Updated February 23. Below is our roundup of reviews for the new PS Vita. We'll be adding additional reviews here over the next week as they are published, so be sure to check back.

What it is

PlayStation Vita Reviews
(through February 23)

Great	9
Good	29
Mixed	6
Bad	0
Awful	0

On February 22 (or February 15, for anyone ordering the "First Edition" bundle), Sony's latest portable gaming device arrives in North American stores after debuting in Japan late last year. The PlayStation Vita is the company's follow-up to the PlayStation Portable, and it boasts a 5-inch OLED touch screen, an additional touchpad on the rear, front-and-rear cameras, new analog controls, and various improvements under the hood.

Pricing

There are two distinct versions of the new device, plus a special limited edition launch bundle. The entry-level Vita is equipped with WiFi and retails for $250. Note that you'll also need a memory card to do virtually anything, and the unit doesn't come with one, so expect to shell out another $20 or so (or up to $100 for a high-capacity card).

If you want 3G connectivity in addition to the WiFi, the price jumps to $300, though Sony is bundling a small memory card with this higher-priced unit for a limited time. A 3G data plan will run you another $15-$30 per month, depending on how much data you need. Finally, the First Edition bundle sells for $350, and that 3G system also comes with a memory card, as well as a limited edition carrying case, a copy of the game Little Deviants, and the bragging rights that come with getting the device a week before everyone else.

Launch titles

Be sure to visit Metacritic's new PS Vita section for a complete listing of Vita games and their reviews. The launch lineup is impressive for its quantity (25 individual titles), and possibly even its quality, at least compared to the launch titles associated with other recent devices. Some of the better Vita games available separately at launch include:

• Lumines: Electronic Symphony
• Rayman Origins
• Super Stardust Delta
• Uncharted: Golden Abyss
• WipEout 2048

Other games expected to land on the Vita later this year include sci-fi shooter Resistance: Burning Skies (due May 29), the stylish action game Gravity Rush (originally set to be a launch title but now delayed), and the addictive music platformer Sound Shapes.

What critics are saying

The bottom line? Many critics agree that while the Vita is excessively expensive, it easily represents the best handheld gaming option on the market, and boasts stunning graphics. They also agree that the device is geared toward hardcore gamers and not those looking for the occasional casual game, and some have doubts about Sony's commitment to bringing enough quality titles to the platform in the future. Here are some of the specific features critics have been highlighting:

• PSP comparison: While the Vita and the original PSP have a very similar shape and outward appearance, many reviewers stressed that the Vita—which is slightly larger and heavier than the PSP—isn't just an updated PSP, but an entirely new device. In addition to the front and rear touch screens, the Vita also adds a second analog control stick lacking on the original PSP. Note that the Vita is backwards compatible with downloadable PSP games (but not any on UMD, since the new device utilizes a different format).
• Overall look and feel: The device is definitely on the big side, which hinders its portability (or at least its pocketability), and the glossy screen loves to pick up fingerprints and smudges (which any iPhone owner will be familiar with). Otherwise, critics had few complaints about the Vita's look and ergonomics, and generally found the hardware solidly built and pleasing, if familiar.
• Battery life: Reviewers seem to be getting about 4-5 hours of gameplay on a full charge (less with 3G enabled), which is disappointingly short to many critics though that figure is actually on the high end of Sony's claims, and is superior to the battery life of the competing 3DS. Watching video rather than playing games adds an extra hour or so of battery time (even longer if you are just listening to music), and standby battery life seems to be superior to that of the PSP. One other word of caution: charging is done via a Sony proprietary cable, so you can't use any of your existing USB cables.
• 3G: Note that the products tested by reviewers did not have working 3G access, so that functionality has not been evaluated.
• Operating system: The built-in, smartphone-like OS is receiving mostly high marks from reviewers for its ease of use and speedy responsiveness, as well as its ability to multitask, though it might lack Apple's sense of style, and at least one critic is complaining about the excessive number of clicks need to perform any task. And there are many complaints about trying to transfer data and photos from the Vita to your computer (it's doable, but cumbersome). Built-in apps are fairly straightforward and unspectacular, though the web browser is especially subpar. Shopping for games in the included online store can also be a bit tedious, though reviewers note that it is much more streamlined and easier to use than its PS3 counterpart.
• Video: While there are many complaints about the terrible quality of the cameras, no one is complaining about that 5-inch, 960 x 544 OLED screen; it's simply gorgeous, and every game played on it looks terrific, with near-HD quality graphics. The screen is impressively large, and seems clear and bright even at an angle (which certainly sets it apart from Nintendo's 3DS).
• Media and memory: Nearly every reviewer complains about the requirement for a memory card and Sony's failure to include one with the Vita; they see it as a sneaky way to increase the overall price of the unit. They also complain that it is yet another Sony proprietary memory card, meaning that you have few options other than to buy Sony's expensive cards. Games themselves come on yet another type of proprietary card, which is different from that used by the PSP (and are so tiny that they can be tricky to get in and out and are easy to misplace), though reviewers seem encouraged by Sony's increasing reliance on downloadable games. Note that games on physical media can be slow to load.
• Gameplay controls: Buttons, D-pad, and analog sticks are all responsive and easy to use, though some reviewers noted that having two sicks protruding from the unit makes the Vita less pocket-friendly than other handhelds. (They also note that the sticks will seem a tad limited in motion for anyone accustomed to the PS3's DualShock controllers, but nevertheless are happy to have the controls, which they feel will translate into a better hardcore gaming experience than anything found on other handhelds.) Critics find the front touchscreen incredibly responsive, especially when compared to that of the 3DS. Only a few reviewers seem to have much use for the rear touchpad (which theoretically permits touch input without needing to block your view of the game), which reviewers see as a gimmick more than something entirely necessary. A few critics complain more vociferously, noting that it is far too easy to accidentally touch the pad while playing, though some games actually take this into account and correct for such inadvertent touches.

Below is a publication-by-publication sampling of the critical response to Sony's new device. We have grouped the reviews based on the general level of enthusiasm for the product, from most to least positive. If a publication assigned a score to the review, it is listed below (converted to a 100-point scale if necessary for purposes of comparison); otherwise, we did not attempt to assign scores to reviews that did not have them. Click on any publication name to read the full review.

What do you think?

Are you excited about the Vita? Have you had a chance to try one out? Let us know in the comments section below.