It's a portable gaming device with graphics that rival current full size consoles. The PS Vita launched this week in the U.S. with a laundry-list of new features.
The line between portable gaming devices and mobile devices are bleeding. So, it begs the question; Do we really need another handheld? The Vita seeks to answer that with a resounding yes.
The Vita, for $250, touts a quad-core CPU, a 5 inch OLED, capacitive touchscreen, a rear multi-touch pad, front and rear cameras, GPS, Wi-Fi, and much more. Altogether, these hardware features mean a new, more connected, way of gaming.
It’s an impressive list of features to fit into a small device, but how does it hold up in everyday use? We spoke with Shane Satterfield from Gametrailers.com to find out what sets the PS Vita apart and how it can be improved.
“This device, basically does everything,” Satterfield said describing the Vita as a mobile device. “You can Skype, you can basically Facetime...it also plays games.”
And in the gaming front the Vita will offer a brand new feature--an integration of PS3 connectivity.
“You’ll be able to play the game on your PS3, plug in your Vita, it will then zap your saved data to your Vita, unplug your Vita, go on your way,” Satterfield said. “Eventually you’ll be able to take your games on-the-go with you.”
But these new features don’t come cheap. Where the device suffers is in the battery department.
“If you play old games like from the Super Nintendo era that are in 2-D and don’t require a lot of processing power, you can get about five hours out of it,” said Satterfield. “If you switch up to the modern 3-D games...then you get around three and a half hours of battery life, not that great.”
Regardless of questionable battery life, we’re bound to see new exclusive game titles for the Vita--after all, that’s why we buy gaming devices. But, what about the games you already have for PSP? The good news is that the Vita will be able to support PSP games the not-so-good news is that the games will have to be re-downloaded at an extra cost.
Having surveyed the Vita, how does the it ultimately set itself apart?
“If you want to play modern, traditional games, if you want to play shooters and things like that you’re going to have to get a dedicated device with two analog sticks,” Satterfield said. “Otherwise it’s pretty difficult.”
If you want to check out more analysis on the PS Vita click these links below:
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/hardware-analysis-playstation-vita/726879
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/unboxing-featurette-playstation-vita/726764
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