The PlayStation Vita, or PS Vita, launched by Sony in 2011 (Japan) and 2012 (North America and Europe), was a powerful and ambitious handheld console designed to succeed the PSP. Boasting impressive graphical capabilities for its time, a vibrant OLED screen (on the original model), and innovative features like a rear touchpad, the Vita aimed to bridge the gap between portable and home console gaming. Sony envisioned a future where gamers could enjoy console-quality experiences on the go, complete with dual analog sticks for precise control, a feature sorely lacking in its predecessor. The Vita embraced both physical game cartridges and digital downloads, offering a diverse library of titles.
Despite its technical prowess and dedicated fanbase, the PS Vita faced significant challenges in the market. The rise of mobile gaming on smartphones and tablets presented stiff competition, and Sony's marketing efforts were often criticized. While the Vita attracted a dedicated following with titles like Persona 4 Golden and Gravity Rush, it never achieved the mainstream success Sony had hoped for. The console's life cycle was relatively short, with Sony shifting its focus to the PlayStation 4. Despite this, the Vita remains a beloved handheld among enthusiasts, remembered for its unique features, strong indie game support, and a passionate community that continues to keep its legacy alive. It solidified itself as a cult classic, remembered for its unique approach to handheld gaming and a library of compelling titles that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on a portable system.
2011
SONY
PS VITA
📜 History & Legacy
⚙️ Specifications
- ❖ CPU: ARM Cortex-A9 quad-core
- ❖ GPU: SGX543MP4+
- ❖ RAM: 512 MB
- ❖ VRAM: 128 MB
- ❖ Storage: Proprietary memory card (4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, 64GB)
- ❖ Display: 5-inch OLED (original model) or LCD (PS Vita 2000) capacitive touchscreen, 960 x 544 resolution
- ❖ Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, 3G (on some models)
- ❖ Input: Dual analog sticks, front and rear multi-touch touchpads, front and rear cameras, accelerometer, gyroscope, electronic compass
- ❖ Battery Life: Approximately 3-5 hours of gameplay
- ❖ Dimensions: Approx. 182.0 x 83.5 x 18.6 mm (original model)
🎮 Top 10 Games
- ★ Persona 4 Golden
- ★ Gravity Rush
- ★ Uncharted: Golden Abyss
- ★ Tearaway
- ★ LittleBigPlanet PS Vita
- ★ Soul Sacrifice
- ★ Dragon's Crown
- ★ Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward
- ★ Ys: Memories of Celceta
- ★ Muramasa Rebirth
🎥 Video Review
💡 Curiosities
- ? The PS Vita's name is derived from the Latin word for "life".
- ? The original PS Vita model featured a vibrant OLED screen, while the later PS Vita 2000 model used a more cost-effective LCD screen.
- ? The rear touchpad was a unique feature that allowed for innovative gameplay mechanics, but it was underutilized by many developers.
- ? The PS Vita was backward compatible with digital PSP games, allowing players to access a vast library of titles.
- ? Sony initially planned to integrate Near, a location-based social networking service, into the PS Vita experience.
- ? The PS Vita was region-free, meaning games from any region could be played on any console.
- ? The PS Vita's proprietary memory cards were a point of contention among gamers due to their high cost.
- ? Several PlayStation 4 games supported cross-play and cross-save functionality with the PS Vita.
- ? The PS Vita saw a resurgence in popularity thanks to its strong library of indie games and Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs).
- ? The PS Vita's online store remained active for several years after the console was discontinued, allowing players to purchase and download digital games.