and started, and obviously some of the system’s best games, like the wonderful Virtua Tennis 4, can not only be played for five minutes in Arcade Mode but walk all over anything similar on iOS.
The truth is, that if you’re looking for console-quality games on the move, the Vita is a dream come true. And even if you’re like me and would rather play on a handheld whilst something else is on the TV other than a videogame, the same applies – apart from a slightly dumb pair of wrists from holding the Vita up in front of me for extended periods of time, I’ve had no problems with the likes of Everybody’s Golf – a title that’s easily the equal of the most recent PS3 game, if not better.
I’m not saying I’ll never play iPhone games again, I still love the thing and some of the games are outstanding, but for a complete PS3 or Xbox 360 style experience, you simply can’t beat what the Vita is offering.
Burgess_101
I cant wait for mine to arrive this just has everything i want in a portable console.
Cutter.T
Yeah, I’m pretty excited about it as well. Hopefully the support is long term :D
Kennykazey
Are you sure your name isn’t C. Cutter? :-P
Kennykazey
I’m confused now, should I buy a Vita or not? Hehe.. Nah, I’ll probably buy one, both handhelds (Via and 3DS) appeal to me, but I’m not a fan of handheld 3D and the Vita goes well with my PS3 so that’s the one for me. I already have one pre-ordered, but I might cancel and order a starter pack or just wait a bit for a good bundle before parting with my already non-exicting money.
Burgess_101
just out of curiosity where have you pre-ordered yours? the cheapest i have found for the wi-fi version is £208
Ouninpohja
Looking forward to receiving mine next month.
I’ve only pre-ordered Uncharted so far though,does anyone know anywhere that has the complete list of games available on launch?
Burgess_101
http://www.pspgweber.com/982/ps-vita-launch-titles-revealed.html
i think thats right.
Gadbury
If Everybody’s Golf is as good as World Tour on PS3 (massively under-rated or unknown at least), I’m in!
humanfish
How long does Golden Abyss take to complete? I’m interested to hear seeing as they bill it as a console quality experience, with a price to match.
KeRaSh
I might pick one up when the price drops and a Slim version is released. I rarely travel and hardly have enough time to play games on my PS3 so this would be more of a personal gimmick that I need for interesting exclusives.
BG
I want one, but even just the Vita on its own is too damn expensive. After a memory card and 2 or 3 games it’s gonna be over £300 which is more than I’d ever pay for a home console, let alone a portable one.
recurv
Can’t wait for it. All the launch games look great :)
Also really tired hearing so many people giving Vita a hard time, so enjoyed this little read :)
colmshan1990
Rayman Origins, Lumines, Dungeon Hunter, Asphalt and Michael Jackson Experience are all under £6 for Vita on Amazon right now!
Snap them up in case it’s not an error!
freezebug2
Good spot, I wonder if they could possibly make the same cock up with the Vita pricing so I can order one :O
I hope that they honour those joke prices for anyone that’s ordered them before being corrected.
colmshan1990
Just give me Rayman and I’ll be happy. :P
freezebug2
Fantastic game on PS3, it’ll be awesome on the Vita and for that price it’ll be Jizztastic ;)
colmshan1990
It’s always been my plan to get it for Vita, saw it at that price, and well… :D
I pre-ordered the others too, I reckon Game or GameStop would give me a decent trade value if I don’t like them. A steal! (except Michael Jackson, I didn’t order that. Dignity intact, just)
sparkyscrum
Great spot tho when then mis priced the memory card they cancelled all orders so if they do realise then they may cancel the orders.
That said I’ve ordered one just in case!
colmshan1990
The price is up to £35 now, but I’ve gottenno cancellation email from Amazon.
Anybody know their policy on this kind of thing, and how long it takes them to cancel?
JesseDeya
Great to hear nofi, Vita is going to be a lot of fun for me from day 1 and I can’t wait to see what they (inevitably) add over the years with firmware updates.