Sony’s newest handheld, the PS Vita, may not be getting much attention in light of the PlayStation 4’s recent-ish launch, but a quick look at the list of upcoming releases tells us that the device is still going strong.  Leading up to and after the PSV’s debut, Sony promised a plethora of PS3-compatible features.  Most gamers would agree that the concept never really got off the ground, but the company continues to stand firm, asserting wide support for the PS4.  It’s a little too early to tell with much certainty, but even before the PS4 made it to shelves Sony has been touting “Remote Play” and “Second Screen” capabilities compatible with “most” PS4 titles.

First, let’s take a look at what’s making its way to a system destined to live in the shadow of Nintendo’s 3DS.  With strong recent titles like Tearaway, there’s bound to be more than a few noteworthy titles on the horizon.

Upcoming PlayStation Vita Games (through Q2)

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• Borderlands 2 – March 18th
• Final Fantasy X and X2 HD Remaster – March 18th
• SteamWorld Dig – March 18th
• Deception IV: Blood Ties – March 25th
• Destiny of Spirits – March 25th
• Fez – March 25th
• Minecraft – March 2014
• The Walking Dead: A Telltale Game Series – Season Two – March 2014
• 1001 Spikes – Q1 ’14
• Avoid Droid – Q1 ’14
• Fieldrunners 2 – Q1 ’14
• Flame Over – Q1 ’14
• Kick and Fennick – Q1 ’14
• Lemmings Touch – Q1 ’14
• Road Not Taken – Q1 ’14
• The Wolf Among Us: Episode 2 – Smoke and Mirrors – Q1 ’14
• Ragnarok Odyssey Ace – April 1st

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• Lego: The Hobbit – April 11th
• Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars – April 15th
• Demon Gaze – April 22nd
• BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma – April 24th
• Cel Damage HD – April 2014
• God of War Collection – May 6th
• The Sly Collection – May 27th
• Mousecraft – May 2014
• Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends – Complete Edition – Q2 ’14
• Mind Zero – Q2 ’14
• MLB 14: The Show – Q2 ’14
• Monster Monpiece – Q2 ’14
• No Heroes Allowed: No Puzzles Either – Q2 ’14
• Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty – Q2 ’14
• Pavilion – Q2 ’14
• Titan Invasion – Q2 ’14
• XBlade Code: Embryo – Q2 ’14

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Remote Play

Remote Play refers to the PSV’s ability to essentially stream a game from the PS4, over a network, and to the handheld.  This way the player can enjoy compatible games without having to use their TV.  It’s an interesting idea, akin to the Wii U’s GamePad which boasts a similar but not identical function.  I’m not sure how useful I find the feature, but kids without the luxury of their own TV will welcome the ability.  Unlike Remote Play with the PS3, both screens will display the game.  Not sure how much of a practical improvement this is, but hey, to have is better than to have not.

I was curious about the range of Remote Play, and after a little digging found out some pretty detailed information put out by Sony.  The feature is optimized for a hard-wired PS4, which seems strange to me considering how long wireless connections have been utilized with devices other than desktop computers and the routers that make all of this possible.  However, when connected on the same network, the user should rarely encounter problems.  So what happens if you leave your home (or network, more precisely)?  As it turns out, the system is designed to work across Wi-Fi networks everywhere, though there is no support for the 3G built into the “premium” PSV models.  You can go through the process of turning your mobile device into a hotspot and using Remote Play this way, however.  For Remote Play to work efficiently on another network, it’s still recommended to have the PS4 hard-wired.  Sounds to me like things could get buggy once the PS4 is left behind, but I’m sure Sony will continue to improve upon connectivity and it’s fairly impressive that they’ve already come this far.

Look for this on the back of PS4 games.

Compatible games are marked with a “Remote Play” icon on the back of the case, and downloadable games will include an indicator as well, if applicable.  There isn’t yet enough out for the PS4 to accurately determine how viable the feature will be, though I find it a little depressing that Knack, a PS4 exclusive, does not support Remote Play.  All of it sounds pretty incredible, but what about battery life…?

Second Screen

The other exciting (maybe) function gracing what could be the world’s most powerful handheld is its ability to act as a second screen in order to supplement PS4 games.  I haven’t been able to find a lot of detailed information, and it seems like Sony’s stance is still “check the cover for a ‘Remote Play’ option.”  Clearly not all PS4 games will support the feature, and it seems like for those that do, players without a PS Vita will be shortchanged of the entire experience.  Second Screen doesn’t appear to be making any waves yet, and with the PlayStation App available for mobile devices, I’m left wondering if developers will ever latch on.

Sony Compartmentalizes While Nintendo and Microsoft Consolidate

I do find it interesting how Sony has decided to spread out the full potential of the PlayStation 4 across multiple pieces of hardware while Nintendo and Microsoft, comparatively, seem to be offering all-in-one packages.  I can’t decide if I think it’s a smart move just yet or not.  As new gaming equipment grows more advanced and more expensive, the option to build up an optimal setup over time can be an enticing and potentially game-changing strategy (no pun intended).

PlayStation Camera

PlayStation Vita

However, when it comes to parents buying video games for their kids and/or new initiates to the world of gaming, myriad hardware scattered about may come off as overly complicated and arguably as a ploy for Sony to needlessly pull money out of pockets.  And after all, it’s always easier to get what you need in one box, during one purchase, for one price, even if the price is a little steeper.  The Wii U gives you second screen potential from the beginning, and the Xbox One takes care of the necessary video and voice calibration during initial setup.  The Wii U includes a charging base for the rechargeable-only GamePad, and the Xbox One gives players batteries at the onset and lets them make the decision to switch to rechargeable power if desired.

PS4 Charging Station

Sony has taken a different route.  PS4 controllers do not support removable batteries, and although a USB charging cable is included, the charging base is sold separately.  The PS4 obviously intends to compete with Microsoft’s Kinect to some appreciable extent, yet the camera is sold separately.  Second Screen support won’t be possible on anything native to the retail hardware bundle, instead requiring the pricey purchase of the PSV (or a mobile app; we don’t really know what the future has in store for either the feature itself or the equipment it’s planned to run on).

Keeping such objects on the periphery somewhat distances and insulates the base console from poor reception and/or support of additional features.  If motion controls and augmented reality go down in flames, the reputation of the PS4 could remain substantially more salvageable than the Xbox One with Kinect 2.0 pack-in.  If mobile apps and second screens were to somehow create a frustratingly complex framework that began alienating players, it’d be easy for Sony to point to their newest system and espouse a “back-to-basics” approach.

In any event, I have strayed mightily from the PS Vita.  Whatever the future may bring, good or bad, it’s sure to get Sony enthusiasts talking.

Written by The Cubist