Following a successful launch event held on Sydney Harbour this week, Sony Computer Entertainment’s new handheld gaming console and successor to the Playstation Portable – the Playstation Vita officially launched in stores nationally today – with me myself picking up my one this afternoon. Sony Computer Entertainment have claimed that this console offers an “uncompromised portable gaming experience” and “provides the convenience of a small yet powerful device that you can use on the go”. The launch draws on years on gaming expertise and leadership; with it being the fifth major hardware launch and the second true portable launch for Sony Computer Entertainment Australia.
Michael Ephraim, Managing Director of Sony Computer Entertainment had this to say on the consoles launch:
Innovative, rich and immersive gaming experiences are in the DNA of PlayStation and we’ve drawn on years of expertise to create PlayStation Vita. This new device is a revolutionary step change in the portable games category, and offers the gold standard for active gamers on the go. PlayStation Vita also provides compelling cross connectivity benefits for PlayStation 3 owners. There’s real anticipation for the introduction of PlayStation Vita, as it is a truly unique device. Growth in the overall mobile category means we now have more people in Australia enjoying playing games on the go. Now, with PS Vita, we are offering these customers one step better – uncompromised portable gaming experiences with the added benefit of being able to stay socially connected to the world around you.
Some of the features of the console include a 5 inch OLED screen, physical Playstation gaming buttons, dual analogue sticks, SIXAXIS motion sensor, front and rare cameras and a rear touch pad. The Playstation Vita comes with multiple social applications that allow active games to be constantly connected to their PlayStation life and the world around them. The hardware launch is enhanced by a sizable collection of launch titles that are available through either physical media or through the Playstation Network – and currently owning games in both forms – is a nice addition over the PSP GO that removed the physical media element.
The console does have one of the larger launch lineups, with over 25 consoles including first-party titles such as Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Wipeout 2048, Everybody’s Golf and third-party titles including Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition, Touch My Katamari and Lumines. A number of games have also been announced for future release in a number of major franchises including LittleBigPlanet, Resistance: Burning Skies through to third-party titles including Bioshock, Assassin’s Creed and Call of Duty. Australian based game developers such as Nnooo, Tantalus, Red Ant and Torus have also confirmed they are developing for the platform.
While the Playstation Portable was in my opinion a big hit, it didn’t really ever reach the potential it had within Australia as it had other regions. Will the Playstation Vita make it big? Only time will tell… but I have my hopes set high.
Expect reviews of the consoles launch titles over the next week.
