Japanese gamers can use the UMD Passport program to register their UMDs to their respective PlayStation Network (now Sony Entertainment Network) accounts and pay a small fee to be able to download the digital version of the game on their PSP or the Vita. Sony of America (via Kotaku) however, says that it has no plans to bring the program on to the US market.

Bummer :/ I guess it’s another win for PSP Go owners who stuck with digital copies of their games.

The PlayStation Vita will reach the U.S. and other markets on February 22.

source Kotaku

• Sega Genesis running on the PlayStation Vita via HBL
• Sony announces US PlayStation Vita Launch Lineup
• PlayStation Vita launches in Japan
• PS Vita will support multiple PSN accounts
• PlayStation 3 4.00 Firmware update now available

The reason behind the change? Sony had no comment on that but assured users that current PSN users will not be affected except for the name change, stressing:

“For general purposes, this account change is a change in name only. Your username or password will not change, nor are we asking you to change them.”

“This transition is based on Sony’s goal to enhance its unique digital entertainment offering. As a series of these activities Sony started last September, PlayStation Network will be aligned with Sony Entertainment Network. This helps us get closer to our goal of establishing a global comprehensive network platform of services across games, movies, music and more, all accessible from one convenient account.

As a current PSN user, I don’t really see the point for the change. Sure, the PlayStation Network is part of Sony’s Computer Entertainment’s portfolio but what gives? :/ At least when using the term PSN user, you know what the hell you are a user of, when using the new term, you’ll probably get O_O stares.

• Sony affirms that a PlayStation 4 is too soon
• Sony announces US PlayStation Vita Launch Lineup
• PS Vita will support multiple PSN accounts
• Deactivating a PlayStation System from PSN
• Sony reduces PSN Game activation limit

Shinobi and Sonic Triple Trouble will be seeing action on the 3DS soon and will be available via the 3DS eshop or the Nintendo Network (if they launched the service before the Game Gear titles are released).

source Tiny Cartridge

• Nintendo reveals Nintendo Network
• Official Metal Gear 3DS accessory pack headed for EU
• Snakeskin Metal Gear Solid Nintendo 3DS
• Nintendo NES classics now available on eShop
• Metal Gear Solid 5 Announced by Hideo Kojima

Kinda nifty considering the dual analogs on the PS2 controller provides a much more comfortable control scheme than that Nintendo 3DS and it’s attachment. Below is a video demoing the mod:

• Nintendo reveals Nintendo Network
• Wii U set for 2012 Holiday release
• [Head to Head] PlayStation Vita vs Nintendo 3DS
• Upcoming 3DS firmware adds 3D video
• Nintendo announces new console: Wii U

“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.”

If this pushes through, Sony will make a killing with the memory stick prices — and it simply makes the new bundle with an included 8GB memory card for free all the more attractive. On the bright-side, it’s good for gamers migrating on to the Vita that Sony finally adopts a more reasonable pricing scheme for digital downloads… but I guess this is coming from a PC gamer spoiled by Steam’s prices. Still, cheaper PS Store prices means more sales digital copies and will likely mean that any game that heads for the Vita will be available in cartridges and the PS Store (unless that game company wants to miss out on the cheese).

source NeoGaf, ShackNews

• Sega Genesis running on the PlayStation Vita via HBL
• See why PSP games are better on the Vita
• HBL for PS Vita in the works
• PS Vita will support multiple PSN accounts
• Official PlayStation Vita US accessory pricing

Available via Amazon the PlayStation 3G Vita Launch Bundle includes:

• a PlayStation 3G/WiFi Vita
• a code to download a free game from the PSN
• an AT&T DataConnect Session pass
• an 8GB Memory Card

Yep, Sony throws in that $55 worth 8GB Memory Card for free while keeping the price at $299.  If you’re going for the WiFi version, this may just change your mind.  The data plan of course is not included.

source Amazon

• PS Vita will support multiple PSN accounts
• Sony defends PS Vita memory card pricing
• Official PlayStation Vita US accessory pricing
• PS Vita to support PlayStation 3 remote play feature
• Kinect gets a Holiday Bundle

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has unveiled the first few details about the Nintendo Network, an upcoming online service that will compliment the Wii U in the same manner as Xbox Live and PSN.

