REVIEW - PlayStation Vita In-Depth Preview

[garyopa]

In-Depth Look into the PlayStation Vita Value Pack



A Short Preview for the Sony PlayStation Vita by 'Ahmed_p800'

Hello Guys!

After resisting for some time, I bought a PS Vita eventually!
And wanted to do a Preview for it

I got the Value Pack



Official website HERE

This is the Japanese version, Made in China.
Note it fully supports English, and even Uncharted that comes with it is fully localized, and even better, the device is Region Free, so it can play all games from all regions!

PS Vita tech spec

• CPU: ARM® Cortex- A9 core (4 cores)
• GPU: SGX543MP4+ (also 4 cores)
• RAM: 512 MB system + 128 MB video ram
• Display: 5" OLED - 960x544 pixels - Multitouch
• Others: WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1 (3G model come with GPS), Six-axis, front and rear cameras

Pics:

1-Value Pack:




2-Value pack contains: PS Vita + Accessories + Uncharted + 4GB


3-Uncharted Box + Memory Card Box


4-Comparison with a MicroSD


5-The Vita!


6-Rear touch Panel


7-Top view


8-More Pics










9-PS Logo when you start the Vita


10-Lock screen


11-Main Menu


12-Game Menu


13-Uncharted the PS Vita version!




14-This Menu appears by pressing and holding the PS Button


15-Recovery Menu: Switch it off > press PS + R + Power and hold


General Observations:

• It is HUGE, but lets not forget the 5" screen!
• It is surprisingly light, If you look at it you might think it is heavy, but it isn't.
• Very comfortable to hold and use.
• The back touch panel needs to get used to.
• The OLED screen is just AMAZING!
• US and EU stores are closed as of now.
• Everything is fast, smooth and responsive, exiting a game was never this simple and easy.
• Ability to rearrange icons and change backgrounds.
• Amazing intro when you start the Vita for the first time!

Negatives:

• Don't know why, but it feels cheap (maybe because is it lighter than expected?)
• Finger Prints Magnet, do I need to say more?
• Not sure if the screen is scratch resistant, but I do hope so.
• Menus work by touch only.
• Copying files to the Vita is a nightmare!

First you need to install content manager on your PC, then you need to have internet connection all the time, and be logged to PSN on PC an Vita, then you need to copy your media to specific folder for each type (Photos, Movies...etc), after that you go to your Vita > content manager application > and choose to copy from PC > content type, this will launch the content application where you need to find the file you want, then you tick it and copy it to the Vita (o____O)!!!

This is so stupid, very long and might be confusing with too many files!

I believe they are trying to prevent hacking this way, also they might be monitoring what you are copying as internet connection is required!

In general, for handheld gamers, PS Vita is just perfect, you have the controls, the power, the gorgeous screen and the upcoming games!

I really like it

But right now I can't get more games as mostly are Japanese and hard to find here...

But when the PS Vita is officially release end of Feb in Europe and US, many games will be there to choose from!

Our thanks to 'Ahmed_p800' for another good hardware review!

[Ahmed_p800]

By the way guys...

I posted about the recovery menu on wololo (Psp hacker) website http://wololo.net/wagic/

But he removed my post! (o_O)

This could mean something!

[Xenogears V]

Nice. Nobady post about weight?, is it heavier then psp?. Can you give the weight?.

[JonathanD]

Nice. Nobady post about weight?, is it heavier then psp?. Can you give the weight?.

I don't know about how much it weighs but I expect it to be slightly lighter with no optical drive. A good good thing in my opinion, optical drives are awesome for a home system not something that runs on batteries.

[trancehead]

By the way guys...

I posted about the recovery menu on wololo (Psp hacker) website http://wololo.net/wagic/

But he removed my post! (o_O)

This could mean something!

could it mean he posted about the recovery menu ages ago.

EDIT: my mistake, it was hidden system menu he posted on. (that same menu works on PSP as well)

[Ahmed_p800]

Nice. Nobady post about weight?, is it heavier then psp?. Can you give the weight?.

Well for the size it is light!
From Wiki:

PSP1000:
280 grams (9.9 oz)
PSP2000/3000:
189 grams (6.7 oz)
PSP GO:
158 grams (5.6 oz)

PS Vita:
Wi-Fi:
260 grams (9.2 oz)
3G:
279 grams (9.8 oz)

could it mean he posted about the recovery menu ages ago.
EDIT: my mistake, it was hidden system menu he posted on. (that same menu works on PSP as well)

Yeah, it was the hidden menu, but the recovery menu is interesting, maybe he did not want many people to know about it or something...

Also there is a screenshot feature in the PS Vita, by pressing both the PS + Start buttons...

Music Player:







here are some Uncharted screens! (All in-game ):

[Cloudkill]

It looks good but I don't like the back of the unit with the triangles and squares, is that that actual touch panel?

[billysastard]

It looks good but I don't like the back of the unit with the triangles and squares, is that that actual touch panel?

yes it is.

[Ahmed_p800]

It looks good but I don't like the back of the unit with the triangles and squares, is that that actual touch panel?

Its not like your going to look at it all the time! ;p

[JonathanD]

Its not like your going to look at it all the time! ;p

I don't look at my underwear all the time either but you can bet your bottom dollar I ain't wearing a pink thong... lol

All kidding aside, I don't think its much of an issue, more of a "Why the hell did they do that?"

It adds nothing and while I am sure the cost was next to nothing it seems like that money would have been better saved for a rainy day. Just one of those video game oddities, or maybe Sony added it at the production plant in China to keep it from appearing on other machines? (not that the Chinese care lol)