OUYA’s head of developer relations, Kellee Santiago, revealed the new statistic today, and says that it’s quite an accomplishment for the company, especially considering that the console is still in its early stages. She also notes that the number of developers signing on “continues to grow at such a rapid pace.”

Santiago notes that partnerships with larger developers and publishers will be coming up in the next few months, which means we could be seeing some triple-A titles make their way to the OUYA console at some point. However, Santiago says that the competition between triple-A games and indie games is dying, and gamers will simply play games that have quality, whether it’s a triple-A title or an indie title.

The OUYA has been hit with some criticism as of late, when review of the portable gaming console began pouring out, most of which rated the new console bad or mediocre. However, OUYA has reiterated that the console is still in its early stages and isn’t ready for prime time quite yet, but Santiago assures us that the team is working on improving the console.

[via Gamesindustry.biz]

In order to keep up with the demand for the product, PlayJam has to opt for much more higher-end tools. It says that the tools will take around 3 months to create, and that it has been in progress for a while. The expected completion date for these tools is the end of May. PlayJam states that it can have all the GameStick units assembled and shipped around June 10th, however they will have to use sea freight to ship them instead of air freight. The process can take two weeks.

After the shipments have arrived, it can take around 1-5 days for it to reach your homes, so PlayJam is estimating the arrival date to be within the last week of June. It is quite disappointing to the backers, but it’s inevitable for a product with such high-demand. We have also stated that 84% of Kickstarter projects miss their expected ship dates. On the bright side, PlayJam is making many modifications to the GameStick thanks to the feedback its backers have given them.

GameStick is an Android-based gaming console looking to take on the Ouya. It plugs into the HDMI slot in your HDTV, and lets you play your favorite Google Play games on your controller. There are currently over 600 developers, from both indie companies and major companies, developing games for the device. GameStick will also have XBMC integrated into it at launch. You will be able to purchase the device for $79 if you haven’t already.

[via Kickstarter]

However, it seems that XBMC will be available on the GameStick right at launch. Previously, it was said that the console wouldn’t be seeing XBMC support until later in September, but it looks like the partnership with Pivos will eradicate the need to wait, allowing gamers and home entertainment junkies access to XMBC right away.

XBMC stands for “Xbox Media Center,” and it was essentially created for the original Xbox, but has sense been released as an open-source media center platform. It’s available on a wide range of devices, and it can run on Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, and iOS. It’s also available on a handful of set-top boxes like the Boxee Box.

Of course, PlayJam says that the GameStick will still primarily be a portable gaming console, but the added functionality of a home theater media center will no doubt attract a larger niche of users, especially at a price of only $79, which comes with the HDMI dongle and a nifty game controller to go along with it. Developer units will begin shipping out very soon, and the console will be available to the public next month.

The developer unit itself is slightly larger than what the normal units will be, mostly because the dev units have a Type A USB slot for keyboard and mouse input that will be necessary for developers. The developer units will also include a few different components from the normal units that will be meant for de-bugging and loading apps.

As for the controller, PlayJam says that it’s “nearing readiness for production now.” The company says that “making this controller almost gave the lead mechanical engineer a heart attack,” noting that the controller has a very intricate design, and PlayJam says that the engineer “has worked wonders to fit everything in to such a small space.”

Furthermore, the company has announced that over 500 developers have signed up for, or are in the process of signing up to make GameStick games, and they also said that they have some partnerships in the pipeline with “major corporations,” hinting that ARM may be one of them. As for the SDK, it will be released to game developers later this week. PlayJam will be at GDC 2013 next week to announce even more news, so be sure to stay tuned!

It’s good to know that pricing seemed to be the only barrier stopping gamers from buying the device rather than the PS Vita software itself. It would be terrible to see the PS Vita suffer the same horrible sales as its predecessor, the PSP Go. The sales for the PS Vita should equal around 44,000 this week, considering two weeks ago the PS Vita sold somewhere around 11,000 copies. The official sales number won’t be released until tomorrow.

Sony stated that the United States won’t be receiving the same sales cut treatment for its PS Vita systems. Maybe after seeing the success rate that the PS Vita can achieve with a price cut, Sony will change its mind. However, it did state that one of the major reasons for reducing the price of its Japanese PS Vitas was due to Japan’s “current exchange rate”.

Now more Japanese gamers can enjoy the wonders of PlayStation 4 cloud-gaming with their new PS Vita devices. The PlayStation 4 will allow gamers to access all of their games remotely through the PS Vita. So if you’re in a situation where you can’t play your PlayStation 4 in peace, you can just enable remote play for your PS Vita and run off to a different room. Sony is redefining the way games are meant to be played.

[via Gematsu]

OUYA says that Kickstarter backers will be receiving shipping information in an email within a few weeks, and assembly lines are “buzzing” with the sound of tens of thousands of OUYA consoles being manufactured — we can smell the Android-powered portable gaming goodness already, and we’re pretty excited to see how the OUYA will shape the gaming industry.

Developer console began shipping back in December, so some people have already been playing around with the OUYA for a couple months now. OUYA mentioned that a load of new indie games will be making their way to the console, as well as games from popular developing studios and individual developers, like Tripwire Interactive and Kim Swift from Portal and Left 4 Dead.

If you didn’t back OUYA on Kickstarter, but want a piece of the pie, Best Buy, Target, and GameStop will sell the OUYA console for $99 starting sometime in June, which is the same price that Kickstarter backers paid for the device during the console’s fundraising campaign. The console wil also be available for purchase on OUYA’s website and Amazon.com.

While pre-orders are processed on the GameStick website, they’re powered by Amazon, so assuming you already have an Amazon account like everyone else, the checkout process should be rather simple and quick. Aside from the console and the controller, you can also pre-order a dock or a case for $24.99 and $9.99, respectively.

As far as availability is concerned, it seems like we’re looking at a release date of April 30, which is revealed during the checkout process. PlayJam itself says that “pre-ordered devices will ship immediately after fulfillment of the initial Kickstarter run in April,” so the date at checkout seems to be accurate at this point.

However, PlayJam has also noted that Kickstarter backers will receive their units first, so those pre-ordering right now will be placed at the end of the line, so it could be several weeks to several months before pre-orderers receive their consoles. The only question remaining is, will the GameStick outdo the OUYA? Or will it be the other way around?

