Time to Purchase a PS Vita?

[mmbe]

Gamestop has new PS Vitas on sale for $169.99. Is now the time to buy one?

[Punisher5.0]

I'm a big Vita fan. It's pretty much everything I want in a handheld. I have both versions and I prefer the older one with the OLED screen. The screen looks much better than the LCD. The older one also feels higher quality in your hands. Having said that though the slim one definitely feels much lighter and thinner. Can't go wrong with either but I think the older one is better.

 

It's a great time to get into the Vita. You can get games on ebay and amazon for super cheap right now. I've got several of them for $10 or less.

[cimerians]

I kind of like the older screen too but the newer model is lighter and still looks great.

 

You'll get gouged on the memory card but that pricetag is ok.

 

TxK is a must buy and these

[Blazing Lazers]

It certainly is time to be buying Vita. Get the OLED model while you still can. It's worth it just for TxK!

[leods]

I got a second vita this week, and a second PS tv. I'm also grabbing games. I don't think they're going up in Price that much soon, but with how Little it sold I'm just afraid it might get kinda hard to put your Hands on one for a good Price later on. The one I got was used though, for €100.

 

Got Soul sacrifice and Teraway also now.

[xenomorpher]

That Earth Defense Force game for the system is one of the best in the series in my opinion. Killzone Mercenary controls great and multiplayer is a blast. The Silent Hill game for it isn't a good Silent Hill game, but it's fun as a dungeon crawler. Also original Playstation games control much better than they did on the PSP. I have the OLED model, so I can't say how the newer model stacks up. I say get one and if you have a PS4, remote play is a nice bonus.

Edited February 11, 2016 by xenomorpher

[MotoRacer]

It depends on if you like the library. The Vita is very polarizing. It's a love it or hate it system, through and through.

 

Secondly, I'll just say this. The joysticks are flat out terrible. They're so small, that when you use them it's pretty much all or nothing. It's very hard to go half way. On games like Wipeout where precise steering is needed, or games like EDF where you're trying to aim in third person, it can be VERY frustrating.

 

That being said, if you can either get used to it, or just accept it as a fault of the system, the library is great and there is no competition from THIS generation. What I mean by that is, you just don't see these types of Japan focused-libraries anymore. You did all the time in the 80's and especially the 90's and early 2000's. But not today. Not even from Nintendo.

 

For that alone, for the games alone, I'd recommend one. That being said, the system itself is NOT comfortable. The joysticks are NOT precise. The system is just too flat and curved and rounded for its own good. While a 2D/3DS isn't comfortable, it feels firm in your hands, and the controls feel good, well placed, and precise. Forbid you ever put joystick extensions on your joysticks to alleviate the joystick issue, you'll have a very hard time using the X and Square buttons. It's compact, but too compact for it's own good. Don't even GET me started with memory card prices. Even today, as the Vita sinks, you'll spend 79 bucks on decent sized card.

 

Again, library... very good. Perfect? No, it could use a lot more games in certain genres, but that's due to the fact most publishers and devs have jumped ship. I'd love more racing games. I'd love more sports games. I'd love more games like Katamari... funky games put out by bit budget publishers. That being said, for the first year or two of titles alone, the system is a huge amount of fun with many, many titles to offer. Recent offerings are MUCH more polarizing. A lot of JRPGs, and anime/hentai type titles pushing the system. If you like those, awesome. If not, I'd stay clear.

 

I've met people who like the Jaguar. Despite the controller made by Satan, and the games being just... just.. terrible. Any system can be "good" for anyone, just depends if the library excites you. Just be aware of the limitations and complications of the hardware itself.

[mmbe]

Thanks everyone for your advice and suggestions. It's still a tough call. I now the minute I buy one, the following week it will receive a drastic price drop. Maybe if I hadn't recently purchased a PS3 I would be more willing to take the plunge. The sale at Gamestop goes until 2/16/16 so I have some time to think.

[leods]

The joysticks are flat out terrible. They're so small, that when you use them it's pretty much all or nothing. It's very hard to go half way.

 

Japan focused-libraries

 

the system itself is NOT comfortable. The joysticks are NOT precise. The system is just too flat and curved and rounded for its own good.

