Official Playstation Vita Thread - Page 28

I see bestbuy and gamestop both have buy a vita get a game and a memory card free. Let's go Amazon... need you to match.

Amazon is doing Gravity Rush and a screen protector for free. I might finally bite.

Anyone else here just completely disinterested in Vita at this time? I keep going and forth between whether to keep or sell it.....

I bought mine to pass the time at work. Should be here tomorrow. I got one from Amazon Warehouse deals.

It's a pretty good Pinball Arcade machine.

LOL.... I don't know man. There's just a lack of 'momentum' with this thing right now, it's like it's just about existing.

Has there been any talk of a college football for Vita? Would love to be able to play my online dynasty at work.

I'm a big proponent of the Vita and even I'm bored to death with it. I think things pick up in August though (Ragnarok Odyssey, DJ Technika, Madden, Sound Shapes).

Edit: Actually RO and DJ Technika only have a "Summer" release. Could be delayed since there is not a specific date.
Edited by Mikazaru - 8/1/12 at 2:12pm

I can understand that things are a bit slow right now, but there was so many good launch games that I just don't see the need to be that concerned with the Vita right now. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and maybe I'm on an island all by myself, but I really thought that Sony had a great lineup of games for the Vita's launch window. Here are my favorite Vita games so far:


1. Hot Shots Golf - This game is just pure joy. Amazing graphics. Playability is superb. What's not to like ?

2. Fifa Soccer - This has to be one of the greatest portable sports games ever made. Seriously..... I mean, when I'm playing Fifa on the Vita, it very much feels like I have a portable PS3 in my hands. If only it supported adhoc multiplayer.

3. Rayman Origins - I honestly wasn't in love with the 360/PS3 version of this game, but I find the Vita version to be excellent.

4. Uncharted: GA - Not quite as good as it's bigger brothers on the PS3, still this portable version of Uncharted does a remarkably good job of bringing that Uncharted flavor to a portable system

5. Super Stardust Delta - Just another game showing that the Vita is a very capable piece of kit. Excellent color, sound and gameplay.

6. Mortal Kombat - I'm not a huge fighting game fan, but I'm very impressed with the portable version of this game. I think the new MK is the best MK game in a very long time, and the Vita version is just as good as the console versions. Sure, it's missing some polygons here and there, but not that big a deal.

7. Wipeout 2048 - Wipeout on the original PSP was amazing, so it's only fitting that the Vita gets an amazing version as well. This is another graphical tour de force for the Vita.

8. Virtua Tennis 4 - I haven't actually played this game yet, but I've seen videos of it in action, and have heard such amazing things about this game. I need to get my hands on a copy.

9. Tales from Space: Mutant Blobs Attack - Don't have this game yet, but have heard nothing but excellent things about it.

10. Treasures of Montezuma Blitz - I actually enjoy playing this game every single day. I've yet to pay ANY money at all to Sony for this game. I just do the free trials, and I'm perfectly happy with it.

11. Unit 13 - Don't own the game, but enjoyed the demo despite the horrible enemy A.I. Sure, it might not be the greatest game in the world, but pretty solid, and the graphics are very nice for a portable.

12. Resistance: Burning Skies - Haven't played the full game, and I know that the campaign is short and the multiplayer leaves MUCH to be desired, but I still find the game pretty cool. Will pick it up when I can get it for a 20 spot.

13. MLB 12 The Show - This game on Vita is damn good. I'm just not a huge baseball fan, or I'd be more into it.

14. Gravity Rush - I'm not a huge, huge, huge fan of the demo, but did enjoy it. Wouldn't mind checking out the full game at some point

15. Pinball Arcade - Played the demo and really enjoyed the demo. Not a bad little pinball game.

16. Escape Plan - Unique IP developed specifically for the Vita, not bad at all.....

17. ModNation Racers: Road Trip - I know most people think this game blows, but I picked it up for a 10 spot from GameStop when they had that sale, and I think it's relatively decent.

18. Lego Batman 2 : DC Super Heroes - I've heard some kinda good things about the console version of this game, haven't heard about the Vita version yet.




Anyways, I just listed 18 games, not all of them are sensational games, but all of them are games that I would either like to play, or have already played. So, I'm perfectly happy with the Vita right about now. I've got more games to play on that thing, than I can shake a stick at, so I'm not really stressing for more releases. Next game I'm really looking forward to is Madden on Vita. Hoping it's good.

Speaking of Wipeout 2048, some time ago there was an update to play the PS3 "HD" and "Fury" courses on Vita, which really extends to value of this title. I believe you have to own the PS3 version of HD and Fury to get the Vita update.

Rayman? Great game, but one that truly needs to be appreciated on a big HDTV. Having said that, I'll pick up the Vita version when it dips to $20 or less.

Mortal Kombat? Own the 360 version, no reason for me to double-dip until I read recently that it's on sale at Gamstop for $10, so I'll pick that up.

Wipeout came with my Vita, played it a few times, looks nice but not something I would play repeatedly.

Uncharted? Heard mixed things about it, having said that I'll pick it up when it hits $20.

Metal Gear collection? Why buy it for $40 when the more complete home console versions( with Peacewalker and in full HD) are available for less, unless I'm desperate to play it on the go.


Of course this is all subjective, but I don't think the issue is lack of games per se( though I find the release schedule peculiar, pretty heavy at the beginning but pretty slim the last few months). There ARE good games on the system; my issue is a good portion of them are playable on home consoles, and I really don't want to double-dip unless I can get the game for $15-20. I'm also not sure how committed Sony is to pushing this thing to its potential over the long-term. They have really done a sub-par job IMHO of marketing this to the masses. It's an awesome system technically, but it's not going to sell on those bells and whistles alone.

Also, I hate to sound like a broken record, but Sony better have a price drop planned for the holidays. Personally, I would rather have a model with onboard storage over a price drop. But with the Nexus 7 available now and a possible iPad mini on the horizon, consumers just aren't going to see the value in the Vita at its current price point. If Apple does release an iPad mini, it will be interesting to see the pricing structure on it and the iPod touch.

I still can't compare the iPad and the Vita. To me, they aren't the same. What I will agree with is they are stealing market share from each other, but the IPad is a casual gaming device, the Vita is far more serious.

Got my Vita today from Amazon Warehouse deals and I can't get it to power up. I've tried everything. Guess I will return it and buy new. I see they are offering a free game with it.

I'd say the Ipad/I-touch/Android phones and tablets is taking a bigger dent out of the Vita's marketshare, than vice versa. Everyone nowadays has a smart-phone on their person, so it's much more convenient to have cheap, pick up and play games available on a device that you're carrying around with you daily. I have to make a conscientious effort to take my Vita to work with me, even then I carry it in my laptop bag so it's not always on me. The latest smartphones are able to produce games that in some cases, rival the production quality of $40 3ds and Vita games for a fraction of the price. The stigma surrounding phone games is that they're all Angry Birds-style flash games. While there are an abundance of those games, the last few years we've seen some really good, fully fleshed out software that can be played over the long haul or in short spurts. Of course there's the control scheme to consider, touch controls can never replace traditional controls except for games that are designed around a touch interface. But for an increasing number of people, those $2 'phone' games are becoming good enough.

This happens to be whenver the battery completely drains. Have it plugged in for at least 5-10 minutes. Then to turn it on hold the little top left power button in for 5-10 seconds. It'll flash amber at you if it things there's not yet enough battery to turn on. It'll finally eventually turn on. (unless yours is broken )

I seem to remember thinking my launch Vita also didn't work, until I held that button ^^^ long enough.

Hope it works out for you Moepoker!

Yeah, that happened to me one time as well. I seriously thought my kids broke my Vita, but it turns out that they drained the battery all the way. It really freaked me out, but then I did a google search for "Vita won't turn on", and found the solution. Hopefully you don't have to return it. If you do have to return it, I think it's better to look on Craigslist for a Vita deal. If you're willing to spend $200 you should be able to get a Vita along with a game or two and a memory card and maybe a case. Certainly, it all depends on the Craigslist market in your area, but just find somebody selling a Vita package for $250 and offer them $200. You'd be suprised at how many people will accept your offer. I've helped both my kids get Vita's, and they paid $150 each (for just the system). Still $150 with no tax or nothing is pretty damn good any way you slice it.

How is the Vita stealing market share? The Vita is trying to establish a market share.

The Vita is after a niche market (by design). Sony has consistently aimed the device at PS3 owners looking for a portable gaming device who don't already use their phones or tablets for gaming. That's a pretty small market. Judging by the last six months, Sony clearly doesn't care much about chasing Apple's customers, and that doesn't look to be changing anytime soon.

True. Perhaps they realize that there isn't much of a market anymore for people who will happily pay $40 for portable game if all they need are $2 short-burst games? I mean yeah, I own an IPAD 2 with a bunch of game apps, as well as a 3DS and Vita, but how big is that particular market now? Even now, I'm having a hard time paying $30 for a handheld game because I also have a 360,PS3 and Wii( though I haven't bought anything for the latter in some time). There's only so much $$$ I can allocate to my gaming habit nowadays. There's a number of Vita games I'd buy at $20; forget about it at $40.

Yup. If Sony had been interested in expanding their market (which clearly they are not), they would have pushed to include an open platform for inexpensive games. Instead, Sony would rather keep the Vita a boutique product. It's in a very different market position than mobile gaming devices.

The Vita seems to have found its footing. The problem going forward, however, is that if it wants to continue to sell games at $40-50 a pop, the Vita needs relatively big budget developers on board. But if it remains a "boutique" device, it won't have the sell-through numbers to encourage those big budgets. It'd be awesome, though, if it instead became a secondary market for PSN titles. That would be a perfect use for the device IMO.
Edited by confidenceman - 8/1/12 at 10:00am

I tried everything. Still no dice. I already bought a new one from Amazon last night. I will return this one and be perfectly fine with new. I'm not interested in the craigslist option.

Granted it might be 1/100th of 1%, but if I can get the same game on Vita and iOS, I'm buying the Vita game.

It's a catch-22 scenario......Sony's first party studios are going to have to come up with some stellar software to try and move enough consoles. That's the only way to get the big budget third party companies interested and willing to devote the resources to Vita development.

The problem there, though, is that historically the launch window has provided the necessary boost to device sales, which then encourages more publishers to invest in development, which then sells more of the device, which encourages more investment, etc. That didn't happen, but Sony isn't worried about it.

Why? Because IMO their strategy for Vita is the same as their strategy for Move. They're not looking for a runaway hit. They're looking for a slow and steady and marginal profit. Like Move, the Vita is about supplementing the PS3 experience. As with Move, the majority of games for Vita are identical to standard PS3 games, but with a few minor gameplay tweaks. It's primarily a new way to play existing PS3 games. That means Sony doesn't have to invest a lot of marketing or development dollars into it. Neither do any of their publishers. Like Move, the Vita doesn't have to sell like hotcakes to justify its continued existence. From Sony's perspective, it's probably seen as a successful device.

So I don't really see it as a "catch-22," since I don't think Sony is really too concerned about its current sales trajectory. If they can get some big-name publishers on board with some big-name franchises (CoD), those sales could change drastically. But so far, publishers have been skittish and some have backed out, but like I said, I don't think Sony minds too much. Sony is hedging their bets by not over-investing in the Vita.
Edited by confidenceman - 8/1/12 at 12:23pm

Perhaps it's 'us' as gamers who have to change our mindsets then. Conventional wisdom in the gaming industry is that you want your console to sell by the s**tloads, to encourage development from outside companies, which leads to more sales and consumer confidence in the product. I don't think many really understand what Sony is trying to do with this thing; we only see crawling sales with no real reaction from Sony. Like you said, maybe this is really going wonderful for Sony *in their minds* while the rest of us wonder daily if this thing gets the plug pulled after a year. Interesting strategy, if that's what they're doing. I guess time will tell if it works out for them.

It worked for Move. And if they can use the Vita as a "bridge" between the PS3 and the PS4, they can ensure that sales will continue at a slow and steady clip for a long time. It may not sell like gangbusters, but as long as it sells at its current rate, and as long as enough consumers continue to be fine with the high-end pricing strategy, and as long as Sony continues its PS3 (and later PS4) connectivity approach, it'll do just fine.

Sony is targeting the inexpensive game market too -- it's just taking them a long time to implement (PlayStation Mobile -- Minis don't cut it imo because of the PSP resolution, lack of online/trophies).

I think it can be smart to put your game on a new platform without an already huge install base. If the game is of high quality and good value it will sell, because there isn't much competition (Who didn't buy Mutant Blobs? Who won't buy Sound Shapes?). I said it before, but if Gameloft would have put Modern Combat 3 on Vita, it would have been a huge hit.

I've completely stopped buying games for my iPad. I no longer consider retro/pixelart games charming -- just cheap and lazy. Even the games that I initially thought were good, I lost interest in and did not come close to finishing. I only play the occasional game of Spell Tower while watching the news on TV now. I imagine the novelty wears out for a lot of people.

I am happy with my Vita and have no intentions of selling it. I just wish Sony had spaced out the releases better and had gotten developers on board earlier.

I have noticed that SCEE have sales regularly on PSN, while SCEA rarely ever does. I can't pay full price for Rayman, no matter how good it is, when the console version can be had for half the price. Also, the 3g version of the Vita is still not in Canada. I've decided I don't need it, but I wonder if it's going to be discontinued altogether? Maybe a 4g version is actually capable of online multiplayer?

And because the vast majority of them don't work on the Vita, and yes I'm beating that dead horse again.