Is It Worth Buying A PS Vita In 2023?
The PS Vita is a criminally underrated console with access to a ton of fantastic games, but is it worth owning today? It is certainly a great handheld system, but Sony doesn’t support the console with new releases and new units are pretty difficult to find. So, for those of you asking, “Should I buy a PS Vita in 2023?” – here’s your answer.
Is it worth buying a PS Vita in 2023? The Vita is absolutely worth owning today, but it honestly depends on your gaming preferences as Sony no longer supports the console with new software. That being said, the handheld system has access to games from up to four generations of PlayStation consoles, and the Vita still remains technically competent to this day.
Again, our recommendation really depends on your own personal gaming preferences. The console has access to thousands of titles, but many gamers may still want to opt for newer hardware as the Vita continues to age and new hardware is always on the horizon. Still, there are several reasons that this might actually be the best time to get a PS Vita.
5 Reasons A PS Vita Is Worth Buying Today
Before we get into the advantages of owning a PS Vita today, it’s important to note that there are actually two different versions of the console – the original 1000 series and the slimmer, redesigned 2000 series. Despite being fairly similar, there are a few notable differences between the two models. If you’re curious, make sure to check out our full comparison – PS Vita 1000 vs 2000: Differences Between PS Vita And Slim.
1. The Vita Has Access To Games From Four Generations Of PlayStation Consoles
The Vita may have underperformed in terms of sales, but the console might just be the most underrated handheld console ever made. One of the best aspects of the Vita is all of the great games it can play. Again, this handheld device has access to classic games from four generations of PlayStation consoles – the original PlayStation, the PS2, the PSP, and of course, its own library of Vita titles. And seeing how the console is still considered an impressive piece of tech even today, it should come as no surprise that the Vita is an emulation beast.
The sheer number of games available to Vita owners alone makes this console worth considering, but it should also be noted that the handheld is the best way to experience some retro titles. For example, the Vita is an absolute dream when it comes to playing PS1 games (especially with the OLED screen on the 1000 series). And with all of the different aspect ratio options, original PlayStation games have arguably never looked better.
2. Hacking The Vita Opens Up A Ton Of Possibilities
As great as the PS Vita is out of the box, hacked systems (also referred to as modded or jailbroken) offer even more features that greatly improve the handheld console. For example, hacked consoles can play all PSP and PS1 games (rather than the large, but admittedly still incomplete libraries available to stock PS Vita systems). Additionally, hacked Vita consoles can play backups of games from memory cards – and speaking of memory cards, the normally expensive proprietary memory cards can be replaced by microSD cards through the use of cheap adaptors on systems with custom firmware.
However, that’s only a small handful of the features that come with hacking a Vita. If you’re curious about some of the other great things that can be done with custom firmware, make sure to check out our full guide on what hacked PS Vitas can do.
3. The Vita Can Play PS5, PS4, And PS3 Games With Remote Play
For PS3, PS4, and even PS5 owners, the Vita offers more portable use in the form of remote play – a feature that allows the PS Vita to operate a PS3, PS4, and even PS4 Remote Play compatible games (which includes most games). Essentially, the Vita operates similarly to the Wii U, in which games can be played away from the TV. But games can be picked back up again on the TV later.
Remote play wasn’t the most highly touted feature when it initially launched, but it is great for those who want to experience their PS3, PS4, and PS5 games away from the TV or even away from the home. It isn’t the most technically demanding feature either, as download speeds of 5mbs are all that is required.
4. The Second Analog Stick Is Still A Big Deal
The second analog stick was probably one of the most talked-about features of the Vita when it launched, and it’s arguably still its biggest selling point. The second stick allows for better control with all types of games and additional controls have even been patched into some PSP games for those who have custom firmware on their Vitas.
When the console launched, the Vita was special because other handheld gaming systems didn’t have a second analog stick, and the Sony hardware remains special today because the feature is still a rarity among portable gaming systems.
5. The Vita Is Still Ideal For Portable Gaming
Newer hardware has replaced the PS Vita in the portable space, but Sony has since taken a hiatus from creating portable gaming consoles. As the Vita remains Sony’s latest portable console at the moment, despite being discontinued, its place in handheld gaming has yet to truly be filled.
When it comes to sleek, portable technology for gaming on the go, there is nothing quite like the PSP’s successor – so, until Sony (or some other hardware manufacturer) comes along with something similar in the handheld space to rival Nintendo, the Vita will stand as the last great competitor.
Other Options To Consider
If you’re still not quite convinced that the PS Vita is right for you, there are other great portable options out there. Both the Switch and Switch Lite are fantastic options if you want something a little bit more contemporary because again, there really isn’t anything new being offered by Sony at the moment. On the other hand, the discontinued PSP is another great, cheaper offering from Sony. Additionally, the Nintendo 3DS family of consoles is also worth considering today.
At the end of the day, it’s really all about the types of games you like to play and how you like to play them. That being said, if you are a fan of PlayStation (especially lengthy JRPGs) and you are feeling a bit nostalgic for older generations of games, the Vita is a great option – even, and especially, still today.
