Size comparison left to right: Vita Game, Vita Memory Card (in retail packaging), US Penny
The games themselves are all available digitally on PSN or via retail. The retail games come on an SD-like card and cost around $40 while the digital versions are stored on Sony branded media and are about 10% off the retail price. This media is a lot like micro-SD but is on average about twice as expensive. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Sony has done this again with one of their devices, but they did. Basically you are paying more just because they want to keep this proprietary.
There’s a few other bells and whistles included. There’s a front facing and rear facing camera, both which takes pictures and video in pretty low quality. I’m kind of surprised there’s no video chat app built in, but with video recording just being added via firmware, it’s probably only a matter of time. The system also offers a web browser, but it feels a bit slow and clunky. While webpages seem to load at acceptable speeds, the actual rendering of the pages is choppy.
The web browser is functional, but not great.
Battery life is always a bullet point when it comes to mobile gaming. The Vita claims about 3-5 hours of battery life. I managed to squeeze 4 hours plus on a single charge with the Vita, and that includes playing some four player co-op Dungeon Hunter Alliance via PSN for 90 minutes. For the most part, it feels like a solid 5-6 hours of use between gaming, browsing, chatting, and just using the system.
And finally we've come to price. It's the deciding factor for a lot of folks and you've got two models here two choose from. Like we said earlier, right now we're not sure if the $50 premium Fees make the 3G model worth it at $299.99, but at $249.99 the Wi-Fi only model is a solid deal. Of course you are going to need to tack on the cost of at least one memory card, as most games require it, bringing your total closer to $300. $300 for a handheld might seem like a lot, but in the days of expensive smart phones and tablets, the sting somehow feels a bit less.
Ok, so what’s the bottom line with the Vita? It’s my absolute favorite handheld by far. More than my DS, my PSP Go, and even my iPad. The system feels like a modern gaming console should, the graphics are absolutely a treat in almost every game, and the online functionality offers a ton of potential. I find myself bringin my Vita to work everyday to play during lunch breaks. There’s a solid launch line up out there and the next few months looks spattered with some truly solid titles. If you’re a console gamer that’s always been turned off by portable gaming, the Vita is going to change your mind.
Game Reviews (Co-Op)
Game Reviews (Non Co-Op)
Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Super Stardust: Delta
Lumines: Electronic Symphony
Wipeout 2048