Why the PS Vita/PS3 combination can't compete with the Wii U

With Sony boasting about how the PS3 and PS Vita can be combined to offer a similar experience to what the Wii U will offer, there are specific reasons why it will ultimately stand no chance against the new Nintendo console.

Using comments from a Ubisoft employee who explains why Rayman Legends wasn't made for the Vita/PS3 we can see why this combination won't gain much developer support in the future.

[LX-General-Kaos]

Agreed

It has been quite clear for a good long time now to the educated consumer that nothing available from current generation hardware can compete with the features provided by the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system. With the boost of next generation technology and the standard addition of the futuristic Nintendo game pad. It is just simply not possible to duplicate what is possible with Nintendos new invention.

Not to say great experiences wont arrive on competing platforms. Just nothing when as far as Nintendo Wii U entertainment system tech is concerned will be completely possible on platforms before it. The extra ram, and technical prowess of the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system put Nintendos feature rich platform innovations far out of reach for current generation offerings.

From what has been documented so far. The Smartglass feature for the xbox 360 simply does not have the buttons necessary to compete with the Nintendo game pad. The Playstation Vita while sharing a few similarities and decent in its own right falls short when it comes to seamless transition, and the needed tech and horse power within the architecture of the PS3 necessary to keep up with the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system.

Developers in the article have explained it quite well. Not only is the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system and its tablet like control innovations and functions far more advanced. The Playstation Vita as of now simply does not have the support or install base to make a big enough impact within civilization to create a big enough impact for developers to feel the need to take advantage of such features. Similar to what happened to the move when following the innovative steps of the Wii Mote. Standard implementation is key. What Nintendos competitors offer simply have not taken advantage of that.

Hopefully competing console brands will take a page from Nintendos book and offer a standard Nintendo game pad like functionality out of the box with next generation console offerings.

Rated E For Everyone

[Xof]

Holy crap does that read like a press release.

[mewhy32]

Why buy a ps3 and vita to compete with one Wii-U.

[MaxXAttaxX]

because the Vita is an entire multimedia gaming system on its own with its own games and features. It does NOT need to be in front of the PS3 to work, and because of this, you cannot compare prices.
Talking about price, market, etc, does NOT deter from the fact that Cross-Control and Cross-Play does indeed have much of the same functionality of the Gamepad. http://www.youtube.com/watc...

It's a feature for those who own both (and most Vita owners do). It's not meant to be an alternative to the Wii U altogether.

"Journalists" and fanboys thinking that Vita/PS3 Cross-Control and Cross-Play are an afterthought by Sony to try to compete with the Wii U are completely mistaken.
PR talk is just that, PR talk. BUT Sony did announce this feature and released the PS Vita BEFORE the Wii U. They designed the PS Vita for this.

@LX-General-Kaos,
"Table like control innovations"? The PS Vita is closer to that than the Wii U Gamepad's single-touch resistive screen.
Yeah, very high tech "next gen" stuff right there.

[metroid32]

When are u simple people gonna understand multi touch is for non button devices so you can have say a touch screen anologue stick and buttons to play a game ect Gamepad doesnt need multi touch as it has tons of buttons and 2 sticks ?????? Thick bastards.

Hows about tablets dont have anologue sticks or face buttons,vita just doesnt have the gpu power neither does ps3 to compete with wiiu dx11/opengl4.1/compute shaders/shader model 5/edram/2 gig Ram,these are things they dont have SORRY.

[MaxXAttaxX]

That wasn't even the main subject. But ok....

Learn what? Is there some sort of unwritten law that says multi-touch "is for non button devices"?
You might want to tell that to Sony because that's what they did with the Vita. Multi-touch screen + dual analog sticks and buttons. So think before calling people bastards.

Besides, that was only a response to LX-General's ridiculous PR about "next gen innovations" after 7 years.
And why would the PS3 be competing with the Wii I'd performance? It's not like the PS3 is coming out after the Wii U.

You people are silly.

[Just_The_Truth]

The wiiu isn't current gen at all. It may be made in 2012 but the tech is 2008. No offence to the wiiu but its kind of like saying the new ps3 slim is "current gen".