[via Android Community]

The GameStick is expected to ship to all of its customers by April, and the company just got done making final revisions to the portable gaming console, making the controller a bit more rounded, and adding a microSD card slot to the HDMI dongle. If everything goes as planned, the company expects to ship out its first commercial run by next month.

If you’re still not familiar with GameStick, it’s essentially a game controller with an Android-powered gaming console that’s essentially a HDMI dongle. You plug the dongle into your HDTV and start gaming away. It’s novel concept, and its looking to take on the other Android-powered portable gaming console, the OUYA.

Furthermore, GameStick can also act as a media center of sorts, thanks to XBMC and DLNA support. It’ll be interesting to see how well the little dongle can handle 1080p HD video, but if it does, we’re looking at quite a game-changer for not just the portable gaming market, but also the media center business.

The design of the HDMI dongle itself has stayed the same, but the controller underwent some changes based on feedback from the Kickstarter backers. The controller features a more curvy design, and the HDMI stick now sits at the back of the controller instead of sliding in on top. The GameStick also got an expendable microSD card slot on the stick itself, which was a huge request from the backers.

The new docking station charges up the controller wirelessly using electromagnetic coils, and it can also support peripheral hardware such as mice, keyboards, etc. for use with the GameStick. The docking station also has a memory card slot compatible with up to 64GB, boosting the GameStick’s total capacity to 104GB potentially.

At the time of this writing, the GameStick has received over $515,000 in funding, which surpasses the company’s initial goal of $100,000. The campaign has just under 70 hours remaining, so there’s still time to contribute and get on the list to receive a GameStick console if you’re still interested.

GameStick added a new $250 tier, which offers indie game developers a six-month window of 100% revenue on any games they release before July 2013. Indie game devs who buy into the $250 tier will receive these benefits, as well as a GameStick console for their contribution. GameStick hopes this will ramp up the number of new games that release for the console once launch day hits.

Sadly, though, devs who buy into this tier won’t get the GameStick console any earlier than everyone else, but we have to say the benefits are probably worth it in the long run. Also, the new tier is only available to 250 developers, so if you’re at all interested in making 100% revenue on your game, you may want to act swiftly.

GameStick was first announced earlier this month and it hit its $100,000 funding goal within 30 hours of launch. As of this writing, over $460,000 has been pledged, thanks to the contributions of over 4,250 backers so far. Furthermore, stretch goals were also announced this week, including black and red controller options (for those who don’t like white), microSD support, and an additional color to be decided on within the GameStick Facebook page.

The only catch is that you’ll have to wait a few months before you can get XBMC or DLNA support on your GameStick. The company will be releasing an optional firmware update in September 2013 that will include both of these features. The portable gaming console isn’t expected to ship until April 2013, so gamers will have to make do for several months.

GameStick is the latest Kickstarter success story, and the team quickly reached their $100,000 funding goal in only 30 hours, leaving 28 days left over to raise even more money. At the time of this writing, the GameStick has reached $144,350 in funding from 1,473 backers with 27 days left to go.

If you haven’t been keeping with the goings-on at Kickstarter, the GameStick is essentially a $79 portable gaming console powered by Android. It’s an HDMI dongle that you can plug into any HDTV, and when not in use, the dongle easily snaps into an accompanying controller. It’s currently taking on the OUYA gaming console, which has just recently began shipping out to developers.

Perhaps that’s why distributor Tommo has decided to offer a standalone Neo Geo X handheld for $129.99. Obviously, this won’t come with the dock or the joystick, but those 20 classic Neo Geo games still come pre-installed. As if that wasn’t enough, Japanese gaming site Insider-Gaming has revealed that the handheld will land in Japan on December 6 (the same day it arrives in North America and Europe) and has shared a list of specs for the Neo Geo X.

Apparently, the Neo Geo X is packing a 1GHz processor working with 128MB of RAM under the hood. The handheld is running Linux, and comes with 2GB of flash storage on board, though that can be expanded with an 8GB SD card. On the outside, we have a 4.3-inch LCD screen running at 480 x 272 resolution. The whole unit is powered by a 2200mAh battery that should provide around 6 hours of gameplay, and will take roughly three hours to recharge.

It isn’t too bad a handheld, to be honest, and will be especially appreciated by those who fancy themselves “retro gamers” and wouldn’t be caught dead playing games on a smartphone or tablet. The Neo Geo X is still a few months off, but it will be here just in time for the holidays. What do you think of this latest handheld offering – are you in, or do your get your handheld gaming kicks elsewhere these days?

[via Neo Geo X]

The device comes with a price tag of $66, which signals that there probably isn’t much going on under the hood. Indeed, you’ve got 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A8 processor running the show, working with a PowerVR SGX531 GPU and 512MB of RAM. There’s a 0.3-megapixel camera on board, and 4.3-inch two-point resistive touch screen that displays 480 x 272 resolution. If that resolution isn’t quite your liking, it also comes with an HDMI port so you can play your games on a bigger screen.

Given the set of actual buttons present on the face of this device, you can tell that it’s geared toward Android gaming. The JXD S602 supports button mapping for Android titles, so if you’re looking for a cheap way to play Android games with actual controls instead of touch screen controls, this may not be such a bad choice. Have a look at the video demo below for a better idea of how the JXD S602 plays.

It isn’t a bad looking device, but then again we have Sony to thank for that more than anyone else. At the very least, it should satisfy your gaming needs, but don’t expect to get too much more out of it. The fact that it’s running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich will definitely be appreciated, and when coupled with the low price tag, that might just net JXD some significant sales.

[via Obscure Handhelds]

Of course, the problem with that is Sony‘s proprietary memory cards are pretty expensive, with a 4GB card costing around $20 at most places. Most PS Vita owners don’t use multiple PSN accounts on their Vitas, and in fairness, it’s already an ordeal to switch between PSN accounts on the handheld, but here’s the kicker: since Sony didn’t say anything about this lock down when 1.80 was released, a number of those who did use multiple PSN accounts are now locked out of some of their saves. That’s a pretty big problem, and it’s understandable why these gamers would be upset.

There is a way to transfer your saves, however, but it requires that you have multiple cards on hand. Folks on NeoGAF are pointing out that PS Vita owners can transfer their save data from one PSN account onto a PS3 and then move it to another memory card. It’s a hassle, but if you’re someone who frequently switches between regions when playing PS Vita, it’s a lot better than losing access to a portion of your content.

