Must have.

A few hours since delivery... I'm impressed. Just about everything about the PSV: display, controls, features, the games - top of the line. This is a gaming machine that shouts "quality" and, after the first few hours of playing Uncharted and a couple of small games off the PSN, I can say that I've had the best portable gaming experience ever - we currently have a PSP and a DSi in the house plus a couple of tablets and smart phones.

Briefly - and I will update my review as I experience more of the PSV - these are my findings so far.

HARDWARE AND FEATURES

Yes, it's quad-core this, and super-high-rez display that but what counts is that it translates into a super-smooth gaming experience with a bunch of non-gaming capabilities on top. I'm surprised how immersive playing a game on such a small screen with such tiny speakers can be. And it is so for a couple of reasons.

- the sharpest, best looking display I've seen on a portable
- the dual analog sticks make all the difference - Sony learned from past mistakes
- the back touch panel are something that it's better to experience because it's the one clear innovation on this machine and it won't give you headaches (sorry Nintendo :) )
- games can be either downloaded or purchased and shared on physical media - like I said, Sony is learning from past mistakes (sorry PSP Go)
- seamless integration with the PS3 and the Playstation Network
- a bunch of great multimedia apps including Netflix - I'll have more to say about these after I stop playing Uncharted :)
- cameras - more later but I heard that some games allow you to build characters that look just like you

THE GAMING EXPERIENCE

Anyone who has a PS3 or a PSP should feel very familiar with the PSV. All the PS3 controls are there although some of the buttons are smaller. Add to that the 'touch' capabilities on both front and back with support for gestures and the gaming possibilities are almost endless. Because of its high resolution, there can be a lot happening at the same time on the PSV's screen and, don't forget, you can also feel the action while playing.

I don't feel like doing comparisons at this time but anyone who claims that the PSV is no big deal because we can play games on our phones should experience the PSV and then consider revising their statements. Vita can easily play any one-dollar game that a phone can play and I'm sure we'll get a couple of those and Vita can do just about everything a smart phone or tablet can do and most of the time do it better, but no phone or tablet can play Uncharted and no 'next generation' phone or tablet is likely to be able to play Uncharted or Little Big Planet. And, let's not forget that the Vita costs a less than most smart phones.

EVERYTHING ELSE

I haven't had time to explore all of Vita's features yet but, they're all in there. Multimedia, wireless connectivity, music playback... it's all in there. Add to that one of the best laid out, intuitive and responsive user interfaces and even non gamers should be happy to have a Vita around.

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE

A couple of things. The most annoying is, of course, the hyper-overpriced memory card. You can't play 'big games' without one and Sony decided to make lots of money on this proprietary 'must have' add-on which is anything but optional. Then there's of course Sony not making the Passport program available in the US. We have a PSP and lots of games on UMDs. Not bei

Amazing device, as powerful as PS3, but needs more exclusives to take off.

This machine is great, the hardware is indeed amazing and I would recommend getting this and either model is good.

The lack of games is the only hard sell, if there were more titles that were exclusive then this would take off how the PSP did but due to the only games that are out are ports of the PS3 games that are already available, it's hard to justify the purchase. There are a few for each genre but unless there is one on there you just need to have, it's a hard sell unless you get it at a really good price.

The screen is great, the touch sensor is very responsive on both front and rear screens. The device is a good weight so it feels comfortable, and the buttons/analog sticks are in very good positions. The only thing you need extra is a memory card and a screen protector, and a good case is highly recommended to prevent unwanted scratches when not in use.

The most powerful handheld gaming system on this planet!!!

Let me start off this lengthy (but comprehensive) review by saying that at first, I was not completely sold with the Vita.

But then I had to give in because casual games on my smartphone gets really boring, really fast. So, there I am off to buy the Vita. I must say that overall, I am really impressed by Sony's latest handheld gaming system. Let me break it down for you in different categories:

EXTERIOR / OVERALL DESIGN:
The moment I opened the box and took out the Vita, I really felt like I was holding a sophisticated piece of hardware. The smooth lines, paneling, the redisigned buttons, it was just like a chunk off of The Enterprise's console or something Darth Vader fiddled with during his ho-hum time inside the Death Star. If the iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy had a kid, the Vita would be it. Will be better appreciated if held in your hands instead of just looking at photos. It's just glossy all over. 9.5/10