[Soplox]

Wii U will be a beast this holidays. Can't wait to get mine.

[GribbleGrunger]

I don't think it's a matter of the Vita/PS3 'competing' with the Wiiu, it's about offering developers an alternative market to play test their ideas. It lowers the risk and offers a bigger potential market.

[LX-General-Kaos]

I disagree

Sony has already come out and said that the Vita/PS3 combo has been pretty much designed to compete with the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system and its tablet like features.

Example.. http://www.destructoid.com/...

They are attempting to create the illusion that the PS3/Vita combo can do what Nintendos new baby can do already, and easily. If that is not competitive play to you then I dont know what is.

Though I do respect your positive outlook.

Rated E For Everyone

[GribbleGrunger]

Of course they're going to promote it in that way. They have to convince developers they're serious about the combo before they can approach developers and ask them to make a PS3/Vita version too. It would actually be pretty stupid for devs to turn an alternative market down, especially when they're risking all on a console that isn't tried and tested.

I see the two consoles in the same way I see the 360 and the PS3. Many games would not have been made if there hadn't been two markets to aim at. Just like we always saw many many games advertised for the 360 and the PS3, we could see it slowly becoming the Wiiu and the PS3/Vita combo -- a reversal of last gen. It would aid Sony in lengthening the PS3s lifecycle and help build a sizeable library of games for the Wiiu. Both Nintendo and Sony benefit from that... and of course 'we' the consumer.

[LX-General-Kaos]

I dont think the Vita will fall in enough consumer hands to fulfill that type of destiny. I believe that Sony has a better chance to compete with Nintendo as far as the game pad is concerned if they were to release their own game pad standard with the PS4.

If the market trends for the Vita are anything to go by. Sony simply can not create a 360 vs PS3 like rivalry because the Vita is not reaching consumer mass. Also the PS4 is in development, and when released all sony support will be shifted over to that console. The PS3/Vita combo does not have the future life span or competitive price at the moment to compete with the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system.

If the PS4 does release with a more advanced tablet like controller than what is capable with the Vita. This whole convo will be marked as unnecessary as developers will just take advantage of the PS4 game pad. Which I am willing to bet will happen.

Rated E For Everyone

[GribbleGrunger]

I respect your opinion but my instincts just tell me this is 'possible'. I've said before that the Vita/PS3 combo won't be as capable simply because the Wiiu is designed with this in mind, but I do believe that there will be opportunities for some mulitplats (not all)

Yes, the PS4 will eventually release, but the Vita is there to service that device in exactly the same way as the Vita can service the PS3. Sony would simply shift from a PS3/Vita combo to a PS4/Vita combo. The solution is so obvious to me that I'd be absolutely shocked if Sony aren't already integrating Vita into some of the up and coming PS4 games. It's also odd how the press hasn't actually thought of this yet. That would make an interesting discussion piece IMO.

I have to stress though that I don't see it as competing with the Wiiu, but rather an alternative... much like MOVE is now for the Wii. It just opens the door for Developers to make more money (they love that concept) For instance, PSMobile is not significant because it offers cheaper games for the Vita, it's significant because it opens their games up to a broader range of products. This is very attractive to Indie devs, as I think the Vita/PS3 would be for devs in general.

It obviously can't be out of the question because, like you said, Sony have mentioned it several times now. The only real question is: will it be successful, not will it happen?

[LX-General-Kaos]

Well it looks like it is safe once again to agree to disagree and just see what happens down the road. I am sure the conclusion to this debate will come around when other next gen consoles release.

I do respect your points as well.

[MaxXAttaxX]

PR talk is PR talk.
But the fact remains that Cross-Control and Cross-Play have much of the functionality of the Wii U Gamepad. Talking about the market and other trivial bs does not deter from that fact.

Sony announced this feature and released the Vita before the Wii U. They would need to have a time machine to guess what the Wii U was going to do.
The PS Vita was designed for this.

[Benjamminkno]

They don't want PS3 owners to trade in their consoles for a WiiU. Sony understands this appeal and don't want to be left out in the cold. There's no other reason why they would react like Nintendo is copying them, which is essentially what they're saying. The sad thing is, PS4 won't have this kind of connectivity either....

