Here it is: Sony’s PlayStation Vita. The new device boasts console-style gameplay and graphics, front and rear touch screen controls, motion sensors, multimedia functions, Wi-Fi and 3G connections – the list goes on. James Batchelor details everything you need to know about the ambitious new handheld
VITA’S GOT A LOT OF FRONT
The first thing that will grab your attention is the screen [1]. Upped from the PSP’s 3.8 inches to a nice, spacious five inches, the OLED panel is also touch sensitive, making smartphone owners feel right at home. In fact, Vita’s Home screen and other touch sensitive menus – accessed via the handy PS button [2] – cater to both gaming veterans and casual newcomers with its quick, accessible icons. Also housed on the front is one of Vita’s two 0.3 megapixel cameras [3], which can be used to track the user’s head or scan in their face for games like Sony’s augmented reality beat ‘em up Reality Fighters.
And, of course, the usual slew of traditional gaming controls is present, including left and right bumpers, the trademark Square, Triangle, Circle and X buttons – plus, to the delight of developers and consumers everywhere, that second analogue stick [4].
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WATCH YOUR BACK Not one inch of Vita’s sleek black casing has been wasted, as is proved by the innovative touch pad found on the back of the device [8].
First spotted on a leaked prototype shot way back in 2010, this gizmo has sparked plenty of creativity from developers. Vita owners will use it in everything from Little Deviants’ terrain- changing mini-games (pictured) to FIFA Football’s innovative striking system, enabling players to aim anywhere in the goal. Also on the back of the device is the second camera [9], which can be used to scan in real-world objects for use in games such as LittleBigPlanet.
It’s not all about touch pads and cameras, of course. PlayStation Vita follows in the footsteps of PS3 by including Sixaxis motion control – a three-axis gyroscope and a three-axis accelerometer – which will be used in racers like WipEout.