GRAPHICS/GAMEPLAY
I don't know how they did it but somehow they were able to shrink the PS3. No other handheld can even come close. Looking at the games is just breathtaking. Once you start playing, it's really hard to imagine that it's a handheld, at times you'll even forget that you're not in front of your TV anymore. The *ehem* QUAD CORE PROCESSOR FOR THIS BABY REALLY KICKS YOU KNOW WHAT. The OLED 5 inch display is just gorgeous, you'll know right away that it was made for gaming.Seamless connectivity to your PS3 if you are playing a PS3-Vita cross platform game! And most Vita games have online multiplayer options! The buttons were redisgned from the original PSP look but I must say it still works, if not better. It's also good that they made it a dual analog stick system. It just completed everything. The front touchscreen is very responsive, you won't be tapping hard on this baby to get it to do what you want to do. The only negative thing I can say is for some games, like Assassin's Creed, you'll notice some lag or delays when jumping off rooftops, not saying it's a bad thing because it is a beautiful game but if you're nitpicky, you'll surely notice it. The game cards or downloaded games will not work if you don't have a memory card inserted so that's a bummer. I recommend buying the 32GB right away because you'll eventually end up buying one anyway.Also the back touchscreen isn't really that responsive, especially if you exited out of the game temporarily and came back again, sometimes, it won't respond so you need to exit the game and then relaunch it. But it's a nice touch (excuse the pun) because it adds a whole new dimension to the gameplay. 9/10

GAME CHOICES/GAME AVAILABILITY
Now the good thing here is Vita's backwards compatability. The Playstation Store has everything! Games from PSX,PS ONE,PS2,PSP all available for download (for a certain amount) for your gaming pleasure. All the games prior to the Vita has been remastered for that PS VITA HD experience. Some games even added touchscreen controls!! The only negative part here is the actual Vita game library is not yet that big. I think developers should give the Vita more credit (2K Sports I'm talking to you! releasing NBA2K13 for PSP and nothing for the Vita!!!) and develop more games. I think it's still too early but right now I am really hopeful that a lot of good titles will be churned out for the Vita soon. 8.5/10 (for the meantime based on current game library)

I love the Sony PlayStation Vita so much that i decide to buy two of them!

This thing should come with warning. Why? because there some things that are very important when first buying this machine.

1. REGION: Choose your region wisely,
Go with US if you want the fastest new release of games and many free demo.
The PSN prepaid card available widely in US currency.
US region have wide variety of fav and memorable PSP games that you can download and play on your Vita.

Go with Asia region if you want to buy games that are only available released on Japan. Most of them are in Japanese of course.

Go with Malaysia region if you want to buy vita games with price drops. there are 2,3 good games price drops near 50%. Such as Wipeout and Modnation Racer.

2. MEMORY CARD: Take my advice, buy 32GB of Vita Memory card because you willl need it. Sooner or later. I personally dislike changing game card everytime i want to switch and play other game, so get a big memory card, download them on PS store. Or be wise, if a game size if more than 3GB for for example Mortal Combat and Blazblue, Buy the game card.

3. PSN STORE: Becarefull when using your credit card, i had trouble with adding funds to PSN store wallet and it is a common problem. I had no problems before but after two three days, it seems i cant no longer able to use my credit card there. Maybe their security is very thight. Alternatively, go for PSN prepaid card. Its much safer.

4. GAMES: Games are extremely expensive. There are no signs of 'Hacked' Vita games to date. So be wise when buying, read reviews, comments and youtube gameplay on that spesific game. Then when u think its worth it, then buy it. Otherwise if available, just download the playable demos for free.

5. 3G and WIFI: AT&T 3G version of the Vita is LOCKED! i repeat LOCKED to its own network. that means it wont be usable outside US or other mobile network on US. Go for UK or ASIA/Hong Kong Version of the Vita if you are planning to use 3G.

Well, the reason that i know a few thing about the Vita is i own two of them. 1 on Malaysia Region that i bought on Sony Style, and 2 on US Region that i bought used and very cheap on eBay.

Until next review.

Ciao.

Fantastic handled console, but it's lacking software development.

The Vita is the only handheld console that can satisfy a true gamer. Rivalling the power of the PS2, the Vita also comes with dual joysticks and two touch surfaces, one of them being the actual screen. At this point the Vita's only two downfalls are it's price and lack of new software support. The best games for the system are the PS1 and PSP games that have been ported through the PS Store, with hopefully more games becoming compatible.
That being said, $50/year will grant you Playstation Plus membership, which means at least one game per month becomes "free".

For the Playstation addict that missed out on the PSP like I did, this could be the handheld you're looking for. There is full PS Network integration and many of the new titles have trophies that count towards your overall trophy count.

During an intense graphical game like AC3: Liberation the battery lasts a respectable 5 hours, and for smaller titles it can go for as long as 8 hours. RPG fans should be delighted at the number of classic PS1 and PSP RPGs that are compatible with the system and keep them occupied for hours on end. If you can't find at least 3 games that you want for it, however, I would suggest holding off for a retail price drop and more software releases.