IGN: PlayStation Vita (3G/Wi-Fi) Review

Console-quality gaming arrives on a portable, but at a cost.

[Rageanitus]

It's funny how the h8rs LOVE to downplay the vita....... they basically are two routes....

"ipod/android is the future of portable game"... yet all these games are time wasters and they are not full fledged games

"the vita is too expensive for whta it is" yet a smarphone has crappier hardware power vs a vita....

its a lose lose situaion in the h8rs mind.

[blumatt]

lol @ "but at a cost." Seems like everyone's always got to throw some sort of disclaimer or "but" statement when reviewing the Vita. haha

I don't really care too much what IGN or any other biased site thinks, or even what the unbiased sites think, because all I know is that I'll make up my own mind when I buy my own. I'll likely be giving it a test drive sometime soon at my local Gamestop.
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Who all here is getting one?? If you are, send me a message via PSN.
(PSN: blumatt) I need some Vita friends.

[Thatguy-310]

The vita needs a lot of apps to stay relavent and create a lasting appeal. It should of had access to the android market in order for it to compete with the other devices. Yes phones/tablets dont do quality gaming but they do more than one thing and thats why people like them. Sony need's to get great apps into vita. Near is great but we need Netflix, Hulu plus, YouTube, Tumblr, etc. The more variety the better. Getting this regardless next week !!! Cant Freaking wait!!

[baodeus]

exactly, looks at window phone for example. It is better than the iphone on the tech side, but is just not popular, why because of the apps.

[gaden_malak]

Apps has nothing to do with why the iPhone is more popular than the Windows Phone.

[xPhearR3dx]

Ummm have you seen games like Order and Chaos? Its a full fledged MMO for Android/IOS. Sure there isn't many, but overtime we'll start seeing more bigger and better titles.

[moparful99]

Controls for touch phone games are atrocious.. YOu have much better control fidelity with analog sticks and physical buttons.. Regardless of hardware specs...

[xPhearR3dx]

Its called a USB controller. I never said the games or the controls were perfect. I'm saying there are full fledged titles for Android/IOS.

[moparful99]

Ok having to carry around a controller to have adequate control option for your iphone/android shows just how inferior phones are for games.. Gaming on phone is so successful because they are bite sized simpleton games that are easy to pick up, play, and walk away from and they are super cheap... Full fledged games are better suited on a dedicated handheld end of disscussion

[Spinal]

You guys just don't realize a smartphone is a PHONE. the vita is NOT A PHONE. This is why Smartphones can sell at £500 minus a contract or free on contract for £40 per month which includes my free calls to other t-mob and 900mins to other networks, unlimited internet and 600 txts on my iPhone 4s.

>>>>>The Vita/3DS have a problem they don;t allow you to insert your mobile sim card and recieve calls and make calls THIS IS THE PROBLEM<<<

And don't mention Skype its NOT THE SAME THING AS MOBILE PHONE CALLS.

This is why a Smartphone can have worse hardware but have a higher price cause its simply does what the Vita/3ds Cannot do. Yet. Hopefully one day Sony/Nintendo will make a Phone/Portable Console (better than the Xperia Play)

[Ilovetheps5]

I want the Vita but I can't afford it at the moment. I bought a 3DS at launch but now that I am in college I can't afford it. Whenever I get more money I will definitely buy one. It looks awesome and the hardware is amazing.

[admiralthrawn87]

uh oh. internet wide alert, sony fanboys are raging.

other than that, fair score. the idea of the vita is a little too late. you can bitch all you want but it's true, this is going to suffer due to the iphone/android/ipad

3ds will do good because it differentiates itself from a console. i just can't see many people other than sony defense buying this. i'm not buying either handheld so my opinions are objective

[Dakidog]

You do have 2 bubbles for a reason, don't act like you're not a fanboy...man up and just deal with it.

On Topic

I'll be buying a Vita wifi model because AT&T is useless and data plans are just plain ridiculous now a days. It's fair to criticize the Vita(as it is not perfect)on the 3G battery consumption, but I hope they did the same for the 3DS wifi because I always find myself turning it off to conserve battery life.

[UltimateIdiot911]

Just because you're not buying either it doesn't make your opinions objective.

I have the 3DS. I have a high end smartphone. I have tried and already preorder the 3G Vita. If anything, I say my opinion is more objective than yours as I actually own/tried all that is being compared.

1) The Vita is not too little too late. It has an extremely beautiful screen, the colors are vibrant. The touch screen is extremely responsive, the touch pad on the back is great. The controls/buttons are solid. Name me one phone that or system besides the PSVita that is using a back side multitouch pad and a front touchscreen together.
2) It has sixaxis motion. It doesn't need 3D because 3D just doesn't add much to gameplay nor does it work well with motion control.
3) The prices on the PSN/SEN network are far more fair and reasonable than the 3DS. I want to buy something from Nintendo eShop but the prices are just ridiculously high.
4) Any gamer more than casual will appreciate buttons far more than tap and flick on smartphones/tablets. Trying to play GTA 3 on my andriod is an incredibly annoying experience especially when you need to pull off quick and more precise moves.
5) The PSVita is clearly not going after the casual market right this moment, they are later. As a more than casual gamer, I appreciate that because there is the understanding that the PSVita is meant for gamers who wants to game.

[thedude44]

you see me raging? im thrilled! 8.5 is great! :)

[moparful99]

Your opinion is far from subjective. You state that the idea of the vita is too late and the 3ds will do well because it differentiates itself from a console?

Give me a break, you obviously have an agenda and you are trying to hide behind the veil of a non bias perspective... The 3ds is a Ds with 3d which does very little to be unique yet you bash the vita because smartphones have touch screen gaming? Your words are rife with contradictions..

Just because something else has touch screen doesnt make it oudated... How many other handheld gaming devices have the software support of the vita with the specs and not only a multi touch 5" oled screen but a rear touch panel that seemlessly integrates touch controls with buttons and dual analog sticks?

If thats not enough to warrant respect then I question your gaming clout...

[christheredhead]

The score is great and the Vita looks awesome. People will complain no matter what, even if it scored an 11 out of 10.

[gamingisnotacrime]

Ign always trying to be all cool giving below 9 to what is arguably the biggest breakthrough in portable gaming. So glad I'm getting mine this Wednesday so that ign articles can't tell me what the vita is, but I will know first hand
Cheers

[GamersRulz]

every time I remember E3 Vita price reaction...I scratch my head in disbelieve.
The same people who praise Sony's pricing at E3 are bashing them now for the same thing!
How does it even work?

Vita price is great for what it is, hell the iphone 4S cost 750-$850 and nobody complain!

[Virtual_Reality]

''ipod/android is the future of portable game''

How is that?

This devices can bring every feature for gaming as PS Vita does?

[miDnIghtEr20C_SfF]

Let me save everyone some time here... Everyone on N4G knows that the Sony fans do not believe in, or listen to anything IGN related.

So this really solid score of an 8.5, needs to be thrown away and burned. It means nothing to the masses here.

[C_Menz]

Replace the Sony on the Vita with Apple(spray paint it white too) and the Vita would sell like hotcakes and be called the next great thing in the world of gaming.

I plan on getting one eventually, not in the first year though. Oddly enough a lot of the people I work with(they all came from Mexico) own PSPs and play it everyday against each other on FIFA and are excited for the Vita.

[thedude44]

sweet, an 8.5 is really good.