The PS VITA Isn't Dead...

  At least it isn't dead to those that love its style, and those still patiently awaiting Sony's actions or inaction. 

            The bells seemingly toll the demise of the latest Sony handheld device, but I have to say that those who clamor for its end may just be disappointed. The Sony PS Vita has quite the diverse selection of present and upcoming titles. Let's see--Gravity Rush, MLB The Show 12-14, Little Big Planet, Killzone Mercenary, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, Ys Memories of Celceta, and who could forget Persona 4 Golden; then, on the new and upcoming release side of things, we have: Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines (from Sony's Japan Studio), Freedom Wars (another Sony developed looker), Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth (A remake of the first title in the series, which was on the PS3, featuring improved gameplay), There's a potential Gravity Rush 2 in the works--let's hope at least, Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us ports as well. 


 
            Ok. I get it. Ports hold no water and the "niche" JRPG titles don't appeal universally. Yeah, well, not too many games actually do appeal to everyone, and of course, some games have a larger mainstream lure than others, but this shouldn't exclude their (potential for) greatness. Look at Capcom's Okami, it didn't live up to their sales expectations, but this didn't make it any less of a gem than it was and still is. The business side isn't irrelevant, the PS2 was a sales monster much like the original Wii and this, as much as its wide and varied games library, contributed to its legacy. But it often times is a lack of stars aligning that may lead to unfulfilled potential. If we go into E3 on Monday and Sony neglects its powerful handheld once more, then one can hardly be blamed for a lack of faith in its future, or present for that matter. However, I feel the odd selection of indie titles, still in the works and constantly being released, will find their marks; the so called "niche'' games will find their target audiences as well, but with a more guided hand from the architects at Sony, the Vita could better acclimate to the Western market and thrive on the dedicated fans, much like the PSP did.  




                 Sony seems to be transitioning the Vita away from full-fledged handheld to something of a streaming, paired device. However, at its price point and considering its memory cards as well, the PS Vita must live up to the promise--not as a portable PS3 of sorts--but as a dedicated handheld device; and this means dedicated support in the form of, what else?, games unique to the handheld itself and itself alone. There are those who will find fault with the Vita's foreseeable releases--yet, equally, if the Vita was in fact to acquire any buzzed about games, they might argue that these titles need to be ported to a home console--or shouldn't have been Vita titles to begin with...Assassin's Creed 3: Liberation anyone? Now Sony has three consoles to juggle. The question then becomes how exactly will they find the space for the Vita if they couldn't before? One might suppose they will with ports and more ports, localized titles (which I am definitely excited for), maybe a rehashed and quick remake of a familiar title. The point is, however, the Vita still lives on in that it remains relevant to a great deal many speculators awaiting announcements that may or may not come. 

              The Vita still has an audience; just take a look at the paltry start for the 3DS. Yes, the time-frame differs, but still the Vita shows signs of compatibility: PS2 compatibility! Increase and advertise the large selection of PSP titles available for download on the PSN store! Reduce the extremely burdening prices of the proprietary memory cards! Be open with the Vita faithful; keep them all a drone, because with them talking in a positive manner, you’ll  increase the propagation of the Vita’s status as a viable console.  I’ll be keeping an eye on the Vita at E3 Monday, but whatever happens, I hope the failings of Sony and their mixed messages regarding the platform—which, no doubt, contribute to an obfuscated information stream surrounding the handheld, and subsequently incites mislead expectations—don’t continue to bind those willing to experience something different in the Vita. I mean, Come on, who doesn't want to finally play Tales of Hearts R?

UPCOMING VITA GAMES:

• Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment

• Disgaea4: A Promise Revisited 

• Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed

•  Senran Kagura: Shinovi Versus

•  Oreshika: Tainted Bloodlines

•  Samurai Warriors 4

• Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit

• Citizens of Earth Vita

• The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

• The Wolf Among Us

• Tales of Hearts R

•  XBlaze Code: Embryo 

•  Arcana Heart 3: LOVE MAX!!!!!

• Hyperdimension Neptunia Re:Birth 1

• Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number

• LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

• Natural Doctrine

• Child of Light

• Hohokum

• Minecraft

• Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

• Velocity 2X