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

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How does the PSN pricing compare to retail?
It's usually 300-1000 yen cheaper than MSRP, but so are the games in, for example, Yodobashi and Bic Camera. Still, DD is cheaper than buying the game in Tsutaya.
 
It's funny that since destructoid put up the HSG psn version people are now talking about the price, 8-4 talked about this during their podcast and I and some others was talking about this last week :D
It definitely isn't more expensive, just not as cheap as some of the other stuff. Still cheaper than retail

Either way I'm curious to see how it pans out for US release
 
i wonder if us, poor europeans, will have all those demos available at launch. I'd love to try some of the software before buying.
 
It's not visible with a dark picture but it is visible if the screen is mostly black like with the Uncharted GA loading screen.



I think you're misunderstanding your source. While it is currently impossible to manufacture an OLED screen with zero emission (even the darkest pixels are very faintly lit) it is most certainly possible to manufacture one which is evenly dark. Neither my Nexus One nor my Galaxy Nexus has blotchy screens for example.

Incidentally, the black levels on the Vita's screen is much better (where it wasn't marred by the blotchiness) than the Galaxy Nexus. The GN's screen looks almost like an LCD next to it!

.k

I just checked my nexus one and my mates galaxy nexus, both have the same blotchiness as the vita on a black screen. Itly 's not as pronounced but most definitely there. I was reading up
on the issue and apparentely it affects all OLED screens, it is not really financially possible to make it even as by default the pixelsbshould be off when they show black. When the refresh pass sweeps the screen some of the pixels get slightly lit due to energy leaking into them from the refresh.
 
Why do you think that it is ridiculous?

Because CoD isn't a genre that's improved by portability in any way. People play CoD with their headsets on in long sessions in a relatively engaged format: you go down to the man-cave, you turn the lights down, you flip on the giant plasma and you waste dudes for a few hours. A portable system lets you play mostly offline, in short bursts, away from your nicely-appointed living room, on a small screen.

COD might well be pretty successful on the Vita, but it's not going to form a significant selling point for the platform. GTA is a great analogy -- we're looking at a million-ish seller title but not anything like the phenomenon it is on consoles.
 
Is Everybodys Golf Vita as good as the PSP versions as far as unlockables go? I know it has some character customization in it but I was wondering if all that stuff was unlocked or if they are just basic color changes for the characters.

I have the same questions. Did none of JGAF with Vitas purchase MinGol 6? I really want to read some detailed impressions.
 
Because CoD isn't a genre that's improved by portability in any way. People play CoD with their headsets on in long sessions in a relatively engaged format: you go down to the man-cave, you turn the lights down, you flip on the giant plasma and you waste dudes for a few hours. A portable system lets you play mostly offline, in short bursts, away from your nicely-appointed living room, on a small screen.

COD might well be pretty successful on the Vita, but it's not going to form a significant selling point for the platform. GTA is a great analogy -- we're looking at a million-ish seller title but not anything like the phenomenon it is on consoles.

I think this is where the Vita can differentiate itself with other handhelds. It allows for (in theory) a connected console-like experience away from home. When I'm on a business trip, I don't want to lug my console around. With the Vita, I can take the CoD experience with me.

Sure I see your point that most portable experiences need to be short because that plays well into the "have a couple of minutes to spare" occasions we often find ourselves with when being out and about throughout the day. We can have those types of experiences with the Vita. But it also allows us to have console-like connected experiences as well. That is what is new and intriguing about the Vita (to me at least).
 
In terms of customisation there seems to be less in Mingol 6 than in the previous PSP versions - whilst you can mix and match items you get whole bunches of clothing togehter in one set - and i've not seen many so far.

Played a few of the tiers and it's basically a very good mingol game, though i've yet to try any of the new control modes.
 
I think this is where the Vita can differentiate it self with other handhelds. It allows for (in theory) a connected console-like experience away from home. When I'm on a business trip, I don't want to lug my console around. With the Vita, I can take the CoD experience with me.
Making me all nostalgic, man.
 
In terms of customisation there seems to be less in Mingol 6 than in the previous PSP versions - whilst you can mix and match items you get whole bunches of clothing togehter in one set - and i've not seen many so far.

Played a few of the tiers and it's basically a very good mingol game, though i've yet to try any of the new control modes.

Interesting. There wasn't a lot of customization in the PS3 Mingol, IIRC, either. I wonder if the more complex rendering programs prohibit Clap Hanz from increases character customization. The PSP MinGols and MinTen characters could be customized to hell and back.

Speaking of MinTen, I hope we get a Vita version.
 
Making me all nostalgic, man.