Iwata’s statement regarding the Nintendo Network is as follows:

For the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U, we will push forward to make the software compatible with Nintendo Network.

The “Community” matches of “Mario Kart 7” that I have just referred to is one example. As for the sales of downloadable add-on content, “Tobidasu Pricla Kiradeco Revolution” (Japanese title), which Nintendo has already started the download sales to the owners of the Nintendo 3DS, is the first title for which consumers can purchase and download add-on content. We will make available the downloadable add-on content for this Nintendo first-party digital download title in the near future. As for the download sales of add-on content for packaged software, it is expected that “THEATRHYTHM FINAL FANTASY,” which is scheduled to be launched on February 16 by Square Enix Co., Ltd. is going to be the first software title for which applicable music will be sold by Square Enix as downloadable add-on content. While we are on this subject, when we discuss anything relating to add-on content, our remarks are very often reported by the media by their attaching such modifiers or notes as “the ones used for social games.” Please note that Nintendo, as a software maker, does not plan to deploy businesses where our consumers cannot know in advance which item will appear as the result of their payment and they have to repeat the payments and, before they know it, they end up spending a huge amount of money in order to obtain the items they originally wanted to purchase. As a software maker, Nintendo believes that its packaged software should be sold to our consumers in a form so that the consumers will know in advance that they can enjoy playing the software they purchased just as it is. We believe that our consumers will be able to feel more secure if we offer our add-on content as an additional structure in which those who love the game will be able to enjoy it in a deeper way for a prolonged play time.

For the digital sales of the content, we are also considering the future possibility of digital distribution of packaged software, which is often referred to as “software download sales.”  This concept was built into the design of the Nintendo 3DS, and we already have the necessary infrastructure. We will prepare the same infrastructure for the Wii U. However, we have not decided the concrete timing of when we will start it. The decision must be made by taking into consideration such factors as the relationship with the wholesalers and retailers, and the best way to be embraced by consumers, as well as the environment surrounding the market and consumers, such as the required memory capacity on consumers’ SD memory cards. However, as an option for the future, the significance of this business field will increase.

Also for the Wii U, we are planning to introduce a personal account system compatible with Nintendo Network. With this, for example, the ease of using a video game system when the hardware is shared by multiple family members, which has been a challenge we needed to tackle, shall be improved, and we will also be able to construct and offer the system by combining a variety of different services and content.

Whether it’s our first-party titles or third parties’ titles, for a number of games, we will actively attempt to achieve compatibility so that our consumers can enjoy our online services that we will deploy under the name of the Nintendo Network.

The full text can be found here.

Iwata’s announcement has pretty much given a succinct overview of the Nintendo Network.

Personal Accounts for Wii U - The Wii U will have a “personal account system” compatible with the Nintendo Network similar to how the PS3 handles multiple users.

Paid DLC & Digital Content Distribution - Publishers will be able to utilize the Nintendo Network to release and/or sell post-release DLC for both the Wii U and in the future, the 3DS — ala XBox Live MarketPlace and the PlayStation Store.  Iwata also hinted that Nintendo is exploring the idea of selling full games via the Nintendo Network, something that competing consoles have been doing for a while now.

NFC integration – Now aside from merely catching up, Nintendo is hoping to make things a lot more convinient for users by banking on the Near Field Communication built-in to the Wii U’s controller.  For the uninitiated,  NFC is a technology allowing for instant payment authorisation, among other identity-confirming uses, used by MasterCard PayPass among others.  Of course aside from using it for purchases, the NFC chip can also be used by developers to add a new control paradigm to games and applications for the Wii-U, something that Iwata noted in passing.

