Sony details PS3/Vita cross-play compatibility

Before you even rush out to the store to buy a PlayStation Vita, it's possible you may already own a handful of games that you can start playing on the system right away. It's already been confirmed that gamers who purchased select PSP games through the downloadable PlayStation Network will be able to download those games free of charge onto their Vita, and now the same is being said of downloadable PS3 games.

If you purchased any of these games through the PlayStation Store on PS3, you'll have free access to them on Vita: Motorstorm RC, Top Darts, Hustle Kings, and Wipeout HD. In addition, you'll also be able to re-download any DLC you've purchased for Marvel vs. Capcom 3 as well as the HD Fury DLC for Wipeout 2048. This is a way for Sony to show off the fact that these games are cross-platform compatible. That means if you're playing online, you can play either on your Vita or the PS3.

"Whether it is real time or turn based play, this new way of competing creates a unique gaming experience," Sony said in a statement. It's unclear if Sony will continue to offer downloadable games that can be purchased once and downloaded on both systems, or if this is just a promotional ploy surrounding the Vita's launch. For now, though, it's a good incentive for existing Sony fans to buy the new handheld.

[via CVG]