PlayStation Vita Software Review

The original PlayStation Portable was a very capable handheld console, supporting all types of media and playing quite a few great games. Sadly, unlike Nintendo's DS, Sony's PSP didn't really become that popular, which meant fewer and fewer studios were actually making games for it.

Now, with the PlayStation Vita, Sony wants to really succeed in the mobile gaming market. We already talked about the console's impressive hardware in our previous review, and it's now time to see if the actual software of the device can ensure a great experience for owners of the new handheld console.

The Menu

PlayStation 3 and PSP owners have gotten used to Sony's trademark XMB (CrossMediaBar) interface. In the Vita, however, everything's been completely changed in order to make use of the touchscreen functionality supported by the device's 5-inch OLED display.

As such, instead of having things neatly organized like on the PS3 or PSP, applications and games are spread out across multiple screens, in the same way as on an iPhone or other current generation smartphones.

Each screen supports 10 icons, spread across three rows (two have three icons and one has four). These can be rearranged depending on your preference, but there's no option to group them into folders or to eliminate them from the actual screen.

What's more, the actual icons have a round shape that, at least to my eye, looks a bit sloppy. The edges are jaggy and the contents of the icon have an annoying emboss effect that make them look like they were designed in the early 2000s.

This contrasts to the actual look of the Vita, which is extremely sharp and calculated. What's more, you can't use the variety of buttons on the device to navigate this menu, not even when you're dealing with lists like in the Settings category.

Above the main screen you have a black bar that displays your current wireless or 3G connection, the time and battery level, as well as the applications you currently have open. There's also a blue "blob" of some kind which, when pushed, displays your recent notifications, like trophies unlocked or friend requests. While the list is nice, the blue blob could have been designed in a more interesting manner.

When you insert a retail game into its special slot, it creates a whole new icon on the menu screen. Unfortunately, after removing the game, the icon stays there and there's nothing you can do about it. Icons for downloaded games, thankfully, are removed once the actual game is deleted.

Navigating It

Switching between screens is done by flicking your finger up or down. Once you select an app, you're taken to its Live Area. This is where you need to once again tap it, if you want to start the application/game, or do other things, like view its manual (when you have a game).

For example, when using the Camera one, you can either start it up from its Live Area, or just select the photo album button. When you're dealing with the web browser, you can select from the tabs you currently have open.

The Live Area mechanic is quite nifty, although it becomes a bit annoying when you just want to start a game. You can, however, open up multiple live areas and, with just a push of the PlayStation button, pull up a sort of multitasking view that lets you navigate the several areas you have opened. Rather annoyingly, this multitasking view also displays three ads in its lower portion, that either present games (which you may or may not have) or applications like the PlayStation Store.

Unlocking the device or closing a Live Area is done by touching the upper right corner of the screen and doing a sort of peel away motion. The lock screen displays the time and date, as well as any notifications you may have missed. As with the PSP, you can set up your own wallpapers.

Play Video

Applications Borrowing heavily from other mobile platforms like smartphones or tablets, the Vita has a hefty array of apps that are included right from the get-go, so here are our thoughts on them.

Welcome Park is the most important app for new customers, as it's basically a collection of mini-games that teach you how to use different features of the Vita. These range from front touchscreen or the rear touch panel, to the built-in cameras or the microphone. They're very basic but serve their purpose in showing off the console's strong points.

After that, there's Near, Sony's own social network of sorts for Vita owners. This uses your location to display other Vita users in your vicinity. It allows you to check out their performances, what games they've played but, rather annoyingly, doesn't allow you to add them to your friends list from the app. Instead, you need to memorize their PSN ID and then go into the Friends app to add them.

Near also allows users to share feedback on games, but not through comments, as you can only choose between three awkward emoticons that express either Engrossing, Captivating, or Amazing. The app is also used to pick up various in-game goods and is set to be employed by games for bonus items, so it might be a good idea to start it up every time you reach a new destination. Unfortunately, it's still quite confusing and we think most people will end up hating it.

The Party app allows owners to chat with their PSN friends by using text and voice, thanks to the on-screen keyboard and built-in microphone, respectively. It keeps running while you start up other apps or games, so it's more than handy when starting multiplayer matches.

Quite awkwardly, there's also a separate Chat app, which lets you send texts or photos to your PSN friends. Why this functionality wasn't included in the Party app is unknown.

What's more, there's also another app called Friends that lets you see all your PSN friends. Honestly, it's like Sony didn't even realize that Vita owners would've wanted all of the three aforementioned apps to be grouped into a single, all-encompassing one.

There's a Camera app, which lets you take photos with either the front or rear cameras, as well as shoot videos, through the newest firmware update. The design is pretty good and the photo album does a great job of listing and sorting your pictures. Unfortunately, the cameras, like we've highlighted in the hardware review aren't very good.

The Music Player is quite nice although you don't have that many features. You can select different albums, songs, or artists, and access play/pause, rewind or fast forward commands straight from the app's Live Area.

The Video player is similar to the music one, allowing you to enjoy different videos and even movies on your Vita. Commands are once again pretty basic, but more than enough for quick video sessions while you're on the go.

There's also a Web Browser application that allows you to navigate the internet if you're connected to a wireless hotspot or have an active 3G connection with your 3G Vita. Once again, its design and functions are quite basic, but enough to fulfill its purpose of allowing you quick access to web pages. Sadly, it doesn't support Flash or HTML5, meaning you won't be able to view things like YouTube videos from the browser.

There's a Trophies application that, as you can imagine, lets you view the trophies you've unlocked in games. This also doesn't provide that much functionality, behaving differently than the trophy section of the PS3's XMB menu.

Those who have a PS3 can use the Remote Play app to enjoy games made for the home console with the PS Vita. Action is displayed on its touchscreen and you can control it with the mobile device, now that it has dual analog sticks.

A Content Manager application allows you to transfer content either to or from a PlayStation 3 or a PC/Mac computer. You can also back up and restore data previously saved on either of those devices. Sadly, at least when transferring games from the PS3 to the Vita, the speed is extremely slow.

With the newest firmware, 1.60, a Maps app has also been added, which is basically the Google Maps service adapted to the touchscreen functionality of the Vita. You can pan and zoom maps and even get directions. Sadly, extra features like Street View or turn-by-turn navigation aren't available.

Last but not least, there's the PlayStation Store, which lets users browse and download games for the Vita as well as compatible PSP titles. You can also populate your Vita's app screens with free applications for services like Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Flickr, Skype or Netflix.

Conclusion