The Playstation Vita Catch-All

That is what half of me says...the other half thinks it is just silly to buy a dead system when I have a quite a backlog already.

I can emphasize with the goal to not grow the backlog. I fit in portable games a lot easier than console though so my Vita is my second most used system after my 3DS.

Hmm.
Well, I have a backlog also, yet I still break out the Vita to play games on it specifically.
Sometimes it's because I'm traveling, sometimes it's because I don't want to be shackled to my computer or console, and sometimes it's because I want to play a game that is specifically on the Vita.
When you get down to it, the Vita has a number of really good games that are also only available on it. So yeah, I guess it would add to the backlog, but I prefer to view it as giving me options.

LOL. Your all good enablers. I think I will start checking Amazon.

What is the difference between this one (cheapest used $95) and this one and this one (cheapest used $120) They are different model numbers but I can't really find a good explanation of the difference

My assumption is that it's Vita classic vs. Vita Thin, but I don't know that for a fact.

farley3k wrote:

LOL. Your all good enablers. I think I will start checking Amazon.

What is the difference between this one (cheapest used $95) and this one and this one (cheapest used $120) They are different model numbers but I can't really find a good explanation of the difference

Wikipedia has a decent breakdown of the differences under Hardware.

The short version is that the 2000 is a little lighter and skinnier with a slightly less impressive screen that goes a little easier on the battery, and a small amount of built in memory.

The first one is the 1st Gen system and the last one is the Vita.5. The 1st has an OLED and the .5 version has an LCD. That's the biggest difference.

The Vita 2.0 also has a significantly smaller rear touchpad. You're less likely to accidentally touch it, but you're also less likely to intentionally touch it, too.

I read a little bit on the Eurogamer comments and it's basically the iOS version and runs well except for longish load times. I'll certainly pick it up at some point. On the go feels perfect for this game.

EverythingsTentative wrote:

The first one is the 1st Gen system and the last one is the Vita.5. The 1st has an OLED and the .5 version has an LCD. That's the biggest difference.

Aye. I read, don't remember where, that Sony switched out the superior OLED screen (better blacks, contrast and colour) in the classic for the inferior LCD screen to cut back on production costs on the newer slim version.
Have only had the OLED myself, so couldn't say if it's a major difference though.

Honestly, in my opinion, the difference in screens is only noticeable if you have them side by side. I feel like the OLED screen was a part of Sony being Sony in the first place and overkill for a handheld. Not that it isn't nice, but I wouldn't pay a lot extra for it personally. Especially since what Sony envisioned the Vita as vs. what it is for most people means that most games on it are not going to be so visually impressive that it will make any difference.

I've only played the OLED on demo units but I've been more than happy with the Vita 2000 screen. It looks great.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

I've only played the OLED on demo units but I've been more than happy with the Vita 2000 screen. It looks great.

How long do we think stock of the 2000 will be available? As much as I prefer the OLED model I'm tempted to pick up a Vita 2000 so I have a backup.

I've been tempted to get a white 2000 as backup, but haven't done so. They should be available to import for about $200 from Japan I'm guessing.

I bought mine in Japan for 19,800 yen, I believe that's still the going rate. I would expect new units to be available here for the foreseeable future.

If I had the cash id grab the blue one as back up.

farley3k wrote:

LOL. Your all good enablers. I think I will start checking Amazon.

What is the difference between this one (cheapest used $95) and this one and this one (cheapest used $120) They are different model numbers but I can't really find a good explanation of the difference

If you want to be de-enabled, I've made dozens of posts in this thread explaining why the Vita is the most disappointing piece of gaming hardware I've ever purchased.

Honestly, if you've got quite a backlog, you probably have other ways to play 80% of the Vita's library. It's pretty telling, IMO, that people are stoked in here about the hottest game from November 2012 getting ported.

Blind_Evil wrote:
farley3k wrote:

LOL. Your all good enablers. I think I will start checking Amazon.

What is the difference between this one (cheapest used $95) and this one and this one (cheapest used $120) They are different model numbers but I can't really find a good explanation of the difference

If you want to be de-enabled, I've made dozens of posts in this thread explaining why the Vita is the most disappointing piece of gaming hardware I've ever purchased.

Honestly, if you've got quite a backlog, you probably have other ways to play 80% of the Vita's library. It's pretty telling, IMO, that people are stoked in here about the hottest game from November 2012 getting ported.

I largely agree. I haven't finished many games on the Vita in practice. I've finished Persona 4 Golden and Gravity Rush. That said, it made finishing Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics much easier. That's not a ringing endorsement that I've finished as many PSP games on the Vita. I think it's interesting as a piece of hardware, but ultimately it was too big and unwieldy for me to carry it around all the time and complete games on it. Meanwhile in the same time frame I completed SMT IV, Super Mario 3D Land, Fire Emblem Awakening, A Link Between Worlds and others on a console I consider really uncomfortable.

