The arrival of the Sony PlayStation Vita -- the portable gaming hardware sensation every self-respecting thumb jockey has been waiting for -- is imminent.
The Vita will march out in a couple of weeks, bolshy and brash as you like, proudly waggling its considerable price tag at eager-beaver gamers with little-to-no regard for the annual gadget shopping binge that took place two months prior.
But is the Vita's confidence justified or misplaced? In this video review Luke Westaway examines the Vita's credibility as an on-the-go gaming gadget.
The Vita's crisp 5-inch touchscreen and ample, well-spaced controls, including a lovely touch-sensitive trackpad on the underside, make for a pleasantly absorbing gaming experience.
A beast of a quad-core chip tears through the games with all the vigour of an enraged four-headed Cerberus and the smart phone-style interface full of bouncing badges is simple and fun to use.
Alas, the Vita's downfall lies not in how it handles games or web browsing -- although it's a shame its multi-tasking abilities are so limited -- but when you remember that it's a portable gaming device.
For a start it's large -- too large. You've got to be a seriously committed gamer to load up your rucksack with this cumbersome slab of tech every time you leave the house and endure the botheration of lugging it around town with you.
Then there's the battery life, which would just about hold out for the duration of a short-haul flight -- and that's not accounting for transfers, the two-hour wait at the airport and any delays you might encounter along the way.
Taking these factors into account as well as the combined price of the console, games and memory card (proprietary -- ugh), the Vita's appeal is limited and it's questionable as to whether this device would be the appropriate gadget for any but the most hardcore of gaming nuts.
Hit play on the video above to check out the Vita in closer detail and while you're at it, see why Luke thinks the Vita is no match for the iPod touch.
If you vehemently disagree with our assessment or are having second thoughts about whether the Vita is for you, you'll be glad to know we've reserved a special space for you to be vitriolic in the comments below. Or you could head over to the CNET UK Facebook page.
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Comments 20
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1000123628 13 February, 2012 15:34
Seriously, it's not expensive. An iPhone (which you often compare it to) is at least twice that. Also, 3-5 hours playtime is comparable to other handheld devices, which aren't criticised at prominently for this - personally I would like to see improved battery life on all devices though...
Peter Hudson 13 February, 2012 16:09
This thing is waaaayyyy too expensive. you can get an iPod Touch for £170, the Vita is £220 plus a memory card at about £30 - 40.
You would have thought sony would learn their lesson with the PSP. I'll bet in a years time, no one will be making games for this thing, just like the PSP
1000123628 13 February, 2012 16:24
Go to Amazon and click their offer - works out at £227.84 including an 8GB memory card and game (of course, you only get a choice of a few games, but there are at least a few good ones on there)...
ponyman 13 February, 2012 17:36
I wonder what CNET's assessment of this would be if it came with an Apple instead of Sony logo ....
Naryan 13 February, 2012 18:10
This is such **... I'm getting so sick of this **** CNET...<br />
<br />
Such utter **...
anonymous 13 February, 2012 18:47
Yep, affirmed!
Cnet are on the Apple payroll (either that or the editors think that by kissing some serious Apple arse then they will get Apple freebies).
anonymous 13 February, 2012 19:02
I have to agree with some of the other posts - this is so biased. Firstly is it expensive? Maybe, but when anything like this is launched the starting price is always high - think PS3, Nintendo 3DS. At the end of the day it is a premium product, and therefore likely to attract a premium price tag. Comparing the games (as a blanket) to the ipod touch is a step too far - there are reams and reams of games but not everything that is "under a quid" is any good! Nor a directly fair comparison given the quality or size of the games themselves.
The whole video (and seperate review) is very slanted. It seems a shame that this whole site seems so so willing to shout the continued praises of one companies products, but less so with others. give it a break!
billfred 13 February, 2012 19:16
1. Since when did anyone carry a games console (Gameboy, DS, PSP etc) in a pocket?!?
2. I'd like to see the iPod Touch/iPhone run more than 5 hours playing those types of games!
Seriously, I'm in all likelihood not going to buy one but I'm going to have to join in the CNET bashing on this.
Jason Hill 13 February, 2012 20:56
oh dear time to remove this bad site from my bookmarks
Mugen13 13 February, 2012 21:45
Its a shame that u would consider games played on an iPod touch to the ones the vita is capable of rendering. There is a reason why the iPod is found under mp3 players u know. I remember buying the first psp for about 450 dollars when it came out and this vita is in many ways (all ways) to be honest, better , yet its almost half the price! If ur a gamer u will find the value on this handheld I'm sure
Rich Trenholm 14 February, 2012 12:33
Have you guys ever heard of the Hostile Media Effect? I'm guessing not
1000123628 14 February, 2012 12:54
It's not a Hostile Media Effect if you're blatantly just writing an article to get a reaction out of people - Half-assed Media Effort then more appropriately. I can remember when the Vita was first unveiled and the media were absolutely digging it and your sister site has some interesting things to say about the pro-Apple attitude on here (don't get me wrong - I love Apple too and have many of their products): http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-18438_7-57370707-82/what-if-the-vita-had-an-apple-logo-instead-of-sonys/?tag=mncol;1n
I'm frankly staggered by how little your site has to offer in the way of insightful comment (your video content is pretty poor too), plus the fact that your writers feel the need to even post responses here - that's why I've gone over to The Verge.
1000123628 14 February, 2012 12:55
Oh and the Vita plus a game plus an 8GB memory card can now be had for £214.99 over at Amazon UK.
1000123628 14 February, 2012 12:58
Sorry - £224.99 (I had a voucher code - which can easily be obtained incidentally, if you are indeed hard up on cash like the writers here - haha!).
shauney3 14 February, 2012 16:17
Zavvi. £199.99 (offical Zavvi eBay store)
billfred 14 February, 2012 17:43
Really Trenholm? That's the best you've got? Fine just ignore everyone who bothered to comment on this and stick your fingers in your ears.
billfred 16 February, 2012 11:24
:-) how could I ever stay mad at you?
billfred 16 February, 2012 11:25
and now your comment has disappeared :s
Rich Trenholm 16 February, 2012 11:26
Lalalalala I can't hear you
Rich Trenholm 16 February, 2012 11:26
But seriously guys. 1000123628 sorry you don't agree with our review, we'd love to have you back if you change your mind. We work hard to be impartial and call it like we see it - not to get a reaction. If we cover Apple or compare other products to Apple it's simply because Apple is the biggest company in the world and its products lead many sections of the tech market. That's not bias, that's just naked sales figures.
I recently wrote an article called Why I don't want an iPhone any more. I think that's pretty unbiased.