Might get a Vita, need advice.

[CavZee]

A buddy of mine from work is sort've desperate to get rid of his Vita. He has a 8GB Memory card, 12 games, and a couple accessories. He showed me pictures and assures me the system is in great shape and hasn't really been used for months.

I'm interested primarily for the fact that:
A) I'll probably get a good deal
B) PSP library that I've missed out on completely. (Although I'd prefer physical copies of PSP games.
C) There are a handful of games that interest me like Gravity Rush

Now, I have a 3DS and PS3, so some games I could just as easily get on those plstforms. What's everyone's take on the Vita and most importantly, it's future?

Oh, and what's a good legitimate offer I should make him for it?

[isiolia]

Hardware-wise, the Vita is overall excellent. I have two main complaints.

First, the proprietary cards used for storage. Retail Vita titles range in the gigabytes, so even a 32GB will easily fill up over time if you've got Playstation+ or something (offhand, Uncharted will pretty much fill a 4GB card by itself). Obviously, not as big a deal if you're buying physical games, as the larger cards will fit plenty of PS1 and PSP games.

Second, that the d-pad and buttons are relatively small. More in line what Nintendo uses on their handhelds, versus the Dual Shock size they are on the PSP-3000.

The screen is similar to what you see on modern smartphones, leaps and bounds over those in other handhelds. PSP games look great on it - if they come across as too vibrant, you have the option of toggling the color space. It's a nice way to experience the PS1 classics available on it too.

Future is hard to say. It's probably better off already than some would credit it for, in part due to stores often not having many games out. Some, like Zero Escape, are online-only for certain chains.
I think right now it's easily worth it for the folks who are more inclined to play games on handheld - plenty of great ports like Blazblue, MGS HD, and so on. As someone who'd rather play those with a full size gamepad, it's still good, but the relevant game list is shorter.

Long term, I think it'll be one of those systems that doesn't seem to have a great library if you just judge it by what's on the shelf in Wal-Mart, but has a lot of hidden gems or niche titles if you look online (like the PSP, Wii, etc).

That said, PS+ sweetens the deal a lot. The base games offered, plus the rotating selections, have all been worthwhile. Great for PS3 too for that matter.

If he's got 12 retail games for it, I'd look at offering him the $250 the base system goes for new (assuming it's the Wi-Fi version).
They're a bit less for just the handheld ($170-180 or so on Amazon), but most of the games aren't particularly cheap yet, even used. Plus the 8GB card, plus whatever accessories. It'd be a solid deal. If he'll go lower, even better. Going over $300, as a lot, might be pushing it, depending on the games included.

[Stark]

And make sure those are 12 physical copies of games. The digital ones are tied to your PSN account, so unless he's giving you that too, you don't get his digital games.

[ZenErik]

And make sure those are 12 physical copies of games. The digital ones are tied to your PSN account, so unless he's giving you that too, you don't get his digital games.

But the original poster has his own PSN account. So even if he IS giving his account I would say that that does not matter. The Vita can only have one active account at a time.

[CavZee]

Yeah, they're physical games. If it gets plenty of RPGs and other quirky non-mainstream titles from japan then I'll be happy. It's just that a lot of the games are ports from ps3 or elsewhere. Already have VLR on 3DS too.

The memory card prices are what scared me away more than anything I'd say. I wouldn't mind playing some ps1 games on it as well as PSP stuff and I'd need memory card space for them. I figure 8GB would be enough to juggle 4 or 5 PSP games at onceright?

I actually have a code for a 30 day trial of PS Plus, just never used it. Do they put PSP games in the monthly selections ever?

Yeah I had no intentions of going over $300 for it. I was thinking about offering $240 as my initial offer, I'll see what he says to that.

[ZenErik]

PSP games are included. Final Fantasy Tactics was free for a while. Can't remember others off hand, but it definitely happens.

[isiolia]

I figure 8GB would be enough to juggle 4 or 5 PSP games at onceright?

I actually have a code for a 30 day trial of PS Plus, just never used it. Do they put PSP games in the monthly selections ever?

While there are PSP (and PS1) games that can be 1GB+, plenty of them are a few hundred MB, some even smaller than that (PSP SFA3 is around 85MB I think?). 4-5 PSP titles in 8GB is almost a worst-case scenario. More likely you'd have room for a good bit more.

Not all Vita games are huge either. Particularly if you look at digital-only titles. Just saying, some of them are, which makes the cost/GB somewhat confusing when Sony is pushing direct downloads.


PSP games have shown up in the monthly selections a fair bit. Currently they've got Tekken 6 and Soul Calibur Broken Destiny up, which are both PSP titles.

[CavZee]

Ok, cool. Might have to seriously consider PS Plus if I go through with this. 8GB sounds like plenty since I would be sticking with physical Vita games. Any upcoming games I should look out for? Ys - Memories of Celceta caught my eye.

It really does make you wonder why Sony wouldn't have just used SD or microSD cards. I heard it was something to combat pirates?

[isiolia]

Probably in part because people hacked the shit out of the PSP. Probably in part due to the potential for a high profit margin accessory versus having everyone buy the cheapest other brand.

Upcoming...would depend on what you have/want. I've got the Muramasa remake on preorder. There's also Dragon's Crown, though I'm looking at PS3 for that.

[CavZee]

Probably in part because people hacked the shit out of the PSP. Probably in part due to the potential for a high profit margin accessory versus having everyone buy the cheapest other brand.

Upcoming...would depend on what you have/want. I've got the Muramasa remake on preorder. There's also Dragon's Crown, though I'm looking at PS3 for that.

I've got Muramasa on Wii, still haven't opened it yet though. XD I was looking at PS3 for Dragon's Crown too, mainly for co-op. Is there not cross buy for games anymore?