Given the right attention, the Nintendo Network has the potential to give the PS Store and XBL Marketplace a run for it’s money.  Of course for those of us already invested in competing services, the question remains as to whether or not Nintendo will be able to usher offerings that will sway people to switch or at least subscribe to the Nintendo Network.

source: Andriasang, Nintendo

• Game Gear classics headed for Nintendo 3DS
• Nintendo overhauls loyalty program, sends out free Wii and 3DS games
• Nintendo 3DS gets it’s first actual flash cart
• Flame Red Nintendo 3DS coming in September
• Nintendo drops 3DS price, gives free games

Looks like the battle for the next-generation of consoles will begin with Nintendo again.

During the Wii U’s debut at last year’s E3, Nintendo has said that they are targeting a 2012 launch for the console and this is the first confirmation of the company’s target release date and regions.

Fans early awaiting an HD console from Nintendo will only have to wait until this year’ E3 (June 5-7) where Wii U is set to get showcased in more detail — last year we only get to see the exterior of the console and it’s tablet controller.

If rumors about the Wii U are true, the console is set to have twice the power of Xbox 360 although that’s still up in the air until Nintendo officially confirms the console’s specifications.

• Resident Evil 6 announced for 2012
• Rumor: Monster Hunter for PS Vita set for 2012 release
• Nintendo’s 2012 full console line-up
• Xenoblade Chronicles confirmed for US release
• Sony announces PlayStation Vita release date

The Official Metal Gear 3DS accessory pack will include the Nintendo 3DS carrying pouch, a protective case, a special stylus and the Metal Gear Solid 3DS console skin and will retail for £24.99. For Japanese Metal Gear fans, the accessory pack will be available the same day that Metal Gear Snake Eater launches on the 3DS, March 8, 2012. No word on a US release or pricing.

• Game Gear classics headed for Nintendo 3DS
• Snakeskin Metal Gear Solid Nintendo 3DS
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection get!
• Official PlayStation Vita US accessory pricing
• Metal Gear Solid 5 Announced by Hideo Kojima

Now, as with most limited edition hardware, this is a Japan-only affair. The sad part is that it’s going to be sold exclusively through the Japanese Konami Style store AND to avail of it you’ll win a special lottery for an unspecified number of units :/ Y U MAKE IT SO HARD KONAMI?

If you manage to snag a winning entry, you’ll be able to buy the Premium Package for 22,980 yen (about $300) which includes:

• A snakeskin Nintendo 3DS
• A copy of Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
• A couple of clear plastic files and decals

Pretty hefty considering that the Limited Edition Zelda 3DS sold for $200 (though I guess that was a special case since it was part of a Black Friday Sale promotion)

Both the game and the Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater Premium Package will be launching in Japan on March 8th.

• Game Gear classics headed for Nintendo 3DS
• Official Metal Gear 3DS accessory pack headed for EU
• Nintendo overhauls loyalty program, sends out free Wii and 3DS games
• Metal Gear Solid HD Collection get!
• Metal Gear Solid 5 Announced by Hideo Kojima

The confirmed character roster includes Leon S. Kennedy and Chris Redfield.

Resident Evil 6 is set for release on November 20 of this year on XBox 360 and PlayStation 3, with a PC version to follow at an unspecified date

The trailer is embedded below:

• Sony affirms that a PlayStation 4 is too soon
• Final Fantasy XIII-2 demo now available on PS3 & Xbox 360
• Rumor: Monster Hunter for PS Vita set for 2012 release
• Nintendo’s 2012 full console line-up
• Metal Gear Solid 5 Announced by Hideo Kojima

SCEE president and CEO Jim Ryan says that “One of the encouraging things about 3DS’ sales performance at Christmas is that it is confounding the naysayers who say that there is no room in the market for a dedicated handheld gaming device. And to that extent we were encouraged by how 3DS did over the last month.”

Ryan also said that “There are two distinct markets” when asked if the appetite for 3DS poses a danger to Vita.

