Shovelware is on every system really and as for Vita, just check out the PS Mobile storefront. They pop out an average of about 2 games a week and are growing steadily. It's iOS/Android quality mobile gaming software. In fact, add in minis, the back catalog of PS1 and PSP games and the Vita is a treasure trove of titles from A-Z. But they are on the digital front and cater to current owners, not potential customers.
The Vita doesn't have the younger audience presence to compete with Nintendo's handheld, not to mention the 3DS has DS backwards compatibility while Vita's is again, digital only. The Vita is a great system, every serious gamer should have one. It's software is great with plenty of 1st party support and indie devs are bombarding it right now. Some big 3rd party love is there but yeah they are slow about it, but Japan titles are just starting to shift focus from PSP to Vita and that will prime larger 3rd parties to launch games to take advantage of the increasing install base.
As for shovelware, I suppose that means casual appeal. What can a random person see on the store shelves, probably as a gift decision, that would make them buy the console. Again, Nintendo wins out. The Vita selling power depends more on consumer research and those buying for themselves. It is kind of an intimidating system compared to the easy carry clam shell 3DS. You look at a Vita and you probably think, I need some kind of case, despite scratch resistance and that everyone has an exposed screen smartphone, why can't a Vita be too?
For the Vita it is going to take big name games to attract consumers. Those who buy for themselves and those who are able to ask for one as a gift are going to need something big and identifiable like Uncharted, Assassins Creed, Call of Duty, etc. More of those is what is going to help it further. Those who buy a handheld as a gift as a result of shovelware usually don't know what they are buying and usually do so for those too young to know what is out there. Sure having that consumer power can increase the install base and push software, but it doesn't always translate to strong 3rd party software support or software tie ratios. When looking at Vita's sales statistics you have to take into account their digital presence, which was stated to be 30% of sales, and Ubisoft said their games had 15% digital and Assassins creed is the 3rd biggest selling Vita title.
As an aside, I would just like to mention how stale and fallacious the arguments of console on the go gaming and 1st party support waning are.
Before the PS3 everyone was nice to me :(