As for this move by Sony, it’s safe to say that it has a lot of gamers upset. Sony hasn’t made a statement on the outrage, and probably won’t, considering this stealth implementation. Sorry to say it, PS Vita gamers, but it looks Sony just took away your ability to switch between the different versions of the PlayStation Network. Were you someone who was using multiple PSN accounts on your PS Vita, or are you not affected by this particularly ugly bullet point of firmware update 1.80?

Speaking with Playfront at Gamescom, German PlayStation boss Uwe Bassendowski said that part of the reason Vita sales are struggling is because Sony has neglected to market the device to a younger audience. According to him, the company will begin to shift PS Vita marketing soon, which may help put uptake on the rise. That could be the reason why PS Vita sales are struggling, but we think it has more to do with the price and lack of games than anything else.

While Sony’s presence at Gamescom made us confident that the games issue will be turned around shortly (Killzone: Mercenary looks fantastic for instance), we won’t be seeing a price cut any time soon. Recently Sony confirmed that while it was looking for way to the bring price of the Vita down a bit, such a price cut will not be happening in 2012. It seems that pretty much everyone who isn’t an employee of Sony thinks a Vita price cut is in order, but sadly the company isn’t willing to budge on the issue until 2013 rolls around.

Instead, Sony will look toward the recently-announced PS Vita bundles and hope that those can move some units. With the holiday season just a couple of months away, those bundles might just bolster PS Vita sales, but if Sony were to implement a price cut before the shopping season kicks into full gear, we’d see them flying off shelves at a much faster rate. For now though, we’ll simply wait and see if Sony’s plan to shift marketing toward a younger audience pays off when it comes to PS Vita sales numbers.

[via Engadget]

Announced back in June, Nintendo made some waves when it first unveiled the 3DS XL. A few thought it was too soon for a 3DS redesign, and the lack of a second thumb pad on the 3DS XL left many scratching their heads. Nintendo intended the larger screens the be star of this latest 3DS iteration from the start though, with the 3DS XL sporting a 4.88-inch top display and a 4.18-inch bottom display. For comparison’s sake, the original 3DS has a top screen that comes in at 3.53-inches and a bottom screen at 3.02-inches, so 3DS XL owners are working with a 90% increase in screen size.

Of course, Nintendo has been touting that fact ever since the 3DS XL was announced. Sadly, resolution isn’t getting a bump along with the screen size, which has led to some complaints. Users did get a boost with the included SD card, however, as Nintendo opted include a 4GB SD card with the 3DS XL instead of the original’s 2GB card. That will undoubtedly come in handy for those who frequent the eShop, but since SD cards are dirt cheap these days, you probably won’t have to worry about running out of storage.

For what you’re getting with this package, you don’t have to pay that much extra. The original 3DS currently has a price tag of $170, meaning that you’ll only be paying $30 more for a 3DS XL. Not too bad, and that price alone is sure to move some units. If you’re interested in the handheld, have a look at our review of the handheld before you buy, and be sure to check out our story timeline below for posts leading up to the launch of the 3DS XL!

However, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida tells Eurogamer that engineers are working on cutting back on PS Vita manufacturing costs, which means that Sony is planning to drop the price of the Vita at some point in the future. Yoshida plainly ruled out a price cut for 2012 though, saying “It’s too early.” For the time being, Yoshida is counting on freshly-announced PS Vita bundles and key franchises to move units:

At a certain point in the future we would like to address the pricing issue for some of the people who are waiting. But this year we are trying to add value by creating different types of bundles. We announced we will provide LittleBigPlanet PS Vita bundle pack. That’s affordable for people who are looking for a good deal.

Yoshida also says that right now, the priority is making more and more content available to consumers, through things like PSOne Classics, PS Mobile, and of course, Sony’s famous franchises. It seems like that should have always been the priority for Sony, but at least the company seems to be taking it seriously now. As for Yoshida’s hope that bundles will be able to move units until a price cut is implemented, that’s going to be a tough sell. There have been some good-looking PS Vita games announced during Gamescom, but gamers always want more, and the only way to get third-parties interested in developing for the Vita is through selling units.

So here we have this rather vicious circle where PS Vita owners want games, Sony wants support, and third-parties want a wide audience. In order to get any of those, the PS Vita needs to deliver solid sales numbers, and right now it isn’t doing that. Bundles may be enough to boost sales for a little while, but it won’t be until that price cut is implemented that PS Vitas will start flying off the shelves, just like the 3DS did. For Sony’s sake, we’re hoping that the company doesn’t wait too long before dropping the price, because the PS Vita needs a major boost and it needs one soon.

The game was announced with the short trailer you see posted below. Half live action and half gameplay, the trailer gives us our first look at Killzone: Mercenary on the PS Vita. The graphics actually look excellent (especially for a handheld game), but that’s because the folks at Guerrilla Games are working on this entry as well. That’s right, the development duties haven’t been handed off for this particular spin-off, so we don’t have to worry about an unknown studio making a sub-par game in the Killzone franchise.

Not only that, but Mercenary is being made with the Killzone 3 engine, which is why the visuals look so good. With Guerrilla Games developing the title and using the Killzone 3 engine to do so, this might just turn out to be the high-profile, console-quality game the PS Vita needs. Check out the announcement trailer below.

Killzone: Mercenary is scheduled to launch at some point next year, but other than that, details are still pretty scarce. Sony promises that more details will be shared soon, so hopefully it won’t be too much longer before more information arrives. Keep it tuned to SlashGear for more details on Killzone: Mercenary!

Still, regardless of what they are, with fan favorites such as Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy VII incoming, we’re sure PS Vita owners will be happy nonetheless. The first PSOne Classics will be arriving as a part of the larger Vita system software update to version 1.8. The update adds multiple new features, including Cross-Controller functionality, which will allow you to use your PS Vita as a controller for supported PlayStation 3 games. The PlayStation Blog has detailed all of the upcoming features in v1.8, but sadly it didn’t drop any hint as to which PSOne Classics will be up first.

In other news, Sony announced today that the PS Vita will be getting PlayStation Plus at some point this year. Sony didn’t get specific as far as launch dates go, but said that PlayStation Plus will be available on PS Vita before the Sun sets on 2012. Keep an eye out for that, because Sony will definitely be offering some PS Vita-exclusive incentives for PlayStation Plus subscribers.

