3DS vs. PS Vita

I bought the 3DS earlier this year because my DS had broken, and because I really wanted to play Mario 3D land.  Despite being a new handheld system from Nintendo, the 3DS feels like the DS.  The only improvements are the graphics, a sturdier frame, the position of certain buttons, and of course the option to play in 3D.   I will now go through each one of these details at a time.  Nobody buys a Nintendo expecting to get the most advanced graphics on the market, instead Nintendo focuses their attention on game play and innovated ways of playing a video game.  The result of this are games that require you to talk, blow, close the DS to transfer an image, take pictures, poke with your fingers, and to move around because of motion sensing capabilities.  I find these things to be fun because it gives me a more interactive experience than just button mashing.  The drawback of not having better graphics are that the majority of games are more cartoon like than reality based, which can occasionally leave me with the unfulfilled desire to play mature rated games.  Another drawback is that, since the graphics can only do so much, a lot of 3DS games will omit scenes that are included in other multi-system games.  Impressive cut scenes are the first to go.

The size of the 3DS is perfect for someone like me; an adult that takes the subway.  It’s small enough to fit in my coat pocket, light enough not to be a bother with weight, and when you unfold it the screens are big enough to see everything clearly.  The new frame is built stronger, and will not break as easily as the DS.  The button placements are a little bothersome because I would have preferred the home and power buttons in a location that wasn’t in the way.  The joystick is very responsive, and its design makes it comfortable to use; however you can develop a cramp after long term use of game play (which is normal with any handheld).  The 3DS allows you to adjust the intensity of the 3D graphics.  I like this feature because you will eventually stop using this technology along the way.   The 3D works well, but you just have to be facing the screen at a certain angel for it to work best.  So if you’re on the move, you really can’t use it.  I hope their next-gen handheld includes this feature because it’s useful in certain games that require depth perception.

I bought the PS Vita in the Fall because I was only interested in playing Uncharted.  The most troublesome issue with the Vita is the price.  Starting at $250, plus having to buy a memory card, carry bag, and games will prevent a lot of people from buying one.  I wouldn’t call it expensive compared to an iTouch, but the system is just not established enough in terms of games and applications for people to make that investment.  Unlike the PSP, the PS Vita is a much more advance system, and not just an update.  The handheld is bigger and more interactive, the screen is bigger, and the graphics are much more superior.  The drawbacks for the Vita are that its size makes it a hassle for anyone that is travelling.  It doesn’t fit in your pocket, so it’s best to bring along a backpack to carry it.  I also didn’t like how much time I had to wait for games to load.

Despite all these issues, the best selling point of the Vita are the graphics.  I was amazed beyond belief when I turned it on and saw the same quality graphics of the PS3 on my PS Vita.  They are simply stunning.  The superiority of better graphics means that little to nothing will be omitted from a PS Vita game compared to a PS3 game.  This impressed me the most in MLB 2012 the Show, when every part of the baseball game was shown, from pitching and batting, to fielding and physical features (you can recognize a player easily).  This also leads to a more engaging experience, because it makes you feel like you’re part of the game and not just a button masher.  Games like this is what I think makes the PS Vita worth every dime, because having such in-depth control will finally allow you to devote your time and skills to a video game that is worth investing your time.

Nintendo:

www.nintendo.com

Sony PS Vita:

www.playstation.com

YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTQsdIvJwiI