Sony PlayStation Vita

Sony's PSP was a game-changer in the handheld gaming market. Though Nintendo reigned over this category for quite a long time, Sony stole its thunder in a flash. The PSP was the first handheld game device to use an optical disc format, the UMD (Universal Media Disc) and memory stick pro duo as its primary mode of storage. Over the years, the PSP hasn't changed much in terms of its form factor apart from getting a bit slimmer. But seven years on, Sony continues its PSP legacy with the PS Vita.

We received the Wi-Fi only version of the Vita inclusive of a 16GB removable memory card along with a PSN voucher code. This black beauty came buried in a hardbound white manual, which we thought was quite creative. Open the manual and each page defines a feature of the Vita that actually appears to be engraved into the manual. Further on, the pages list the games available for the device slowly revealing the Vita bit-by-bit. And after the pages end, you finally get a first look of the Vita and it was a breathtaking moment!

The first thing we noticed was the 5-inch OLED screen and the neatly laid out controls that are evenly distributed on either side of the screen. The left side houses a slightly smaller D-Pad with the primary analog stick sitting just below it. Adjacent to the stick is the left speaker. And further down, is the PlayStation Home button that takes you to the home screen when pressed.