Quote:It has been about a month since Sony's new portable, the PlayStation Vita, launched in the West. Considering the dramatic changes which have taken place within the handheld landscape as of late - most importantly, the smartphone/tablet revolution lead by Apple's iOS platforms - there's been a lot of talk amongst gaming enthusiasts about the fate of Vita and Nintendo's 3DS. With that in mind, the initial commercial and critical reception to Vita will be very important in shaping this industry-wide discussion going forward.

Full Story: The PS Vita Launch, With Hindsight

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Twitter: @DarrylGU

And the verdict is........Good? Bad? Indifferent?

From the sound of it, the launch of the Vita could have veered into the deep end like many critics and the more zealous 3DS owners hoped it would, but barely made even, so to speak.

Although, I do have to admit this: Sony has yet to find that "killer IP" to really drive the Vita forward. While handheld spin-offs to Sony's console AAA games have been a welcomed addition to the PSP and Vita libraries, it needs it's own stand-alone IP that can really make it's own identity. In short, Sony could use it's own equivalent of PokeMon, although not to suggest it should make a clone. But at least Sony has given early adopters of the platform some good games to play. Now to get myself one of those neat machines.

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I think it is a good system, had a great line up of games. Digital PSP games are available to play. The Vita also has Gravity Rush and Burn Skies coming later. It will have some pretty awesome games to keep me busy for sure.

Also with E3 coming up in June I have no doubt there will be some incredible announcements for the Vita that Sony will try to pull off.

Exclusive Vita IPs would be nice though...or at least Final Fantasy Type 0...come on.

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I've had the most fun with my Vita... Playing FFI. The screen is gorgeous and while all the new features are there (touchscreen, etc), there just doesn't seem to be much to pull it forward away from the PSP or 3DS. I don't regret buying it at all, but the handheld has yet to come into its own, and of course that's down to what games we're going to be able to play on it in the future.

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(March 28, 2012 07:07:46 PM)TheNinjaMax Wrote:  Although, I do have to admit this: Sony has yet to find that "killer IP" to really drive the Vita forward. While handheld spin-offs to Sony's console AAA games have been a welcomed addition to the PSP and Vita libraries, it needs it's own stand-alone IP that can really make it's own identity. In short, Sony could use it's own equivalent of PokeMon, although not to suggest it should make a clone. But at least Sony has given early adopters of the platform some good games to play. Now to get myself one of those neat machines.

I personally think Sony really messed up by allowing Monster Hunter to appear on the Nintendo 3DS. Obviously it's Capcom's decision, but I'm sure Sony could have convinced them one way or another.

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Twitter: @DarrylGU

In the end, we really can't compare devices such as tablets and iPad's to that of the gaming handheld. I've played Call of Duty: Zombies on my tablet, and it just doesn't feel the same. I want physical joysticks and buttons, not just the touchscreen controls. That's where handheld's come in.

I'm still waiting on the alleged Call of Duty port to get my zombie fix on the go, but the Vita did start off with some decent titles at launch, and like Dennis pointed out, E3 is just around the corner. I'm positive that something good will come out of it for the Vita; I just hope there's something revealed that really sets the sexier Vita apart from the old-and-faithful PSP.

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Twitter: Colin__Cooper
Google : Colin Cooper