Comment on the PLAYSTATION Vita handheld gaming device

by chenodeu1 on 2012-02-22 15:00:23

The fate of Sony's portable gaming device has been rocky, to say the least. It's hard to justify the Vita—a smartphone or tablet employer fully equipped with simple content and cheaper game options—at their disposal, to attract casual players, which there hasn't been enough of yet. But as a device for hardcore video game enthusiasts, the Vita is a joy.

Games come in two forms: retail packaged featuring cartridges about the size of an SD card and digital games via the PlayStation Network. Users also have the option of downloading retail games with a 10% discount. Although I was unable to test the download speed via 3G, the Wi-Fi moved quickly. The PlayStation Store also offers a selection of movies available for purchase or rental.

The launch library of 25 games is a strong combination spanning multiple genres, from sports (FIFA Soccer), mayhem (Marvel vs Capcom 3) to action games. On the Vita, touch control features are maximized, and while it’s a mixed bag, there's no denying that almost every game looks beautiful.

However, it seems that Sony's PlayStation Vita, dazzling device that it should be, has lessons to teach almost any avid gamer who welcomes it. It starts with a 5-inch OLED touchscreen that shines when displaying everything from movie trailers to a full game. Rayman Origins from Ubisoft and the last Marvel vs Capcom 3 appear sharp and vibrant as colorful titles. Then there's the adventure title Uncharted: Golden Abyss, which looks stunning. It's hard to imagine finding any game on any other mobile device that comes remotely close to this level of performance.

Perhaps the most welcome adjustment is the addition of a second analog stick. In fact, the overall hand grip feels more comfortable and responsive.

Battery life is fairly decent, averaging around 4-6 hours of gameplay per single charge.

Following the anemic game lineup of the PlayStation Portable launched in 2005, which eventually led to sales thrashings by competitor Nintendo DS and obscurity thanks to game-friendly smartphones and tablets, the Vita represents a significant shift in design and quality compared to the PSP, but there are still some drawbacks. It's baffling that there's no internal memory, forcing consumers to spend extra cash on memory cards.

The touchscreen interface and app-style approach make the Vita far more user-friendly compared to the PSP. Navigation requires simple swipes, touching the screen, and inputting text — a huge headache on the PSP — which is a breeze on the Vita.

There's also a rear touchpad, though it's hard to find innovative uses for it among the 25 launch champion titles. The same applies to the front and rear cameras with a series of augmented reality cards.

In terms of design, the Vita looks very similar to the older models of the PlayStation Portable, right down to the shoulder buttons, directional pad, and face buttons. But there are several key adjustments that make the Vita a major upgrade.

Additionally, most of the existing retail champions for the Vita can get expensive. Sure, the game technology is much better, but it will cost the owners. For example, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is priced at $49.99.