[kupomogli]

@LX-General-Kaos

You continue to prove you're nothing more than a fanboy who disregards any other answers other than your own.

The so called features you attempt to describe and outfit as major changes that no other console can do while disregarding those same possibilities on other consoles just goes to show how much of a hypocrite you are.

The Vita being used with the PS3 can do as much as the Wii U can do alone, along with the fact that you're not going to be forced to do so being tethered to the console as the Vita is also wireless, unlike the Wii U pad.

The Vita is its own console, meaning that it's not straining the PS3 with any additional functions that are being done. Everything being done on the Vita is being done Vita side, while everything on the PS3 is being done PS3 side. The Wii U has to operate not only the console itself, but everything that is shown on the pad as well.

The topic at hand is not the PS4. We don't know what the PS4 will be able to do, we don't know if the integration with the Vita will still be there. Both Nintendo and Sony fanboy alike can only assume. Sony could very well release every PS4 with a Vita being its dedicated remote control, not only selling PS4 consoles, but selling Vitas as well. However, regardless what is said from either side, it's nothing more than blind assumptions.

What we do know is that the PS3/Vita combo can do everything the Wii U can do. It's not going to be explored other than through first party titles, but the fact remains that "it can."

I'm getting a Wii U with New Super Mario Bros U and Zombi U, and I'm sure you Nintendo fanboys will as well. But most of all, by being exclusive to Nintendo, enjoy finally playing last generation games we've been playing for years and lack of third party support once the true next gen systems arrive. I'll play what very few good Wii U exclusives come out, just like the Wii, as well as next gen games that are worth playing.

[Neonridr]

kupomogli aside from Ninja Gaiden 3, Tekken 2, Batman and ME3, what games have you guys been playing for years that Nintendo fans are finally getting to play? When the multiplat games come out and look and run the best on the Wii U, why wouldn't I want to buy that version? I drive a Kia. And guess what, it can reach over 200 km/hr. But it's not as efficient as say a Porsche is at getting over 200 km/hr. So your whole Vita argument is stupid. Sure, hypothetically the Vita can do what the Wii U can do. We won't ever know because no games will come out to fully utilize that feature. Only first party games will use it, and even then, as of now only 5% of the PS3 population own a Vita, so no 3rd party developer is going to waste their time building a feature that so few people can use.

Oh and I heard rumours that the PS4 can do my taxes for me while baking my bread.

[PopRocks359]

@GribbleGrunger

The sad thing is it would be a decent process if it was initially designed for it. There's only so much that two platforms synced together can do as oppose to a console and its dedicated controller.

Sony should have tried it differently. It's just like with the Move; it's a market that they don't usually go for. However, I still believe Cross-Buy is a nice approach and it's disappointing that Nintendo has yet to offer such a plan.

[Zhipp]

What games could Nintendo realistically include in a Cross-buy deal, though? As far as I know, there aren't any Nintendo published games that have been released for both 3DS and Wii.

[PopRocks359]

So far just Monster Hunter and Smash Bros. 4. I don't know if they confirmed anything else.

[miyamoto]

GG anyone with a taste for good read will find that article utter crap.

With no strong evidence to justify his title.

He used an interview for a Nintendo publication about an exclusive title made specifically for Wii U by Ubisoft what do you expect them to say?

Its just like any exclusive game built around the unique capabilities of a console.

He also questioned what kind of gamers mostly own & play the Vita. Maybe he has no idea.

I really was expecting a sensible article but as usual its worthless waste of time.

[ZoyosJD]

@GG and XL The both of you bring up good points.

It would be advantageous for Sony to be able to replicate the capabilities of the hardware that Nintendo has brought to the table.

Yet it would be advantageous for Nintendo to keep a uniqueness to their system.

Even so, this is going to come down to the devs and the adoption rate of this "new" play style.

If it fails:

Nintendo: "Well that sucks"

Sony: "Just kidding"

MS: "LIVE is what you want. Pay us to LIVE."

Devs: "We'll keep making games the same way til PS4/ 720."

If it succeeds:

Nintendo: "SCORE $$$, hey devs - stick with our easy to develop for single console"

Sony: "Hey devs - bigger potential market."

MS: "Here is 720 with its tablet controller, kinect 2.0, and brainwave controller helmet thingy (that controls your brain). Pay us to LIVE."

Devs: "We're confused.......hey, my gimmick $$$"

The number of Wii U and PS3/Vita combos should be at sustainable levels by the end of the holiday season for developers to really test if it is viable to produce for PS3/VITA and Wii U.

I think it will ultimately come down to if devs are willing to make games out of their traditional boundaries. Which I really doubt after this gen and the Wii. Seriously, I believe that devs will stick with current controls particularly since Nintendo provided that option.

Sure, there may be some experimentation on Nintendo's part, but little else.

Rated I for Intelligent
Rated F for Funny
Rated Z for Zoyos

[Bowzabub]

Sorry, I need 5 reasons! XD

[live2play]

smart joke
i like it xD

[HammadTheBeast]

I miss the old 20-25 reason articles with their own pages for each point.

[mrbojingles]

@ GribbleGrunger

But is the Vita/PS3 combo really all that more 'tried and tested' than the Wii U?

Of course the PS3 is, but in order to develop something for Vita/PS3 set up they have to treat it like it is a different console than the PS3 due to the low numbers of PS3 owners that own a Vita.

There are 2 million + Vita owners already, and let's just say all of them own a PS3 (which I know a lot of them do) even when you say 2 million people own the Vita/PS3 combo it isn't like the Wii U won't top that sales number and become more 'tested' in 3-6 months.

And with Vita software sales not being all that high, and there being very little (almost none) PS3 games that launched with PS Vita support (and not being first party) I'd wager to guess that some developers may not see the Vita/PS3 as much of an alternative if they want to develop something specifically designed for devices like the Wii U Game Pad.

[HammadTheBeast]

You bring a good point up, but what happens when PS3 and Vita are bundled by Sony. Absolute chaos for Nintendo. If Sony charges $450, you're paying just $100 more for a whole console wherever you want to go. It's a big what if, but still.

[mrbojingles]

They could do that, and they should but just because you bundle them together doesn't mean people will buy them. If people don't want to buy Vita's as a stand alone handheld console right now at $250 then why would they change their minds if it is (using your $450 scenario) a $200 accessory for the PS3?

I wouldn't call that absolute chaos for Nintendo at all, because it would change nothing.

A bundle in 2012 for the PS3/Vita would do nothing because developers still won't be able to make many games using the two devices together since the vast majority of PS3 users still wouldn't have Vitas. You'd simply make change it from 65 million PS3 users/2 million Vita users to something like 70 million PS3/5 million Vita honestly.

Nothing for Nintendo get worked up about or Wii U developers to get concerned about considering the Wii U will likely outsell the entire Vita base by the end of the holidays.

Just saying, mathematically there is very little chance a Vita/PS3 bundle changes much.

[Godchild1020]

I can see it happening. Look at the companion app for Dust 514. It uses the Vita to interact with the main game on the PS3. In a way that is that the Wii U tablet is doing with Rayman. The main game is still on the TV and If the TV is not in use the tablet turns into the main game.

The Vita was day one with my support and the Wii U will be day one with my support. I've got use to not seeing games on all platforms and that is way I own all of them.

[yewles1]

Sorry, but complaining about getting similar functionalities to work on different platforms OVER A 2D PLATFORMER is absolutely ridiculous.

[Belking]

Wii-U will own this holiday then the next xbox will own the next one.

[megamanX2]

"Why the PS Vita/PS3 combination can't compete with the Wii U"

hmmm besides it being a outdated console that cant even run skyrim?

"Sony has already come out and said that the Vita/PS3 combo has been pretty much designed to compete with the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system and its tablet like features."

do you idiots believe everything you read or do you actually have a mind of your own?

[HammadTheBeast]

Sky rim was devs fault lol. Wii can't compete with ps3. Wii U will be trumped by ps4.

[metroid32]

What proof says ps4 will be better than wiiu ?? NONE.