Yeah, I know. Seems like we've heard this all before with the PSP, at least. But with the control schemes available to the Vita, I think it can succeed with being able to provide portable console-like experiences where the PSP fell short.

...though whether the Vita will "succeed" or not remains to be seen. (I've got mine pre-ordered)
 
I think this is where the Vita can differentiate itself with other handhelds. It allows for (in theory) a connected console-like experience away from home. When I'm on a business trip, I don't want to lug my console around. With the Vita, I can take the CoD experience with me.

Sure I see your point that most portable experiences need to be short because that plays well into the "have a couple of minutes to spare" occasions we often find ourselves with when being out and about throughout the day. We can have those types of experiences with the Vita. But it also allows us to have console-like connected experiences as well. That is what is new and intriguing about the Vita (to me at least).

100% agree. For me, I don't have a "couple minutes to spare" situations. It's more like a couple of hours. I would like the console experience on the go and I think Vita gets us closer to it. My man-cave has been turned to a laundry room. My computer room is now a storage area for toys. Other GAF-Dads will understand what I'm saying.

I don't need to waste dudes online to enjoy the COD experience. Give me Spec Ops on the go and I'll be fine.
 
I think this is where the Vita can differentiate itself with other handhelds. It allows for (in theory) a connected console-like experience away from home. When I'm on a business trip, I don't want to lug my console around. With the Vita, I can take the CoD experience with me.

Sure I see your point that most portable experiences need to be short because that plays well into the "have a couple of minutes to spare" occasions we often find ourselves with when being out and about throughout the day. We can have those types of experiences with the Vita. But it also allows us to have console-like connected experiences as well. That is what is new and intriguing about the Vita (to me at least).

I think the fact that the vita is a bit larger and also has analog sticks that protrude from the system, it isn't meant to be super portable. I don't think people will keep one in their pocket to pull out and play for a few minutes here and there. It seems more like a device that is easily portable to play for longer periods. Such as on a flight, or while away from home but when you have time to sit and play for a while.

For me personally portable systems are often just used at home, but somewhere comfortable like in bed, or in a living room. It is nice b/c it allows you to game without hogging the TV/media center/computer. The Vita is more like a mini-console.

I think cell phones and tablets will dominate the "have a few minutes to kill" market b/c they are well suited for simple games, more portable (in the case of phones), and convenient as well (everyone is already carrying a phone).
 
COD featuring similar experience on vita as on ps360 + ad-hoc = could be western MH

i spoke with several CoD playing friends and none were interested in getting a handheld to play the exact same game they were playing on console/PC. a few of them prestiged several times and they said something like 'i like CoD but i can live without playing it for a couple days, i can wait till i get home to play.' from my own experience with Team Fortress 2, i have the same sentiment.

CoD players have been stamped with this 'will lap up anything with CoD' label. if there are any serious CoD players in here i want to know if you would pick up a new handheld to play MW3.
 
SWIox.jpg


Tilting the console sideways in Minna no Golf is kind of cool and useful. I am hooked in this game.

This is neat, but why don't they rotate the UI when you do this? Obviously you'd use this to set up your shot and then put the screen back for the actual shot, so it's not important...but it just looks sloppy.
 
I think this is where the Vita can differentiate itself with other handhelds. It allows for (in theory) a connected console-like experience away from home. When I'm on a business trip, I don't want to lug my console around. With the Vita, I can take the CoD experience with me.

Sure I see your point that most portable experiences need to be short because that plays well into the "have a couple of minutes to spare" occasions we often find ourselves with when being out and about throughout the day. We can have those types of experiences with the Vita. But it also allows us to have console-like connected experiences as well. That is what is new and intriguing about the Vita (to me at least).
This. Combine it with tying into the existing level progression (earn xp on your main account when playing on the go with the Vita) and it could do well. All the other problems I saw people bring up are solvable imho (controls, I would try tap touchscreen to melee, l+r rear touch with left stick to sprint, matching against console players is solvable with matchmaking filters, you could incentivize players by making Vita players earn xp at a slightly higher rate, etc.)

I don't play that much COD but it is not like these games are marathon affairs, a match is over in minutes. Seems to me that if your matchmaking works efficiently it would be a pretty good game to play in short bursts...
 
i spoke with several CoD playing friends and none were interested in getting a handheld to play the exact same game they were playing on console/PC. a few of them prestiged several times and they said something like 'i like CoD but i can live without playing it for a couple days, i can wait till i get home to play.' from my own experience with Team Fortress 2, i have the same sentiment.

CoD players have been stamped with this 'will lap up anything with CoD' label. if there are any serious CoD players in here i want to know if you would pick up a new handheld to play MW3.

You would probably get a different answer if the question was phrased, "Would you pick up a new handheld to play a new and unique COD"?