While Sony’s statement maybe a tad confusing (cheering on the success of it’s competitor), it does make a lot of sense considering the PlayStation Vita is an updated version of the PlayStation Portable just as the Nintendo 3DS is an updated version of the Nintendo DS.  The success of the 3DS simply means that gamers are willing to buy new hardware following their favorite franchise — something that’s quite evident after the boom of Nintendo’s sales when Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land and Monster Hunter 3G released.  In hindsight, this also explains the slow sales of the Vita, something that the 3DS encountered early in it’s lifetime –there simply isn’t enough games to convince thrifty gamers to make the switch.

source MVCUK

• [Head to Head] PlayStation Vita vs Nintendo 3DS
• Monster Hunter 3G hits 1 Million sales
• PlayStation Vita Third Week Japanese sales drop to 42,000
• Sony announces US PlayStation Vita Launch Lineup
• Sony defends PS Vita memory card pricing

Disclaimer: Yes, comparing these systems are like comparing apples to oranges, one is not explicitly better or worse than the other (despite what some people will vehemently say) so this post is more of a comparison what you’ll be getting with each system.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get this head to head started.

PlayStation Vita vs Nintendo 3DS

For starters, you can view the details page for each portable here: PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS.

The hardware

PlayStation Vita:

In terms of hardware, the Vita is simply the most powerful portable gadget in the market.  Powered by a 4 core ARM Cortex™-A9 core coupled with a 4 core SGX543MP4+ GPU, the Vita can pump out near PS3 level details at the cost of battery life that’s a bit shorter than the current PlayStation Portables.

Aside from the powerhouse combo of it’s internal computing capabilities, the Vita also has a plethora of control paradigms for developers to take advantage of:

• Dual Analog nubs, by default the second nub maps to camera controls for PSP games (as seen here)
• 5″ OLED multitouch screen
• Rear Multi touch pad
• Six-axis motion sensing system (three-axis gyroscope, three-axis accelerometer), Three-axis electronic compass

View the full spec list of the Vita here.

Nintendo 3DS:

Compared to the Vita, the 3DS feels like a major bump to the current Nintendo DS console (as of last iteration, it popped out the Nintendo DSi and DSi LL).  When put beside the DSi, the 3DS has the following up it’s sleeve:

• Slidepad to replace the Dpad
• A larger 3.53″ top screen and with an liquid crystal display of 800 x 240 pixels and is capable of displaying glasses-free 3D

Nintendo is mum on the hardware used for the CPU and the GPU of the 3DS sadly :/.

Again from the various reviews floating around, while heftier, the 3DS feels a whole lot better than former DS iterations.  The circle pad is a bit more accurate than the d-pad but it could be better (think of the Vita’s analog nubs).

View the full spec list of the 3DS here.

Advantage: PlayStation Vita

The Games

PlayStation Vita:

The Vita is backwards compatible with PlayStation Portable titles that are on the PlayStation Store.  If you have the physical copies of games, as mentioned earlier, you can’t automatically have them work with the Vita and you have the option of registering to the UMD Passport Program to avail of your current library’s digital versions at discounter prices.  Yes, sadly you’ll have to rebuy your games.  Do note that the games are bound by Sony’s new policy for PS Store downloads, effectively limiting activation to just 2 systems.

If you did invest in games on the PlayStation Store, all you need to do is download them on to your pricey Vita memory stick via the media manager or your PlayStation 3.

The Vita is not region locked and you can play games from ANY PS Store region.  You may have to format your memory stick for it but it’s technically region-free.

Nintendo 3DS:

Like the DSi before it, the 3DS will work with ALL releases in the Nintendo library regardless of release date.  The downside is that some downloaded titles (if you purchased/they were rewarded to you via the eShop/DSi shop) are locked to a single console (ergo aren’t transferrable even if you’re using the same account for your 3DS).  This limitation doesn’t apply to all titles mind you, but it’s still something to watch out for.

The 3DS is region-locked and will only work will games for the region that you bought your 3DS from.

Advantage: None. Vita wins for Region-free content, Nintendo 3DS wins for backwards compatibility at no extra charge.

Longetivity

PlayStation Vita:

3–5 hours of gameplay (no network, no sound, default brightness level)

Nintendo 3DS:

2 to 4.5 hours of gameplay

A video comparison can be seen here:

The video concludes as follows:

• 3DS dies at 2 hours 35 minutes.
• Vita dies at 3 hours 47 minutes.
• PSP dies at 9 hours.

