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Why I’m Tempted To Ditch The Vita And Grab A Wii U

Ben-Dutka 33 Comments

I've had the PlayStation Vita since launch. I haven't owned a Nintendo console since the SNES. Yeah, you read that right.

There are a variety of reasons why I haven't owned a Nintendo system for a long time (there was my long-time RPG fascination, for instance) and to be quite frank, I've outgrown the brand. People can try to keep saying Nintendo caters to everyone but we all know that isn't true. They have a particular demographic in mind, and it ain't me.

That being said, I'm actually intrigued by certain Wii U titles that are currently available; I'm certain I'd have a lot of fun with Mario Kart 8 , for instance, and I wouldn't mind trying Hyrule Warriors . That may not sound like much, but it's better than my current Vita playlist…which is nonexistent right now. That wouldn't be a deal-breaker if I thought Sony would eventually deliver the AAA titles I fully expected to see. Unfortunately, they keep saying they won't be pursuing such projects in the future, so all I can expect is niche Japanese titles, downloadable games, and games I can play on other consoles.

Remote Play isn't even the smallest attraction for me, either. At the end of the day, while I doubt the Wii U would get a huge amount of play time, it'd certainly get more than zero . I haven't touched the Vita outside of reviews in 2014 and that's just wrong.

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Amazon Slashes Prices On Great Vita Games, Memory Cards

Ben-Dutka 6 Comments

If you're searching about for some great Vita deals, and you just so happen to be a JRPG fan, this is fantastic news.

As spotted by Game Idealist , online retailer Amazon has just slashed the price of three excellent titles and a couple memory cards.

The 8GB, 16GB and 32GB cards are now available at a big discount – basically half off – and the games are discounted at least 33 percent. There's Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster , Persona 4: Golden and Dragon's Crown , all of which are awesome on the Vita. There are a few more Amazon deals for Sony's handheld so make sure you take advantage. Don't forget that the games in question offer a ton of bang for your buck, a fact that cannot be overstated.

Sony says the Vita isn't going anywhere and in fact, it has just found its "niche." One should hope so.

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Latest PlayStation 2-For-1 Sale Features Some Big Titles

Ben-Dutka 9 Comments

Ooh…time to grab two great games for a very low price!

The latest PlayStation sale involves bundles of two games, many of which are for the PS3, but some are also available on the PSP and Vita.

Nearly all of the games in question feature prices that are 50 percent lower than the standard retail cost, and these aren't crappy titles. There's Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker HD for only $20, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories for $20 on Vita and PSP, and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon and Call of Juarez: Gunslinger for just $14.99.

Check out the full list of package deals:

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Sony: Vita May Have To Rely On Remote Play And Indie Titles

John-Shepard 29 Comments

This may not be the best plan, but it's probably the only route left to take.

We didn't hear much about the PlayStation Vita during Sony's E3 press conference last week. Many are starting to wonder if the handheld will survive because without AAA exclusive software, it will be difficult.

However, it seems Sony has passed on the prospect of securing AAA exclusives for the Vita, and are instead focusing on indie games and connectivity with the PlayStation 4. As Sony Worldwide Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida said in a new Polygon interview :

"When we launched the Vita with Uncharted, it was amazing; PS3-like quality in your palm, but as time moved on, you are seeing PS4 quality and people's expectations for the graphic fidelity has gone up."

Yes, as the new consoles raised the bar in terms of graphical expectations, now the Vita doesn't look quite as impressive as it once did. Therefore, Yoshida and Co. are thanking their lucky stars that the indie revolution has occurred:

"It's very fortunate that the indie boom happened and they are providing lots of great content to Vita. I think [indies are] actually the biggest star to help provide great content to Vita going forward."

When asked if this meant that Sony would make fewer first-party Vita titles, Yoshida agreed that this was correct. Now, I still say this is seriously bad news for the Vita but who knows? Perhaps Remote Play will get better with time (and more titles will support it), and the Vita really is a great little machine. Just too bad it never got enough support.

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Sony: Vita Proving To Be A “Niche” Device

Ben-Dutka 24 Comments

Right now, many would agree that the PlayStation Vita is a question mark.

Interestingly, Sony has called it a "niche device" and people who appreciate it have an "eclectic taste in games." This is what Sony UK managing director Fergal Gara told MCV in a recent interview.

He admits that smartphones and tablets have diminished the appeal of the snazzy portable, but he still maintains that the Vita offers a richer, deeper experience. He also wanted to clarify that just because he used the word "niche," that doesn't mean the Vita's audience is small:

"Vita is proving to be a big niche device. Using the term 'niche' makes it sound tiny, but it's not. The console is occupying an interesting space for interesting games built for more committed gamers. Yes the market place for it isn't as big as it might have been had smartphones not arrived, but it is still a more thorough, more complete experience.

And it is therefore appealing to people with a more eclectic taste in games. And many of these indie developers are proud to be on the platform. All of this is before we even talk about its role alongside PS4, which is clearly exciting and we seeing some good results from that."

That Remote Play functionality hasn't gone over exceedingly well with consumers, although some really like it. Perhaps as more games become available for both the PS4 and Vita, this is a feature that will rise in popularity. Gara did concede that the Vita is "lacking in upcoming AAA games made specifically for the system," and in my opinion, this is the single biggest issue facing the handheld right now.

As for it being "niche," I don't know…would we have considered the PSP "niche?"

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What’s The One Game That’d Make You Purchase A Vita?

Ben-Dutka 41 Comments

The PlayStation Vita needs some help, but you haven't bought one yet.

Maybe the price is still too high, maybe there just aren't quite enough games that catch your eye. But regardless of the primary reason, what is the one title that, despite all other reservations you may have, would compel you to pick up a Vita?

Obviously, for me, it'd be a true Final Fantasy Tactics sequel. I'm aware there's no chance of seeing such a title on consoles, but it'd be perfect for the Vita. Other old-school-style JRPGs – some of which the 3DS already has, like Fire Emblem – would be a huge addition for me as well. If not that, I'd probably leap at the opportunity to play another Uncharted , because Golden Abyss really was fantastic. I know Monster Hunter was absolutely gigantic for the PSP but I never really got into that franchise, although I bet the Japanese would be all over it.

Of course, I already have Sony's portable, so this question isn't really for me. It's for those of you who have to buy the Vita…so, what say you?

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