I'm not sure if we'll get a brand new COD for the Vita but if so, sign me up.
 
i spoke with several CoD playing friends and none were interested in getting a handheld to play the exact same game they were playing on console/PC. a few of them prestiged several times and they said something like 'i like CoD but i can live without playing it for a couple days, i can wait till i get home to play.' from my own experience with Team Fortress 2, i have the same sentiment.

CoD players have been stamped with this 'will lap up anything with CoD' label. if there are any serious CoD players in here i want to know if you would pick up a new handheld to play MW3.

well, i could say the same from some friends of mine but just the other way: there are people interested on being able to play when not at home, or even there if TV is used by someone else, or teenagers playing at school via ad-hoc.
Sure there are a lot of home console players that won't be interested in a portable device for their main games. But there a a lot out there , like me, that will play FIFA on vita instead of PS360, or motorstorm or whatever game is ported with similar quality as in home consoles.

And COD, has the potential to boost sales, as FIFA can do the same in euroland, if well executed.
 
That is absolute bullshit.
If you buy Minna no Golf on the PSN store, the online pass is AUTOMATICALLY included. When you go to the online pass item in the store it says you already own it. Destructoid is making shit up.

I thought as much. It seemed to me people were just noticing an online pass for Minna No Golf 6 on PSN and spreading FUD. The separate online pass is for users who bought a used copy, just as it has been for PS3, PSP, and 360.
 
I thought as much. It seemed to me people were just noticing an online pass for Minna No Golf 6 on PSN and spreading FUD. The separate online pass is for users who bought a used copy, just as it has been for PS3, PSP, and 360.

dope.

PSN version it is for me then.
 
I thought as much. It seemed to me people were just noticing an online pass for Minna No Golf 6 on PSN and spreading FUD. The separate online pass is for users who bought a used copy, just as it has been for PS3, PSP, and 360.

i should have left HSG as DD and uncharted as Cart when the price was 39.99 D:
 
Not sure if this is known yet but Ill ask anyways. If I added funds to my PSN wallet on PS3, will I be able to use those funds on the Vita?
I have HSG preordered but that would make the perfect digital game so Im probably going to cancel it and buy from PSN. Just want to know if funds added on my PS3 now will work on Vita in February.
 
Not sure if this is known yet but Ill ask anyways. If I added funds to my PSN wallet on PS3, will I be able to use those funds on the Vita?
I have HSG preordered but that would make the perfect digital game so Im probably going to cancel it and buy from PSN. Just want to know if funds added on my PS3 now will work on Vita in February.

It's not tied to the system so it goes to your account so when you log into vita with same PSN ID it should show up.
 
100% agree. For me, I don't have a "couple minutes to spare" situations. It's more like a couple of hours. I would like the console experience on the go and I think Vita gets us closer to it. My man-cave has been turned to a laundry room. My computer room is now a storage area for toys. Other GAF-Dads will understand what I'm saying.

I don't need to waste dudes online to enjoy the COD experience. Give me Spec Ops on the go and I'll be fine.

I think the spec ops and zombie mode are key for the potential success of the title on PSVita, make it have offline and online, support 2-4 players with dynamic difficulty level, build up on it. have online multiplayer modes, challenges/duels/scoreboards/ etc.
 
I was struggling to reproduce the issue so I assumed I didn't have it, but when I only had a black image on the screen and it was really, really dark, I could see a few black spots on the lower part of the screen. Impossible to see in normal lighting and very hard to see in a dark room.
Looks very different from the images you put here as I only have a few, but it depends on your screen I guess.

Took a photo from a black screen.

Yes I checked this in a dark environment, I see a few black spots , same issue on a Galaxy S 2 as well... I never noticed this :(
 
I think this is where the Vita can differentiate itself with other handhelds. It allows for (in theory) a connected console-like experience away from home. When I'm on a business trip, I don't want to lug my console around. With the Vita, I can take the CoD experience with me.

Sure I see your point that most portable experiences need to be short because that plays well into the "have a couple of minutes to spare" occasions we often find ourselves with when being out and about throughout the day. We can have those types of experiences with the Vita. But it also allows us to have console-like connected experiences as well. That is what is new and intriguing about the Vita (to me at least).
Makes me wonder, do people want to play an FPS over 3G? Going by the latency I'm experiencing by simply browsing the web I can't see it being feasible at all. Or is the situation in the US better? Kind of uneducated on the different protocols of the 3G standard etc.
 
Is it true that you cant use the Vita management software for PC without being connected to the internet? If yes, does the same apply for the PS3? Do you need to be online there as well? It doesnt matter much to me though, i'm just curious about it.
 