So, while these may not be the high-profile announcements the PS Vita desperately needs, it’s nice to know that PSOne Classics will be landing on Vita soon. Many PS Vita owners are looking for an excuse to turn their Vitas on, and these PSOne Classics will undoubtedly help as we wait for things to pick up a little bit. Keep an ear to SlashGear in the coming days, as we’ll have more information on this first round of PSOne Classics once Sony spills more details.

As with most of these downturns, Sony’s gaming executives are there to say that everything is going well. Wired has pulled together some recent quotes from SCEJ president Hiroshi Kawano and SCEA president Jack Tretton, and the feeling at Sony is pretty clear: the Vita is doing okay, and if it isn’t, then the upturn is right around the corner.

Kawano, for instance, recently told 4gamer.net that the Vita experienced “extremely lively” download sales in June, which he takes to mean that the Vita is on the rise. He unsurprisingly didn’t talk numbers, so we don’t know how well the Vita is actually doing in the digital realm. Tretton recently told GamesIndustry International that Vita sales are “acceptable” and that he’s feeling much better about the Vita now than he did four months ago. He claims that the Vita has the hardware, and with good games, the buyers will come.

But that right there is the kicker: “acceptable” sales aren’t good enough for a lot of big-time developers and publishers. A platform needs to be showing strong sales (or at least a lot of potential) before the big guys will spend millions of dollars on making a game for it. The Vita definitely has some exciting games on the horizon, but it doesn’t have as many as it should. That probably isn’t going to change as long as Vita sales remain average, so Sony still needs to come up with a plan to get Vitas flying off the shelves. Nintendo did it with the 3DS price cut, and as much as Sony is resisting the idea of a PS Vita price cut, that may just be the thing the Vita needs to become a smashing success. Stay tuned.

Hardware

Take the 3DS, swap some ports around, and make everything a little big bigger. That’s a gross generalization, but also the core of what Nintendo has done with the console. The reason for the supersizing simply seems to be ease of access: children and elderly gamers will be able to grip the console with ease, and the larger screens also makes things easier to see. Nintendo has made some tweaks to the design, though, with the glossy plastic of the 3DS being sidelined, and corners appearing more rounded and less angular.

As a result, the console is much easier to grip than its predecessor, and is generally more comfortable to use in operation. The physical controls of the device are a joy to use as well, wth the joystick swiftly moving around its axis without sticking at all, and the quartet of buttons on the right hand side giving great feedback. The same can’t quite be said about the L and R buttons, which don’t quite have enough feedback and feel a little loose. Nintendo has also tweaked the Select, Home, and Start buttons found below the bottom screen: the large, chunky, plastic buttons are far easier to press on the 3DS XL compared to the 3DS.

Going around the device, you’ll find that the 3.5mm headphone jack has been repositioned from center bottom to the far bottom left, a curious decision considering it’s where part of your hand will rest while holding the XL. The SD card slot has also been relocated to the right hand side, next to the stylus holder, and the sliders for the volume, wireless, and 3D switches have all been tweaked ever so slightly.

There’s no denying, however, that this is a chunky and heavy device at 22mm and 336g. The XL may only be 1mm thicker compared to the 3DS, but it’s also 100g heavier. Carrying it around in a jacket pocket or the back of your jeans can be somewhat laboriously, although we’ll commend Nintendo on getting the balance of the device correct when the screen has been flipped open.

Speaking of those screens, they’ve both increased dramatically in size. The top screen has been increased to 4.88-inches, up from 3.53-inches, while the bottom screen has jumped to 4.18-inches, coming in at 3.02-inches on the original 3DS. What hasn’t changed, however, is the resolution, with 800×240 and 320×240 respectively. Both have low pixel densities, resulting in a generally unpleasant experience even from a normal viewing distance, something which we can’t show you thanks to a close-up photography ban by Nintendo. The fact that the company is restricting close-up videos and photos of the handheld while it’s turned on should give you an idea of the screen quality. The viewing angles aren’t great either, so you’ll need to click the top half of the screen in just the right position to get the best image.

The system is still charged using Nintendo’s proprietary charger, but here’s the kicker: you don’t even get one in the box anymore. Nintendo claims that in order to keep costs on the console low, it’s had to forgo including a charger in the retail package, a move which is bonkers. No doubt there will be those who are moving up from a previous Nintendo handheld who will have the necessary charger, but is the company seriously going to neglect first time buyers? Both the front and back of the box do warn customers about the lack of charger, but it leaves a sour taste in the mouth nonetheless.

3D

The first time we witnessed the three-dimensional powers of the 3DS was through a demo given by an employee in a retail store briefly after the handheld launched. A quick fondle showed that while the effect did work, it wasn’t particularly immersive, and the effect could be broken far too easily. The same is true of the 3DS XL, and in our several days of usage we pretty much always had the 3D effect turned off.

The fundamental problem with the 3D on Nintendo’s handhelds is that it’s far too finicky to set up and maintain. The slider needs to be adjusted into just the right position; you need to be directly facing the console, with any kind of off-angle ruining the effect; if you finally manage to get a satisfactory depth to the image in your game (which can be highly dependant on how the game was designed in the first place), you need to remain perfectly still in order to maintain the illusion. Any movement at all, and you’ll shatter the effect. Maybe we’re cynical about the idea of 3D in general, but after extended use it’s clear that Nintendo has tried to shoehorn the idea into a portable console and served up average results at best.

Games

Nintendo provided up with one game for review, Kid Icarus Uprising, although the platform has amassed a healthy collection of titles since its launch last year. As is increasingly the case these days, if you’re buying into a Nintendo ecosystem you’re doing so for the first-party games, with the company offering classics such as Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and new reimaginings such as Super Mario Bros 2.

As for Kid Icarus, it’s a mixed bag. Levels in the game split different styles of gameplay, with the first five minutes dedicated to an on-rails shooting section that sees Pit guided by the goddess Palutena. This handles pretty much exactly as you would expect, with you moving Pit around the screen using the circle pad to control the character while the L and A buttons handle firing duties. Taking out every enemy on the screen is the name of the game as you avoid obstacles and collect power ups, and the level design can occasionally make great use of the 3D capabilities. For the most part though, you’re better off sticking to 2D.

Palutena can only sustain Pit for five minutes of flight. After that, you’re directed to the ground for the second part of the level, giving you full running control and allow you to explore 360 degree environment. The problem comes with the control scheme: while you can make Pit run with the circle pad and fire with L or A as normal, you have to change his orientation using the stylus on the bottom screen.

