Sony PlayStation Vita (Latest Model)- Crystal Black Handheld System (Wi-Fi)

Now lets face it. If your like me and are a total gamer then you wanted one of these before you even touched one. You didn't know much about its specs - only that it looked awesome. It was just damn sexy and you wanted one on your arm (or in your hand as the case my be)

For starters, touch screen capability was a massive thumbs up. Although at first, I thought my PS Vita was broken when I reached the main menu as I was so used to using buttons and the D-pad to navigate. Those lovely retro things would only be used in the gaming process.

Now your iPod skills come in and all the same things (such as pinching in to zoom or holding onto an icon to move it to a different menu or delete etc) are here with this PS Vita.

Its smooth, fast responding and a treat to use (esp the keyboard functions).

Now sound quality I was blown away. For starters, OUCH this baby can bark loud! Even without earphones, you will hear every little detail and every note unlike a DS where I find I have to use head phones to get full benefits.

The back touch pad is where you will develop new skills. Its like when you tried to hook or unhook a bra for the first time. You think you know where your fingers are exactly but it turns out they are actually somewhere else.

But don't panic! This doesn't mean that your doomed to never use it. In fact many of the games I have played so far don't really use accurate pinpoint touches for the back. It acts more as a L2 and R2 buttons on your PS3 controller except way way cooler and more fun.

Now the double camera! Yes, you have not one but two lovely cameras (one front and back) where you can use it to take pictures, get involved in AR gaming (which thankfully, you can download the AR cards if you are buying 2nd hand. They are available on the PS website as a PDF) and also get involved in Skype. Yes you heard me! You can video chat with your mates and its actually decent quality video and in widescreen!

The Wifi is fast to connect and can remember and store the details for multiple connections unlike its big brother the ps3. (Thank God). I have even tried it out on my Wifi hotspot of my HTC Beats Sensations XE and was very happy with the results. Although you may not be able to use the cross controller function on a mobile, you can access the PS Store to purchase goodies to be downloaded later, use it to play virtual games such as t@g where you need GPS signal and you can check email and even use the map function to find your way around. Brilliant!

The bumper buttons on top are as standard and very responsive. The buttons and analogue sticks have taken a size cut which I thought would effect my level of control but I was surprised to find that this made it more accurate.

Now the only downside to this is the memory (groans and then weeps into my pillow).

For first timers to the scene you will NEED NEED NEED a memory card if you are to get any real use from your darling PS Vita. And I am not talking 4GB. Now as much as it IS available there is NO POINT in this tiny little thing existing. You will obtain 0 satisfaction and 100% frustration...much like a bad sexual experience.

My advice would be to bulk up on something around 16GB and up. Game save data is normally tiny but the games themselves are whoppers. So for those of you cartridge only gamers, 4GB will probably get you through. But for savvy savers who are on the PS Plus and get free game downloads, the larger the card the better but be warned they are expensive.

Bought for my son as a present. Mainly to be used as a media device for him (YouTube,Movies,etc) and games.

Super High quality piece of equipment, very Intuitive control system, both the front and rear touch screens are very responsive and the whole unit feels very robust and solid.

The OLED screen is amazingly bright and near HD looking with is crisp display and super clear text. Sound through the built in speakers is very clear and has good bass output and works superbly with Movies and Games.

If I was being picky (as it is a review) the analogue sticks are quite small and the range of movement is small so tweak the settings in the game to get the perfect settings which is achievable and they work pretty much as well as the Dual Shock pad once tweaked. AND the slot for the Games and memory card (Which you will need a 8GB minimum 32GB really) is a bit fiddly with a pop up slot that cannot be removed.

Also would be great if you could store media on your NETWORK drive at home or PS3 so it could be streamed local or via Wi-Fi if you are out and about (Abroad) to reduce the amount needed to stick on your card.

Visually it is not far from a PS3 (this is aided by the smaller screen/lower resolution) but to the eye Uncharted (Best game so far) looks pretty much like the First game on the PS3 that started this superb franchise off.

All in all if you are looking for a all in one multimedia device that allows you to play (SOME) PS3 games in your hand, and watch media, and love touchscreen but do not want to spend a fortune on an iPAD that is so restricted by the big apple, on hear you can convert you favourite DVD's, drop them on a card and watch HD movies while abroad/out (to keep your kids quiet) and you can enjoy your meal/wine etc.

Biggest let down so far is the POOR line-up of games, some new games are coming but for now their is really only one worth having!!!

All in Sony have stepped acouple of years ahead of the rest, they just need to launch their next Console and Software to back this up!!

I was a fan of the PSP and PS3 so sooner or later I was going to fall for the Vita. I had pre-ordered a Vita before its launch then actually got cold feet and cancelled my order. A couple of weeks after the launch and the good things I was hearing I gave in and ordered one after selling my PSP and entire PSP library of games. I bought the Amazon deal with the memory card and choice of discounted game (Rayman). Upon receiving the Vita I was a bit disappointed that you have to update it immediately before you can use Playstation network but that's common with most smart devices now as there are always software updates after the launch. I updated the Vita by connecting it to my home Wifi and it downloaded and updated itself quickly. The interface it uses is very different from anything you will have seen on Sony before as its been designed for the touch screen. Each application is like a disc and you can flick up and down between screens as you install more applications or games. The built in 'Welcome Park' application/game walks you through the basic features and controls the Vita has. I recommended you play through this first and earn some trophies if you are quick enough :) I then connected to Playstation network and checked which games I could download onto my new Vita as some PSP games and Minis are compatible with it immediately. I was happy enough that I could download my PSP versions of Modnation Racers, Little Big Planet and Practical IQ and play them on the Vita. I could also download some Minis I have bought as well as Motorstorm RC as I'd already bought the PS3 version and you get the Vita version free. So before I'd even tried my Rayman game I'd already a nice collection of games on my Vita. I recommend you go on PSN and get Skype and the free Vita Paint application. The console is very easy to use - I don't see the rear touch pad being used much at all but maybe I'll be surprised. I connected it using remote play to my PS3 and played Bejewled 2. Remote play works just like the PSP at the moment but because of the Vitas better processing power I'm sure it's something they will expand on. Overall I'm happy with the Vita so far - its very early days and I think the best is yet to come. I'm sure as its been so popular at launch we can expect to see some great titles very soon. I say go for it!

as a hardcore gamer i think psvita is very very recomended console, inadition with two analog stick you can control everything how ever i think its very had to hold and play fifa game coz of the rear touch pad.
otherwise very good product and also it has good battery life mine does last about 5/6 hours.

I was excited from the start when Sony announced it last year as NGP since then I was trying to get hold of the ps vita. Now I have it I can tell you its a powerful console. However its a new handheld and there aren't really any appealing games for me. Also the ps vita freezes sometimes, it still needs patches and updates from sony. I bought my ps vita under 160 pound. And its the most powerful handheld and mobile device in the market. No mobile phone can reproduce the graphics this machine can. Compared to the PSP, ps vita has some casual games and creative games which broadens the audience for this fantastic console.