Advantage: Well really not sure as the Vita is constantly rotating it’s camera so it’s GPU is running a much larger load so I guess you can draw your own conclusion on this one.

Price

PlayStation Vita:

Wi-Fi Model:
Japan: 24,980 yen
Europe: 249 Euro
US: 249 Dollar

3G Model:
Japan: 29,980 yen
Europe: 299 Euro
US: 299 Dollar

Nintendo 3DS:

Japan: 15,000 yen
Europe: 169.99 Euro
US: 169.99 Dollar

Advantage: 3DS hands down because the Vita’s price will always include the price of the Memory Sticks.

So which should I get?

The answer is entirely up to you.  If you’re looking for the cheapest system to invest into then you can’t really beat the 3DS.  The low entry point makes it a tempting gift for children and yourself.  If you’re looking for a system that has better games then the answer becomes a bit more convoluted.  Neither system can really replace the other and if price is not an issue, you simply go with the system that has the games you want to play.  Of course, the guys that’s stuck in the middle of this choice are Monster Hunter fans who are still waiting for the next english release of Monster Hunter.  Will the PlayStation get it’s MH fix first?  Or will the 3DS?

If you have thoughts, comments or suggestions, don’t hesitate to post them in the comments.

• PlayStation Vita Third Week Japanese sales drop to 42,000
• Sony announces US PlayStation Vita Launch Lineup
• A peek inside the PlayStation Vita
• Official PlayStation Vita US accessory pricing
• PS Vita to support PlayStation 3 remote play feature

According to the numbers posted by Andriasang from Media Create, Monster Hunter 3G has sold a total of 1,083,853 units as of January 8 making it the very first third party game for the Nintendo 3DS to hit this milestone.  The first and second title to reach this was Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land, proving that Mario is still living big inside the hearts and minds of gamers .

Capcom’s success with Monster Hunter on the 3DS is a warm welcome considering the plethora of PSP fans who felt jilted after hearing that the next PSP game after Monster Hunter Portable 3rd won’t be on their system of choice.  There is however, the question of an international release.  Both Portable 3rd and 3G have not year been confirmed by Capcom to be headed to US shores.  No doubt that the system who will get their english version first will likely be dubbed as Capcom’s current favorite and will drive well-earned sales towards that console.

source Andriasang

Which game do you think will get it’s english version first? Monster Hunter Portable 3rd for the PlayStation Portable or Monster Hunter 3G for the Nintendo 3DS?

• Monster Hunter 3G ships one million copies
• Capcom confirms no online play for Monster Hunter 3G
• Capcom unveils Monster Hunter dual pack for U.S. gamers
• Monster Hunter Portable 3rd HD now available
• Life-sized Monster Hunter wyverns to be built at Universal Studios for The Real Monster event

Sony Computer Entertainment and it’s parent company Sony Corporation have flatly denied these rumors, with SCE’s Andrew House going forward and saying ”I don’t think we’re contemplating talking about anything to do with future console iterations at this point.”

Sony’s Kaz Hirai piped in as well saying ”Andy is absolutely right in that we are not making any announcements at E3.”

Now while that may disappoint a lot of geeks reading this, the decision does make sense.  The PlayStation 3 is finally selling well thanks to the influx of games, HD remakes and PSP to PS3 ports and Sony would be daft to announce an upcoming console to halt all that.  Yes, hardware-wise the PlayStation 3 is old compared to current mainstream PC hardware.  However as it is with consoles, in all likelihood we’ll be getting a new hardware revision like the PlayStation-3000 sometime in the near future but that’s a lot more possible than a brand new console.

On the Plus side, it looks like the upcoming E3 will be a solo show for Nintendo’s HD-capable Wii U.

source CVG, WSJ via Kotaku

• Deactivating a PlayStation System from PSN
• PlayStation 3 turns 5
• Sony reduces PSN Game activation limit
• Sony announces PlayStation 3 pricedrop
• Sony targets 2011 launch for PlayStation Vita