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I’m singing the PS Vita post-launch blues
By Jeffrey L. Wilson On 30 Mar, 2012 At 08:41 AM | Categorized As Console, Features, Slider | With 2 Comments

Im singing the PS Vita post launch blues

My PS Vita, as I type this article, is on a nightstand downloading Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles. And that’s a problem.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the game. In fact, I’ve gushed over Rondo of Blood in the past, and will probably do so again. But I’m suffering the post-launch system blues, man, and there isn’t much on the horizon that’s acting as a ray of light. I’m playing my PS Vita at a relentless pace– Mutant Blobs Attack, Shocktroopers 2, and Street Fighter Alpha 3 are seeing the brunt of my entertainment-seeking assault– but I fear that’s going to slow down dramatically as their freshness wanes.

I’ve considered downloading Uncharted: Golden Abyss, but the idea of playing a console-like game on a portable makes me loopy. See, such action titles are made for home play on a big screen. My PS Vita receives the most hands-on time when I’m in bed, or reclined during a commute. As such, I play in bursts; I don’t want to spend 10 minutes scanning a room for a block to push or lever to pull.

Unit 13 is getting strong reviews, but I’m not a shooter guy. I do, however, love a good fighting game, but BlazBlue’s online mode is miserable. And there’s no way that I could support Ultimate Marvel Capcom 3 after the shenanigans Capcom pulled with that title last year (yes, I realize I still gave Capcom money by purchasing Alpha 3, but still). Mortal Kombat’s coming in May, but do I really want to double dip on that? I have it on my Xbox 360.

Gravity Rush intrigues me as it looks like a wholly original title with enticing gravity manipulating game mechanic that makes me wish it were a licensed Power Pack title. But that’s slated for a mid-June release. And Dragon’s Crown, Vanillaware’s ode to Golden Axe? Who knows when that’ll actually street.

You know what would make me happy? A Cave shooter. A Fire Pro entry. A new, portable Metal Gear Solid game. An action title that deftly leverages the PS Vita’s many features. Something. I loathe the idea of a spring/summer drought.

So here I am playing a $8 indie effort and titles from the ’90s. I’m not sure what that says about me or the state of the PS Vita’s library, but something’s definitely being said.

Im singing the PS Vita post launch blues Jeffrey L. Wilson (801 Posts)

Founder and Editor-in-Chief Jeffrey L. Wilson’s love of all things shiny/digital has led to jobs penning gadget- and video game-related nerd-copy for 1UP, E-Gear, Laptop, LifeStyler, Parenting, PC Magazine, Sync, Wise Bread, and WWE. Besides overseeing the editorial content at 2D-X.com, the Brooklyn College grad hosts New York City’s monthly Bits and Bytes video game media and public relations meetup. You can find him at a bar sampling foreign beers, or on Twitter doing twittery things.

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  • http://twitter.com/su43berkut17 Fernando S

    so you’re willing to play a portable metal gear solid but not an uncharted? that’s baffling O_O’

    • http://www.2D-X.com Jeffrey L. Wilson

      Metal Gear lacks many of the goofy tropes you’d find in most actiony titles.

  • von flue choke

    get battlefront 2 psp

  • Wallace

    Agreed!  Just downloaded Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions last night on my Vita.  Gravity Rush is definitely next on the list, but it is too far down the road to be really excited about.  

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_XAFBSRKIMSWNJ7GB4UMX7YUMPI Kayoss

    I understand that you dont want to play uncharted golden abyss because you feel that this game is meant to be played on  a console. Well Uncharted golden abyss was design with the portable console in mind. So it was meant to be played on a portable and not a home console. You should give it a try its a fantastic game. Im not a trophy whore but I find myself replaying the game to get all the trophies (well try to get all).

  • Michael_akridge

    Never falling for the Capcom trap before I went and finally bought UMvC3…for vita. Its actually really good and I’ve spent way more time on it than I thought I initially would have done. Still hate Capcom’s dlc and rerelease game trap but the title on vita, having only played the console version a few times, is a good buy.

    I did own Uncharted: Golden Abyss, but beat it in less than a week. The collecting and treasures weren’t enough for me to keep it so I returned it.

