By Nelson Schneider - 09/14/13 at 03:21 PM CT
This week, Sony announced their first sensible decision with regard to the PlayStation Vita (and, indeed, their entire handheld ecosystem). The VitaTV is a $100 microconsole ($150 with a controller, but it supports the DualShock 3 controllers we all presumably own already) that brings the world of PlayStation Vita and PlayStation Portable games to the big screen.
I’ve long been a proponent of handheld-to-TV adapters, and had great respect for Nintendo’s past decisions with the SNES’ Super Game Boy and the Gamecube’s Game Boy Player. But recently, Nintendo has been slacking in this capability, and there is currently no 100% legitimate way to play DS or 3DS games on anything but a tiny handheld device (though DeSmume is a rock-solid emulator for PC). With the WiiU’s similarities to the DS, I have been expecting a DS Player announcement for months, yet none has been forthcoming. Instead, Sony took the world by surprise with a device (currently slated only for release in Japan, but that is likely to change) that will allow most digitally purchased Vita and PSP games to be displayed on a TV for the first time. While it’s true that certain models of the PSP allowed the handheld to be connected to a TV via composite cables, that solution requires either REALLY long cables or sitting uncomfortably close to the screen.
Sony’s handhelds have always been a laughing stock, and have been completely trounced by Nintendo for as long as the two companies have been competing in this space. Indeed, between the Third Console Curse hitting the PS3 hard in the 7th Generation and the PS Vita serving as an Xbox-caliber money-sink, Sony desperately needs to do something to turn around their handheld misfortunes in the same way that the PS4 merely NOT BEING the Xbox One seems to be reversing their console misfortunes.
But will an inexpensive device that allows the playing of digital handheld games on a TV be the keystone in turning Sony’s handhelds around? While it is an important – perhaps the most important – step in making handheld games appeal to a broader audience, the Vita’s problems – and the VitaTV’s flaws – are far greater than merely a lack of screen size.
For one thing, there’s the whole problem with buying digital on consoles. While buying digital on PC makes sense due to the rapidly-approaching-zero prices, relatively easy-going modern DRM policies, and strong legacy of backward compatibility, no consoles have that. I’m already regretting the multi-platform games (like “World of Goo” and “Beyond Good and Evil HD”) that I bought on consoles instead of Steam, as those titles will likely require a re-purchase if I ever desire to play them again in the future. Since the VitaTV, like a standard Vita, doesn’t have a UMD slot, it is endemically conjoined to the PlayStation Network; and is thus reliant upon the one gaming network proven to be the most vulnerable to hacks for all of its functions.
Then there’s the Vita’s ultimate problem: NO GAEMZ. Yes, I tend to be picky and critical of the games I play, but right now there are absolutely ZERO Vita games I would be interested in, even on a big TV. There are a few remakes of some of my favorite Wii games, like “Muramasa: Rebirth” and “New Little King’s Story,” but I’m quite happy with the originals, seeing as they were just released in the 7th Generation and weren’t really in need of a remake to begin with. If I were to buy a VitaTV, I would end up using it for nothing more than PSP games. There are a handful that look interesting to me, though not interesting enough to struggle with a tiny screen or awkward composite cable setup. I’d consider both ‘DISSIDIA Final Fantasy’ games, “Dragoneer’s Aria,” “Final Fantasy 4: Complete Collection” for a more polished presentation of “The After Years” than the piecemeal WiiWare version, “Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time,” “Knights in the Nightmare,” “Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky,” “LittleBigPlanet PSP” (though I’m dubious that any dedicated handheld spinoff can live up to the quality of its console counterparts), “Valkyria Chronicles 2,” and “Wild ARMs XF.” But the thing is, I don’t really know if ANY of these games are particularly good, or if the ones from existing franchises live up to their franchise’s reputation. If I bought these on UMDs and they sucked, I could resell the whole lot and treat it as a rental and a learning experience. But, again, the VitaTV won’t allow that.
Despite its flaws, I’ll be keeping an eye on the VitaTV. But I’ll be keeping an even closer eye on Nintendo and how they will respond to Sony’s best handheld play in history.
Comments
Nelson Schneider - wrote on 09/22/13 at 01:52 PM CT
You're missing the point! You don't have to buy the $200 system with no games to use the VitaTV, just the $100 "adapter." And, as I said, if I did buy one (not saying I will), I'd end up using it as a PSPTV.
Hopefully Nintendo does decide to answer in kind with a 3/DS adapter... and if/when they do, it NEEDS to have a cartridge slot.
dbarry_22 - wrote on 09/18/13 at 12:53 PM CT
$200 for a system with no games and an extra $100 to play it on a tv? No thank you. However, if Nintendo decides to counter with a ds/3ds adapter for the WiiU I'm all for it.