[GrahamGolden]

we dont give a fck already dam those nintendo fangirls are becoming much worse than ps fans and xbox

Stop bragging yourselfs already...there is nothing to be proud of a 7 years newer consle ahead against ps3

since you consider the wii u to be next gen lol wich is not
im gonna laugh my ass off once the ps4 is out and will put the wii u to shame in the tech departement.

i can already see the mario fanrigls changing then,say that wii u is not a next gen cause their console is gonna be soo outdated lololol truth hurts i know i know

[Zhipp]

So you're saying that the Wii U is indeed superior to the PS3, AND it's 7(actually 6) years newer, yet it's not next gen? What the hell is it, then?

[MasterCratosKong66]

wow your amazing insight has convinced me not to buy the Wii U. Now I can talk about how the wii U is not next gen and miss out on fun games and pick sides instead of shutting the cluck up and enjoying good games. All because your comment changed my life....

these are things I would never actually say

[boybato]

Sure it won't... but for the meantime let me enjoy playing The shadow of the Colossus via remoteplay.

[mrbojingles]

I still find it odd that people keep saying the Wii U isn't more powerful than 360/PS3 or that it's additional power is marginal.

Does no one understand that 2GB/1GB is a larger amount of memory than 512MB/256MB? If so, then that 224MB (256MB vs 32MB) leap in system RAM between the PS2 and PS3 must have been nothing to you.

[redtideone11]

ram is not important

[mrbojingles]

Yes, it is. As important as other things? Maybe, maybe not. But it obviously has some sizable value.

We don't really know much about the CPU/GPU that is actually confirmed other than the GPU being said to be much better than 360/PS3.

Even if rumors are to be believed about the Wii U using an upgraded Broadway with three cores in the 1.8Ghz range it would run circles around the Xenon even at a lower speed.

But like I said, we don't know what it has ATM.

[RubyToTheMax]

Who said they're competing?

PS3/Vita already out. Wii U isn't.

ENOUGH SAID.

[Shnazzyone]

Uh oh, The militant Sony kids are gonna be all over this one. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES! THEY HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO BUT REFUTE REALITY!

[JetsFool3500]

Ps3 & Vita Can't Beat Wii U But Tha PS4 & Vita Sure Will Ppl Keep Comparing Tha 2 ForGetting That The Ps3 Is 6yrs Old

[CommonSenseGamer]

This could backfire on Sony. Imagine if they said their tablet was similar to Apple's. Consumers would ask why then should they buy it over the Apple device.

Stating your product is like a competitor's when that competitor is likely to outsell you does nothing but make consumers more aware of your competitor.

[metroid32]

Wiiu has compute shaders,uses opengl 4.1,shader model 5.0,Edram,2 gig Ram,its like 3/4 gens in front of ps3 ???? Easy.

[ShaunCameron]

Not only that but this PS3/Vita cross-play thing is yet another idea Sony borrowed from Nintendo circa GC/GBA.

[Ayabrea123]

Who says you can't borrow and define it to make it better. Last time I check the Nintendo Circa thing wasn't that hot to begin with. It was a dead product that wasn't supported very long so as far as I see it, there is nothing showing that Sony should be sued or Nintendo has a Patent on the idea. Nintendo borrows, Sony borrows and so does Microsoft. How each choose to represent there own will always be different because it's definitely not the exact same. No matter who alike it looks on the surface

[WiiUalpha]

Before the Vita came out Sony fans claimed everything the Wii U did was a gimmick and a joke and gonna destroy gaming blah blah blah... Now that Sony has a product that is similar Sony fans are now claiming they invented the very idea and it's amazing and game changing.

[Ayabrea123]

I don't understand this. Look up rumors in the NGP. Sony from day one said it was going to be a Playstation in your pocket. It was going to have the ability to start something at home and finish it on the go. The fact that people claim this is some brand new stuff Sony announced it ridiculous. Remote Play beginning on the Psp was mirroring this exact situation. How does redefining it make it bad? So making you existing product better to compete is an issue now, or would people appreciate them staying in the past. Ugh. What Nintendo is doing isn't game changing. It's basically a 3DS in console format. Two screens except the option to play on either if you want to. Tablets have Dnla. They can do the exact same thing. I'm definitely getting one but it's getting waaay to much credit for something that already exist.

