• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

PlayStation Vita Japanese Launch Thread. "APOCALYPTIC!" says concerned Nuclear Muffin

Status
Not open for further replies.
My Vita is on the truck for delivery!

And I'm stuck at work until 4:30!

And if I make it home after 5:30 the apartment office will be closed and I'll miss the package today! Yay!
 
How much did it cost you UK importers to ship the Vita? Shipping and customs etc?

I imported a Japanese launch PSP back in 2004 and got charged a small fortune.
 
Famitsu review scores

Via 1up
- Uncharted (9/9/8/9, 35 points): "The fun aspects of this series, from the standard adventure feel to the snappy dialogue, are out on the forefront here. The light, shadow and water effects really add to the atmosphere as well. The touch controls work well, and it feels oddly gratifying to see Nathan climb cliffs and so forth following the path you trace with your finger."

- Hot Shots Golf 6 (9/9/8/8, 34 points): "It's always nice to see Hot Shots retain its own flavor while trying to do new things with each game. It's a well-suited title for beginners, one where you can tap on where you want the ball to go and the game automatically selects the right club and range for you. The range and height information you get from the rear touch panel also helps when plotting your strategy for the rest of the hole."

- Touch My Katamari (8/9/7/8, 32 points): "The setting's chaotic as always, and while the basic idea is unchanged, the touch controls make it feel pretty new, especially the katamari stretching aspect. These controls do not come intuitively, but you're also free to play with the traditional analog control as well."

- Army Corps of Hell (8/8/8/8, 32 points): "The demonic setting goes perfectly with the heavy-metal soundtrack, and you can't help but bop your head along with it. It seems like some kind of simulation at first, but there's a heavy action streak to it as well, making things more fun. A very unique and very charming piece of work."

- Power Smash 4 (9/9/9/8, 35 points): "The game's been improved heavily from the console for the PS Vita, and I like some of the social aspects that pop up here, like how you can put your photo in with your character and have it show up on the online map. It's a good idea and a sign of where things are going with the Vita's online play."

Does anyone have a full list?
 
How much did it cost you UK importers to ship the Vita? Shipping and customs etc?

I imported a Japanese launch PSP back in 2004 and got charged a small fortune.

Customs should be 20% + the handling surchage (usually around 20 quid). Shipping is usually pretty cheap but due to the li-ion issues you will need to use a courier like fedex who will charge you a bomb...
 
and can Vita be charged via USB connected to a PC for example? with the cables included, i mean, not having to buy any accesories.

yes from one of the vids, they said it can charge from USB< like the psp can.

edit:

well damn maybe I heard wrong, makes sense why they maid that battery on the go thing. then
 
cars don't give out that much of a charge. especially if you're playing at the same time lol.

i usually drive when in the car :P

but at least for my smartphone, it works really well. i use its gps and the phone remains fully charged all the time.
Plus it is way easier to carry a small usb cable than a wall plug. That is, for example, my main issue withj my acer iconia a500
 
i usually drive when in the car :P

but at least for my smartphone, it works really well. i use its gps and the phone remains fully charged all the time.
Plus it is way easier to carry a small usb cable than a wall plug. That is, for example, my main issue withj my acer iconia a500

i was going to suggest the GPS but you already have that. (if you were getting the 3G model)
 
i was going to suggest the GPS but you already have that. (if you were getting the 3G model)

it is a pitty that the wifi model does not have GPS :( it would be cool. I wonder if there will be a Gmaps app at some point for the 3G version at least. That big oled screen must be godly for easy car navigation.
 
The option is clearly in the settings menu, but...
This idiocy is probably because the battery icon is different when plugged into wall socket. It has this electricity thingy going on and on USB it says nothing. There is no way of knowing it charges the battery.

Does the PS button not glow orange?
 
The option is clearly in the settings menu, but...
This idiocy is probably because the battery icon is different when plugged into wall socket. It has this electricity thingy going on and on USB it says nothing. There is no way of knowing it charges the battery.

Sony!!!fix the clock!

Well the battery icon this time. it is kind of weird if true. I also find stupid having to enable it on the options instead of being turned on by default. Unless while charging you cannot access your data visa usb, which would still be weird.
 

