The Playstation Vita Catch-All

Mr GT Chris wrote:

It's hard to check since they nuked the PSN interface (for PS3/Vita) but I'm pretty sure I bought Steamworld Dig on Vita. Did they remove it for some reason?

So... two days ago, when I was browsing the store, I was sure that Dig and Dig 2 were both available. However, when I turned up to buy only Steamworld Dig 2 was visible.

I'll have another look this evening, while I'm deciding to how to spend my last £6.09 of PSN credit.

More unnecessary Vita expenditure to end the year. I've picked up physical copies of Toukiden and Soul Sacrifice, via Amazon USA. Again, I've been partly stampeded by the dwindling availability of PS Vita games (old, new stock) from my usual stores. Both Amazon UK and USA are down to the a rump of Lego games. And Play-Asia seems to be down to the dregs as well.

EDIT: Play-Asia are selling their last 64GB cards... for £450!!!

On a positive note, I think I'll be breaking the seal on a couple of games this week. I've found myself becalmed on the PS5 (apart from Spiritfarer), so I'm switching to the Vita as my current game-playing machine. Code Realize: Guardian of Rebirth and Final Fantasy X this week.

I thought a visual novel would be a nice re-introduction to my Vita. And I need to open my Final Fantasy X/X-2, because FF X-2 is actually a code for a downloadable version of the game... which I hadn't realised before. I should nab that now while I still can. I'm looking forward to my first ever Final Fantasy game...

I do have the 64gb card actually. I could consider letting it go at some point because I’ve put CFW on my Vita so, technically, I could switch to an SD adapter. However, I’m a little wary because of mixed experiences with my PSP. Glad to see someone enjoying their Vita though!

Mr GT Chris wrote:

I do have the 64gb card actually. I could consider letting it go at some point because I’ve put CFW on my Vita so, technically, I could switch to an SD adapter. However, I’m a little wary because of mixed experiences with my PSP. Glad to see someone enjoying their Vita though!

I too have a 64GB card. A quick canter through my Amazon order history tells me that it cost me £89 in 2018! I bought Persona 4 Golden at the same time, and that was £21. Those were the days. I wish I'd take a risk on a lot more physical games when they were that cheap. I'd could have amassed an interesting and eclectic bunch of titles. (I think the Vita's library really forces gamers like me our of traditional Western AAA game comfort zone.)

Yeah, the Vita library is incredible, certainly better than the PSP, and dare I say the 3DS. I think game journalists, at least, seem to rate the PSP higher because of a handful of high profile titles, God of War, Crisis Core, Monster Hunter, Peacewalker. All fantastic games but the Vita had more depth and breadth. Also, it just feels great in the hand, a far cry from the PSP's analog slider, and smallish screen. If not for the 3G experiment, not choosing to go with SD, and touch-anything, I'm pretty sure the Vita would have done much better numbers. Plus the fact you can play your entire PSP digital library, perfectly upscaled on the Vita's screen. Love my Vita!

My Amazon.jp order:
Ordered on December 18, 2013
PlayStation Vita Wi-Fiモデル ホワイト (PCH-2000ZA12)
¥18,995
PlayStation Vita メモリーカード 64GB (PCH-Z641J)
¥8,572
ハードポーチ for PlayStation Vita ブラック (PCH-1000,-2000シリーズ対応) <- case
¥854

A little cheaper than I remember! I've actually always been all digital, never inserted a game card in it. From memory, my day-1 purchases were something like:
Persona 4 Golden
Lumines Electronic Symphony
Super Stardust Delta

I was curious so I looked it up in my Amazon history. 64GB Vita card was $100.90 in July 2014.

Based on today's strong dollar, I paid 62.63 for mine. Wooah... I remember, after I installed my new Vita purchases, I went ahead and installed every PSP and PS1 Classic game I owned or had via PS+. Well, I tried to, I ran out of space :o.

