Is the PS Vita still worth buying today (Posted as of October 10th, 2018)
So, is the PS Vita worth the purchase, at the last months of it's life cycle? It really depends on how you game.
Provided that you have PSN games or PSVita game cards available in your area, you're likely to find a few gems around, and at good prices (in many cases). For me, I have a variety of games, and some are imports. I recommend buying (ASIA Region), as many of those games are with an English Option (some Japanese Region aren't in English).
What would make me apprehensive, is the PS Vita Memory Card format: It's cost prohibitive, and is only likely to jump in costs. While you can seek out a Henkaku "jail broken/rooted" PS Vita, the market price is almost double the usual cost of these devices. Where as current market price for a used PS Vita presently goes for $120-$150 (and new devices going for around $190-240), the Henkaku PS Vitas (used) are going for about $200-280, depending on condition and version of hardware.
Another thing to consider: Unlike the Nintendo Switch? The PS Vita only allows for one PSN account. So far, I have not found a way to use multiple accounts on the same PS Vita, whereas I can store multiple accounts on my Nintendo Switch. That's a bummer, as I now have THREE DIFFERENT PS VITAS for different purposes; one is a Wifi-3G "Phat" 1100 (which I use for Japanese region gaming), one is a PS-2000 (Piano Black - That's my Henkaku PS Vita... Amazing with an SD2Vita card and 400GB MicroSD Card), and now this Electric Blue PS Vita, which can't (currently) be "rooted", so it shall be used for Asian Region games (again, because they also have games in English, that I can't normally find in US Market).
The game quality is somewhat like playing on a PS3. Now, in this day, where the PS4 is reaching the latter end of it's lifecycle, you might think that is antiquated. Well, remember that this is a portable reaching it's last months of lifecycle, and that the game quality for many titles, are excellent. The portability of the PS Vita is much more convenient than the Nintendo Switch, and the some games, in my opinion, ported better to the PS Vita, than the Nintendo Switch, particularly with the JRPGs (which shine on the Vita). The fighting games work well (I'm still playing Street Fighter x Tekken regularly, among others), and unlike 3DS games, the hours of play per title seem closest to console games.
A feature that some might not know is that you can even link your PS Vita to the PS4, and game that way too! (Remote Play) allows you to play your PS4 on the PS Vita without wires, on most PS4 games (look for the 'remote play' feature on the game boxes and PSN listings).
So, is the PS Vita worth the purchase, at the last months of it's life cycle? Considering that you can remote play, and that there are many great titles available, I'd have to say YES, THIS IS STILL WORTH BUYING TODAY. Of course, remember that the memory cards are overpriced, and that you should check listings for decent bargains before purchasing. This is one of the rare instances, where the portable gaming system is starting to cost more, as the brand is nearing it's end of it's lifecycle, but when you consider the quality of the games, and are prepared to use the PS Vita for the style and method of gameplay, it's a hard bargain to walk away from; for classic and dedicated portable gamers alike.
Oh, and one more thing... The original 1000-series PS Vitas have brighter and bolder screens, but the tend to get some odd odd splotches and spots with time, when the screen is off. It's not noticable while it's on, but it's worth noting. The 2000s use a cheaper, LED screen, but the screen quality is still pretty good, and doesn't splotch. They are ever so slightly dimmer, but again, you won't notice this while playing (unless you're used to playing on the PS Vita 1000-series handhelds).Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
