PS Vita: Let's Straighten Things Out

I've been reading and browsing on-hand impressions and reviews of the PS Vita this past week, and I've noticed that alot of people in forums are comparing the Vita to Tablets and Phones. This is a problem. Why? Because they're totally two different peices of tech. Sure, they have some features that are in common like apps, music, social media, video and such. But let's not forget what phones are primarily used and bought for: talking & texting. The PS Vita is primarily used for gaming. See the difference? Ofcourse you can game on a smartphone, but let's not kid ourselves; you didn't buy the phone and sign up for a 2-year contract to play app games did you? I didn't think so... It sounds more logical to ask the same question towards the PS Vita. You didn't buy the PS Vita to play games did you? Well ofcourse I did, because that's it primary function and use. Comparing the PS Vita to a Phone (Android, iPhone) is simply pointless and down right stupid. A more appropriate comparison would be the PS Vita against the PS3. Or a PC laptop against a PC Desktop. Or a dagger against a sword. When comparing two things, always keep in mind the primary function and uses. There was a few other issues that I would like to discuss and clear up in this thread while I'm here, issues that I've found with people complaining about things that they shouldn't. Here we go:

BATTERY LIFE

Yes, the Vita's battery life averages about 3hrs 30mins - 4hrs depending on what you're using the Vita for. Now I'm not 100% sure if there are energy consumption options on the Vita but a life span of 3 - 4 hrs is very, very normal. The source of all this complaint is coming from phone owners that think since a Vita is bigger, and it's function is more heavy on gaming; should last longer than you're average smart phone. Well I'm sorry smart phone users, but that's not the case. My original PSP with the stock battery never lasts more than 4 hours of continuous gaming. My smart phone battery lifeon optimal settings being continuously used (that includes constant screen activity with no black out to conserve power) usually dies around 3 hours of use when playing Robot Unicorn. The Nintendo 3DS also has the same average life span of around 3 hrs 30 mins to 4 hrs 15 mins of continuous gaming. Heck, even my laptop can barely last more than 5 hours even when my display is so dim I can't make out some objects when typing on my lap. The matter of the fact isthat most, if not all, tech that is the size of a tablet to a phone; will have a battery life anywhere from 3 hours to 5 hours. And if that's still a problem for you, then simply play the Vita while it's charging...

PRICE

There's no mistake that $250 for a portable gaming device is a steep price in today's depressing economy. And it's even more steep when you compare it to the price of the base-line PS3 which is just $50 more. But $250 for a portable gaming device is in fact, not that bad. Let me explain. When the original PSP launched, it's launch price was $250. Which is the same as the base/WiFi Vita package. That's the same price for a portable gaming device that DWARFS it's predecessor in every aspect, especially graphics. The PSP had only b/g broadband connection, while the Vita has n broadband. It also features the "NEAR" application that will display anyone that's playing the Vita in your area. (exact area coverage distance is unknown) With the normal PSP you could only merely hope to connect with other users in the area or be physically in the same room with another PSP user. That's just a couple things that are superior to the PSP. Another thing to remember is that smart phones aren't any cheaper than the Vita, they're more expensive depending on how you purchase you're smart phone. A decent smart phone with a 2 year contract can range anywhere from $100 - $250. Do you wanna know how much that smart phone is without the 2 year contract? $400 - $600... Sure, you can wait for the "Slim" version of the Vita to come out, but the average wait time for the slim iteration of a Sony gaming console/hand-held is 3 years. And the only thing that will be noteworthy different is the battery life, size, and price (which will more than likely only be $50 - $75 cheaper) as well as the video game library available to you. But the launch line-up for the PS Vita already looks solid in my opinion. We've got Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Modnation Racers, Touch my Katamari, Gravity Rush, Wipeout 2048, Lumines, andFIFA Soccer. Plus it will have great ports such as Marvel vs Capcom 3, Rayman Origins, and Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus.

However, to be fair, there are some things about the Vita that are undesirable. For starters: the speakers. I don't know what the product designer was thinking when he thought it was a good idea to put the speakers near the analog thumb sticks. The original PSP's speakers are shoddy at best, but now the speakers on the Vita are located where the majority of the sound will be muffled/blocked by the gamers hand. This can easily be fixed by simply plugging in ones headphones but sometimes I like to hear the sound coming from the device itself. Another poor decision was that Sony disabled the use of multiple PSN accounts on your Vita. Don't exactly know why... The camera seems like a unecessary add-on rather than an intuitive feature. The censor and image quality is way below standard even by simple camera phone standards. The UI also looks sluggish and kiddy.