This stood out most to me:

However, the 3G model is not without its advantages. It has built-in GPS, which the Wi-Fi unit lacks, and due to this certain games will be exclusive to the 3G model. An example of this is Monster Radar, available at the Japanese launch, which is heavily reliant on GPS functionality. If you want to be absolutely sure that your Vita will be able to play every single future software release, it might be best to spend the extra ¥5,000 / $50 on the 3G model.

What's Monster Radar? How's the Near functionality compare on the 3G and WiFi model?
 
Sony!!!fix the clock!

Well the battery icon this time. it is kind of weird if true. I also find stupid having to enable it on the options instead of being turned on by default. Unless while charging you cannot access your data visa usb, which would still be weird.

it is probably like with iPad - it requires higher current, which most USB ports dont have on laptops, so it shows as not charging, even if it does (slowly). When it gets enough current, then it shows as charging. My iPad can discharge completely while plugged into my laptop for instance (if i play games).
 
it is probably like with iPad - it requires higher current, which most USB ports dont have on laptops, so it shows as not charging, even if it does (slowly). When it gets enough current, then it shows as charging. My iPad can discharge completely while plugged into my laptop for instance (if i play games).

Was just going to say this, can anyone tell me the power rating of the wall charger that comes with the VITA?
 
I really wish they would have done a worldwide launch but I guess waiting till Feb wont be that bad. Importing the thing costs double right now.
 
Great read, thanks.
Small typo in the apps>web browser section ("t’s very usable in basic operation"), just in case you hadn't noticed yet :)

man, thanks! 4am here...

This stood out most to me:

What's Monster Radar? How's the Near functionality compare on the 3G and WiFi model?

i only tested the wifi model, unfortunately, so i can't tell you much about monster radar beyond it being an AR/GPS-based social game thing about monsters on a map. i'd have checked it out were it not for the big pink sticker on the box saying it wouldn't work on my system.
 
Engadget's review: http://www.engadget.com/2011/12/21/playstation-vita-review-japanese-edition/

The thing that sticks out to me is the three hour battery life. Based on anecdotal evidence in this thread that contradicts such a claim I wonder how they were using the device.

What was with their pricing section?

Pricing
So how much is the future of portable gaming going to set you back? Well, it's not for the fainthearted and will depend on whether you're looking for some cellular connectivity thrown into the mix. US buyers can net an early first edition 3G-capable Vita, like our review model, plus a case, a 4GB memory card and a copy of Little Deviants for $350, while Canadian buyers will be able to buy the WiFi-only version for $299.

Ours is the Japanese 3G model, which is priced at 30,000 Yen ($385). Meanwhile, its closest gaming rival, the 3DS, is now available new at around $165, following its price drop from a headier $250. That difference in raw power will be pretty visible on your bank balance. Regrettably, there's also no support for multiple PSN accounts on a single Vita.

They mention the Canadian wifi verison will be $299, but not that the US wifi version will be $249? That makes NO sense.
 
The Verge Review said:
The D-pad is very accurate, and links the four directions in a single cross for the first time in place of the four separate buttons that all previous PlayStation systems adopted.

I really can't believe people still believe that PS pads use four seperate buttons for the d-pad.
 
The Verge review was pretty much spot on to what my expectations are of the Vita (should have mine in the next day or so)

If anything, as I am getting older, I am drifting more away from console gaming and focusing more on portable gaming...I think 2012 will be the year real console gaming on a portable device comes to fruition....and I think Sony will benefit from that...

I don't think this will be a Sony in first Nintendo in third scenario, because based on markets, I think all three (including iOS/android) have a place they can dominate...
 

However, the 3G model is not without its advantages. It has built-in GPS, which the Wi-Fi unit lacks, and due to this certain games will be exclusive to the 3G model. An example of this is Monster Radar, available at the Japanese launch, which is heavily reliant on GPS functionality. If you want to be absolutely sure that your Vita will be able to play every single future software release, it might be best to spend the extra ¥5,000 / $50 on the 3G model.
Isn't this straight up misinformation? AFAIK, the Wifi model can (like many devices) estimate location based on nearby hotspots. The 3G model would be better in this case, but using the term "exclusive" is incorrect.

Edit: Nope, I'm wrong.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom