Playstation Vita

[utopastac]

Unless you can get hold of SOL or Linkster, currently non-existent.

Oh, I see. It's out in a couple of weeks by the look of things!

[Captain Kelsten]

What's the Vita version of Sonic and All-stars racing like? Close to the home console version...?

SOL says it's due out in a few weeks and is very, very close to the ps3 version. Here's hoping!

[Robo_1]

Yeah I'm thinking of grabbing that one for Vita, even though the PS3 demo didn't really quite click with me, I'm enjoying my racing games on Vita.

I'm hoping Sony get a universal remote play solution ready soon though. Hackers have already shown it's possible, so I don't see why Sony couldn't put something together, and with touch available on both front and back, it should be possible to map the missing buttons well enough.

[LiMuBai]

The 3ds is aimed at and appeals to a much wider audience than the vita. That and the fact Nintendo actually put effort into marketing the bloody thing, unlike Sony with the vita....

A lot of the casual gamers I talk to dont even know of the Vita, but they all know what a 3DS is

[Captain Kelsten]

It wouldn't surprise me. I don't watch a lot of tv, but you're almost always guaranteed a Nintendo advert during prime time, but I don't think I've ever seen a vita ad. Did they even run any vita ads?

My cousin, who is about as casual a casual gamer as you could get (his trophy list on ps3 is made up entirely of FIFA games, CoD games and racing games) bought a vita. When I asked him why he said 'for FIFA'.

He has a ps+ membership and has done since getting his ps3 some years ago. When I asked him how he was enjoying all the free games they were giving out through plus over the last few months, he said 'what free games?'

[Aurelius]

So, Valkyria Chronicles 2, is it available/working or not?

[V3zna]

Also bear in mind that the 3ds has a handful of system selling games - Mario, Pokemon etc - whereas the vita doesn't at the moment.

But the Vita has the biggest of the big sellers now, Call of Duty, and Assassins Creed as well. The quality of those games is irrelevant as to Joe Public they'll just see the brand names. If the machine isn't selling with those two + FIFA on it then it surely has no future?

[Curtis]

So, Valkyria Chronicles 2, is it available/working or not?

Yes, but it's not showing up on the Vita store for some reason. You'll need to buy it via PS3 then transfer it.

[Wiper]

But the Vita has the biggest of the big sellers now, Call of Duty, and Assassins Creed as well. The quality of those games is irrelevant as to Joe Public they'll just see the brand names. If the machine isn't selling with those two + FIFA on it then it surely has no future?

Missing one crucial point, there: even ignoring the qualitative issues, the Vita has versions of the biggest sellers that are already available on the big consoles. While the spin-offs are subtly different/worse, they are similar enough that people with a PS3/360 are hardly about to rush out and buy the handheld version. Whereas Pokemon is pretty much purely on handheld, and the handheld Marios stand out strongly from their console brethren. In this case, the Vita's ability to mimic a 'big' console is actually a stumbling block.

(I'd agree that the Vita probably has no future, mind, and I imagine most here perceive that too)

[Captain Kelsten]

But the Vita has the biggest of the big sellers now, Call of Duty, and Assassins Creed as well. The quality of those games is irrelevant as to Joe Public they'll just see the brand names. If the machine isn't selling with those two + FIFA on it then it surely has no future?

It's still early days - those games are fairly recent releases over here so it's probably too early to gauge their impact on system sales. I wouldn't be surprised if sales increase closer to Christmas with those titles in mind.

[Chooch]

There are plenty of Vita ads on TV. There is one at the minute which talks about, and shows footage, of COD, NFS and AC.

Just nobody cares

[V3zna]

COD is certainly being heavily advertised on tv. It's a pity it looks awful going by the footage.

[Captain Kelsten]

Someone mentioned it earlier, but I would love a really deep rpg to get stuck into on this. Something akin to Baldur's Gate or Neverwinter Nights - I prefer Western RPGs to Japanese ones. It would be phenomenal to play a good game of that type on the vita.

Edit: just found out about Warrior's Lair, an upcoming action rpg that is cross play (saves and progress will transfer between ps3 and vita!). I can't tell if it's a Baldur's Gate style deep rpg with heavy story, or if it's just a Diablo-esque loot-em-up, though.

Edit edit: just found out Warrior's Lair used to be known as Ruin and was meant to be a launch game until it got delayed and Sony sacked the studio developing it...now it's slated for a 2013 release but hasn't been seen or heard from since last year.

[LiMuBai]

Borderlands on Vita. Enough for me

[Uncle Mike]

Edit: just found out about Warrior's Lair, an upcoming action rpg that is cross play (saves and progress will transfer between ps3 and vita!). I can't tell if it's a Baldur's Gate style deep rpg with heavy story, or if it's just a Diablo-esque loot-em-up, though.

Edit edit: just found out Warrior's Lair used to be known as Ruin and was meant to be a launch game until it got delayed and Sony sacked the studio developing it...now it's slated for a 2013 release but hasn't been seen or heard from since last year.

I hope it's not just vapourware.

[Captain Kelsten]

Might be, at this point

In other news, just got a 'to be continued...' ending on Virtue's Last Reward

[bradigor]

Finished Uncharted, was a really well paced game. Enjoyed it throughout, the QTE battles were a bit 'meh' though. Never ruined the experience for me, so happy overall.

