vita software Archives

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

Ben-Dutka February 11, 2014 Vita 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?

Sony Teases “Amazing Big Title” For Vita

Ben-Dutka May 10, 2013 Vita 20 Comments

Excellent news!

SCEE senior manager Shahid Ahmad has Tweeted a mini announcement, and it's for all you PlayStation Vita owners out there. Actually, it's also for those of you still considering a Vita purchase.

If you ask most people, the only big upcoming Vita title they're aware of is Killzone: Mercerary . But it seems we'll be able to add another to the list soon:

"Oh and there is an AMAZING big title coming to Vita. I can’t tell you anything about it, except that you are gonna be hooked for hours."

So what kind of game could hook us for hours? That's probably not a good question, though, as it's far too subjective; some might be hooked on something like Monster Hunter , while others will keep playing Gravity Rush until they're blue in the face (and that's not necessarily a bad thing). Any ideas on what the game will be? Or what type of game? Better yet, what do you want it to be? I want a great RPG, of course.

Uh…Are There Any Games Coming Out For The Vita At All?

Ben-Dutka January 3, 2013 Vita 51 Comments

All game-oriented machines require games. That's an indisputable fact and one I thought Sony fully understood.

After all, they delayed the launch of the PlayStation Vita so as to have the "biggest launch ever" for any PlayStation platform (in terms of number of available titles). And that worked out relatively well; I believe there were 25 games on the store shelves when the Vita arrived, and initial sales really weren't bad if you look at the early numbers.

But sales didn't meet expectations in 2012 and I just noticed something else: I realized our Vita Preview section was getting a little thin and in fact, only five previews had been posted in the second half of last year. At first, I was like, "Woah, I totally faded on that!" and quickly set out to rectify the situation. After all, there must be quite a few games to look at, games that really need previews because they're coming out soon. But then I went to do the research and…what the hell?

There are only a small handful of games coming out for the Vita in the first half of 2013, and most are also coming to the PS3. The only upcoming title most people even care about at this point is Killzone: Mercenary (although some remember Tearaway from the E3 presentation), and we don't have a date for that. Nor do we have much in the way of concrete information. There's just nothing on the immediate horizon. How does Sony expect to sell any Vitas with no software? That's a pretty straightforward formula in my eyes and in the eyes of most analysts. Maybe the Vita missed its chance at landing more third-party support last year…

Thing is, Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified was an absolute disaster and what should've been the cream of the crop, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation , was only "good." It wouldn't qualify as a AAA title and therefore might not move many Vitas. I guess if I were a third-party developer, I wouldn't have much faith in getting high sales for a Vita title, either. But even so, in looking at the 2013 slate, I hadn't expected it to be quite this bare. How depressing.

Vita Hype Cooling Off Fast, Big Games Necessary To Rekindle

Ben-Dutka April 19, 2012 Vita 67 Comments

As we said from the start, the PlayStation Vita is all about games. It's designed specifically for avid gamers and despite the slickness and bells and whistles, it will be the software that makes or breaks the unit.

Perhaps the best example of this is the fact that the number of headlines citing the Vita has dropped off drastically since its launch in February. New home consoles stay in the news for quite a long time after the initial launch, and throughout much of January and into February, the Vita was a common news and discussion topic in the industry. But now, despite positive reviews and a pretty great opening software lineup, the Vita has slipped off the radar.

Other things have supplanted it, such as the constant rumors surrounding the new machines from Sony and Microsoft, the Mass Effect 3 unpleasantness, and the recent announcement of God of War: Ascension . And traditionally, handhelds just aren't as popular in this country (at least, not in terms of community and forum conversation). However, I'm convinced that if big games had continued to hit the Vita over the past month, it would not only have been in the public eye more, it would've almost certainly sold more. It's a games machine , first and foremost. I can't ever stress that enough.

And therefore, it is only the software that can maintain interest. We've got Resistance: Burning Skies and Gravity Rush coming up, which should be great. Oh, that's the other caveat: It's not enough to have a lot of software; we have to get a lot of quality software. Games that are visible, that get a lot of good press, that make consumers go, "damn, that looks pretty freakin' great…I gotta get a Vita." Sony has stressed the importance of software from the very start of this unit's lifespan in the media and they need to back that up. The good news is that there are plenty of titles in development; over 100, or so we've heard.

But an expansive and top-notch library can't solidify itself fast enough…

Sony: Vita Has Biggest Launch Lineup In PlayStation History

John-Shepard December 22, 2011 Vita 13 Comments

Yeah, you gotta have the games if you want a new piece of hardware to succeed. Sony appears to have finally learned that lesson.

Sony Computer Entertainment America has announced that the PlayStation Vita will enjoy "the biggest and best launch lineup across the history of PlayStation platforms." This will include recognizable, popular franchise names and promising new IPs.

The press release says Sony's new handheld "has the full development support of the gaming industry, including SCE Worldwide Studios and all third-party publishers." All in all, this will result in no less than 25 available titles on the first day of the Vita's availability. Featured on that expansive list are the likes of Uncharted: Golden Abyss , Wipeout 2048 , Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational , ModNation Racers: Road Trip , Little Deviants , and more.

Pricing for Vita software ranges between $9.99 and $49.99; they'll be available via PS Vita game cards at retail stores or digitally via the PSN. Said SCEA president and CEO Jack Tretton:

"PlayStation Vita is the ultimate portable gaming device, offering all of the interface, controls and social connectivity that gamers have been dreaming about to deliver unsurpassed entertainment and completely new ways to play. PS Vita features the most extensive launch lineup in PlayStation's history, and there are more than 100 games in development, ensuring that PS Vita gamers will always have a steady stream of amazing titles at their fingertips."

The release finished by saying the Vita "is unmatched by any other mobile device in the market." With the 5-inch OLED mult-touch screen, rear touch pad, dual analog sticks, dual cameras, and the Sixaxis motion sensing system, it's one hell of an advanced unit. Don't forget that the Vita will also interact with compatible titles on the PlayStation 3; it's one of the most appealing features.

Yeah, February 22 isn't too far off now. Everyone ready?

Vita Software Will Be Region-Free

John-Shepard September 16, 2011 Archive 23 Comments

The PlayStation Vita has been getting a lot of press lately; it dominated a large portion of Sony's press conference at the Tokyo Game Show.

But there's one final piece of big news for the week: according to Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida's Twitter feed , software for the Vita will not be region-locked.

We don't have any further details, so we're not sure if the portable will be open via physical media or digital content (or both). If you're wondering, the PS3 and PSP are region-free when it comes to physical media; i.e., a game produced in one country can be played in another with no problem. That being said, the digital content is indeed region-locked. You're limited to the content available to the region in which you reside, which is dictated by your PSN account.

We'll have to figure out if the Vita will be open the whole way 'round but either way, it's good to know that at least physical media will be region-free. The more we hear about Sony's new handheld, the more interested we become…