Gamasutra

Ahead of PlayStation Vita's Western launch on February 22nd, many consumer outlets posted their reviews and thoughts on the new handheld today, expressing wildly varied opinions over its potential.

With the review embargo imposed on Western journalists now lifted, publications are sharing the first thorough examinations of the PS Vita that many U.S. consumers will be exposed to, as they decide whether to purchase the $249 (or the $299 3G model) system when it releases.

Several mainstream sites like Forbes are excited about the PS Vita as a "gamers gaming machine" that "reaches out to a customer base that is not being served at the moment" by other platforms like smartphones, which have stolen much of portable gaming's thunder in recent years.

Time agrees that the handheld fills a void for gamers: "Why buy a Vita in what’s quickly become a smartphone/tablet world? Because you want to play serious, console-style games (with console-style controls) on the go. That's the Vita's exclusive promise at launch, anyway."

Others like The Washington Post, however, don't believe its games are much better than mobile titles: "It is not mind-blowingly better than really killer smartphone gaming experiences, such as Electronic Arts’ Dead Space for Android and iOS, or the incredible Infinity Blade II."

Gizmodo published an especially negative review, in which it compares the system's usefulness and features to smartphones. It advises consumers to not buy the handheld, and declares, "The whole notion of the Vita feels strangely antique."

The gadget site site adds, "With both phones and laptops creeping up on the traditional turf of the computer, the Vita feels uncomfortably without a place that makes sense, falling short of either side — it's not out-phoning your phone or out-consoling your console."

Other concerns brought up by reviewers include its "obtuse interface," "ridiculously expensive" memory cards, and worries over the software lineup failing to deliver any hits after the launch and Capcom's Street Fighter X Tekken in late March.

Tech site The Verge comments, "We're not saying there are no games coming. But things are uncharacteristically murky, especially for Sony, who have made the PlayStation platform the 'Home of the Exclusive' for years now. ... The PSP demonstrated that Sony needs a steady stream of portable-friendly, platform-specific releases."

Many have blamed PS Vita's lacking catalog for the handheld's poor performance in Japan, where it launched in December. The system has struggled to match the sales of Nintendo's 3DS and oftentimes the PSP there, as many wait for must-have titles to release for PS Vita.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/40281/Reviewers_divided_on_American_version_of_PlayStation_Vita.php

can't wait for sales!

Hopefully next week will be entertaining.

"With both phones and laptops creeping up on the traditional turf of the computer, the Vita feels uncomfortably without a place that makes sense, falling short of either side — it's not out-phoning your phone or out-consoling your console."


Well the 3DS seems to be doing fine so Vita should have no problem.

People must be smoking a lot of crack to think smart phones have any good games

Exactly, though I do have my worries, I'm very confident things will work for the best.

I like the optimism, and while I am completely indifferent on Vita's success or failure, and looking at things as objectively as I can, I'm not sure I'd be so confident things will work out for the best with this handheld. I see many of the issues that hurt PSP coming back with a vengeance with Vita. Games with limited appeal for one, and also the whole idea of putting a PS2 (Sony's most successful console ever) experience in your hand didn't save the PSP from last place. And now the Vita promises PS3 (Sony's least successful console ever) like experience in your hand.

The handheld experience is different than the home console experience and consumers know and expect that. Secondly, the price of admission, the price of memory cards, the price of games, I mean this thing is expensive. And while tech heads may be wowed the regular consumer might not be.

Anything is possible, but honestly, I'm not sure things will be so rosy for Sony with their second handheld endeavor.  

I agree with everything your saying honestly, but these kind of things seem like they always happen with consoles which is why I'm on the optimistic side.

If potential consumers can be convinced that the PS Vita will have a healthy and commited supply of high quality games and complete integration with other PlayStation products, smartphones won't be a hindrance to heavy, early adoption of the PS Vita. SON¥ should make the effort to price their products more sensibly, though. Specially the memory.

There are three reasons I'd like to see Vita succeed:


1. There's a freak'n Bioshock game coming for it! This may spark my interest in Vita a bit when the time comes.

2. Competition will push Nintendo to do their best.

3. Long live dedicated handheld game systems!


Problems with reasons 1, 2 and 3:


1. There's always a chance said Bioshock game could eventually be released on a console (just like Peace Walker and GOW Origins), as I currently have no interest in buying a Vita.

2. Nintendo already has some competition in on-the-go game time with mobile devices.

3. 3DS suits me just fine and is doing great, and I really wish Sony would exit handheld gaming to prioritize with console gaming, which I think they do much better than portables.