The Playstation Vita is an interesting piece of hardware, it has a touch screen, internet browser, media centre (application for music, video etc) a camera, and a few other features.
Sony have learned from their mistakes with the PSP and are hoping their new handheld will do well in sales and fare better against the likes of Nintendo’s 3DS and the iPhone. Apple are currently part of the portable gaming market with their app store where many people can develop for the iPhone. The PS Vita is currently out in Japan and was released on the 12/17/2011, the system will hit western shores on the 22nd of February for the US and Europe, I have a PS Vita which I imported and when I first turned it on it was very different from the PSP. The PSV has no XMB like it’s predesssor and instead takes advantage of the touch screen also it is import friendly. When you power on the system for the first time, you have the option of changing the system language. You can even have English (US) or English (UK) for example plus the interesting thing about this is the system voice also changes its language I have a British accent with mine. If I chose US English I would of had an American accent.
The new handheld now has 2 analog sticks, plus the traditional PS buttons you would expect. There is a touch pad on the back of the system along with 2 others, my guess is that if Sony decided to put out PS2 classics (A guy can dream can’t he?) then the PS2 ports would utilize these. It is confirmed PSOne games will work but you’ll download them again.
While on the subject of downloading games, it has been confirmed that there will be no UMD support, want to play FFVII: Crisis Core on Vita? Then you’re going to have to redownload it. So what I recommend is to keep hold of your old PSP as I guarantee that not ALL PSP titles will be available for download on the PSN in your region.
Battery Issues
Being the most advanced and powerful handheld system out there with games such as Uncharted: Golden Abyss, there system doesn’t come without its problems. Many users who have imported have experienced things like the PSV not being able to turn on, trouble charding etc. As I live in the UK, I have had trouble charging the system via USB on this PC, added to this is the fact that:
1. It’s imported from Japan.
2. Japan have 2 pin outlets, here in the UK we use 3 pin.
I used the USB for a while but here’s the thing, the power it has is 100v-240v 0.2a 50/60hz. Now not being very knowledgable with these things what I did is look inside my Sony Cybershot box, luckily the battery pack and AC charger have the exact same voltage as the adaptor the system came with. Take the 3 Pin plug for the Cybershot camera (Or any other Sony product) and insert the end to the AC adaptor that came with the Vita. It will work as mine is charging right now.
Games and Memory Cards
The game lineup for the PS Vita are surprising, first you have games like Uncharted: Golden Abyss which looks amazing and various third party titles such as:
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
Blazblue: Continuum Shift II Extend
Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational
Asphalt: Injection
Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen
These are not all the launch titles, but you can see there’s something for everyone whether you’re a fighting game fan or if you’re after something else. On a side note I do definately think Sucker Punch should develop an InFamous game for this as it is as powerful as the PS3 system.
The PSV has its own memory cards which means you will not be able to use the Memory Sticks the PSP used. According to Sony this decision was made to combat piracy and being fair to consumers so that everyone will have the same thing. Unfortunately there’s no way of avoiding piracy at all, it does not matter what measures a company will take to ensure piracy is avoided there will always be people who are one step ahead of you.
I personally think the PSV has a lot going for it in future even though its had mixed sales in Japan. A lot of third party titles will make their way to the handheld sometime this year and many more to follow.
