The Playstation Vita Catch-All

I was waiting for this reveal to help me decide between 3DS and PSP2. I'll be going with PSP2, personally. It just seems so feature-rich that it's hard to pass on. I mean, all the control options seem mind-boggling.

Standard console control layout - Check
Touchscreen front - Check
Touchscreen back - Check
Three motion sensors (accelorometer, gyroscope, electronic compass) - Check

It's just nutty.

I'm not even worried about the price. I bought a PSP at launch and it's more than paid for itself with years of satisfying gaming. If it comes in at $100 or $200 over the 3DS, so what? That's a spit in the bucket in comparison to what the average individual will pay for their game library on any random platform over the years.

The interesting point to me is this is the first portable that lets you actually play FPS games with the same level of control as a home console. As FPS games have become one of if not the most played genre of games on consoles this could be a huge driving factor. I know I would love to be able to pick up a portable and get in a game or two of Call of Duty multiplayer at work or on the go.

Stric9 wrote:

The interesting point to me is this is the first portable that lets you actually play FPS games with the same level of control as a home console. As FPS games have become one of if not the most played genre of games on consoles this could be a huge driving factor. I know I would love to be able to pick up a portable and get in a game or two of Call of Duty multiplayer at work or on the go.

This is true only if it's comfortable to hold and play.

So I saw the announcement of the PSP2 and looked at the specs, my first thought was looks cool but how much will it be? if Sony releases the system at 399 for 3g and 299 for non 3g, I will buy day one.

I hope the PSP2 has some sort of internal memory

The other thing I was thinking is damn how did Nntendo manage to make the the 3ds look even less appealing than the original DS because the only reason I want one is to play virtual console games and MGS 3 but even than I will wait for a couple revisions of the hardware, I also think that 3d is a bad gimmick and will not help the 3DS out at all, bit it will still sell I just don't think it will set the world on fire.

That thing looks huge. Like, 'I gotta get a fanny pack' huge.

All the comparisons between the PSP2 and the 3DS, and which is more powerful, which is gimmicky, and which has the features people really want in a handheld console make me feel like I've fallen into a time machine and warped back six years.

I'm just a bit overwhelmed by all the features. But it's looking like it can deliver a more comprehensive portalble gaming experience than the 3DS. If it has good software to match, even $500 will be tolerable. Best part is no UMD.

ClockworkHouse wrote:

All the comparisons between the PSP2 and the 3DS, and which is more powerful, which is gimmicky, and which has the features people really want in a handheld console make me feel like I've fallen into a time machine and warped back six years.

The console wars are an unbreakable cycle.

It sure is getting expensive to be a gamer these days.

MrDeVil909 wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

All the comparisons between the PSP2 and the 3DS, and which is more powerful, which is gimmicky, and which has the features people really want in a handheld console make me feel like I've fallen into a time machine and warped back six years.

The console wars are an unbreakable cycle.

Indeed. When will be able to draw down and let people return to their families from the front.

I predict that whatever the price is people on the Internet will be outraged and very angry.

TheGameguru wrote:

I predict that whatever the price is people on the Internet will be outraged and very angry.

No! You're wrong!

oh, wait.

No, you're quite correct.

TheGameguru wrote:

I predict that whatever the price is people on the Internet will be outraged and very angry.

If it's $250, there will be sex in the streets.

But yeah, when Sony releases the price points, the internet will get angry, and Joe Worker will move on to the next new and shiny (hoping it will fit into his budget).

*Legion* wrote:

I'm going to say $349, and I was tempted to say $299.

Totally agree with this assessment. I think Sony knows that the platform is DOA if they launch any higher than that.

Looks cool and I'm interested, but I know I'll be picking up the 3DS long before the PSP2 or whatever it'll be called. I already know of about 7 games on the 3DS that I definitely want, and more that I may want. I know nothing of the PSP2 other than it's basically a PSPGo with an extra analog stick and some extra control options that are also in the 3DS.

Still, when a God of War or Metal Gear game comes out for the thing, I'll be all over it.

Best thing about the PSP2 is that secondhand PSP games should drop in price.

Saying that, I use a game rental service. So... Uh.

DSGamer wrote:

Sure. I think the difference is that, at least to me, the additions and upgrades Sony has made are more significant than what Nintendo has done. They're adding 2 analog sticks while Nintendo adds an analog nub. They're increasing the processing significantly. 4 cores? Battery life better, so they say. And on top of all that if you listen to the Giant Bombcast episode on the 3DS (kind of eye opening), people who actually use the 3DS are often turning off the 3D.

So what you're left with is the 3DS's main new feature being optional, while Sony has added two significant new features (analog sticks and touch screen) that make it a more interesting device. To me the 3DS looks more like the DS Lite than the NGP looks like the PSP. The 3DS is to the NGP as the Wii is to the 360. And maybe Nintendo can pull that off again. Coming in with the less powerful and less ambitious device. Something tells me, though, that this time around most people will be happy enough with their smartphones that if they buy a device, they'll buy the one provides a more significantly improved experience. I think that's the NGP. At least, it appears that way from where I sit.

So 3D without glasses is not as significant as adding a feature which has existed for years on every console controller? Don't get me wrong it is nice but in terms of innovation I think the 3D is clearly bigger.

The 3DS is to the NGP as the Wii is to the 360.

I was going to argue with this but you are right. The Wii offered a significantly different user experience at a great price, the 360 was more of the same only faster. That is about the situation here as well. Nintendo is creating a new way to play games (or at least view them) which Sony is making it sparklier.

Considering the track record for the 2 companies I have to say "Buy Nintendo stock"

Carmack Says NGP "About A Generation Beyond Smartphones"

He says that “the Sony NGP [will] perform about a generation beyond smart phones with comparable specs.” Essentially, the fast approaching round of iOS and Android devices will still be well behind the capabilities of Sony’s new handheld, if Carmack's assessment is accurate.

I am both happy and not shocked. Shouldn't a dedicated gaming machine be more powerful than a smartphone? Is there really the benchmark? I love my iPhone but I don't think it is a powerful gaming machine.

I wonder how long it will take for someone to root it so the 3g version can make phone calls.

farley3k wrote:

So 3D without glasses is not as significant as adding a feature which has existed for years on every console controller? Don't get me wrong it is nice but in terms of innovation I think the 3D is clearly bigger.

That's assuming you...

A) Want 3D
B) Care about 3D
C) Can tolerate 3D without headaches
D) Believe 3D will enhance your experience

I don't fit any of the above. My interest in the 3DS is purely in it being the next DS handheld. Nothing more. I never plan on using 3D, honestly.

farley3k wrote:
DSGamer wrote:

The 3DS is to the NGP as the Wii is to the 360.

I was going to argue with this but you are right. The Wii offered a significantly different user experience at a great price, the 360 was more of the same only faster. That is about the situation here as well. Nintendo is creating a new way to play games (or at least view them) which Sony is making it sparklier.

Considering the track record for the 2 companies I have to say "Buy Nintendo stock"

Hmm...Going from hands-on reports (including the Giant Bombcast mentioned above), it seems like the 3D in 3DS is still only a visual aesthetic improvement and not a game-changer. Perhaps it will be much like DS, where developers initially struggled to find exciting and intelligent ways to adopt the touch screen into new gameplay experiences. But as it stands, I've seen multiple references to 3DS launch software as being no different in nature that titles found on DS (sans the 3D presentation, of course).

In terms of handheld evolution, my impression is that PSP2 is expanding farther on its predecessor than 3DS pretty handily. At least from the second-hand impressions I've been following from the press.

farley3k wrote:

The Wii offered a significantly different user experience at a great price, the 360 was more of the same only faster.

In a way, but what sold *me* the 360 was the huge ways in which they improved Xbox Live. They provided a new service that made the user experience unique in many ways.

I do think the PSP2 seems like a very capable gaming machine that could make some inroads with the hardcore at some exorbitant price. Hell, it seems like it could scratch my itch -- having the ability to play a real video football game on the road. (Although, the size of the damned thing...it is really a console you can carry rather than a portable console, if you catch my drift.)

However, I still suspect the 3DS will eat its lunch in terms of sales, just as Wii and the DS have done to their respective opposites. I think the price will be a bit issue. I think the more child-friendly appearance/reputation of the Nintendo device will help, and I think the 3D will have an effect. It does seem like the forces are in place for this to be a repeat of the last time.

Now, what will maybe be telling about how good the PSP2 is eventually is the degree to which Sony supports it. If they get heavy handed about mods/jailbreaking, or if they just let it go as they seem to have done with the PSP, I could see it all being for naught.

Aaron D. wrote:

Hmm...Going from hands-on reports (including the Giant Bombcast mentioned above), it seems like the 3D in 3DS is still only a visual aesthetic improvement and not a game-changer. Perhaps it will be much like DS, where developers initially struggled to find exciting and intelligent ways to adopt the touch screen into new gameplay experiences.

The latter part is what the commentary reminds me of. I can remember when the DS was launched that most of the impressions of the system were that the touchscreen and dual screens weren't really necessary and didn't add much to the games and that the system didn't have much to offer that couldn't be had on the GBA.

History doesn't always repeat itself. It's possible that iPhone bites into the casual market enough that the NGP is the truly different system. History doesn't always repeat itself because market conditions aren't always exactly the same.

DSGamer wrote:

History doesn't always repeat itself. It's possible that iPhone bites into the casual market enough that the NGP is the truly different system. History doesn't always repeat itself because market conditions aren't always exactly the same.

I'm not saying that history will repeat itself, although I am skeptical of both the ability of iPhones to eat into Nintendo's sales and of the PSP2 to come out on top. What is interesting about this situation to me is how closely it mirrors the launch of the DS and PSP a few years back. Nintendo is offering a system that gamers are deriding as gimmicky and "last gen" while being wowed by the power and versatility of Sony's platform. There are a lot of factors that are going to determine which platform comes out on top, but I'll be frank in my opinion that graphics and things like dual analog controls won't be among them.

It looks the same. Doesn't mean it will turn out the same. That's my point. It looks almost identical. I agree. But the world has changed quite a bit. Both handhelds might fail due to what's happening with smartphones.

DSGamer wrote:

It looks the same. Doesn't mean it will turn out the same. That's my point. It looks almost identical. I agree. But the world has changed quite a bit. Both handhelds might fail due to what's happening with smartphones.

that is at least a difference. I'm not convinced that cell phone gaming, no matter how cool the iPhone and androids are, have much relevance to dedicated gaming devices. Maybe thing have changed more than I have realized, but I still don't see them competing head to head.

I did some updating to the OP.

CptGlanton wrote:

I did some updating to the OP.

You forgot to include the financing options Sony will make available.

This is very confusing. In other forums 3D is awful and should be shunned...in here though it's the bees knees and the wave of the future...

Is this like that Steve Jobs reality distortion field thingy?!