It’s an awkward and convoluted control scheme that handles poorly, to say the least. You’ll be left gripping and supporting the full weight of the console in your left hand while trying to turn Pit with the stylus in your right hand. Trying to turn the character is a tedious affair, requiring hefty drags across the screen that also require a firm press thanks to the resistive technology. Resting the console on a flat surface helps immensely, and the game is even supposed to come with a stand that helps make it easier to play, although we didn’t receive one with our review unit. Both the control scheme and dedicated stand directly contradict the portability of the console, and we really have to wonder why Nintendo and the developers opted for such a janky and overall poor experience.

The game has a certain visual charm to it, featuring bright colors, cartoonish designs, and a dash of 2D animation on the bottom screen for character interactions, but the ridiculously aliased graphics during gameplay can’t go without mention. We realize that the Nintendo experience has never been about top of the line graphics, but there needs to be some sort of visual polish in a world dominated by high-end smartphones and tablets.

Battery

Nintendo say that the 3DS XL’s battery life should be much improved over the previous offering, sitting between 3 and 6.5 hours of gameplay depending on your settings. DS titles should last a little longer thanks to their more modest graphics, eeking out between 5 and 8 hours of gameplay.

In our test, we put the screen brightness to maximum, turned WiFi off, set to the volume of the speakers to 50%, and made sure our 3D slider was firmly in the 2D position. A quick marathon session of Kid Icarus saw the console lasting around 4 hours and 40 minutes before switching off automatically. That falls in line with Nintendo’s expectations, and you can expect to squeeze a bit more out of the battery should you drop the screen brightness.

Wrap-Up

The 3DS XL brings small improvements over the 3DS, but they all add up to a better handheld overall. It may be heavier, but the screens make for a more impressive experience, the console is easier to handle, and the battery has seen a much needed improvement. If you own a 3DS that’s starting to look a little old, then it’s worth jumping up to the 3DS XL for the better screens and battery life. If you’re on one of Nintendo’s older handhelds and have been hesitant about making the jump, the 3DS XL proves that the water is fine and that it’s time to jump in.

The handheld makes sense if you’ve already bought into Nintendo’s ecosystem, but it’s a hard sell for first time buyers. Nintendo has a fundamental problem on its hands, and it’s this: the 3DS XL and its games don’t exist in a vacuum. Smartphones and tablets offer cheaper games that can distract you just as well as titles from first-party developers fronted by Nintendo or Sony. The former company is hoping that its all star heros and franchises can continue to prop up revenue, while the latter is focused on specs and the merging of physical and touch controls. Neither realize that the game has changed, and that the world doesn’t necessarily need yet another device for portable gaming anymore.

The flipside of the argument is that iOS and Android games don’t have the immersive stories or strong characters and franchises that a company like Nintendo can offer. There is no Zelda or Mario equivalent on mobile devices, sure, but the company can’t ignore the looming threat of smartphones and tablets forever. Nintendo’s inability to adapt and tap into such a vast market is frustrating, and the 3DS XL is the physical representation of its archaic view of the mobile gaming landscape. There may be one or two games that will entice you to the platform, but why reward a company that’s stuck in the past?

Speaking to IGN about the 3DS, Miyamoto said, “I really feel like I’m satisfied with the 3DS hardware as it is. I feel like it’s the best for this generation,” and also revealed that the company is currently brainstorming the sequel: “What we’re thinking about right now is probably going to be for a future generation of handheld.”

The legendary gaming figure did stress, however, that the current 3DS still has life left in it yet, saying that there’s more than can be done with the hardware, especially with 3D gaming. In the meantime, the Wii U is expected to be released this holiday season, although pricing hasn’t yet been announced. The system will take advantage of a 6-inch controller touchscreen combination, adding a new dynamic that can be taken advantage of in games.

Midnight Purple, as Nintendo is calling it, will be the fifth color for the 3DS, and be available for purchase on May 20th alongside the release of Mario Open Tennis. It joins the current 3DS colors, Cosmo Black, Aqua Blue, Flame Red and Pearl Pink.

The purple version will cost the same price as the current 3DS line, $169.99, and bring the same functionality too. Nintendo are keen to point out how you’ll be able to enjoy games such as Super Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and the new Super Mario Open Tennis. We know you’re desperate to rush off and pre-order a purple 3DS, so we won’t keep you any longer. Quick, before they sell out!

The PS Vita First Edition bundle will include the 3G-enabled unit itself along with a 4GB PS Vita memory card, a limited edition carrying case, and a physical copy of the Little Deviants game. The bundle will also include a set of AR Play game cards that enable augmented reality play with a host of mini games that can be downloaded for free.

Additionally, the PS Vita First Edition bundle packs an AT&T DataConnect Session Pass good for one free 250MB data session when you purchase one 250MB data session and a free PlayStation Network game that can be redeemed when you activate 3G for your PS Vita.

[via PlayStation Blog]

The PS Vita has been available in Japan since last December and will be launching in the US on February 22 along with more than 20 game titles. Since Sony is pushing for more digital downloads, it only makes sense to give consumers added incentive with discounted digital copies.

Best Buy has already begun selling codes to redeem games from the PlayStation Network for MLB 12 The Show at $35.99, Reality Fighters at $26.99, and Uncharted: Golden Abyss at $44.99. The difference is about a 10% discount from boxed copies.

ShackNews reached out to Sony regarding the matter and a company rep responded with the following confirmation:

I can confirm that there will be a discount on the downloadable PS Vita titles from PSN. Exact details have not yet been revealed, but be on the lookout for an announcement in the very near future.

[via PlayStation Lifestyle]

The first deal called the PS Vita First Edition Bundle has already been available for pre-orders. It initially included the PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi hardware plus a limited edition case, a 4GB PS Vita Memory Card, and Little Deviants game, but now Sony is adding an AT&T DataConnect Session Pass good for one free 250MB session and a PlayStation Network game, both of which you’ll receive upon 3G activation. And if you’ve already pre-ordered you will still be getting it all a week ahead of launch.

The new bundle meant to draw the masses on launch day, packs the PS Vita 3G/Wi-Fi hardware, an 8GB PS Vita Memory Card, an AT&T Data Connect Session Pass, and a PlayStation Network game all for only $299, the regular retail price for the hardware alone. Sony emphasizes that it’s a very limited edition offering, so you want it you better lineup on launch day.

[via PlayStation Blog]

The games released with the PS Vita have yet to garner much fanfare in Japan with its titles absent from the country’s top charts. However, this week’s Tales of Innocence R by Namco Bandai is expected to give sales a boost as one of the handheld’s highest profile releases so far. In two more weeks, Sony will be releasing its own Gravity Rush title, which could also help boost PS Vita sales.

Sales of rival handheld Nintendo 3DS also continued to slide, but it remains well ahead in the lead with 80,960 units sold in the latest week, compared to the PS Vita’s 15,219 units sold. The PlayStation 3 console is in second place with 21,155 units sold followed by the PSP in third with 17,181 units sold. The overall progression of PS Vita sales over the last six weeks is shown below:

Week 1: 324,859
Week 2: 72,479
Week 3: 42,648
Week 4: 42,915
Week 5: 18,361
Week 6: 15,219

The PS Vita is expected to launch here in the US on February 22. It will launch with more than 20 games along with major franchise titles lined up in the following months that should keep sales momentum going stronger than what we’ve seen in Japan.

[via Gamasutra]

The sales tracking data, which came from Media Create, shows the progression of PS Vita sales over the past five weeks as listed below:

Week 1: 324,859
Week 2: 72,479
Week 3: 42,648
Week 4: 42,915
Week 5: 18,361

Other gaming consoles, such as the 3DS, PS3, and PSP also experienced a decline in sales following the holiday period, but none had dropped below 20,000 units. The fifth week rankings, which are from January 9 to January 15, shows the 3DS continuing to take the lead at 100,668 units, followed by the PS3 at 30,332, the PSP at 22,538 and then the PS Vita at 18,361.

Despite these poor numbers on the PS Vita’s Japan launch, its US release could fare better. Sony has a staggered lineup of game releases with major franchise titles that should carry PS Vita sales in the months following the launch period.

[via Andriasang]

The system freezes appear to occur when users attempt to do a system update. And when the PS Vita freezes up, it cannot shutdown for some despite holding down the power button. The touch screen has been reported to be unresponsive at times and there are also reports that the PS Vita cannot shutdown during online play and cannot power up after charging.

It’s not certain if the majority of new PS Vita owners experienced these issues, but it seemed widespread enough and Sony may have been aware of these issues since it quickly released a software update along with an apology. With the PS Vita not due here in the US until February 22, Sony will hopefully be able to iron out most of the kinks before the device hits stateside.

[via Engadget]

According to Kotaku’s Stephen Totilo, multiple Sony reps confirmed with him this week that the GameStop pricing is not final and that the proprietary PS Vita memory cards are not a hidden cost. GameStop listed the 4GB memory card at $29.99, but Sony reps say that it should be $24.99. The 8GB memory card is listed as $49.99 but it, too, should be corrected to $39.99.

Sony revealed earlier this week that Gamers wanting to use multiple PSN accounts on one PS Vita device would have to use multiple memory cards. PSN accounts are tied to each card and therefore gamers wanting to switch accounts on a single card would have to do a complete factory reset. Multiple card can be used one PSN account.

[via PlayStation Lifestyle]

The Nintendo 3DS already has access to free WiFi at various locations, including AT&T’s hotspots as well as at Best Buy. But the addition of 42 airports can certainly be appreciated by families planning to travel this holiday season. The airports supported will include Chicago’s O’Hare, New York’s JFK, and Houston’s George Bush airports.

“With the holiday season approaching, more leisure travelers and families with children will fill our airports and have access to our hotspots,” said Colby Goff, senior vice president of strategy and business development for Boingo Wireless. “Our state-of-the-art networks will provide Nintendo 3DS users with seamless connectivity and fast, reliable service to help them make the most of their travel downtime.”

The latest Nintendo 3DS system update should automatically allow access to Boingo’s Wi-Fi hotspots. The update is expected to be available today.

[via VentureBeat]

According to Sony associate brand marketing manager Crystal MacKenzie, who spoke with Wired.com, PSN accounts are tied to the PS Vita’s proprietary memory cards. You can have multiple memory cards with different PSN accounts associated with each and used them on one PS Vita device. You can also have multiple memory cards with the same PSN account.

However, if you want to change the accounts on each memory card you will have to do a factory reset on your PS Vita. “Your PSN ID is bonded to your memory card and your memory card is bonded to your Vita,” said MacKenzie. “So if you wanted to change different PSN users but use the same memory card, you would need to go factory reset.”

The Sony PS Vita is set to launch in the US starting on February 22. There will be a WiFi-only model priced at $249 and a WiFi and 3G model priced at $299.

Accessories for the PS Vita include 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, and 32GB memory cards with prices ranging from $29.99 to $119.99 and a portable charger for $49.99. The rest of the accessories are generally under $20, including a travel pouch available for $19.99, a Car Adaptor for $17.99, an AC Adaptor for $19.99, a card case for $9.99, a carrying case for $19.99, and an in-ear headset for $19.99.

The accessories also come bundled in starter kits and will mostly be available starting February 7, although the PS Vita itself won’t be available until February 22. The PS Vita is priced at $299.99 for the WiFi and 3G version, while the WiFi-only version is priced at $249.99. A list of initial game titles for the handheld along with pricing and release dates are also available on the GameStop page.

[via PlayStation Lifestyle]

The lack of Flash support at launch isn’t too surprising since Sony’s PSP also did not support flash initially. But that device did not get an update to support Flash until over a year after it launched. With the current anti-Flash movement, the Vita’s Flash support may come just as slowly in the form of a firmware update, if at all.

The PS Vita was first unveiled at E3 2011 and features a 5-inch touchscreen display along with an additional touchpad control on the backside. The device sports dual cameras, dual analog sticks, GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi. It’s set to go on sale in Japan on December 17, launching with 26 game titles, and will be released in North America and Europe on February 22.

[via Gamasutra]

For downloads to the PS Vita over a 3G network, the initial file size limit will be 20MB. This limit could potentially be increased later on, but to start off, users will only be able to download files larger than 20MB via WiFi.

The proprietary memory cards for the PS Vita are specific to the device, meaning that it won’t be compatible with any other future devices nor with other Sony products like its PSP and digital cameras. Sony did not explain why they chose a completely new format, but they did say that the format will be supported for the life of the platform.

