I have recently moved to University, in doing so I have left my console, the PlayStation 3 in my case, at home. However, to fulfill my gaming needs I have instead brought along my PS Vita in the hope it can fill the gap of a missing console. It’s been a couple of weeks now so I think that it is time to review whether portable devices can become a substitute for home consoles.
Firstly I shall begin talking about the last portable device I used, the PSP. I never did play it regularly. For example, when My PS3 received the yellow light of death, twice, I didn’t seek the PSP to fill the gap on either occasion. I looked elsewhere, mainly to the last iteration of home consoles. So at this time the portable gaming could never of been a substitute.
Fast forward a few years and this view has changed. The PS Vita is a remarkable device and with that even at home I will opt to play the Vita instead of the PS3. Why is this so?
Well, for me I think this personal change of view is due to the fact that portable devices have vastly improved. The Vita boasts visuals on par with the PS3, which still amazes me every time I switch the device on. This is allowing for big titles such as Uncharted and Little Big Planet to run on the Vita without looking inferior to the console versions.
Both devices can practically do the same things.
Also the introduction of two analogue sticks has made the device feel more like a dualshock, resembling playing on a console. So the new design is playing an important role.
However, I think the biggest reason to why I can replace the PS3 with the Vita is because of how well online play is integrated. The PSP didn’t really have online play in the more traditional sense on a console. With the Vita it feels the same as joining an online lobby on the PS3.
Browsing through LBP Vita’s community levels highlighted this the most for me. I was able to quickly play any level, or jump in with another player easily. This has never been available on a portable gaming device for me. What’s more is we have messages, trophies, social integration and a party system. It is really like putting a PS3 in your pocket and playing it anywhere.
So to answer the initial question, I do believe that portable gaming can replace home consoles. The PS Vita has certainly shown us how it is done. Matching visuals and design, and well integrated online features are the way forward.
Sadly I think at the moment only the Vita is a suitable replacement. The 3DS/DS has never caught my eye and I could never imagine myself replacing a console with a portable Nintendo device, and this is not a biased approach I assure you. They are simply not up to the standards of the Vita.
Now I ask; would you ever consider leaving your console and instead replacing it with a handheld/portable device?
Both products are made with different things in mind. Vita is for on the way like public transportation or in a plane. Home consoles are made for hours and hours of none stop game play.
A big screen and a controller makes it a lot more bearable then the smaller controls on a Vita. I also have both and in my case the Vita is only being played when I am on holiday or on long biz trips on the plane. But otherwise it is mostly being stored away in a drawer.
The new online feature is great but as long as the free wifi is not yet a standard yet and the 3g/4g is not ideal yet for online game play.
What really would make it cool and replace the home consoles is when you can put the video output to a HDMI cable to the TV. And then connect 2 PS3 controllers to the Vita via Blue tooth THEN I would say now were talking 🙂
My two cents for you mate.
I was trying to apply it to my situation. I am now without my PS3 and wanted to see if the Vita could replace the console in my life, which it can. For people with both and access to both then of course its (the vita) only going to be used for holiday/public transport and out and about 🙂