    I’ve also went and bought psp games. I think if the prices were lower on some games I would buy even more old titles. I got Persona 3 Portable and so far I’m loving it.
    But speaking of old games I wish there was PS1 support so I could play my old FF rpgs and what not on the go. I honestly think its the only way I can finish that type of game nowadays.

    But I really hope it doesn’t turn into a PSP(my go to system for old games, emulators, and cheap experiences.) I really want some very online integrated game releases. So far many Vita games are just new releases of the same old thing. I love wipeout, hot shot golf, uncharted, ridge racer and what not but give me the new stuff faster.

    After Gravity Rush what do I have to look forward to?
     

    • http://www.2D-X.com Jeffrey L. Wilson

      I agreed! If some of the companies slashed prices, my 32GB memory card would be filled to the brim. 

      That said, the Japanese Vita has some interesting look games, like Ragnarok Odyssey. I was excited about PSO2, but with the recent SEGA news, who knows if that’ll ever show.

  • Jimmy Neutron

    Maybe instead of downloading them you go to Wal-mart and buy them and if they’re only on the ps store GET BETTER INTERNET IT’S NOT YOUR VITAS FAULT IT TAKES LONG TO DOWNLOAD ITS THE INTERNET LEAVE PS VITA ALONE LEAVE IT ALONE

  • Issa3032

    Honestly I feel like you’re purposely avoiding great games just to make a lame point for your article. Play Uncharted, play Marvel vs Capcom, don’t let your biases deprive you from enjoying an awesome system. Try it and then comment.

    • http://www.2D-X.com Jeffrey L. Wilson

      I own the original MVC3 on console. I’m not buying the upgrade. Uncharted: Golden Abyss I demoed. It’s not bad, but not the type of game I wish to play on a handheld. And how am I not enjoying the system??? I stated I’ve been playing it. A lot.

  • Jmyers7025

    Dude stop being a *****. Stop protesting games as well. Gaming is for fun not to make points.

    Get Uncharted just to play it. The demo wasn’t all that great but the game was fine.

    • http://www.2D-X.com Jeffrey L. Wilson

      Jesus Christ, I didnt say the demo is bad. It’s good! It’s just not the type of game I want to play on a portable. 

      And I can protest whatever I choose if I don’t support the business practices. You like the fact that Capcom dropped a new MVC3 game months after the first? If you do, I consider you part of the problem.

  • GW

    The problem here is the same that faced the 3DS back when it shipped too damn early. No decent original titles for those who want more originality leaping out at them.

    Granted, the Vita launch lineup is light years better than what originally shipped for the 3DS last year. Uncharted is a great purchase, but I can see it not being for everyone, especially anyone who wasn’t a big fan of the PS3 series.

    But not all of the Vita launch games do a good job of using more of the features (ModNation Racers and WipEout have wacky load times and not so smooth online modes, Ridge Racer feels like an expensive demo with a lack of content) or are recoooked versions of games  from other platforms (Dungeon Hunter: Alliance, Asphalt Whatever it’s sub-titled).

    Me, I don’t mind shooters that much, so Unit 13 was well done fun and Resistance: Falling Skies could be cool (although I’ll probably skip it because I’m not much interested in the series). Escape Plan is very well done (give it a try!), but yeah, I want to see stuff like Gravity Rush, Ragnarok Odyssey and some of those other games Jeffrey mentioned. I also don’t mind “ports” of console titles if I haven’t played them and/or they ship with more content (not just shinier visuals and wonky touch screen controls)

    Most of those will probably arrive, but it’s the same thing with every home or portable console at some point where the waiting game for the stuff you want seems a lot longer than it actually is. Nevertheless, Sony needs to focus on keeping the momentum rolling forward for the Vita leading up to and post-E3, or it’s going to be tough going for some who haven’t bought one yet to snap it up.

  • Yorky

    I agree with this.  Right now the game selection for vita is pretty slim.  There are great games, but not many for each gaming genre.  Also, some of the best games are ports, which we may already own.  I too want sony to get some more games selection out to the market relatively soon!