PS Vita, Impressions!

[leo8877]

1Up saying it looks like digital download games will only be 10% less than physical games.

http://www.1up.com/news/rumored-discount-vita-digital-games

OUT!

I assumed I'd be OUT! anyway unless we were looking at a 50% discount.

Being unable to trade in old games or loan them out isn't worth $3.

Yeah gimmie a break 10%?  No thanks.  I'd buy card based too.

[EddieA]

Any savings on the digital versions will be offset by the high memory card prices.

[Ridah]

$5 off each game isn't that bad, besides you won't have to carry the carts around. I ordered a 16GB card so I think that will handle my storage needs. I don't imagine I'll have more than 3-4 games installed at once.

[TiLT]

I don't care about the discounts on PSN downloads as it'll all be more expensive than buying on places like Play.com anyway (at least for someone living in Norway. The exchange rates are crazy these days). What I care about is being able to store the game on my Vita so I don't have to drag my games around physically. That's worth quite a bit to me. The price difference won't really ruin me anyway, considering the small list of games I'm planning on buying.

Speaking of which, the launch titles I'm considering getting are Uncharted (already ordered), Dungeon Hunter: Alliance and Super Stardust Delta.

[Azhag]

Is it just me or is even a large card not going to last long? Even PSP games were a couple gigs, weren't they?

[TiLT]

Is it just me or is even a large card not going to last long? Even PSP games were a couple gigs, weren't they?

I've been thinking the same thing, but I guess it depends on the game. Also, if this works the same as the PSP you can download your games on a PS3 (if you have one) and store them there, then transfer and install them via wifi when you want to play them.

[skystride]

I think I just preordered the basic Vita (no memory cards?).  Does that mean I won't even be able to save games until I get a memory card?

[The Grue]

1Up saying it looks like digital download games will only be 10% less than physical games.

http://www.1up.com/news/rumored-discount-vita-digital-games

OUT!

I assumed I'd be OUT! anyway unless we were looking at a 50% discount.

Being unable to trade in old games or loan them out isn't worth $3.

The way I am going to handle this is that I will buy physical media for games that I can beat, like Uncharted.  If it's something like Hot Shots Golf or UMvC3, I will buy digital since I will be keeping it.

That being said, I can't wait for the day that these guys figure out how to properly do an digital only model.  Most people are going to be like you in that 10% isn't enough to justify that they can't trade it back in.  If you make the price attractive enough, people will take digital even if it means they can't resell and the publishers can take money away from the used games market.  The problem is they want their cake and eat it, too, because they want the retailers to not be offended that they sell digital for cheaper so that they will continue to carry new copies, but don't want them to make money off of used.

[TiLT]

I think I just preordered the basic Vita (no memory cards?).  Does that mean I won't even be able to save games until I get a memory card?

I believe the Vita comes with a basic memory card in the package. Either 2 or 4 GB, I suppose.

[The Grue]

I think I just preordered the basic Vita (no memory cards?).  Does that mean I won't even be able to save games until I get a memory card?

I believe the Vita comes with a basic memory card in the package. Either 2 or 4 GB, I suppose.

The 3G version comes with an 8G card, which was a recent announcement.  The WiFi comes with nothing.  I think the games can be saved directly to the game cart, just like they could on a DS.  That being said, it is possible for some games to not be able to save the the cart, like Uncharted.  So, it basically will depend on the game and I imagine they will have it marked on the box if it requires a memory card to play.

Edit - I should mention that the 8G card bundled with the 3G Vita is a U.S. thing.  Not sure if that applies to other countries.

[Hetz]

I got to play around with the Vita yesterday at Best Buy as one of the workers had it hanging around his neck and asked if I wanted to try it. I came away seriously impressed with it and especially the screen! The screen is HUGE and incredible looking. Much bigger than I was thinking it would be. All I got to play around with was the interface and a little bit of Little Deviants...but it left me wanting more! Only two weeks to go!  

Oh and yeah, 10% is pretty weak for a discount....but it's better than the ZERO% discount that is standard with digital games right now on Xbox Live or PSN.

[Hetz]

The launch lineup is... surprisingly good   I'm not sure what games to buy first!

Yeah, the launch lineup is what has sold me on the Vita. It is seriously impressive. I'll be getting: Uncharted, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom, Super Star Dust Delta (PSN) and Modnation Racers for sure. I'll also be getting Mortal Kombat as well when it is out.

[Devil]

Edit - I should mention that the 8G card bundled with the 3G Vita is a U.S. thing.  Not sure if that applies to other countries.

Wait - I thought the First Edition Bundle only came with a 4G?