A quick update on the Detroit20 Vita:

My Vita is my first choice system for gaming at the moment. There's nothing that appeals on PS5, even in my extensive PS Plus library. Fallout 76 was free this month, so I'm going to try to summon up the interest to try it over the weekend.

I finished Code Realize: Guardian of Rebirth a couple of weeks ago. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed the story. It dragged a bit in parts, but the central mysteries were intriguing and enjoyed the reveals. I won't bother with playing all the romance options; I've got what I needed from the game.

I started The Warriors this week. I'm not enjoying that as much. I can see why it was a big deal in the early days of the PSP (the handheld system to which the game was originally ported), but the compromise controls required because of the PSP's lack of a second analogue stick make some of the missions very frustrating. Particularly some of the boss battles. But I will finish it.

Next up will be either Final Fantasy X or one of the FPSes (Resistance: Burning Skies or Killzone Mercenary). I've heard good things about Killzone, so I'm very tempted to save that game for another time.

But it's not all (largely) positive. I'm continuing to show signs of Vita-sickness. In the last few days, I bought Undertale, YS Memories of Celceta, YS VIII Lacrimosa of Dana, and Toukiden 2 at not-insignificant expense.

In other news, new copies of Vita games are continuing to disappear from the Amazon and from online retailers. As a result, I'm feeling self-imposed pressure to the new-old stock of the highly-rated games at chunky prices.

I wished I'd taken the plunge on things like Darkest Dungeon and Dragon's Crown, Muramasa: The Demon Blade when I had the chance... even though games have never appealed to me at all.

As I don't buy second-hand games (second-hand anything gives me the 'ick!', and I fear getting a duff copy), I'm kind of stuck now. But realistically, my collection is sufficient large and broad in genre that I'm unlikely to finish everything or get bored.

I have a pretty nutty number of Vita titles purchased digitally, like 200-300, of course many in the $5-10 range. So I can give impressions on a fair number of games. Just above:
Ys VIII, a really great port. I gather it had issues in the beginning, but must have been patched out because I played it for gameclub and it was perfectly fine. Also, easily my favorite Ys!
Darkest Dungeon - avoid, text is too small on the Vita screen.
Killzone Mercenary - I didn't put too much time into it but the analog aiming seemed really finicky, like they didn't put enough autoaim into the controls? Just couldn't hit anything confidently.
Dragon's Crown - if you're a fan on the game I think it's a great version to play. But I played it for the first time, also for gameclub, and it just seemed really shallow, both in terms of the rpg mechanics and the action/gameplay. No real story to speak of course.

Some of my Vita favorites off the top of my head:
Shiren The Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate - how has this not been ported everywhere, omg, so good.
Persona 4: Golden - of course
Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved - I love twin stick shooters and this is one of the best, great Vita port. I was number 1 on a few of the leaderboards at the time ;-).
Super Stardust Delta - another absolutely outstanding twin stick shooter. I put so many hours into this and the previous one.
Lumines: Electronic Symphony - I actually think this is the best Lumines game (although I haven't played the VR (remake?) of the first game). It's been delisted due to rights issues so I'm personally good with obtaining it however you can.
Steins:Gate - this is a pretty famous visual novel, Vita version is great of course. The sequel is also worth checking out.
Ys: Memories of Celceta - doesn't reach the heights of VIII but a very solid game. With all the PSP Ys games also available, Vita is pretty much the platform to have for Ys fans. Ys: Origins does have some pretty bad performance issues though so might be better to play that elsewhere (especially boss battles).
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F - there are actually 3 games to choose from but I just like the track list from the 1st game the best.

Lately my Vita has primarily been a MotorStorm: Arctic Edge machine, but I was told by an Armored Core fan that 3 is maybe the best place to start the series, so I'm gonna give that a whirl.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

I have a pretty nutty number of Vita titles purchased digitally, like 200-300, of course many in the $5-10 range.

I almost drew a sharp intake of breath when I did the mental arithmetic on your collection... then I realized that I've probably spent more then £1000 since 2018 on only 40-50 games. The expenditure just creeps up on you with a Vita.

Where do you store your games, by the way? Do you have them backed up to PC, or do you simply download them from the PS Store when you want to play them?

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Killzone Mercenary - I didn't put too much time into it but the analog aiming seemed really finicky, like they didn't put enough autoaim into the controls? Just couldn't hit anything confidently.

... Git Gud? ...

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Lumines: Electronic Symphony - I actually think this is the best Lumines game (although I haven't played the VR (remake?) of the first game). It's been delisted due to rights issues so I'm personally good with obtaining it however you can.

I came across a physical copy of this yesterday, but didn't buy it. I quite liked Lumines on the PSP, but I wasn't sure that I would get much mileage out of it. I'm not really good enough at it to find long-term joy in playing it.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Steins:Gate - this is a pretty famous visual novel, Vita version is great of course. The sequel is also worth checking out.

I've been hemming and hawing about this game. I have read that there's some questionable content in the game (for example, one character sexually assaults at least one other character) , and I'm loath to buy it now that I know (or at least have reason to believe) its there.

It's for reasons like this that I'm reluctant to buy Visual Novels or any game with Anime female characters in skimpy outfits on the cover. The risk of encountering horrible attitudes to, and/or treatment of, women feels too high. Beyond Steins; Gate, I'm thinking of the GalGun's of this world.

I really need to see if I can get my Vita up and running. Step 1, find the damn power cable.

lunchbox12682 wrote:

I really need to see if I can get my Vita up and running. Step 1, find the damn power cable.

I was about to give it the full 'What-You-Talkin'-'Bout-Willis'... then I realized that you probably have a Vita 1000 with the ludicrous interface on one end. (Is that interface used by any other device, by the way?)

Either way, the power cable is in that box or drawer. You know... the one with all the other cables for long abandoned, forgotten or thrown-away devices.

I'm certainly that 70% of the members of this site own three times as many power cables as devices...

detroit20 wrote:
lunchbox12682 wrote:

I really need to see if I can get my Vita up and running. Step 1, find the damn power cable.

I was about to give it the full 'What-You-Talkin'-'Bout-Willis'... then I realized that you probably have a Vita 1000 with the ludicrous interface on one end. (Is that interface used by any other device, by the way?)

Either way, the power cable is in that box or drawer. You know... the one with all the other cables for long abandoned, forgotten or thrown-away devices.

I'm certainly that 70% of the members of this site own three times as many power cables as devices...

Yeah, I bought it in 2012 when I was moving cross country and my ps3 and PC were packed up.
It was a great little machine.

detroit20 wrote:
Mr GT Chris wrote:

I have a pretty nutty number of Vita titles purchased digitally, like 200-300, of course many in the $5-10 range.

I almost drew a sharp intake of breath when I did the mental arithmetic on your collection... then I realized that I've probably spent more then £1000 since 2018 on only 40-50 games. The expenditure just creeps up on you with a Vita.

Where do you store your games, by the way? Do you have them backed up to PC, or do you simply download them from the PS Store when you want to play them?

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Killzone Mercenary - I didn't put too much time into it but the analog aiming seemed really finicky, like they didn't put enough autoaim into the controls? Just couldn't hit anything confidently.

... Git Gud? ...

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Lumines: Electronic Symphony - I actually think this is the best Lumines game (although I haven't played the VR (remake?) of the first game). It's been delisted due to rights issues so I'm personally good with obtaining it however you can.

I came across a physical copy of this yesterday, but didn't buy it. I quite liked Lumines on the PSP, but I wasn't sure that I would get much mileage out of it. I'm not really good enough at it to find long-term joy in playing it.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Steins:Gate - this is a pretty famous visual novel, Vita version is great of course. The sequel is also worth checking out.

I've been hemming and hawing about this game. I have read that there's some questionable content in the game (for example, one character sexually assaults at least one other character) , and I'm loath to buy it now that I know (or at least have reason to believe) its there.

It's for reasons like this that I'm reluctant to buy Visual Novels or any game with Anime female characters in skimpy outfits on the cover. The risk of encountering horrible attitudes to, and/or treatment of, women feels too high. Beyond Steins; Gate, I'm thinking of the GalGun's of this world.

Yes, I bought a lot of games just because they were $5 (down from 40/50) rather than being something that I’m likely to play, rather silly of me!

I have the 64gb card so I can keep quite a lot of stuff installed at one time. I pretty much rely on PSN for accessing my games but with the knowledge that if it went down tomorrow I could likely obtain them through other means. The only stuff I backup locally is saves, fan patches, home brew, emulators etc. And mostly for the reason that I’m hanging onto a version that I know I was able to install successfully.

I only played Lumines a bit on PSP and it was the Vita version that really captured me. The soundtrack and visualizations are so much better. You’re mileage may vary.

I hear you on Steins Gate. The incident makes sense in the context of the story but it’s pretty uncomfortable. Actually a lot of the game is, think like Persona 4 which has a lot of problematic content that doesn’t stand up well.

The Vita was a great handheld and part of me is sad we will never see another attempt at a handheld line from Sony or even perhaps a try from Microsoft.

TheGameguru wrote:

The Vita was a great handheld and part of me is sad we will never see another attempt at a handheld line from Sony or even perhaps a try from Microsoft.

Eh, maybe. The Switch and SteamDeck are proving out the concept in tech and sales. I could see MS giving it a shot (with a heavy helping of streaming), but probably not Sony.

lunchbox12682 wrote:
TheGameguru wrote:

The Vita was a great handheld and part of me is sad we will never see another attempt at a handheld line from Sony or even perhaps a try from Microsoft.

Eh, maybe. The Switch and SteamDeck are proving out the concept in tech and sales. I could see MS giving it a shot (with a heavy helping of streaming), but probably not Sony.

I would buy a handheld from them that came with Game Pass. It would be wonderful.

lunchbox12682 wrote:
TheGameguru wrote:

The Vita was a great handheld and part of me is sad we will never see another attempt at a handheld line from Sony or even perhaps a try from Microsoft.

Eh, maybe. The Switch and SteamDeck are proving out the concept in tech and sales. I could see MS giving it a shot (with a heavy helping of streaming), but probably not Sony.

Switch sure…but the Steam Deck wouldn’t move the needle sales wise at a company like Microsoft.. I do agree that if AMD creates an APU that is decently powerful and low power you might see some sort of handheld device from Sony again.

I think you were right the first time, TheGameguru. We will not see another handheld from Sony.

The Switch succeeds because it can be used both as a conventional under-the-TV console and as a handheld device. And its small enough to be used as a mobile console too. Also, and crucially, its the only console that Nintendo makes. Who knows how the Switch would sell if Nintendo also offered a more conventional console.

As for the Steam Deck, I see from t'interwebs that around 1 millions have been sold or shipped. That doesn't feel to me like a significant number beyond early adopters.

Also, I'm skeptical about the Steam Deck's use case. It seems to me to have created an entirely new category: the non-mobile handheld. I've never seen one in use in the wild, so I wonder that most are used on PC gamers' couches rather than out-and-about. (To be fair, I see very few Switch consoles out-and-about either.)

Console players are already on their couches. I struggle, therefore, to see what the market would be for a non-mobile handheld Playstation. By the same token, given the ubiquity of increasingly powerful mobile phones, with access to extensive app stores, I struggle to see the market for a mobile handheld Playstation.

Don't get me wrong. If Sony offered a PS5-powerful, Vita-sized handheld with a UMD drive and Vita card slot (and Micro SD memory), then I'd be all over it. But I think I'd be in a small club of potential buyers.