 

Don't even GET me started with memory card prices.

 

Recent offerings are MUCH more polarizing. A lot of JRPGs, and anime/hentai type titles pushing the system. If you like those, awesome. If not, I'd stay clear.

 

Really good post. I just want to add some Points. I completely agree with the whole sticks Thing. They're horrible for precise analogue movement, but for Actions games where all that matters is what direction you're pointing at they're actually great. For games like Monster hunter or so. Also the d-pad is one of my favorites of all time, it's a bit clicky but not too much, very precise and responsive. The shoulder Buttons are not very good. They work, but you have to get used to.

 

The ergonomics are somehow surprisingly bad. As MotoRacer said, the system's rounded shape makes it so that it just doesn't want to stay in your Hands. I bought one of those grip accessories, and it's light and day. They really should have made this System more comfortable to hold.

 

I have a model 1000, the Screen is amazing. I have a 2000 in the mail comming, I can post about differences when it arrives.

 

Overall I say getting games in cartridges is the way to go. You don't have to get a big expensive Memory Card, and you can also get a PS TV on the cheap and Play many of the games on a TV.

 

Overall it's an amazing System if it fits your Needs. Most People I know who have one just don't Play it though. Probably because either the library doesn#t interest them, or they can Play most games on a PS3, PS4 or PSP... Specially now that games like Teraway and Gravity Rush are on the PS4.

 

You also have to consider that in the west this System is dead. It's over.

[dj_convoy]

I like mine a lot.

 

I don't know if I'd recommend it if you're not a big PSN dork. If you are and you have a lot of digital games, I think the Vita is an amazing value. I have two 16 gig cards full to bursting with old PS1 games, PSP games and various whatnots.

 

The system is not particularly comfortable to hold, as has been noted.

[omegadot]

I like mine a lot.

 

I don't know if I'd recommend it if you're not a big PSN dork. If you are and you have a lot of digital games, I think the Vita is an amazing value. I have two 16 gig cards full to bursting with old PS1 games, PSP games and various whatnots.

 

The system is not particularly comfortable to hold, as has been noted.

 

This is how I feel. I really like my Vita but I'd hesitate to recommend it. Holding it hasn't been an issue for me but the speaker placement stands out as odd to me. My thumbs tend to cover them when I hold it comfortably. Regarding value, those cards are only worth it if you get a bunch of fairly cheap games in my opinion. What another odd decision.

 

All that said, I really enjoy playing me some JRPGs on it and the battery life (as it my other Sony devices) is great. Sony has a battery company so I think they make all the batteries in these things and I've always been impressed.

[Flojomojo]

Depends on what you like. I think the time to get a Vita was at launch, when it's best days were still ahead of it, and when you could snag several free games a month on PS+. We are unlikely to see many big budget Vita games in the future, but that doesn't take away the large Vita (and compatible PSP and PSOne) library. It's also very nice for remote play of PS4 games.

 

I have a 64GB card from Japan in mine and wish it could take larger memory devices to hold everything. If you're just starting out, a 32GB card shouldn't be too small. I would certainly get a Vita, it's sexy and fun.

[MotoRacer]

(and compatible PSP and PSOne) library.

 

I thought the PSP library was taken off the PSN?

[leods]

 

I thought the PSP library was taken off the PSN?

The PSP store is down. You can't buy stuff with a PSP anymore. The compatible PS1 and PSP games are still up for you to download with the vita.

Edited February 14, 2016 by leods

[Atariboy]

When was the PSP store removed?

 

I remember that they took down the ability to buy directly from a PSP about a year and a half ago, but the other methods continued to work to transfer your downloads to the system (Which is how it all started; Direct store access didn't come about for several years).

 

Have never heard of it being shut down and don't believe that it's accurate.

Edited February 14, 2016 by Atariboy

[Punisher5.0]

Does anyone know if you can still play Gran Turismo for the PSP on the Vita? I can see it in the store but it doesn't say can play it with the Vita. I've heard that you can transfer it to the Vita from a PS3 but don't know if you still can.

[Flojomojo]

You can still buy PSP games, just not directly from a PSP system. Use the store.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com site, a PS3, or a Vita. You can download them from your Download List on the PSP once purchased, or transfer via a PS3.

 

If a PSP title appears in the Vita store, it's compatible without fuss. A few titles can be transferred via PS3. I like this list as a guide on what does and doesn't transfer. https://www.cheapassgamer.com/topic/281768-complete-list-of-pspminispsone-games-playable-on-vita/page-1

[Punisher5.0]

Thanks for the link. I took a look and it says that GT will not work at this time. I know it did at one point though

[MotoRacer]

Well, if you want one, I'll have a red and black value pack edition for sale with a bunch of boxed games soon on the market place store. Wasn't for me. I liked the games, but I just think they're going after a different gamer :/

[onmode-ky]

The PSP store is down. You can't buy stuff with a PSP anymore.

I remember that they took down the ability to buy directly from a PSP about a year and a half ago

You can still buy PSP games, just not directly from a PSP system.

I know there were reports in the media a while back about PSP direct access to the PS Store getting closed, but I think it may have only been about Europe (the sole region in which the WiFi-incapable PSP-E1000 model was released). As of a few minutes ago, I was able to log into the North American PS Store on my PSP-2000, browse around, add things to my shopping cart, and start the checkout process. Since there was nothing I wanted to buy, I didn't actually complete checkout, but I saw nothing to indicate it couldn't work.

 

Also, this past September, I successfully logged into both the Asia- and Japan-region PS Stores from my PSP-2000 (that was the most recent time I switched my PSP's PSN account). I have no European PSN account to try, but all of PlayStation's other regions still had PS Store access directly from the PSP at least as of September.

 

It's worth noting, though, that the (North American) PS Store as viewed from the PSP doesn't actually display all PSP-compatible titles. For example, the old PSP port of Breath of Fire III was recently added to the North American PS Store, but while it shows up in the PSV's view of the PS Store, it's not in the PSP's view (despite the fact that the Web version of the PS Store claims the game is compatible with both PSP and PSV). Also, several of the most recent PS1 Classics additions to the PS Store don't appear in the PSP's view; e.g., of the Namco Museum releases whose covers spell out "NAMCO," only 'C' and 'O' show up in the PSP's PS Store. Must be due to some metadata errors/oversights in the catalog entries. Recent major additions Summon Night 5 and The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, at least, do show up if you shop from your PSP, as does the most recently developed non-Japanese PSP game, the Minis release Angus hates Aliens.

 

Anyway, back on topic, yes, I think the PSV is a worthy purchase! And I have no issues with its ergonomics myself. Fits my hands very well. I do accidentally cover up the speakers with my thumbs sometimes, though.

 

onmode-ky

[Reaperman]

I had a great couple weeks in a crummy barracks room with just my playstation tv to keep me warm. It came as a full package with two games (sly cooper and lego:themovie:thegame) for $42, and persona 4 golden added just another $20. Good combo. I don't think gaming has a bigger bargain than either of those on going right now. The price I was looking at paying for a ps3 controller practically covered the whole vita package.

 

Is it the best system ever? No. It's not even close to the top half.

But there is fun to be had, and this is the time to get in on it.

[goldenegg]

The PS Vita frustrates me so much. It should have been a great system, but Sony made so many mistakes with it.

 

With that said, there are very good games on it. Most of those great games are not exclusives, but are still worthwhile to get if you want portable versions of those titles.

[leods]

I got My vita Slim yesterday, and I have to say it's nicer to hold than the original. It's edve has a different shape that doesn't want to slip as much.

 

The Screen is actually fine, but I didin't compare it side by side.

 

Overall It's a nice Iteration.

[adamchevy]

I like my vita. Its the only handheld that supports disney infinity, and I love me some infinity. I also am a huge jrpg fan and it surely doesn't disappoint. Persona 4 golden is an awesome game!

Edited May 14, 2016 by adamchevy

[TheObscureGamer]

Why the hell haven't you gotten it sooner Had mince since 2013 and It's one of my favorite handhelds after the GameGear and Gameboy line