In case you’re not already familiar, the PS Vita was first announced at E3 2011 and features a 5-inch 960 x 544 OLED touchscreen display and an additional touchpad on the backside. It has dual cameras, dual analog sticks, GPS, Bluetooth, and WiFi. The device is expected to launch with 26 game titles in Japan on December 17, followed by a worldwide release on December 31. Pre-orders for the device have already begun with the WiFi-only version listed at $249.99 and the WiFi+3G version at $299.99.

[via TechnoBuffalo]

The device has been available on Amazon for pre-orders since last week and has been listed with the same December 31 release date. Pricing on both Amazon and GameStop are the same with the WiFi-only version running at $249.99 and the WiFi + 3G version at $299.99. The latter version will require a data contract with AT&T to take advantage of the 3G connectivity.

The PS Vita features a 5-inch 960 x 544 OLED touchscreen display with an additional capacitive touchpad on the back, GPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, two analog sticks, front-facing and rear-facing cameras, and various motion sensors. Sony has revealed that 26 game titles will be available for the handheld when it launches in December.

The two games included are EA’s much anticipated football game, Madden NFL 12, and the older racing title, Need for Speed: Shift. Madden NFL 12 is a cross platform game that’s set to also launch on the PS3, Xbox 360, and PS2 come August 30. It let’s you select from 32 teams and stadiums along with your favorite players all delivered in a slick live broadcast format. Need for Speed: Shift, on the other hand, is almost two years old, but still a decent racing game nonetheless.

Although the future game titles for the PSP look bleak with the PS Vita being the imminent successor, this package could still be good if you want to play Madden NFL 12 on the go right away. The PS Vita, which had been rumored for months under the codename NGP, was officially unveiled during E3 2011 and is set to arrive sometime in 2012. But no exact dates have been given yet, which means it could be too many months to wait for some of you to be without a portable gaming console.

[via PlayStation Lifestyle]

Several readers of Destructoid claim to have placed orders for the PS Vita on Amazon only to be notified of a January 2012 ship date. So far, rumors have pointed to a November 4th release of the PS Vita for the UK, but not much has surfaced on a U.S. release date. Destructoid is claiming a December 31 release that would suggest most shipments won’t arrive until at least January 4th. A two-month difference between the UK and US release plus missing the holiday season makes the claim a bit iffy.

The PS Vita touts a 5-inch OLED touchpad screen along with a second touchpad on the back side. It will also have dual analogue sticks, six-axis motion sensor, and both a front and back camera. It will support Wi-Fi and 3G with initial carrier being AT&T. New social features called “Party” and “Near” will also be part of the package. The Wi-Fi-only model is priced at $249 while the 3G/Wi-Fi model is $299.

[via VentureBeat]

Some things to note from the FAQ are that the PS Vita will not support HDMI video output, and will not be region-specific. The phased roll out of the device is set to start by end of this year to all SCE regions. Specific improvements of the PS Vita over the PSP include improved hardware for enhanced graphics, new multi-touch front and rear panels, two cameras, Live Area for game titles, location-based services, 3G capability, and better integration with PlayStation Suite.

Some areas that Sony is still uncertain about include whether the PS Vita will be able to access existing services such as Remote Play, Skype, SenseMe, and Comic that was accessible to the PSP. They’re also evaluating whether YouTube and Flash content will be supported. How many software titles will be available at launch and how much will they cost on average are other questions that Sony does not have an answer for yet.

The full FAQ is pasted below:

Question: When will PS Vita be available?
Answer: There will be a phased roll out from the end of the year 2011 throughout all the SCE regions.

Q: How much will PS Vita cost?
A: It will cost $249 USD for the Wi-Fi version and $299 USD for the 3G version available through AT&T stores.

Q: What is the official name?
A: The official name will be PlayStation Vita (PS Vita). “Vita,” which means “Life” in Latin, was chosen as the name for our next-generation portable entertainment system because it enables a revolutionary combination of rich gaming and social connectivity within a real world context.

Q: PS Vita supports 3G network connectivity, does this mean PS Vita will be sold through cell-phone providers?
A: Partnering with AT&T, which powers the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, who will serve as the exclusive service provider for PS Vita in the United States. By having both Wi-Fi and 3G/Wi-Fi models available, PS Vita will enable infinite possibilities for you to “encounter,” “connect,” “discover,” “share” and “play” with your friends wherever they are.

Q: Do all PS Vita users have to sign up with a cell phone provider?
A: No. Users can enjoy PS Vita using only Wi-Fi.

Q: How do you buy PS Vita games?
A: You can download PS Vita games and other content from PlayStation Store to a storage media via the Internet or buy the new game medium at retailers.

Q: What game format will the PS Vita use?
A: PS Vita will utilize the new game medium.

Q: Will users be able to access PlayStation Store from both 3G and Wi-Fi?
A: PlayStation Store will be able to be accessed from both 3G and Wi-Fi.

Q: Which carrier will users need to subscribe to use the 3G networks?
A: Partnering with AT&T, which powers the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, who will serve as the exclusive service provider for PS Vita in the United States.

Q: Can you use PS Vita as a phone?
A: No.

Q: What are the specs of the OLED screen?
A: 5 inches (16:9), 960×544 pixels, Approx. 16,770,000 colors displayed

Q: What colors will be available at launch?
A: This will be announced at a later time.

Q: Does the PS Vita support Bluetooth headsets / headphones?
A: Commercially available Bluetooth headsets will work, however, it may function differently depending on the device specifications.

Q: Can you use a commercially available Bluetooth keyboard / mouse? Can you connect the PS3 wireless controller to the PS Vita like the PSPgo?
A: No. Users cannot use commercially available Bluetooth keyboard / mouse or a PS3 wireless controller on the PS Vita.

Q: Can you access the Internet by connecting PS Vita to a Bluetooth supported cell phone?
A: No.

Q: Why didn’t you introduce stereoscopic 3D (without glasses) to PS Vita?
A: In the development process, we studied the possibility of introducing stereoscopic 3D feature to PS Vita, but decided not to install it. After careful consideration of our goal of offering users the ultimate portable entertainment experience with revolutionary user interface, we have decided to focus on the features and spec announced first.

Q: Does PS Vita have internal memory?
A: PS Vita is equipped with the storage media slot so that users can choose what memory capacity they want to utilize depending on their use.

