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Vita sales blast off with launch of PS4

Well you kind of had to see this one coming, the PS Vita has finally started to show some serious life with the launch of the Remote Play-compatible PlayStation 4.

To say that the Vita has been a disappointment over it’s young life might be harsh, but it’s also pretty accurate. Sony hasn’t had the best track record with handheld consoles (the PSP didn’t exactly set the world on fire either) and the Vita looked to be sharing the same fate as its forebear. Enter the PS4.

The PlayStation 4 launched with top notch fanfare back in November and has given the Vita a desperately needed shot in the arm thanks to Remote Play. The feature, which unlike with the PS3/PSP combo actually works (for the most part) this time around, allows gamers to play their PS4 games ‘off TV’ much like the Wii U and the GamePad do. I’ve long thought of Remote Play as a hidden gem that developers seemed mysteriously uninterested in taking advantage of, but now with the PS4 and it’s almost automatic adoption of RP for all games (pretty much) it’s finally getting its day in the sun- and the Vita is reaping the rewards.

Sales of the handheld have seen 68% boost overall and leapt up a staggering 65% the week after the PS4 saw retail shelves for the first time according to Sony. Other than Remote Play PS4 functionality, the company also cites its latest ad campaign and the breakout game Tearaway as reasons for the Vita’s recent success and climb up the charts.

Personally, I attribute the entire thing to the PS4 and Remote Play. That’s what got gamers interested in the the little console again. Whether they stick around for more than just the off screen play is another story altogether. I will say this though, the Vita actually does have a compelling library of games. Sure it may not be as massive and varied as the 3DS’, but there are some serious gems in there if you’re willing to have a look.

Both the PS Vita and the PS4 are on sale now, though you might have a slightly easier time of locating a PSV than a PlayStation 4 in stores at the moment.

Source: MCV

About Jason Micciche

Jason's been knee deep in videogames since he was but a lad. Cutting his teeth on the pixely glory that was the Atari 2600, he's been hack'n'slashing and shoot'em'uping ever since. Mainly an FPS and action guy, Jason enjoys the occasional well crafted title from every genre.

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