PS Vita Impressions! Vita Digital Purchases Beating PS3 - no NA price cuts

[TiLT]

I won't get the Vita until next week, but my preorder is looking better and better. The store I'm ordering it from has the lowest price I've seen, yet at the same time it has all these nifty bonuses (many of which are standard fare for this console, I guess). Among other things, I get a free copy of Rayman Origins, a set of earphones, and a code that lets me purchase one of Little Deviants, Super Stardust Delta, Hustle Kings or Escape Plan cheaper than usual (I'm going for Super Stardust Delta).

Really looking forward to playing with this thing. I'm a sucker for new gadgets.

[corruptrelic]

Anyone try out the web browser? Will it work on sites like youtube and pornhub? (Not that I visit pornhub or anything.)

The PSP web browser was absolute crap, all kinds of out of memory errors and forget about streaming any kind of video of any kind.

[Ridah]

Eurogamer has a really good review of the Vita and they talk about the browser, you should check that out.

[EngineNo9]

Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen also caught my eye during the stream.

This is the game that I'm really interested in as well.  It isn't as flashy as the other launch titles, but the Tenchu series has never been graphically impressive, it's all about the stealthy ninja action.

[msduncan]

Amazon.com order has SHIPPED!

[wonderpug]

Ok, wtf is a Vita Social Club?  I just noticed that there's one right by my subway stop.  It looks like... an abandoned internet cafe?  They had lounge chairs scattered around, a guy manning a counter, and the sound of wind as a tumbleweed rolled by.

I have barely been paying attention to the release hype--is there some specific feature in the Vita that will make people want to play it in a designated.. room?  I'm just totally baffled at why something like this exists and how there could possibly be a market for it.

[Ridah]

Ok, wtf is a Vita Social Club?  I just noticed that there's one right by my subway stop.  It looks like... an abandoned internet cafe?  They had lounge chairs scattered around, a guy manning a counter, and the sound of wind as a tumbleweed rolled by.

I have barely been paying attention to the release hype--is there some specific feature in the Vita that will make people want to play it in a designated.. room?  I'm just totally baffled at why something like this exists and how there could possibly be a market for it.

That's awesome... What State/area do you live in? I would hang out there.

[wonderpug]

This is in Cambridge, MA, right next to the Harmonix headquarters in Central Square.

I'll try to get a closer look tomorrow.  Today I just figured I was hallucinating.

[gellar]

Ok, wtf is a Vita Social Club?  I just noticed that there's one right by my subway stop.  It looks like... an abandoned internet cafe?  They had lounge chairs scattered around, a guy manning a counter, and the sound of wind as a tumbleweed rolled by.

I have barely been paying attention to the release hype--is there some specific feature in the Vita that will make people want to play it in a designated.. room?  I'm just totally baffled at why something like this exists and how there could possibly be a market for it.

Yeah there's one of these on Union in SF.  It's... odd.

[wonderpug]

Union Square at least seems like a place that would get some attention or traffic.  This one isn't exactly in a happening place.  Across the street is the liquor store with recycling machines that always has homeless people hanging out outside, and the creepy Wendy's where said people spend the rest of their waking hours.  Next door is the hippie food co-op where people bring their own hand-stitched hemp bags.  Neither of these demographics seem the type to buy a Vita opening day and take it to a special club.

[gellar]

Union Square at least seems like a place that would get some attention or traffic.  This one isn't exactly in a happening place.  Across the street is the liquor store with recycling machines that always has homeless people hanging out outside, and the creepy Wendy's where said people spend the rest of their waking hours.  Next door is the hippie food co-op where people bring their own hand-stitched hemp bags.  Neither of these demographics seem the type to buy a Vita opening day and take it to a special club.

Haha no... sorry I wasn't clear.  Union STREET, not Union Square.  Basically in the middle of a fairly residential neighborhood between the Marina and Cow Hollow, Union St is pretty much exclusively bars, restaurants, and boutique shops.  It's a happening place, but I don't think anyone would go there to play video games.

[Hetz]

The Vita Social Club is just a place setup by Sony where you can try out the Vita. It's not a special Vita gaming place or anything, I don't believe.

[Hetz]

Amazon.com order has SHIPPED!

Congrats!   

[msduncan]

Yeah I think the Social Clubs were places to demo or try out the vita.   

I think... 


There's also a slightly off chance that it could be a front for selling pot.

[Devil]

I'm trying not to break down and get Rayman and MvC.

 

[Hetz]

I'm trying not to break down and get Rayman and MvC.

 

The Vita launch games are up on now PSN via search. Only the Sony and Ubisoft games are discounted though.

[Devil]

That "Escape Plan" game up there yet?

That's the one that looks a little like Limbo, right?

[Hetz]

Yep, it is up as well and yes it is all in black and white, like Limbo.
$14.99

[Hetz]

Here is the full list of games that are up now for the Vita to download on PSN:

-Asphalt Injection
-BlazBlue Continuum Shift Extend
-Dungeon Hunter Alliance
-FIFA Soccer
-FIFA Soccer (Spanish)
-Escape Plan
-F1 2011
-Hot Shots Golf WI
-Little Deviants
-Lumines Electric Symphony
-Michael Jackson Experience HD
-Modnation Racers
-Rayman Origins
-Super Stardust Delta
-Ultimate MvC3
-Uncharted Golden Abyss
-Virtua Tennis 4
-Wipeout 2048

[Ridah]

Ok, wtf is a Vita Social Club?  I just noticed that there's one right by my subway stop.  It looks like... an abandoned internet cafe?  They had lounge chairs scattered around, a guy manning a counter, and the sound of wind as a tumbleweed rolled by.