[Doc NI]

I got that one two, I think you have to earn some stuff from other play throughs then do it again late. I say this because I noticed it didn't actually finish the time line on the branch screen (if that makes sense?)

[Captain Kelsten]

Just got Clover's ending. WTF.

[bradigor]

I need to get VLR, must resist until I finish current games.

[Captain Kelsten]

It is a brilliant, brilliant game.

Edit: I didn't realise 999 was a DS game! I thought it was for the 3DS! That's getting bought after Christmas, then!

[shirubagan]

Vita is the best portable pinball machine out there (PINBALL ARCADE!!!)... and this is coming from a person who absolutely my 3DS and Zen Pinball.

Now that JSR is finally out, I'm totally into this machine.

When Sonic Racing arrives, I'll probably faint.

This machine is being sold short of it's potential. It's not a bloody PS3 and needs to stop pretending to be one. It's a 3DS / iOS killer but won't be until they make some games for it that are Vita specific, not gypsy knock-off versions of Assassins Call of Creed XVII

[jonnyalpha]

Although Pinball Arcade takes up most of my Vita time as well I've been very impressed by Little Big Planet as well. It turns out that LBP was best suited to a handheld device all the time. Who knew?

[dreamylittledream]

Vita is the best portable pinball machine out there (PINBALL ARCADE!!!)... and this is coming from a person who absolutely my 3DS and Zen Pinball.

Now that JSR is finally out, I'm totally into this machine.

When Sonic Racing arrives, I'll probably faint.

This machine is being sold short of it's potential. It's not a bloody PS3 and needs to stop pretending to be one. It's a 3DS / iOS killer but won't be until they make some games for it that are Vita specific, not gypsy knock-off versions of Assassins Call of Creed XVII

Its not but then again Uncharted and Gravity Rush show its not really that far off.

Its a lovely little capable machine and it might well be the last pure handheld games system - its unfortunate lingering demise suggests there is no longer a mainstream market for such a machine beyond the dedicated (i.e us).

I have no issue with big name franchises getting Vita versions - I'd just like to see a selection of more challenging games for the hardware - it as so much potential...its a crying shame it looks like little of it is going to be realised.

[bradigor]

It has the titles, it really just needs the marketing push. I mean this is a strong opening year in my opinion, on titles alone:

Uncharted: GA

Motorstorm RC

Wipeout 2048

Rayman: Origins

Unit 13

Gravity Rush

Escape Plan

Super Stardust Delta

Sound Shapes

Mutant Blobs Attack

AC3: Liberation

Retro City Rampage (in US at least)

Jet Set Radio HD

MGS HD

LittleBigPlanet Vita

PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale

Zero Escape: Virtues Last Reward

Added to that the PSP, PS1 titles on offer and the Cross Buy titles like Hustle Kings. Sony need a decent marketing team in. Especially on the back of PS+ for Vita.

[Quexex]

It has the titles, it really just needs the marketing push. I mean this is a strong opening year in my opinion, on titles alone:

Uncharted: GA

Motorstorm RC

Wipeout 2048

Rayman: Origins

Unit 13

Gravity Rush

Escape Plan

Super Stardust Delta

Sound Shapes

Mutant Blobs Attack

AC3: Liberation

Retro City Rampage (in US at least)

Jet Set Radio HD

MGS HD

LittleBigPlanet Vita

PlayStation All Stars Battle Royale

Zero Escape: Virtues Last Reward

Need for Speed Most Wanted

Montezuma Blitz

Virtua Tennis 4

Everybody Golf

Pinball Arcade

Lumines

Marvel Vs Capcom 3

TvsSf

Persona 4

Added to that the PSP, PS1 titles on offer and the Cross Buy titles like Hustle Kings. Sony need a decent marketing team in. Especially on the back of PS+ for Vita.

Corrected

[rumblecat]

I do worry that the Vita is already coughing and spluttering, on it's last legs... although Jim Reilly from Game Informer recently said R* were developing games for it, which I really hope turns out to be true. They produced a run of great original titles and ports for the PSP- GTA Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories, The Warriors, Chinatown Wars... even Manhunt 2 and the Midnight Run games were worth a shot as well.

[Captain Kelsten]

Ha, that list of games is pretty damn epic for a 9 month old console. Even if they don't all appeal to you, you can't deny it's an incredibly strong lineup - possibly the strongest in recent memory. The only problem is none of them are killer titles, system sellers or must-haves.

Despite that wonderful list, people just don't seem to be engaged with the console and I strongly believe it's due to a lack of effective marketing.

[Tailfly]

Is Valkyrie Profile on the store yet? Been itching to get back on that.

It's not on there.

I'm constantly looking for it on the store but it's a long shot. The original is such a quality rpg, it would definitely do well on the uk/eu store. Just gotta keep those fingers crossed I guess.

[Quexex]

Ha, that list of games is pretty damn epic for a 9 month old console. Even if they don't all appeal to you, you can't deny it's an incredibly strong lineup - possibly the strongest in recent memory. The only problem is none of them are killer titles, system sellers or must-haves.

Despite that wonderful list, people just don't seem to be engaged with the console and I strongly believe it's due to a lack of effective marketing.

Talking to friends about the Vita and it seems the price is the biggest barrier to entry, which hopefully the sales recently have gone some way to alleviate. I'm not sure it should be written off just yet though it's not had it's first Xmas in the west yet and there seems to be a lot of people getting Vitas at the mo.