I bought a Vita for the sole fact that I am a big Sony fan, not always the case, but it happen when I was converted in the 8th Grade when the Sega Saturn sucked a big one. Ever since then I have been a fan. But even as a fan I will always admit that the Playstation brand launches have ALWAYS! been lackluster. But that all changed with the Vita. At launch Sony already had most of the online infrastructure for the Vita functional ( in North America anyways) . Games? Hot Shots Golf, Uncharted, Mod Nation Racer, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, Ninja Gaiden, Escape Plan, just to name a few. The hardware itself is amazing, its basically a portable PS3 with a front touch-screen, a rear touch-pad, dual analog sticks and only missing two shoulder buttons but in some of the games out there the touch-pad and touch-screen make up for it, Trophy support, I can really go on and on about what I like about this system, but that would make this review too long.
But like anything else there are some slight drawbacks, first off the battery life is lacking when gaming, which is a bummer considering this is a gaming platform, some games out right now are really pushing the new tech like Touch-screen, Touch-pad and even the Three-Axis controls ( motion controls) to the point where it starts to feel real gimmicky. The internet browser is terrible, but if you’re really that desperate for a mobile browser buy a start phone or a tablet, this is for gaming.
But all in all this system is great, the few flaws that it has really don’t hinder the power, performance and fun that can already be had with the system, unlike when the PS3 launch, where there was like 1 game for the first 6-months. And up until the Launch of the Vita that has been the case for just about every system launch in the last 20 years. PS3 - Resistance, X360 - Call of Duty 2, Wii - ? Wii Sports? , PS2 - SSX, Xbox - Halo, Dreamcast - Soul Caliber, Gamecube - Luigi’s Mansion,
Really the last system I can think off that really took off is the Super Nintendo since it launched with Super Mario World. Everything after that up until the Vita was Meh.
So in the end if you really want a Vita I would say get one, there are games in just about every genre, so your bound to find something you like, Minus a shooter. But if you’re on the fence about I would say hold off until the next revision comes out with a better battery life and possible slight improvements.
But for me, I am super happy I bought this at launch as it has rarely seen a day off since I got it and the only reason I haven’t played it at times, is because life has gotten in the way. Stupid life and all its rules. 5 star product.