archnemesis
Member
(visit the first two threads if you want information about hardware and the launch titles)
Playstation Vita western launch thread | It only does everything, everywhere
PS Vita western launch thread, p. 2 | Simply the most desirable handheld yet released
PS Vita general discussion thread, part 3 | Veni, vidi, Vita
Hardware Questions
Q: How big is the Vita compared to the 3DS?
A: Watch this comparison photo or this comparison video.
Q: How long is the battery life compared to the 3DS?
A: You'll get about four hours of gaming from it. You can read a more detailed breakdown here or here. If you're playing a less demanding title or a PSP game it will last longer.
Q: Is the Vita region free?
A: Yes, but you can only have one account activated at a time and online passes are region restricted.
Q: Are memory cards region free?
A: Yes, they are. Yoshida have been telling EU users to import 32 GB cards from the US.
Q: Does the Vita allow TV and Audio Out?
A: The Vita does support audio out, however the launch model Vita does not support video out.
Q: Question, do the thumbsticks click in? Like on a Call of Duty game for running.
A: No.
A: Watch this comparison photo or this comparison video.
Q: How long is the battery life compared to the 3DS?
A: You'll get about four hours of gaming from it. You can read a more detailed breakdown here or here. If you're playing a less demanding title or a PSP game it will last longer.
Q: Is the Vita region free?
A: Yes, but you can only have one account activated at a time and online passes are region restricted.
Q: Are memory cards region free?
A: Yes, they are. Yoshida have been telling EU users to import 32 GB cards from the US.
Q: Does the Vita allow TV and Audio Out?
A: The Vita does support audio out, however the launch model Vita does not support video out.
Q: Question, do the thumbsticks click in? Like on a Call of Duty game for running.
A: No.
Software Questions
Q: Is the PS Vita backwards compatible?
A: You can play some PSP games (see detailed list below). PS1 Classics are not compatible at launch. There are no current plans to make PS2 Classics or PSN games compatible.
Q: Is there a discount for buying the games digitally from the PSN store?
A: There will be some kind of discount. (source)
Q: Will PS+ members get an additional discount?
A: There will be no PS+ discounts in the US for Vita at launch. (source)
Q: Is there some kind of UMD trade-in program?
A: No.
Q: How do I download full games on the device?
A: You can only download games directly with the Vita or transfer them from a PS3. There are currently no other ways.
Q: Is there a way to watch YouTube videos?
A: Yes, there is now a YouTube app.
Q: Can you backup full games from your memory card to your PC using the Vita and the CMA application?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a way to only backup your Vita save game files?
A: Yes, but it's a bit more complicated. Read more here.
Q: Is there a way to transfer PSP save games to a Vita?
A: Yes, follow the instructions in this post.
Q: Which memory card should you buy?
A:
• No Memory Card: Not even an option. Unless you are buying this thing for one game which doesn't save on memory card.
• 4 GB: If you go full physical, try some demos, get some mini games digital.
• 8 GB: If you go mainly physical, maybe one full digital game on memory cart, mini games, some PSP stuff.
• 16 GB: If you go mainly digital, full games, mini games, PSP games, some music & videos may need some rotation.
• 32 GB: If you go full digital, full/mini/PSP games, music & videos, pull stuff like "disgaea collection, persona collection, final fantasy 1-10 collection"
A: You can play some PSP games (see detailed list below). PS1 Classics are not compatible at launch. There are no current plans to make PS2 Classics or PSN games compatible.
Q: Is there a discount for buying the games digitally from the PSN store?
A: There will be some kind of discount. (source)
Q: Will PS+ members get an additional discount?
A: There will be no PS+ discounts in the US for Vita at launch. (source)
Q: Is there some kind of UMD trade-in program?
A: No.
Q: How do I download full games on the device?
A: You can only download games directly with the Vita or transfer them from a PS3. There are currently no other ways.
Q: Is there a way to watch YouTube videos?
A: Yes, there is now a YouTube app.
Q: Can you backup full games from your memory card to your PC using the Vita and the CMA application?
A: Yes.
Q: Is there a way to only backup your Vita save game files?
A: Yes, but it's a bit more complicated. Read more here.
Q: Is there a way to transfer PSP save games to a Vita?