[EngineNo9]

I stopped at my local Best Buy today to try out a Vita, but was bummed to see that they didn't have a demo station despite having fake Vita boxes piled in a couple locations. 

[The Grue]

Edit - I should mention that the 8G card bundled with the 3G Vita is a U.S. thing.  Not sure if that applies to other countries.

Wait - I thought the First Edition Bundle only came with a 4G?

First Edition Bundle comes with 4G card.  The 3G-enabled Vita that you can get starting on the 22nd comes packed with an 8G card in it.  Pissed off a lot of people when Sony announced that last week.

[Crusis]

After trying one at Best Buy this past weekend and giving it a few days of thought, I went ahead and pre-ordered one from Amazon. Not sure about launch titles but it sounds like Uncharted is pretty much mandatory. Is there a Disgaea game at launch? It thought I saw April as the date. I'd be all over that!

[msduncan]

There seems to be a good amount of interest in the US.    I think this system will launch better here than in Japan, and be more successful than the PSP initially was.

That being said, all you newcomers beware:

1.   Wifi doesn't have any of the extras, and no memory card
2.  3G launch bundle has a free 250mb time card for 3G service, a PSN game, and an 8GB memory card bundled in for only $50 more than the wifi version
3.  First Edition Bundle is the 3G version of the system, with the 3G service time card mentioned above, the PSN game, Little Deviants cartridge game, a case, and a 4 GB memory card for $350.    First Edition launches 1 week early so you get it on the 15th.

[Azhag]

Everything I see makes it look like retail games will range from 2GB cards up to 4+GB cards. Of course sony can reduce the price online by 10% if I have to buy $25 memory card for every game or two... If I pick one up I'll be doing retail except for psn titles...

[Devil]

Got to play with one today and am more impressed than I thought I'd be.

The unit itself is lighter than I thought, but it's nice and big. Finally a handheld that might actually fit in my hands!!

Played some of the Little Deviants demo and while it looked and played well, one thing that concerned me was the load times. Seemed a bit longer than I'd expect from a memory card. Maybe it was just that game/instance, but something I wonder about moving forward.

Other than that one thing, I really liked what I saw and can't wait for the 15th!

[msduncan]

I thought long load times was a proprietary feature of Sony dating back to the PS2? 

[Ridah]

You guys know the non-first editions comes out on the 22nd right? 

[msduncan]

You guys know the non-first editions comes out on the 22nd right? 

Yep.   A full 7 days late. 

Actually the damn bundle used to be a good deal with the memory card bundled, but now that they added the 8GB card to the launch day bundle the First Edition isn't worth nearly as much to me.   Strongly considering cancelling and waiting the extra 7 days to get the 8GB memory card.

[skystride]

I have no idea what the Canadian first edition is, I have a feeling we only get the Wifi version.  But it looked like a good deal so I preordered (the flyer didn't mention if it came with wifi/3g/memory card etc.).  I get Uncharted for free with the bundle though.

[Hetz]

There seems to be a good amount of interest in the US.    I think this system will launch better here than in Japan, and be more successful than the PSP initially was.

Yes, there does seem to be much more interest for the Vita in the USA than in Japan.....which makes me question their whole thinking of releasing first in Japan. They missed the Christmas season here which would have been huge for them. I would have released first in the USA, then Japan and Europe now.

[skystride]

I preordered this against my better judgement.  Hopefully it won't end up collecting dust like my PSP.  I hope they make some good RPG/SRPGs for it.

Disgaeaeaaeea 3?

I thought you were speculating, didn't know that this is actually coming out soon.  Totally IN for it.

[msduncan]

I just got my hands on a demo unit and it is amazing.  Virtua Tennis looked like I was watching an HD television broadcast.

[Ridah]

I stepped into a GameStop today excited to play the Vita... It wasn't working  I asked the dumbass employees what was wrong with it and got a Beavis and Butthead reaction that it had been dropped a few times.

On the bright side, I asked them how pre-orders were and they said they had a bunch. I really hope it does well for Sony, it will be a sad day if dedicated handhelds go away and all we're stuck with is shitty touchscreen phone games.

[msduncan]

I went to Gamestop to preorder Uncharted, which I did.

However, I tried out the Vita and the following demos:

- Uncharted
- Wipeout
- FIFA
- Virtua Tennis

I purposely did NOT try the following because one is not a launch title and the other I'm already getting with the First Edition bundle:

- Gravity Daze
- Little Deviants


So here is my conflict: I want SEVERAL of these things on day one, but I have limited money. Wipeout surprised me the most. The graphics in person are far and beyond what you see on youtube videos. This thing is spectacular. Tennis looks like you are watching a live Tennis match -- no joke. I'm going to eliminate FIFA because I don't like soccer and would lose interest quickly I think.

So I got to thinking -- everyone and their brother is going to order Uncharted for this thing on launch day. There will be an absolute FLOOD of them on ebay in the coming weeks as people beat the game and sell it to make money for new titles. So all of this has made me conflicted about which launch title to get. I'm STRONGLY considering going back down to Gamestop and switching my launch day preorder over to Wipeout. I plan to pick up Tennis or Rayman a few days after my Vita arrives with my Best Buy gift card from Christmas.

However, I can't help but think the sheer number of Uncharted preorders are going to result in a quick price drop on ebay in the coming month or so. Thoughts?

[Ridah]

I think you're right about Uncharted, I can see used copies going for a 30-40% below retail price within a month or so. There's no way I'm paying $50 for Vita games.

The only title I have pre-ordered right now is Rayman Origins. As much as I think Wipeout looks cool, I'm not sure whether it'll prove to be a good game or not, so I would rather just mess around with the demo for a week and move on. I'm also not a big fan of racing games, so make of that what you will.

Here's a link to Amazon's list of Vita games.

[skystride]

How does FIFA look?  Is it comparable to the awesome FIFA games we get on consoles?

[msduncan]

How does FIFA look?  Is it comparable to the awesome FIFA games we get on consoles?

Pretty damned close from what I could tell.

[Devil]

I completely agree with you guys on Uncharted. It's probably awesome and I can't wait to play it, but at $50, I'll wait for a sale/price drop.

I'm down to Rayman and Hot Shots right now, with one more to be named later.

I figure you guys will let me know what I should get!

15th can't come soon enough!

[msduncan]

Yep, after talking this out with you guys I'm going to go change my Uncharted reservation to something else.    Almost 100% of the people I talk to are going to get it with their Vita.    That equals to a gigantic ass price drop when people beat it and dump it.

Therefore, I'm shifting to either Virtua Tennis or Wipeout.    I'll get Rayman later.    I can't pay 40 for Rayman on the portable when you can get it for 20 on the PS3.

[Devil]

Good point on Rayman too!

Is tennis out at launch?

[msduncan]

Yep.  Launch title.   Go give it a whirl on the demo vitas.   It looks fantastic.

[Devil]

Hmmmm...

Enticing, but I'm not sure I want to do tennis AND golf in one day...

I'd buy TWO Vitas if they released NHL '12 at launch...or ever.

[msduncan]

Hmmmm...

Enticing, but I'm not sure I want to do tennis AND golf in one day...

I'd buy TWO Vitas if they released NHL '12 at launch...or ever.

Have you actually gone to a Gamestop and played the demos on the vita?   They have both the golf and the Tennis games (among others).    I was surprised how much some of these titles changed my thinking on what I was going to purchase.    Tennis and Wipeout weren't even on my radar screen two weeks ago.

[CeeKay]

On the bright side, I asked them how pre-orders were and they said they had a bunch.

don't they always say that though, hoping to frighten you into pre-ordering? 'you'd better pre-order Modern Warfare 3, cause we might sell out!' 

so, what's in the pipeline for RPG's on the Vita?  looking at that Amazon list there seems to be a lack of them, and if anything would be a system seller to me it'd be an RPG or three.

[EddieA]

so, what's in the pipeline for RPG's on the Vita?  looking at that Amazon list there seems to be a lack of them, and if anything would be a system seller to me it'd be an RPG or three.

There are the hack and slash RPGs Warrior's Lair (formerly known as Ruin) and Dungeon Hunter Alliance, Vanillaware's Dragon's Crown, and Disgaea 3, all due fairly soon.  There's also the currently Japan-only Tales of Innocence R, but I think there's a good chance Namco will bring it to the US.

[CeeKay]

so, what's in the pipeline for RPG's on the Vita?  looking at that Amazon list there seems to be a lack of them, and if anything would be a system seller to me it'd be an RPG or three.

There are the hack and slash RPGs Warrior's Lair (formerly known as Ruin) and Dungeon Hunter Alliance, Vanillaware's Dragon's Crown, and Disgaea 3, all due fairly soon.  There's also the currently Japan-only Tales of Innocence R, but I think there's a good chance Namco will bring it to the US.

thanks Eddie.  looked at those and didn't see much that warranted getting a new system.  Warriors Lair and Dungeon Hunter Alliance are going to be (or in DHA's case already is) available on systems I already have, Dragons Crown looks kinda bad and I've watched the Disgaea games being played and I just can't get into them.  I'm hoping Squeenix or some of the others have some up their sleeves that we'll hear about soon.