There definitely does seem to be a category of handheld gaming that is done on the couch, in bed, on the toilet etc. I almost exclusively handheld game these days, yet that is mostly at home.

Finished 'The Warriors' last night.

From a gameplay perspective, it was a stark reminder of the compromises required to port games to the PSP. The absence of a functioning second analog stick made the controls very fiddly in combat. The camera could only be accessed by hold 'L' and then moving the left analogue stick. Really, really unhelpful in the boss encounters. It's put me off revisiting other PSP games on the Vita.

Also, some pretty objectionable sexual content in the last couple of missions. Were we really so tolerant borderline sexual assault of this kind of thing only 15 years ago?

On the positive side, the game felt like a genuine prequel to 'The Warriors', the film. It featured voice actors from the film's cast, and music from the film's original soundtrack.

I finished Collar x Malice towards the end of last week, so I'm pausing before embarking on my first journey into the world of Final Fantasy: Final Fantasy X. My only concern is burning out on the game because I'm going to have to play it in small chunks; probably 30 minutes at a time. (I play in bed, before going to sleep.)

Also, I added the final physical game to my collection: Little Big Planet. I've dithered over it for a while, but in the end I was won over by the reviews.

In less positive news, it looks like my copies of YS VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana and Toukiden 2 will never be opened. I bought Japanese versions of both games, and the internet says that neither contains any English language options!

This appears to be punishment for not really doing my research. It appears that very few Japanese version of games contain English language options. My Japanese copies of Minecraft and Undertale do apparently. I'm not sure about my copy of Unit 13. But the rule of thumb seems to be that games developed in Japan, that appear on a Japanese specific card, do not have other languages on.

Mr GT Chris, you are GwJ's resident Vita expert, and I believe that you still live in Japan, is my understanding correct?

Yes, that sounds right. I've patched a few Japanese games with English tracks/translations. Most notably, Catherine, which never came out in the west. I thought I saw a Ys VIII undubbed patch floating around somewhere so you could give that a try. These usually use the original Japanese game as a base and patch in the English text from the western release (although it sometimes goes in reverse, Japanese voice files patched). Of course, this is all tinkering with CFW etc, which can quickly distract from actual gaming in my experience :).

Catherine was released in the US on PS3. Strange that it missed a Vita release here.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

Yes, that sounds right. I've patched a few Japanese games with English tracks/translations. Most notably, Catherine, which never came out in the west. I thought I saw a Ys VIII undubbed patch floating around somewhere so you could give that a try. These usually use the original Japanese game as a base and patch in the English text from the western release (although it sometimes goes in reverse, Japanese voice files patched). Of course, this is all tinkering with CFW etc, which can quickly distract from actual gaming in my experience :).

Thanks for the swift response, Mr GT Chris!

I've seen some Reddit threads about language patches, but - as you say - this involves custom firmware and I have no interest in cracking my Vita in order to do this.

I will simply admire my sealed Japanese physical copies of games on my shelf, and buy digital versions Lacrimosa of Dana and Toukiden 2 when/if the time comes. I'll likely invest in a 32GB card in the next couple of weeks in anticipation of this.

merphle wrote:

Catherine was released in the US on PS3. Strange that it missed a Vita release here.

This was later, so we're actually talking about a port of Catherine: Full Body. The Vita was almost dead in the west at that point.

Mr GT Chris wrote:
merphle wrote:

Catherine was released in the US on PS3. Strange that it missed a Vita release here.

This was later actually, so we're actually talking about a port of Catherine: Full Body. The Vita was almost dead in the west at that point.

Oh! I always assumed that the subtitled version that I saw was just unique GOTY nomenclature, or something. Today I learned.

detroit20 wrote:

I will simply admire my sealed Japanese physical copies of games on my shelf, and buy digital versions Lacrimosa of Dana and Toukiden 2 when/if the time comes. I'll likely invest in a 32GB card in the next couple of weeks in anticipation of this.

I love the art and character designs from Ys VIII so that's a win!