PSVita (Successor to PSP, was PSP2 then NGP)

[sj33]

Do you really think the Vita isn't currently lacking in software? There are obviously quite a few decent games for the machine, but none of them are really system-sellers that will be remembered in a years time. There are plenty of decent middle-of-the-road games to tie over early adoptors, but I'd struggle to recommend someone to buy the machine on the weight of the software alone.

The Vita is obviously a fantastic piece of hardware and the software will appear in time. It is going through the same post-launch software drought that the 3DS went though, and it recovered rapidly once the software started appearing. But I'd find it hard to recommend one over a 3DS at this moment.

[Neon Ignition]

There are some decent games from launch but your only as good as your newest hitter and the Vita hasn't had one since day 1 with nothing of major note ljned up either, its a very poor position to be in which given the kicking people were eager to give the 3DS last year should have Sony concerned. E3 is certainly critical for the system.

[MisterBubbles]

Gravity Daze is and will be a system seller.

[englishbob]

Gravity Daze is and will be a system seller.

yeah, if SCEE can actually not screw up loading on the Store it will!

[Jimmyboi]

Do you really think the Vita isn't currently lacking in software?

Yes. The system launched with something like 30 odd games, not including psp, mini's support etc. I still have titles still sealed on my shelf and this week alone has seen the release of Disgaea 3 and Mortal Kombat with Resistance: Burning Skies to follow. Then comes Gravity Rush. I don't see how any one is having trouble finding something to play. You could say that the system is perhaps lacking an identity but again I'd put that down to Sony's lack of overall confidence and marketing.

[Neon Ignition]

I've only tried the demo but based on reviews/previews and that brief play Im fully expecting Gravify Daze to be brilliant... but not a system seller

[saturn-gamer]

Gravity Daze will go completely unnoticed by the mainstream crowd. The same goes for Resistance and I'm sure hardly anyone cares about MK either. Those games won't sell Vitas. Even Uncharted isn't that kind of game at all. The Vita has no and never will get games on equal level as Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart, Pokemon etc. Sony tries with knockoffs (Move, Modnation, next up is Battle Royale..), but it fails. Sony does not innovate, and thats why they are where they are.

I like the Vita, but I have no faith in its success. The support and marketing from Sony sucks yet again, there is no PsOne support and no remote play with Ps3. And where is the faith from Sony? Why no GoW: Ascension dual release w possible crossplay? Another thing is that the next-gen consoles will likely launch by next year, which renders Ps3 crossplay useless already and makes the Vita instantly last-gen when it comes to graphics. Currently its biggest feature next to the right stick (which I only really need to use in Uncharted from all my games). I mean, if you release a handheld like the Vita... you'll launch with an FPS right away? And with a Kart game that can at least be played online? hehe.

Vita is a better thought out piece of hardware than the PSP was, but its ending up the same but with even less third party support and no Monster Hunter in Japan this time.

Also, some things are still stupid. I think signing in to the network takes way too long with all those dumb screens. And the multitasking, you have to shut off your game to load up the browser. Why can't this be a little bit like smartphones who have no problems with this for ages?

[Dogg Thang]

I love that you list Mario Kart and Pokemon and then lay not innovating as the damning quality of Sony.

[cavalcade]

Sony has some potential killer apps:

Gran Turismo. Not a hobbled one like the PSP version. OK, actually getting it out of the door before the Vita fails might be a challenge but it's still a massive IP.
Modern Warfare/CoD. Much though I'd like to think the 3DS could create excitement for a new instalment (or portable collection of previous versions) I think the fidelity offered on the Vita could be a winner especially if there's a bundle.
Assassin's Creed. Another massive franchise, with a Vita game coming in the series.
I'd be inclined to add Bioshock in there, though we're not sure what form the game will take yet.

I assume there'll be an Uncharted follow up too.

We also have more niche titles that might grab more of the gaming crowd, like a Dark Souls clone, a possible GTA game, Killzone, Resistance BS, Little Big Planet, Gravity Daze, and portable versions of the MGS collection, Persona 4 and FFX. Sony have yet to deploy their other big franchises - e.g. Ratchet and Clank, God of War, Twisted Metal, a new MGS, inFamous, Warhawk, Heavy Rain, Yakuza and a 3D Motorstorm. Let alone all the other potential killer 3rd party franchises that could come on board. It's worth pointing out that the Vita also offers ready access to a massive library of PSP titles, many of which are reasonably priced and work well on the Vita's screen.

Arguably the PSP never really had a killer app in the west. Like the PSP the Vita should be able to survive on building a wide, varied, high quality library that over time, coupled with price drops on the hardware shifts the Vita to being a solid, well regarded handheld device that offers a fidelity and experience that the 3DS can't match.

[davek22]

I love my Vita and take it everywhere with me but I must admit I fear for its future. Sony keeping euro sales figures secret makes me wonder how well it's doing over here. All the game shops I go in have tons of pre owned stock. I took a load of old pc games and DVDs to CEX a couple of weeks ago and traded up to a 3G model. It was unused with sim card still sealed. The guy in CEX said virtually all their pre owned Vitas look virtually untouched. I equate that to lack of post launch games causing the average buyer to trade in sharpish.
I am still working my way through the launch games, which I thought were a great set of launch titles, so I can wait for the new titles to show up mid year. Post gravity daze and resistance though I see nothing on the horizon. Sony need to get some big announcements at E3

[rmoxon]

The biggest problem facing the Vita is that third party developers simply have no need for it. It's a handheld that's designed to be like a big console. Which just means developers might as well make games for the PS3.... Unless of course they want to shoe horn insignificant touch screen features onto their products at the behest of Sony.... Which I'm guessing they won't.

[DeathAdder]

Despite a two-hour each way commute to work every day I haven't seen a single PSVita on the train in Japan. I see hundreds of PSPs, DSs and 3DSs.

Surely a price cut can't be far away.

[davek22]

There has already been an unofficial price cut in the UK. Zavvi/The Hut have been selling the wifi for ?179.99 for a while now. Nobody on my freinds list ever show up as playing Vita games. I think the fact it doesn't automatically sign into PSN is a bad feature as it makes sending invites a hit and miss affair

[J0e Musashi]

It does sign in automatically. I get regular updates about who is online.

[davek22]

Mine doesn't seem to until I enter an online option. The wifi icon isn't there and when I go into say MK online option it signs in within the game