A: Yes, follow the instructions in this post.
Q: Which memory card should you buy?
A:
• No Memory Card: Not even an option. Unless you are buying this thing for one game which doesn't save on memory card.
• 4 GB: If you go full physical, try some demos, get some mini games digital.
• 8 GB: If you go mainly physical, maybe one full digital game on memory cart, mini games, some PSP stuff.
• 16 GB: If you go mainly digital, full games, mini games, PSP games, some music & videos may need some rotation.
• 32 GB: If you go full digital, full/mini/PSP games, music & videos, pull stuff like "disgaea collection, persona collection, final fantasy 1-10 collection"
Account/Regional Questions
Q: Can I use multiple PSN profiles or different regional accounts on a single Vita?
A: Yes, and you can even use the same memory card. Read this post for detailed instructions.
Q: How do I switch PSN account on my Vita?
A: Read this post.
A: Yes, and you can even use the same memory card. Read this post for detailed instructions.
Q: How do I switch PSN account on my Vita?
A: Read this post.
PSP Questions
Q: How do I access the PSP emulator settings?
A: While playing a PSP game, press and hold a finger on the touchscreen for a little while. The menu will pop-up, giving you the option to assign buttons to the right analog stick plus more.
Q: Is it true that most PSP games are incompatible with the PS Vita?
A: The list Sony posted here is incomplete. Resourceful NeoGAF members have helped us compile the list below. You can transfer these via a PS3 instead of downloading them from the Vita store. Please notify me if you find any errors in the lists.
A: While playing a PSP game, press and hold a finger on the touchscreen for a little while. The menu will pop-up, giving you the option to assign buttons to the right analog stick plus more.
Q: Is it true that most PSP games are incompatible with the PS Vita?
A: The list Sony posted here is incomplete. Resourceful NeoGAF members have helped us compile the list below. You can transfer these via a PS3 instead of downloading them from the Vita store. Please notify me if you find any errors in the lists.
Troubleshooting Questions
Q: My Vita seems to be frozen, when I turn it off it doesn't turn back on or the PS logo flashes blue what do I do?
A: First off, obviously make sure your Vita hasn’t just run out of power, or hasn’t overheated in sunlight (in which case, simply leave it somewhere shady to fully cool). Then, hold down your power button from about 30 seconds until you see the repair menu. Try restarting the system first. If that works, great! It was just a little glitch, everything is ok. If the problem keeps reoccurring when you play a certain digital game, delete it and re-download. Still not working? Follow this guide.
A: First off, obviously make sure your Vita hasn’t just run out of power, or hasn’t overheated in sunlight (in which case, simply leave it somewhere shady to fully cool). Then, hold down your power button from about 30 seconds until you see the repair menu. Try restarting the system first. If that works, great! It was just a little glitch, everything is ok. If the problem keeps reoccurring when you play a certain digital game, delete it and re-download. Still not working? Follow this guide.
Compatibility List
Complete list of PSP/minis games playable on Vita @ Cheap Ass Gamer
Official threads for Vita games
Blazblue Continuum Shift EXTEND |OT| - Now with New Hat
Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention (PSV) |OT| Play for 10 Million Hours!
Everybody's Golf / Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational |OT| You're invited too!
Gravity Rush |OT| C’est la Vita
Lumines: Electronic Symphony |OT| Shake Ya Body
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Vita |OT| Snake in your pants!
MLB 12: The Show |OT| Elevated levels of testosterone included
Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition |OT| Because "ultimate" is so 1995.
MotorStorm RC |OT|
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus (Vita) |OT| A port of a port, of course, of course
Rayman Origins |OT| The Rebirth
Resistance Burning Skies |OT| Extinguishing the Flames of Vitality
Ridge Racer (Vita) |OT| The Death of a Once Great Franchise
Super Stardust Delta (Vita) |OT| How to Refine Perfection
Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack |OT| - Indie Action For Vita Launch
The Pinball Arcade |OT| play them all from Soho to Brighton
Touch My Katamari |OT| Touch, Squeeze, and Pinch
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 |OT2| New Age of Zeroes
Uncharted: Golden Abyss |OT| Drake arrives at a smaller screen near you!
Unit 13 |OT| Tactical Shooter on the Go (Vita)
WipEout 2048 |OT| Back to the Future
Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention (PSV) |OT| Play for 10 Million Hours!
Everybody's Golf / Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational |OT| You're invited too!
Gravity Rush |OT| C’est la Vita
Lumines: Electronic Symphony |OT| Shake Ya Body
Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Vita |OT| Snake in your pants!
MLB 12: The Show |OT| Elevated levels of testosterone included
Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition |OT| Because "ultimate" is so 1995.
MotorStorm RC |OT|
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus (Vita) |OT| A port of a port, of course, of course
Rayman Origins |OT| The Rebirth
Resistance Burning Skies |OT| Extinguishing the Flames of Vitality
Ridge Racer (Vita) |OT| The Death of a Once Great Franchise
Super Stardust Delta (Vita) |OT| How to Refine Perfection
Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack |OT| - Indie Action For Vita Launch
The Pinball Arcade |OT| play them all from Soho to Brighton
Touch My Katamari |OT| Touch, Squeeze, and Pinch
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 |OT2| New Age of Zeroes
Uncharted: Golden Abyss |OT| Drake arrives at a smaller screen near you!
Unit 13 |OT| Tactical Shooter on the Go (Vita)
WipEout 2048 |OT| Back to the Future
Official threads for Vita apps
near (Vita App) | Scanning local Vita chums for all dat Game Goods @ NeoGAF
Paint Park |OT| Paint Using A Death Pad!! @ NeoGAF
Paint Park |OT| Paint Using A Death Pad!! @ NeoGAF
Links
Playstation Vita Games: What does this thing have? @ NeoGAF
The PlayStation Vita In 2011-2012 @ NeoGAF
Upcoming VITA Games & Apps Throughout 2012 Thread @ NeoGAF
PlayStation Vita Screenshots | OS Level Captures @ NeoGAF
Playstation Vita wallpaper thread | Customizing dat OLED screen @ NeoGAF
PS Vita BC thread of visual effects settings @ NeoGAF
Find a GAFer to play with @ Google Docs (hidden link, quote post to view it)
VITA Newb/N00b Q&A @ NeoGAF
PlayStation Mobile Developer Program (Vita & Android) @ NeoGAF
PlayStation Mobile SDK information @ NeoGAF
Playstation Vita Online Manual @ Playstation.net
Content Manager Assistant for Playstation (Windows) @ Playstation.net
Content Manager Assistant for Playstation (Mac) @ Playstation.net
Welcome to PlayStation Vita @ Playstation.blog
How to Download PSP Titles to PS Vita @ Playstation.blog
Registering access points (used by Near) @ Skyhook
How to Switch PSN Accounts on PS Vita @ YouTube (IGN)
How to Switch PSN accounts EASILY FAQ @ GameAxis Forums
Wallpapers @ Playstation Vita Wallpapers
The PlayStation Vita In 2011-2012 @ NeoGAF
Upcoming VITA Games & Apps Throughout 2012 Thread @ NeoGAF
PlayStation Vita Screenshots | OS Level Captures @ NeoGAF
Playstation Vita wallpaper thread | Customizing dat OLED screen @ NeoGAF
PS Vita BC thread of visual effects settings @ NeoGAF
Find a GAFer to play with @ Google Docs (hidden link, quote post to view it)
VITA Newb/N00b Q&A @ NeoGAF
PlayStation Mobile Developer Program (Vita & Android) @ NeoGAF
PlayStation Mobile SDK information @ NeoGAF
Playstation Vita Online Manual @ Playstation.net
Content Manager Assistant for Playstation (Windows) @ Playstation.net
Content Manager Assistant for Playstation (Mac) @ Playstation.net
Welcome to PlayStation Vita @ Playstation.blog
How to Download PSP Titles to PS Vita @ Playstation.blog
Registering access points (used by Near) @ Skyhook
How to Switch PSN Accounts on PS Vita @ YouTube (IGN)
How to Switch PSN accounts EASILY FAQ @ GameAxis Forums
Wallpapers @ Playstation Vita Wallpapers
The OP is a work in progress. If you feel like anything is incorrect or want to add something, don't hesitate to contact me. Thanks to the NeoGAF community for helping out with the correcting of errors and filling out the FAQ!