I have barely been paying attention to the release hype--is there some specific feature in the Vita that will make people want to play it in a designated.. room?  I'm just totally baffled at why something like this exists and how there could possibly be a market for it.

Yeah there's one of these on Union in SF.  It's... odd.

Awesome! I work in the Embarcadero, definitely gonna check it out.

*After edit*

Just saw your follow up comment. Still good to know where one in SF is.

[Hetz]

Buy 2, Get 1 Free on Vita games at Target starting 2/19!

[Devil]

Thanks Hetz - Makes my wait easier... 4 days

[msduncan]

I've zeroed in on my launch title purchases:

1.  Virtua Tennis
2.  Rayman Origins

[msduncan]

Thanks Hetz - Makes my wait easier... 4 days

Wait a sec.... I thought you were getting the First Edition Bundle??

[msduncan]

6:43 am on Wednesday, February 15th in the Year of Our Lord 2012

My Vita is "Out for Delivery"

[Devil]

I am, but now I'll get Rayman (and 2 others) in 4 days.

$27 a game is enough of a discount to jump in on the ones I was waiting for.

[msduncan]

View from my porch while I'm waiting.     Working from home today and putting my wireless to good use:

[Devil]

Nice neighborhood!

Houses are miles apart!

Where do you live!?!

[msduncan]

Nice neighborhood!

Houses are miles apart!

Where do you live!?!

A small town near Birmingham.  You guys would faint if I told you how cheap these houses are.  We faint when we watch the realty shows and see how much houses up north and out in California cost.
Average lot size in our neighborhood is probably 1 acre.    Those across the street from me have docks on the lake.   

[skystride]

Well I picked it up from a store near work.  Now I get to stare at the box for several hours.  I got Uncharted for free and bought 32GB memory and MvC.

[Crusis]

Well I picked it up from a store near work.  Now I get to stare at the box for several hours.  I got Uncharted for free and bought 32GB memory and MvC.

How come Uncharted was free? I'm trying to hold out until the release next week but I'm scared I will see the box in a store and impulse buy that sucker. I've had the 3G version pre-ordered on Amazon for a few weeks.

Looking forward to impressions.

[msduncan]

Well I picked it up from a store near work.  Now I get to stare at the box for several hours.  I got Uncharted for free and bought 32GB memory and MvC.

How come Uncharted was free? I'm trying to hold out until the release next week but I'm scared I will see the box in a store and impulse buy that sucker. I've had the 3G version pre-ordered on Amazon for a few weeks.

Looking forward to impressions.

Other countries get Uncharted for free in some cases.    Us Imperialist United States citizens are crap and get shafted with Little Deviants.

[TiLT]

Well I picked it up from a store near work.  Now I get to stare at the box for several hours.  I got Uncharted for free and bought 32GB memory and MvC.

How come Uncharted was free? I'm trying to hold out until the release next week but I'm scared I will see the box in a store and impulse buy that sucker. I've had the 3G version pre-ordered on Amazon for a few weeks.

Looking forward to impressions.

Other countries get Uncharted for free in some cases.    Us Imperialist United States citizens are crap and get shafted with Little Deviants.

I hope you all regret that Declaration of Independence now! *shakes fist*

[Crusis]

Other countries get Uncharted for free in some cases.    Us Imperialist United States citizens are crap and get shafted with Little Deviants.

I, for one, refuse to be shafted by little deviants!

[Teggy]

You people are living la Vita loca.

[skystride]

Well I picked it up from a store near work.  Now I get to stare at the box for several hours.  I got Uncharted for free and bought 32GB memory and MvC.

How come Uncharted was free? I'm trying to hold out until the release next week but I'm scared I will see the box in a store and impulse buy that sucker. I've had the 3G version pre-ordered on Amazon for a few weeks.

Looking forward to impressions.

Other countries get Uncharted for free in some cases.    Us Imperialist United States citizens are crap and get shafted with Little Deviants.

I got Little Deviants for free as well as Uncharted!  It was a Best Buy Canada promo deal which they later changed (to just Little Deviants for free) but I was quick on the trigger.

[The Grue]

A small town near Birmingham.  You guys would faint if I told you how cheap these houses are.  We faint when we watch the realty shows and see how much houses up north and out in California cost.
Average lot size in our neighborhood is probably 1 acre.    Those across the street from me have docks on the lake.   

The downside is you have to live in Alabama.

[msduncan]

A small town near Birmingham.  You guys would faint if I told you how cheap these houses are.  We faint when we watch the realty shows and see how much houses up north and out in California cost.
Average lot size in our neighborhood is probably 1 acre.    Those across the street from me have docks on the lake.   

The downside is you have to live in Alabama.

Yeah, it's really only good if you like beautiful southern girls and winning football championships!   

[Devil]

Nice neighborhood!

Houses are miles apart!

Where do you live!?!

A small town near Birmingham.  You guys would faint if I told you how cheap these houses are.  We faint when we watch the realty shows and see how much houses up north and out in California cost.
Average lot size in our neighborhood is probably 1 acre.    Those across the street from me have docks on the lake.   

Nice!

[Hetz]

Got my Vita at Best Buy this morning. They only had enough for preroders. One desperate guy offered the store worker $300 to sell him one of the prerodered ones!  lol

Anyway, updating the system software now.