Makes me wonder, do people want to play an FPS over 3G? Going by the latency I'm experiencing by simply browsing the web I can't see it being feasible at all. Or is the situation in the US better? Kind of uneducated on the different protocols of the 3G standard etc.
It doesn't make sense at all to use 3G for typical FPS online multiplayer matches. Too much latency.
It makes sense to send gifts (like a LBP level or a Modnation Racer kart created by you) and challenges to other players, like ghosts of your recently played race (Wipeout), or real multiplayer for more or less turn based games (golf).
Typical FPS / fighting / etc on-line multiplayer matches would run only when wifi is available.
And here's the music that will be in the game. We Have Explosive!

http://www.jp.playstation.com/scej/title/wipeout/2048/bgm.html
Awesome tracklist, as always in Wipeout.
Nice to see a lot of Wipeout veterans back. But sadly Cold Storage isn't back.
Let's hope they hire him for a DLC.
 
Makes me wonder, do people want to play an FPS over 3G? Going by the latency I'm experiencing by simply browsing the web I can't see it being feasible at all. Or is the situation in the US better? Kind of uneducated on the different protocols of the 3G standard etc.

Well I'm sure people want to play on 3g if it were playable. I like the idea if it works. It's possible with a good signal and client side prediction to play games on 3g, even shooters but coverage, signal quality, traffic shaping is dodgy which would invite complaints and bad pr for Sony and for providers. If Vita gets a good multiplayer shooter it won't be long before people show themselves playing it over some kind of third party 3g modem that has wifi built in. There are reasons why it won't be done officially like frequent dropouts and the providers probably not wanting it etc but for me it would be cool even if it came with a big warning about it being unreliable.
 
Makes me wonder, do people want to play an FPS over 3G? Going by the latency I'm experiencing by simply browsing the web I can't see it being feasible at all. Or is the situation in the US better? Kind of uneducated on the different protocols of the 3G standard etc.

Don't think the AT&T 3G is stable enough here for that. Ymmv for sure, but you'd be spending a good deal of time looking for solid bars that provide a stable and fast connection.

Back when I was doing lots of installation work and staying at job sites for months at a time, I brought my 360 and a smaller LCD monitor so that I could play cod4 in the motel. For something like that it would be awesome to have a device like the vita, but it also seems like a rather niche type of use. There were other people that carried around psps, as did I when I couldn't drive to the site.
 
Is it true that you cant use the Vita management software for PC without being connected to the internet? If yes, does the same apply for the PS3? Do you need to be online there as well? It doesnt matter much to me though, i'm just curious about it.

According to that blog, you don't need to be connected for non-game content, but games and saves do require a connection.
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSL46BtI2k4

obviously Vita won't have transmit strength of a device like that but it's possible. not sure how much better verizon 3g is than at&t though

It would be interesting to see what it looks like from one of the players point-of-view who isn't on 3G but is playing against someone who is. For example, are the shots registering accurately, is the 3G player's motion smooth or does he seem to leap ahead when running, etc.

Edit: Of course, mileage will vary gaming competitively over 3G. Different games use different net code. Black OPs may have had superb code for handling high latency connections.
 
What is the fastest way to get PSN japanese prepaid card? Is there any way you can get it immediately?

Japan-codes came through for me great last week
Got a load on different days, can take few hours to get the mail, depends on time difference
But great customer service too as one code didn't work and they sent the right one within half an hour of sending my email
 
Question for anyone who picked up Katamari. How do I unlock the Infinite and Katamari Drive modes in each stage? Do I just have to get 5 star ratings for everything on a per stage basis?
 
Makes me wonder, do people want to play an FPS over 3G? Going by the latency I'm experiencing by simply browsing the web I can't see it being feasible at all. Or is the situation in the US better? Kind of uneducated on the different protocols of the 3G standard etc.

The other worry besides latency is battery life. With Wi-Fi/3G turned on and constantly active as it would be in an FPS, it'll drain like a mother. You'd need your Vita tethered to the wall all the time. So what's the point in choosing that over playing on your existing console?
 
The other worry besides latency is battery life. With Wi-Fi/3G turned on and constantly active as it would be in an FPS, it'll drain like a mother. You'd need your Vita tethered to the wall all the time. So what's the point in choosing that over playing on your existing console?


It's usually not too hard to find a power outlet. Another option that I'm considering it to buy an external battery backup device. I've seen a 11000mAh device on amazon.com that (if it isn't too large) would be great to have around. My phone can run through battery pretty quickly as well. So, having an external battery could be used for multiple devices in my case. I've been stuck at an airport before waiting on delayed flights where I would have loved to have had such a thing.
 
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