I guess what it really boils down to is if you think the Vita is worth the money. In my opinion, yes it is. It's a sleek and solid piece of hardware that will only improve over time. It has it's short comings, but then again, what tech doesn't. I only hope for the best in the PS Vita's success.

I agree with you for the most part. However, when you say that people don't get a smartphone to play games that seems a bit off to me. Obviously not everyone but a lot of people get a smartphone, instead of a regular phone just so they can play angry birds. My point being people could get a regular phone but instead they get a smartphone (whether it's for the email, games or what not). Then when you mention the price point compared to the pc. If you were to release the psp today the price would obviously not be 250 but it would be for the vita. What I'm saying is you can't compare it with a product that came years ago. That's like mac owners justifying the high price point of macs by saying that back in the 80's computers were just as expensive if not more so in reality today's macs are a 'steal'.

If you want to compare price points compare it with tablets and smartphones, tablets and smartphones are less powerful and more expensive in today's market.

Also price points for the memory cards are hella stoopid.

I agree with you when you said not to compare smartphones to handhelds. But Tablets, smartphones, and handheld together are part of the gaming industry now. You get games like Chaos Ring (Exclusively on the iphone) where it has an amazing story, turn-based RPG gameplay, and amazing graphics for an iphone. And on the other hand, you get games on handheld like Final Fantasy Crisis Core VII for example which is more than amazing.

I don't mind the Vita's battery, but what I'm worried about is the functionality of the Vita, the accounts, the memory cards.

I agree with you when you said not to compare smartphones to handhelds. But Tablets, smartphones, and handheld together are part of the gaming industry now. You get games like Chaos Ring (Exclusively on the iphone) where it has an amazing story, turn-based RPG gameplay, and amazing graphics for an iphone. And on the other hand, you get games on handheld like Final Fantasy Crisis Core VII for example which is more than amazing.

I don't mind the Vita's battery, but what I'm worried about is the functionality of the Vita, the accounts, the memory cards.

Jack_240

I mostly agree.

I think Sony could of taken the price down a bit however, £199.99 is a bit more appealing (somehow?)

Sony had two options with both the PSP and Vita:

- Make high tech kit that costs them alot to make, Making the console a risk to produce

or

- Make moderate tech kit that costs mid to low prices making the console less of a risk but more likley to fail because of its competitor.

Now, As crazy as it may seem they seem to consistanly go with the latter but then I suppose I can get behind them on that - They need to make something worth talking about and buying and the good part about it being a Higher Tech is that you at least feel that yes its expensive but I got my moneys worth.

Also Sony can always fall back on their other products to help them out I suppose.

Yeah i agree with this, personally id much rather it be $250 than the £229 were paying in the UK, anything sub £200 id be very happy with given VAT over here etc, but its a very high spec machine, and im looking forward to getting my hands on one, as for a few points, it appears the battery life of the 3g is averaging about 4 hours, the wifi model is apparently averaging about 6-7 hours (according to users posting vlogs on youtube being used on an average day) which i think is very substantial, the memory card prices are a little heavy but ill accept the hit on that one as there likely to drop in price prior to release, But the thing that got me to pre-order it was the sheer quality and potential the machine has got, no device out there utilises Augmented Reality any where near is good as the PS Vita is capable, and people seem to forget that it contains full sixaxis motion controlling, and 2 multi-touch panels. Im personally happy with the devices specs, and roll on feb 22nd.

The price is killing the console.

Sony needed a Monster Hunter game for Japan and a Call Of Duty game for the western market, they blew that part. Sony knows how to make their quality products but the way they go about advertising and some of the choices they make are highly questionable. Battery life and Memory cards dont bother me its what I expected all along. Love Sony but im really hoping the Vita doesn't fail Im hoping it gets alot of support from Sony and Devs for years to come, Devs wont support a failing system and im hoping that wont be the case with the Vita.

I agree with you for the most part. However, when you say that people don't get a smartphone to play games that seems a bit off to me. Obviously not everyone but a lot of people get a smartphone, instead of a regular phone just so they can play angry birds. pela_yo

Then these people are complete idiots and deserve to be within the "99%"

[QUOTE="pela_yo"]

I agree with you for the most part. However, when you say that people don't get a smartphone to play games that seems a bit off to me. Obviously not everyone but a lot of people get a smartphone, instead of a regular phone just so they can play angry birds. Double_Wide

Then these people are complete idiots and deserve to be within the "99%"

not buying a vita, no games i wanted there. perhaps ill consider dragons crown and see if it is good

I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.AmazonTreeBoa

Quick question: why pay on a monthly basis to do something that you can do for free using another dedicated device?

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.Double_Wide

Quick question: why pay on a monthly basis to do something that you can do for free using another dedicated device?

[QUOTE="Double_Wide"]

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.j2zon2591

Quick question: why pay on a monthly basis to do something that you can do for free using another dedicated device?

It's mostly about accessibility and simplicity. No excess baggage, no extra bags, no extra bulge and another free pocket. 1 device to "rule" them all. He must also enjoy those bite sized games on the go. just maybe...j2zon2591

Access and simplicity? Wouldn't you agree that its kind of hard to juggle battery life when trying to play a game and talk on the phone at the same time? Better yet...lets say you wind up lucky and find a phone game that'll give you more than 20-30 minutes of play time and you've played for 3 hours straight. Now you can't take phone calls, well at least for not as long as you may want to. But there's always the idea of sitting down somewhere and hooking your phone up to the charger while you play and talk...but that beats the entire purpose of the mobility advantages of a cell phone.

Does any of that sound simple to you?

No access baggage? How about that large phone bill and that data plan you need to download the games?

1 device to rule them all? Really? When has that philosphoy ever worked in gaming...hell business? Competition = quality. If there wasn't that other guy to compete with and keep you on your toes then we would all get the same old devices with the same old specs with no reason for the developers to ever really step up their game.

I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.AmazonTreeBoa

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.Double_Wide

Quick question: why pay on a monthly basis to do something that you can do for free using another dedicated device?

[QUOTE="Double_Wide"]

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.j2zon2591

Quick question: why pay on a monthly basis to do something that you can do for free using another dedicated device?

[QUOTE="j2zon2591"][QUOTE="Double_Wide"]

Quick question: why pay on a monthly basis to do something that you can do for free using another dedicated device?

chimera1984

[QUOTE="chimera1984"][QUOTE="j2zon2591"] It's mostly about accessibility and simplicity. No excess baggage, no extra bags, no extra bulge and another free pocket. 1 device to "rule" them all. He must also enjoy those bite sized games on the go. just maybe...AmazonTreeBoa

Not to bring up other systems, but it is funny that people complain that the Vita costs as much as a PS3, but the 3DS costs more than Wii.

I'm happy with the PSvita I've prepordered mine. Just wish I'd been able to get the PSVita wi-fi with a 4GB memory card, carrying caseand little Deviants game. Since you need a memory card anyways.

Interested to see if the "Near" feature pans out well. I'm happy as I looking forward to Uncharted GoldenAbyss. I will use my Vita for games and nothing else. So I'm not to worried if the PSvita camera is not the best. Still have to figure out if the camera is useful for game features. Little deviants is a camera enable game if I am not mistaken?

The price of the memory cards willcome down as that would be my only real complaint againts the Vita.

Not to bring up other systems, but it is funny that people complain that the Vita costs as much as a PS3, but the 3DS costs more than Wii.

gamenerd15

I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.AmazonTreeBoa

[QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.DJ_Headshot

[QUOTE="DJ_Headshot"][QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.Digital_DJ_00

Don't forget Real Racing 2. That game on an iPhone 4S has the same graphics as many Vita games.

[QUOTE="DJ_Headshot"][QUOTE="AmazonTreeBoa"]I bought my phone to play games. If I didn't care to play games, I wouldn't have bothered with getting a smartphone. I would have just gotten a normal boring everyday cell phone.Digital_DJ_00

EXACTLY! And what makes it even more idiotic is that the majority of cell phone games can be found on the PSN as Minis! Its actually cheaper to invest in a PSP Go than a cellphone if cheap and simplistic games is what you want to play. Hell, they Vita has touch screen and is compatitible with the Minis...so there you go!

I'll admit, I like the Minis and is why I bought a PSP Go. I have it for all of my minis and ps one ****cs and my psp-1000 for my more indepth UMD based games!

[QUOTE="Digital_DJ_00"]

[QUOTE="DJ_Headshot"] I agree a big reason of my getting an advanced smartphone was to be able to play games on it any old phone can be used to make phonecalls.Double_Wide

EXACTLY! And what makes it even more idiotic is that the majority of cell phone games can be found on the PSN as Minis! Its actually cheaper to invest in a PSP Go than a cellphone if cheap and simplistic games is what you want to play. Hell, they Vita has touch screen and is compatitible with the Minis...so there you go!

I'll admit, I like the Minis and is why I bought a PSP Go. I have it for all of my minis and ps one ****cs and my psp-1000 for my more indepth UMD based games!