PlayStation Vita review roundup

The PlayStation Vita, the latest video game portable from Sony, launches tomorrow in a limited first edition bundle, to be followed on Feb. 22 by the standard-issue hardware. The Vita, as we've reported in the past, faces a pretty big challenge: Attracting all those gamers who would rather buy cheap downloadable titles, and play them on their iPhone/Android/tablet.

So hey, how good is the Vita, exactly? Pretty good, according to reviewers. But before we hit the scorecards, here are the relevant details: The Vita sells at two price configurations, $249 for a Wi-Fi model, and $299 for a Vita with 3G connectivity. Launch titles include a new "Uncharted" game, "Gravity Rush," and "WipeOut 2048." Got it? Then let's roll. 

The opening shot 

"The Vita – hefty and gleaming, like the Space Shuttle – is the best and most capable portable gaming system of all time, in that it replicates 'the console experience' better than anything else ever has," writes Sam Biddle of Gizmodo. "The graphics it pushes through on its 5-inch screen actually approach what you can see with a PlayStation 3. Approaches, not equals, but still! It's a handheld gaming system – and being able to even see the taillights of a current-gen console is laudable." 

The design

"The Vita measures just 3.29-inches high, 7.2-inches wide, and 0.73-inches deep," notes Ryan Fleming of Digital Trends. "It isn’t bulky, but it is slightly too big to fit in most normal pockets. It’s slim and lightweight enough to easily fit in cargo pants pockets, and won’t weigh you down if you put it in your backpack." Compared to the PlayStation Portable, Fleming writes, "the Vita shows a marked improvement. The awkward angles have been removed and replaced with rounded corners that make far more sense than the uncomfortable ridges on the early PSPs." 

The display

"The first thing you notice is the lustrous, five-inch OLED screen, a gargantuan display that is almost intoxicating," writes the critic for the New York Daily News. "Don’t be surprised if you stare at the screen for a few moments as soon as you power up the machine (I certainly did), just to marvel at the brilliant color production. The 960x544 display looks good from all angles and performs well with both games and movies."

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