When you get a hold of the PlayStation Vita, Sony's latest attempt to dominate hand-held gaming, your first impressions are how massive and bright the device is.
The 5-inch, near-HD screen, bolstered with ridiculously brilliant OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology, is the face of a beast that places function over form. It fits into the front pocket of baggy pants, but just barely.
Carving out the middle ground between a smartphone-sized hand-held and a tablet, the Vita makes more sense as a device to use around the house rather than out and about. Although one reason to lug it with you is to dazzle onlookers with your hot piece of digital dreamery.
Far surpassing the power of its competitor, the Nintendo 3DS, the Vita can do a staggering amount of things. It's got touch screens on the front and back, a gyro sensor that reacts to you tilting it from side to side, a video recorder and music player. It can sense when other Vita players are nearby, offers two analog sticks to replicate the functions of a controller, and an upcoming update promises to let it play some PlayStation 3 games, bypassing the TV screen.
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Drawbacks include the hidden costs of a not-included memory card (ranging in price from $20 to $100) you'll need to buy to save your progress, its inability to play disc-based PSP games and a relatively short battery life.
If you're considering a Vita, there's little reason to go for the more expensive 3G model. Even if you opt for one of the high-priced plans, you won't be able to play online through the network unless you find a Wi-Fi hot spot.
A staggering improvement over its predecessor, the PSP, the Vita is a clear contender for your gaming hours, and an excellent briefcase-or-backpack travel companion. It's also a nice fit for busy parents whose TV screens are usually out of commission.
If you're intrigued with the device and don't mind waiting for its software library to develop, you may be able to find a Vita for a cheaper price by waiting several months. Like Nintendo and Apple, Sony has a reputation for releasing near-annual updates of its gadgets, making former releases obsolete and less expensive.
Of course, waiting to buy a Vita forces you to miss out on months of bonding time with the slick, cutting-edge hand-held.
Vita games
Here are the five most impressive Vita games we've tested:
1. "Uncharted: Golden Abyss" ($50) - Guide treasure-hunting adventurer Nathan Drake through a breathless adventure filled with cinematic set pieces.
2. "Lumines: Electronic Symphony" ($40) - Guide falling lines of blocks to form squares that make them disappear while thumping to techno tracks.
3. "Rayman Origins" ($40) - The Mario-esque platformer is bolstered by gorgeous art. Oddly, the game lacks the multiplayer it has on other systems.
4. "Wipeout 2048" ($40) - A futuristic racer that's pretty much the same game as the PS3 download, with the cool feature of letting you compete against PS3 opponents.
5. "Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3" ($40) - My favorite 2011 fighter gets a touch-screen overhaul, letting you pull off combos by touching the screen.
Other worthwhile games: "Touch My Katamari" ($30), "Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus" ($40), "Escape Plan" ($10), "Plants vs. Zombies" ($15), "Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational" ($40), "ModNation Racers: Road Trip" ($30), "FIFA Soccer" ($40), "Super StarDust Delta" ($10).
QUICK TAKE
PlayStation Vita by Sony.
• Price: $250 for Wi-Fi-only model, $300 for unit with 3G capabilities.
• 3G plan prices: 250 megabytes per month for $15, 3 gigabytes a month for $30. Plans available through AT&T, with no contracts.