I couldn't disagree more. I have so many actual Vita games on my backlog it's ridiculous. Depends on your gaming tastes of course.

Blind_Evil wrote:

It's pretty telling, IMO, that people are stoked in here about the hottest game from November 2012 getting ported.

To be fair, it's the first AAA Western title in forever. However, if you're into Japanese and Indy games...

I'm totally into Japanese games and indie games. Can you list some of the games you're referring to?

To be clear, I'm not saying you can't find good stuff to play on Vita. You really can. If the Vita was my only system, I'd get a lot of use out of it. But it isn't, and it isn't for Farley. Just about everything that is out on Vita either came out at the same time or earlier for another system. It's hard to recommend the purchase in that context.

Mr GT Chris wrote:

I couldn't disagree more. I have so many actual Vita games on my backlog it's ridiculous. Depends on your gaming tastes of course.

I have a ton of great games on my backlog that I want to play as well, but for some reason I never make time for them. To me that says something.

Mr GT Chris wrote:
Blind_Evil wrote:

It's pretty telling, IMO, that people are stoked in here about the hottest game from November 2012 getting ported.

To be fair, it's the first AAA Western title in forever. However, if you're into Japanese and Indy games...

I think it's more like if you're into indies, Compile Heart games, and Monster Hunter clones. I didn't own my Vita for long, but the actual selection of Japanese games seemed fairly narrow and of B-tier quality at best.

Except for Persona 4 Golden, which is pretty good.

My daughter bought Steam World Dig for herself with some birthday money on 3DS.

I have it on 3DS, and on Vita. Even with "less" real estate on the Vita, it just feels more luxurious on the OELD display.

I have it on both systems myself, and I'm enjoying having a reason to pick up my Vita again, as we play side by side.

I play my Vita maybe 10% of my mobile gaming, with 80% going to the 3DS, and 10% to "other" devices, be they phone or iOS. I still feel my Vita was a worthy purchase.

(I still have an Atari Lynx, MIB, in my cupboard, with Chip's Challenge 'welded' in place)

All this Vita talk made me decide to play/read some Steins;Gate before bed. (So good!) Then I will sleep and dream of playing Stardew Valley on Vita.

tuffalobuffalo wrote:

All this Vita talk made me decide to play/read some Steins;Gate before bed. (So good!) Then I will sleep and dream of playing Stardew Valley on Vita.

That's one of those games I keep saying I want on mobile and then don't get around to playing... It looks so good.

farley3k wrote:

Why am I thinking of picking up a Vita? It is a dead system but it just is such a nice feeling system and it seems to have some really good games on it....

I'm putting my Assassin's Creed pearl white version Vita on the market soon, with about a dozen games and a 32gb memory stick. My travel situation has changed, and I just won't be using it much anymore. Let's keep in touch.

I think the Vita is great, I don't use it outside but around the house or when I'm in hotels. My gaming is mainly PC and I don't have any other mobile devices. There is always something I want to buy for the Vita and the backlog is huge.

It gets a thumbs up from me!

I think part of my problem is that for years I had the ideal commute and got spoiled with the combination of the GBA SP and 40 minutes on a bus. Anything that's less pocketable than that won't suck my in the same way. And that commute / the simplicity of GBA games was an ideal combination for me. I beat so many games back then.

Blind_Evil wrote:

I'm totally into Japanese games and indie games. Can you list some of the games you're referring to?

To be clear, I'm not saying you can't find good stuff to play on Vita. You really can. If the Vita was my only system, I'd get a lot of use out of it. But it isn't, and it isn't for Farley. Just about everything that is out on Vita either came out at the same time or earlier for another system. It's hard to recommend the purchase in that context.

For me, being portable is important, so when you say it's on another system, for me that means 3DS or iOS/Android to maintain portability. Some of the more esoteric Vita stuff is showing up on Steam, for example, but that isn't of any use to me. I don't actually own a 3DS yet (probably will eventually) due to my own tastes, and my iOS devices are pretty out of date. But, I don't think there is necessarily a ton of crossover between the Vita/3DS and iOS libraries, particularly regarding Japanese releases.

Anyway, these days more than ever, it's super easy to load up Metacritic, watch Let's Plays, etc. and see if the library of a system will suit you. Thus, I don't really think you need to constantly dog pile on a system that someone is interested in just because it didn't happen to meet your gaming needs. 10 minutes research (surely the purchase of a new console justifies that), could tell them far more about whether they personally would like a system than you or I could communicate via a message board post.

Loving Steins Gate at the moment. Yes, it's on PS3 and will eventually come to iOS.