PlayStation Vita Review

  Customer Ratings

The Sony Corporation can boast introducing the next generation portable handheld console called the Playstation Sony Vita (PS Vita) that is being touted as a gaming device that will delight even the most fickle die hard gamer. The device is being described as the successor to the PlayStation portables 3000 and PSP Go. The PlayStation Vita has a touch-interface, is motion-sensitive and users will have access to WiFi. Additionally, the PS Vita also makes use of GPS location-tracking technology (Requires cellular data plan). These are some exciting features for the new Sony handheld device.

Some of the highlights include the AT & T mobile broadband network, front and rear cameras, motion sensor, touch screen, rear touch, GPS and cross-platform play with the PS 3. Cross platform playing includes being able to play games on the PS 3, pause it and then pick up playing on the PS Vita! Players can also join in on multi-player games during remote play on the Vita and also play against other players on the PS 3 console. Sony has made it to where games and content on the PS 3 are easily accessible at anytime.

Not only does the PlayStation Vita is focused on integrative and easy game play, but players can also access social networks. For example, the device comes with Facebook, Skype, FourSquare and Twitter. This is a really amazing gaming console. Users get all these features in the palm of their hand! No computer, netbook or tablet to experience this type of game play and exquisite graphic display.

PlayStation Vita Features

• Front Display: Multi-touch 5-inch organic light emitting display (OLED)
• Multi-touch pad on the rear of the device
• Dual analog sticks
• Two digital cameras (front and rear)
• Software titles on small, Vita-specific flash memory-based cards
• Three motion sensors, gyroscope, accelerometer and electronic compass
• Advanced and fast Wi-Fi connectivity or WiFi/3G connectivity
• Free PlayStation Network access, including trophy support and new Vita features “LiveArea” and “Near”
• Vita can play PSP titles, minis, PS one classics, video and comics from the PlayStation Store
• 4GB memory card for storage space for saving game data and more

PlayStation Vita Technical Specifications

• CPU – ARM Cortex-A9 core (4 core)
• External Dimensions – Approx. 182.0 x 18.6 x 83.5mm (width x height x depth) (tentative, excludes largest projection)
• Touch Screen – 5-inches (16:9), 960 x 544, Approx. 16 million colors, OLED Multi touch screen (capacitive type)
• Rear Touch Pad – Multi-touch pad (capacitive type)
• Cameras – Front camera, rear camera
• Game Media/Storage – New Vita-specific dedicated flash-based game medium; dual slots: for new game medium & storage media utilize for personal and download content
• Sound: Built-in stereo speakers & microphone
• Sensors – Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), three-axis electronic compass
• Built-in GPS on 3G models only
• Battery – Internal/embedded (not removable)
• Wireless communications: IEEE 802.11b/g/n (n = 1×1) (Wi-Fi) (Infrastructure mode/Ad-hoc mode),  Bluetooth 2.1+EDR (A2DP/AVRCP/HSP)
  * Connectivity subject to Wi-Fi availability coverage limitations.
  * 3G functionality and coverage requires purchase and activation of an additional AT&T data plan. Connectivity subject to 3G coverage limitations.
• Video Formats: Videos -MPEG-4 Simple Profile (AAC)、H.264/MPEG-4 AVC High/Main/Baseline Profile (AAC)

PROs

• Stunning five inch OLED display screen
• Awesome PS Vita user interface
• Front and rear touch interface
• Analog sticks and touch screen controls work smoothly.
• PS Vita is large enough to where it is easy to hold.
• Right and left shoulder buttons are made from nicely tinted plastic. The plastic used on the device is tactile and of high quality.
• The PS Vita device feels solid and well made.
• Users suggest the purchase of a case for the PlayStation Vita to protect the screen and to lessen the collection of finger prints and dust.
• Cross platform playing includes being able to play games on the PS 3, pause it and then pick up playing on the PS Vita!
• Players can also join in on multi-player games during remote play on the Vita and also play against other players on the PS 3 console.
• Users can also access social networks
• Comes as WiFi only or WiFi and 3G (Requires data plan). The device will have GPS capability, but only on devices with 3G.

CONs

• The PlayStation Vita’s design is as  large as the PSP which may be one of its obstacles. The Vita seems to be a PSP 2 with a  different name.
• Battery life is not that impressive with usage from three to five hours.
• No HDMI out port which dramatically limits users from using the Vita as a replacement console. This also means no streaming of photos, video or video games over a HDTV connection.
• No internal storage, but users can purchase memory cards with up to 32 GB of storage.
• Memory cards may become pricey because they are required to play selected PlayStation Vita games.
• No 3D capability or the ability to make phone calls on the device.
• The PlayStation Vita does not use UMD like on the PSP, but will use a small proprietary game card format.
• Vita camera is disappointing. Photos were grainy and were surprisingly different than the graphics on the OLED screen.
• The PS Vita’s casing is plastic and therefore does not feel like glass or aluminum, but this is not a major issue.
• Screen display is a fingerprint magnet.
• Glare on display screen in direct sunlight, but for regular use, indoors and outdoors, the PS Vita glare issue is manageable.

The PlayStation Vita also is referred to by different titles, for example, the next generation portable or NGP and also PSP 2. It sports a 16:9 screen with a 960 x 544-pixel resolution, which has a front-facing camera that can take 640 x 480-pixel photos.  An identical lens is  placed on the back to bring “augmented reality to a new level.”  The Vita, like the 3DS,  iPad, and iPod Touch, the device will make use of motion control that is  accomplished by a three-axis gyroscope and accelerometer.

Vita games will ship on a Vita Card, but the device can also make use of a  memory card slot, multiuse (i.e., USB) and accessory ports and games can also be downloaded from the PlayStation Store. The PS Vita  will accept Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections and the 3G model will be able to connect via  AT&T’s 3G network.  In the United States, the PlayStation Vita WiFi only model will cost $249.99 and the  3G/WiFi model will cost $299.99.

Currently, retailers are selling the First Edition Bundle of the Playstation Vita 3G/WiFi model for $349.99.   Vita owners can purchase an  AT&T data plan with no contraction for $14.99 a month for 250MB, and $25 for 2GB. The PlayStation Vita is scheduled for official release in the United States on February 22, 2012. However, if you can’t wait, the PlayStation Vita First Edition Bundle will be available February 15, 2012.

Check out the video below to see the PlayStation Vita in action and highlights of some it’s features.

Click here for more info on the new Next Generation Portable PlayStation Vita!