Review-Sony Playstation Vita (PS Vita): The Best in Handheld Gaming?
HARDWARE FEATURES
Screen: Eye-pleasing Super AMOLED
Sony made the right decision to use the Super AMOLEDfrom Samsung, the Korean manufacturer known for its impressive display technologies. With its 5 inch (960×544), PS Vita displays vibrant, contrasty graphics that simply wows anyone who tries this console for the first time.
The AMOLED screen on PS Vita is based on the IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology that provides players with excellent view of the action on display, no matter the angle from which you look at the screen.
Controls: Dual Analog + Touch Screen + Touch Pad = Perfect!
Sony’s first handheld console –that is, the PSP- was only equipped with a single analog stick, and in some cases this proves to be limiting the functionality of the device, particularly in 3D games that require players to control movement in multiple axis. The company did their homework and the PS Vita comes standard with not one, but two analog sticks. Navigating through your games is now as easy as it is on living room consoles. The standard D-pad buttons are also present, along with the start-select pair, the R+L action triggers, and the PS Home buttons that calls the console’s main menu when pressed. All these buttons feel quite responsive and comfortable to use.
PS Vita’s control mechanism is made even more sophisticated with the inclusion of input capability on its impressive, 5-inch AMOLED display. Yes, just like your iPhone or Android smartphone, this little gaming console has a capacitive touch-screen. You can sweep your fingers, use two fingers to zoom in and out, or touch two different sides of the screen to trigger a particular function. The touch screen also opens up new possibilities for game developers, allowing them to infuse a greater degree of interactivity to their games.
PS Vita’s entire backside doubles as a touchpad, so you can also use this part of the console to control your games. It has good sensitivity when used to navigate menus, but has yet to show its true potential in this regard. Some exclusive games like Uncharted – Golden Abyss already made use of this extra feature to provide players with a unique, alternative control method.
This little handheld console is also armed with other features commonly found in mobile communication devices of today, such as gyroscope and accelerometer. Both this functions can be used in games that support them, in a way reminiscent of the SIXAXIS PS3 controller that can also be moved, tilted, or rotated to control games.
Camera: Not for Taking Photos
To further enhance PS Vita’s multimedia prowess, Sony equips this handheld console with two cameras, one on the front, and the other on its back. Each of these is only capable of capturing VGA (640×480) images, which makes them barely suitable for taking decent snapshots. They also lack the other essential features such as auto-focus and low-light sensitivity. Even cameras phones from years ago could do better. Then what’s the point of having these on the PS Vita?
It turned out that PS Vita’s cameras are there to support none other than its gaming functions. In this case, the cameras are used in games based on the AR (Augmented Reality) technology, which turns the world around you into the game itself. The cameras’ role is to provide players with video feeds of their surrounding, which will be used as subject of interaction in the game.
NGV: UMD Replacement
Say goodbye to game discs! Unlike its predecessor, the PSP, which relied on UMD media to store its games, PS Vita uses a new storage in the form of a media card called NGV. What’s with the transition from optical to flash memory-based media? It’s no secret that media cards have faster data transfer rates compared to optical medias. With its graphically intensive games, PS Vita obviously needs all the extra speed. Aside from that, the NGV media card also gives game developer more flexibility in designing their games by freeing them from the file size constraint that applies to optical media. To play the games, simply insert the NGV to its appropriate slot on the PS Vita and you’re good to go!
Just like PS3 and PSP games in general, every NGV title comes standard inside a package box, accompanied by a small manual booklet. Despite its smaller physical size, the price you need to pay for a PS Vita game is roughly similar to that of a PS3 blu-ray disc. New games will cost you anywhere between US$ 45-70, depending on the popularity of the game’s franchise.
Memory Card: Alike, yet Different
Memory card has to be on our top list when it comes to console accessories. It’s vital for every console, and even more so for the PS Vita. Without having one inserted on this handheld console, some games will not even load. The memory on PS Vita also serves as a small “journal” that keeps track of your every gaming activity through your Playstation Network account.
Although it might look similar to other memory cards currently on the market today, PS Vita’s memory card is based on a special design from Sony. It can only be used on the PS Vita. Likewise, the new console cannot use any memory card other than this one. The price can be quite expensive when you compare it to others of its kind (memory cards that is). A 16 GB card will set you back around US$ 65, while the 32 GB version sells for more than US$ 85. Those who buy the PS Vita ASIA Value Pack will find a 4 GB memory card as part of the bundle.
Cradle: An Enticing Extra
From all the PS Vita accessories sold separately, the cradle is perhaps the most interesting. The cradle holds up your console by some degrees up, allowing you to see what’s on the screen without having to actually hold it in your hands. What’s more important, the cradle is also equipped with a charger port and audio output connectors to make the most of your PS Vita while it’s sitting on the desk. What’s not to like then? Well, the cradle might get in your way when playing games that requires accelerometer or gyroscope functionality, but then you could simply use your hands. This cradle is available for around US$ 20.
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