[Just_The_Truth]

I don't think anyone even knew about the wiiu when the NPG was announced in Janurary. With remote play on the pap you could stream videos, music and games from ps3. You could also use it as a controller but only for certain games given the lack of an analog. It's nothing new and the psv it's has expanded upon those features. The issue with Sony is that 1-not everyone will own a vita and 2-they need to support it. But in all this talk I think we forget about the wii and the lack of support the motion controls got. The wiiu controller may not even be used in 100% of games. We'll just have to see though. On another note I doubt the wiiu will garner nearly as much interest from the casual. After wii sports and fit got old the only people playing it were the N franchise fans. Also it's much more expensive this time around and last but not least a lot of people don't know about or think its just a controller for the wii. I'm not trying to put Sony or N down in anyway but those are the facts.

[axisofweevils]

Great article.

I'm so glad I didn't waste my money on a Vita - a bigger flop than the Dreamcast in Japan, and a system so lame, even Sony's top first party studios don't want to develop for it.

Prediction: By March 2013, more people will own a Wii U than own a Vita.

[WiiUalpha]

By Jan 1st 2013 more people will owna Wii U than owna Vita.

[Ayabrea123]

Dumbass comment. The Vita is a handheld not a console. People buy consoles, handheld are optional. So common sense will tell you that consoles will always sell better than handheld.

[WiiUalpha]

Both are optional actually and where do u get your sales numbers from because ps3 and 360cant match ds sales put together so how u think they dont sale more is beyond me. U just had to comment back because I took a jab at vita but didnt bother to know what u were talking about

[Neonridr]

I would think 150 million DS owners would disagree with you Ayabrea123

[YoungPlex]

Of course more people will own a Wii U over a Vita, it's a handheld not a console. I think it's cool that Sony is trying to compete with the Wii U, via PS3/Vita connectivity. It actually gives Sony players a chance to see how great it will be in utilizing two screens at the same time, just not for every game like the Wii U. It's just a shame that if anyone wants to do it, they have to purchase a PS3 and a Vita or one or the other depending on which you own. I'm just happy that I have a PS3 for my PS3 games and will get a Vita for Vita games, not for this. Sony should already know that implementing these features is cool, but will not make people run out and get a Vita or PS3, making Vita and PS3 games will make people get both.

[DivineAssault]

PS3 & PSV dont need to compete with the wii u.. Theres nothing wii u has that vita n ps3 has to bother with.. If they want to enhance gameplay with certain multiplat games, its obviously possible.. Look at all the upcoming games for the next yr.. Is there anything PS owners want that wii u is getting? Bayonetta 2 is possible but who knows how thats even gonna turn out?

I love how a so called NX GEN console is being compared to the 6yr old PS3 lol.. Just wait til PS4 comes around.. Then we will see what everyone says.. Sony doesnt see the wii u as any type of threat.. They didnt even drop the price of PS3 cuz they know the software available on it is overkill in comparison.. Nx yr when wii u puts out better games, they can price drop & prepare to finish em off w PS4.. Then these articles will get even funnier..

[Neonridr]

yes wait till Sony can actually generate money as a company. Then the PS4 will come steamrolling down the way. A $1000 monstrosity that everyone is going to bow down in front of. Give me a break. First off, the PS4 is still at least 2 years away. Sony isn't rushing into anything, not with their financial situations. I will take a multiplat game on the Wii U running in a higher native resolution, at a faster framerate with included features utilizing the gamepad any day.

[DivineAssault]

your possibly correct on wii u versions being better until it comes but its not going the developed on as lead platform so the differences wont be huge.. matter of fact, some are worse right now.. Sony is in no trouble either guy.. 87 in the fortune 500 which nintendo isnt even on.. theyre in the top 100 richest companies in the world & the PS division brings in a lot of money.. Its the camera, PC, & tv devisions that are hurting them.. It might be 2 yrs away but who knows.. could be shown nx E3 & released that holiday season..