Is the PS Vita Worth it in 2025?

The PS Vita, which Sony released in 2011, cost USD 249. It included an OLED screen, two analogue sticks, a fantastic D-Pad, and a rear touchpad. The visuals were outstanding for a portable device at the time of introduction. Sony's support for the Vita was subpar throughout its existence. Unfortunately, Sony hasn't returned to a handheld since (unless you include the PS Portal), so it faded. Fortunately, the Vita has a great CFW scene, but will it still be relevant in 2025?

1000 vs 2000

There were two models of the Vita. The 1000 mode, or "Phat Model," is the name given to the first model that was made available. It features a proprietary charging connector, an OLED screen, and a battery that lasts three to five hours of playback. Compared to the later-released 2000 model, this one is a little heavier and thicker.

Later, Sony released the new 2000 model, which includes a touchpad, a camera on the back, and a front-facing camera. The 2000 model has a Micro USB charging port instead of the proprietary one in the 1000, and it feels much lighter in the hand. The previous model had an OLED screen, but Sony used an LCD screen for the second one. The 2000 model has a longer battery life of 4-7 hours of gameplay, depending on what you are playing.

Another difference between the two variants is the built-in storage. The 1000 model relies on Vita-specific memory cards, which were costly when first released and lacked built-in storage. On the other hand, the 2000 model has 1GB of internal storage. This will come into play when you install CFW on your device because the initial setup requires memory.

It depends on personal preference; I have used both of these models. The 1000 is far better than the 2000. Because it is heavier, the construction quality seems significantly higher. Is it true? I'm not entirely certain. I also like the OLED screen best. The sticks on the 2000 model I bought on eBay had a lot of drift, and the screen was fading. Even though this was a negative experience, I support entirely the Phat Model.

CFW

Adding CFW to your Vita is not at all challenging. This produces an amazing experience that goes well beyond what the gadget was capable of at first. The personalization is fantastic. You can design unique layouts and backgrounds to suit the style you want for your menu.

Additionally impressive are the Vita's ports and Homebrew. Among the games you can play are Sonic Mania, Baba is You, Bully Mobile, Dead Space Mobile, and the Grand Theft Auto trilogy. Even after all these years, Vita's exceptional community support contributes to its allure.

Another factor contributing to the Vita's appeal is emulation. Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Genesis, and other older gaming systems from that era may all be played on the Vita. PlayStation is also excellent on the Vita. However, PSP games are among the nicest features. PSP games on Adrenaline run flawlessly and without any problems on the Vita.

SD2Vita, which you can purchase below, is something I strongly recommend for CFW. This device lets you save and play legally backed-up games on your Vita using an SD card. This allows us to store more data on it and lets us avoid utilizing the Sony memory cards.

Games

The Vita can run some homebrew and emulation software, but what about the games first released for the system? The Vita has a ton of fantastic titles to choose from. Here are a few of my favourites for your perusal!

RPG

My favourite genre is this one, and the Vita offers many fantastic options. Final Fantasy X HD, Ys VIII, Tokyo Xanadu, Oreshika, Mary Skelter, Persona 4 Golden, Child of Light, Trails of Cold Steel 1 +2, and many more! Additionally, there are several fantastic Digimon games here (I adore licensed games; here are some excellent ones). This device is ideal if you enjoy playing role-playing games while on the go.

Action/Platformers

Action and platformer games are other genres that do well on the Vita. For the time, the graphics are excellent. Gravity Rush, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Tear Away, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, Killzone Mercenary, and Soul Sacrifice are a few of the games that I like.

Indie

The Vita effortlessly did this before Nintendo attempted to turn the Switch into an independent powerhouse. Guacamelee!, Hotline Miami 1+2, OlliOlli 1+2, Rogue Legacy, Salt and Sanctuary, Stardew Valley, UnMetal, and Undertale are some of the top games you may play. You can't go wrong here because there are so many possibilities.

Ports

The Vita's inclusion of all the ports is a favourite feature, and it convinced me to purchase one in the first place. I suggest the following: Ratchet & Clank Collection, Odion Sphere Leifthrasir, Jet Set Radio, God of War Collection, Metal Gear Solid HD, Sly Cooper 1-3, and Muramasa Rebirth. Although there is a Jak and Daxter collection, I do not suggest it because it is not well-optimized.

Translations

Lastly, some games with patches translated into English can be played with CFW. Among my favourite aspects of the emulation period is this. Airship Q, Dokuro, The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince, I Am Setsuna, and Dragon Quest Heroes 2 are the ones I have tried and found effective.

Worth It?

Retro handhelds and emulation are constantly changing, but will the Vita still be worthwhile in 2025? There are moments when playing on original hardware seems better. Sony produced a fantastic gadget that is still in use today. Additionally, the Vita community has created a portable that is still enjoyable. You may find a Japanese model online for a low price because the Vita is not region-locked.