Q: What is “Near”?
A: Near is a core PS Vita feature composed of location-based services, that utilize PlayStation Network. Near, developed specifically for this service and the network , will be pre-installed in the system to let users find out what their friends in the vicinity are playing now or what they were playing recently. Users can meet their friends and new players virtually, regardless of what games they are playing, simply by sharing their game information across different dimensions of time and distance.

Q: Do you need 3G network connection to enjoy Near?
A: Users can enjoy Near using Wi-Fi, but to enjoy further what Near offers, 3G connection is preferred. Users will be able to obtain more information and encounter new players in real time by using 3G connection.

Q: What is “LiveArea”?
A: Every game title for PS Vita will be provided with a space called “LiveArea™” where users can share the fun and excitement with other players. Users will have access to the latest information of games provided from SCE and 3rd party developers and publishers through PlayStation Network. Additionally, PS Vita users will be able to view “Activity” log that is constantly updated with accomplishments from users who are playing the same game, which in turn can trigger active real-time communication among users.

Q: Will existing services like Remote Play, Skype, SenseMe, and Comic content for PSP be available for PS Vita as well?
A: We are evaluating the opportunity to offer non-gaming applications/content and will announce details at a later time.

Q: Will Youtube, Flash content and files like PDF be viewable on PS Vita?
A: We are evaluating the opportunity to offer non-gaming applications/content and will announce details at a later time.

Q: What is the difference between the PSP system and the PS Vita in terms of hardware specs?

A:

Advanced portable entertainment system
A high performance CPU / GPU combined with OLED enables rich, visually striking graphics never seen before on a portable entertainment system. PS Vita also adopts the Super Oval Design form factor, which fits comfortably in users’ hands.
Revolutionary User Interface
A unique multi-touch pad on the rear, with the front touch display. Two cameras on it’s front and rear, as well as three motion sensors, gyroscope, accelerometer, and electronic compass.
LiveArea™
Every game title for PS Vita will be provided with a space called “LiveArea™” where users can share the fun and excitement with other players.
Location-based services
SCE will provide location-based services on PS Vita as part of the basic features utilizing PlayStation Network. The new application called “Near,” developed specifically for this service and the network, will be pre-installed in the system.
Wi-Fi and 3G network connectivity
PS Vita is equipped with 3G in addition to Wi-Fi.
Closely coordinated with PlayStation Suite
The newly developed and released game content for Android based portable devices can also be enjoyed on PS Vita.

Q: There are two slots on the PS Vita, what are they for?
A: One is for the new game medium, the other is for storage media to be utilized for personal content and download content.

Q: What kind of game medium will PS Vita support? What is the official name? Why did you decide to introduce it?
A: It is a small flash memory based card, dedicated for PS Vita. Taking advantage of the flash memory feature, this innovative card can store add-on game content or the game save directly on the card. By adopting flash memory based card, SCE will be able to provide game cards with higher capacity in the future, allowing developers to store more game data to deliver rich, immersive games. We will announce the official name at a later date.

Q: What type of storage media will PS Vita support?
A: This will be announced at a later date.

Q: What are the features of the new game medium / storage media?
A:

New game medium

It can not only store the full software titles but also save data as well as additional game content data. Therefore, the game title can be concluded with one piece of card.
Users can play games by just inserting the game medium into PS Vita. (a separate storage media is not required.)

As for storage media, we will announce details at a later date.

Q: How many software titles will be available at launch (in the new game medium/download for each region)?
A: We will announce details at a later date.

Q: What will software pricing look like?
A: We will announce details at a later date.

Q: If you buy download content for PS Vita, up to how many systems can you copy it to?
A: We will announce details at a later date.

Q: Is PS Vita compatible with other PlayStation platform games like PS3, PS2, or PSP? Do you have any plan to support other PlayStation platforms in the future?
A: Users can play PSP titles, minis and PSone classics titles which are offered on PS Store. We do no have any plans to make PS Vita compatible with PS3 or PS2 titles at this point.

Q: Is PS Vita compatible with PSP content other than games such as video and comics available on PlayStation Store?
A: SCE plans to make those content available on PS Vita.

Q: Can PS Vita users continue using their save data for PSP games that they have also downloaded from PlayStation Store to PS Vita?
A: We are looking into the opportunity to do so.

Q: PS Vita doesn’t support UMD but do you have any plan to introduce peripherals like “UMD readers” for PS Vita?
A: We do not have plans to introduce such peripherals at this point in time.

Q: I have UMD games but do I need to buy them again from PlayStation Store to play the same game on PS Vita?
A: We will consider every possibility for support on bought UMD games but we have nothing to comment at this point in time.

Q: Will you bring all UMD games to the new game medium or on the PlayStation Store for PS Vita?
A: SCE with the support of third party developers and publishers have been offering select UMD titles on PlayStation Store and will continue our effort to deliver these content in the form of game medium for PS Vita going forward. However, we will need to clear all copyright / legal related issues and due to this not all software titles will become available on PS Vita. We will announce details for each title when ready.

Q: Will PS Vita support all content that will become available on PlayStation Suite?
A: PS Suite content developed in the new game development environment provided for PS Suite can be enjoyed on PS Vita.

Q: Are PSP/PS3 user’s PSN accounts also available on PS Vita?
A: The same PSN accounts will be available on PS Vita.

Q: Do you have any plans to introduce a video output cable? Will PS Vita have HDMI output?
A: No, PS Vita does not have a video output feature.

Q: Can you take out the battery from the system?
A: No. We have adopted embedded battery since PS Vita is equipped with a rear touch pad.

Sony demoed a good roster of titles including Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Hot Shots Golf, Wipeout, Hustle Kings, Soundshapes, and Super Stardust Delta. These titles will all be a part of the NGP’s diverse launch lineup.

“We’ll talk more about social connectivity features down the line – today is about showing off the core games and getting you hands-on time,” said SCE president Shuhel Yoshida. “I’m sure you have burning questions on launch date, pricing, 3G data plans, and we’ll be very happy to share all those with you moving forward.”

Of the titles demoed, the most high profile one would be the Uncharted: Golden Abyss, developed by the same team that made the best PSP shooters including Resistance Retribution and Syphon Filter.

The following video shows some of the games in action. However, the demo unit shown is not how the final NGP handheld will look like. There is noticeably no marking of a device name anywhere on the unit, suggesting the company’s keeping the official name top secret until the E3 2011 reveal. Recent reports claim that the NGP could be called the Vita.

[via PlayStation Blog]