Playstation Vita vs 3DS - Launch Comparison

Playstation Vita vs 3DS – Launch Comparison

Once the clock strikes midnight tonight Sony will unleash their latest creation on the highly expecting residents of the UK, but how does the Playstation Vita launch compare to that of its closest rival, Nintendo’s 3DS?

Pre-launch Events

PS Vita

The Playstation Vita Rooms made for the perfect event, if a little limited by location. Taking place in Manchester and Edinburgh before finishing up in London, the Playstation Vita Rooms tour let fans get a proper hands on with the device before its launch. Plus, with numerous parties to celebrate the final leg of the Playstation Vita launch, the Vita rooms made for a well rounded launch event.

Of course, the Vita Rooms isn’t just about partying, as it showcased numerous titles from the Playstation Vita launch catalogue, providing fans with the perfect excuse to stop sitting on a fence about their potential purchase. If anything, the only issue with the Playstation Vita Rooms tour was its limited location choice, as I’m sure many potential buyers who would have loved to attend, would have not had the chance.

3DS

Nintendo missed a trick with the 3DS launch. I mean, sure! They had their UK tour, but it didn’t come until the device had released into stores.

In a sense, Nintendo’s decision to launch their tour from the 3DS release date was a good one, as people who liked the device could just stumble into a store and pick up their device. Unfortunately, the 3DS received a load of bad press once it launched, which probably didn’t aid this. Furthermore, the minimal sampling opportunity ahead of release may have left those considering pre-order on the fence.

If anything, the only way Nintendo were on Par in the UK was with their London launch concert, which people could win tickets to in a similar manner to the Vita Room gigs.

Launch Titles

PS Vita

There is no denying that the Playstation Vita wins hands down when it comes to launch titles. For starts, the device officially has the biggest launch line-up to be seen on a console! That’s got to be impressive, right?

Perhaps the biggest strength in the Vita launch has been Sony’s ability to wrangle up a wide variety of their exclusive IP’s. Nathan Drake, Sackboy and Wipeout 2048 alone are enough to add tempting incentive to any Playstation gamer. Furthermore, the inclusion of third party launch titles like Rayman Origins, F1 2011, Ninja Gaiden: Sigma and about 30 other titles, it’s safe to say fans will find themselves spoiled for choice.

3DS

When the 3DS was first announced, we were promised a range of exciting titles. Of these, you’d have to be blind to say Ocarina of Time 3D was not the most anticipated of all. This unfortunately was also Nintendo’s biggest failing with the 3DS launch.

Announcing Ocarina of Time 3D alongside the 3DS left many fans expecting it at launch, so to only see PilotWings, Nintendogs and an IP that wasn’t even created by Nintendo must have been a hit to many fans. Furthermore, third party support at launch was extremely scarce, leaving players rather limited as they put in their pre-order offers.

Price

3DS

£229.99 – It’s hard to believe when you look at the £120-150 price tag on the 3DS in stores today. I’ve heard a lot of Vita potentials holding off in hope of a similar launch. It’s kind of worrying..

PS Vita

Wifi – The Wifi version of the Vita is selling for as little as £197 in retailer Asda, with a £229.99 RRP price.
3G – The 3G version of the Vita is carrying a RRP of £279.99

It’ll be interesting to see how the price for this one folds out over time!

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6 Responses to "Playstation Vita vs 3DS – Launch Comparison"

James 11:46 PM 21/2/2012

Good article! The only think I’m just going to have to say is that Nintendo did do a small tour with the 3DS before launch. (I should know, I went to one!) But it wasn’t to the same degree as Vita rooms. Also I found the 3DS had in terms of midnight launches better coverage. With the Vita they are only opening Oxford Street and Birmingham while the 3DS was nationwide. But in terms of the titles available and as a handheld overall the Vita wins hands down. It will just be interesting to see if there will be a price drop, I know there will be bundles but the price drop will be more interesting.

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marty 12:18 AM 22/2/2012

3DS is simply crap does’nt compare to Vita. Too many design flaws in 3DS(like the after thought bodged stick).. 3DS was way overpriced for what specs it offered, thats why Nintendo cut price. Vita offers far better specs at a very reasonable price, with the great bundles been offered at discounted prices both the Vita Wifi+8Gb card for £212 and Vita Wifi/3G+8Gb for £262 are steals. Don’t expect Sony too cut price any time soon, they may just bundle more value when needed to sweeten the deal.

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Niko 12:32 AM 22/2/2012

PsVita:30+titles……..yes its true.Only one system seller:Uncharted.
Everything Else medicore and ports.Quality<Quantity.

I wait many true AAA titles…….not buy yet.

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- fei-hung 01:13 AM 22/2/2012
  
  Only 1 system seller? Well I think that is more opinion based than a fact.
  
  Quality over quantity? seriously?
  
  Top quality Vita launch games:
  
  1) Ninja Gaiden Sigma
  2) Escape Plan
  3) Plants vs Zombies
  4) Uncharted
  5) LBP
  6) Motorstorm RC
  7) Wipeout
  Super Stardust Delta
  9) Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom
  10) Fifa
  11) Rayman Origins
  12) Blaze Blue
  13) F1 2011
  14) Hot Shots Golf
  15) Virtua Tennis 4
  
  15 games that are all quality is pretty good for a launch lineup not to forget other titles which are good but not great such as:
  
  1) Little Deviants
  2) Shinobido
  3) Hustle Kings
  4) Modnation Racers
  5) touch my Katamari
  
  Not to forget the free AR games which may turn out to be better than expected and are FREE, such as:
  
  1) fireworks
  2) Cliff Jumper
  3) Table Football
  
  and to add to that all the PS1 games that are available that some of us may already have thanks to ps+ or having purchased them.
  
  If you think Uncharted is the only quality game, wonder if you found any quality games doing the 3ds launch!
  
  Reply
Andrew 02:16 PM 25/2/2012

No argument that the Vita is far more powerful with better graphics but then the PSP was more powerful than the DS with better graphics but most people still preffered the DS for its versitility and vast choice of variable games. It all depends on what you from the machine, series gaming with the best graphics or versitility and 3D. I really like the 3DS so won’t be swapping it for Vita just yet.

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leimelson 06:22 AM 26/2/2012

You Could say that Vita has the Best graphics higher technology bla bla bla….. but 3DS has a better variety of games

List of 3DS Games:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_3DS_games

List of Vita Games:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_PlayStation_Vita_games
___________________________________________________________________

Advantages of 3DS
Monster Hunter will be released on 3DS but not on PSV
3DS has a great graphic Tekken Game but the PSV only has SF VS Tekken
3DS has 4 ”Kingdom Hearts Games” on its side
3DS can play DS games but PSV Couldn’t play PSP Games
and a lot more see the games for your self to know…..

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