Opinion// PlayStation Vita versus iPhone

Both devices have their digital distribution platforms: for the Vita, the PlayStation Store takes the place of the App Store, although they are pretty similar. The PS Store currently has slightly worse categorisation and uses a wallet to pay for your downloads, but it doesn't throw you out when you start to download an App.

Given the similarity in equipment, there is no technical reason preventing any iPhone game from being ported to the Vita other than the screen resolutions. While slightly larger in physical size, the screen on the Vita has 15% fewer pixels than an iPhone 4S. Then again, the Vita screen has a much larger resolution than the ones on the iPhone models before the iPhone 4 and plenty of games were made for those.

However, the big difference between the two devices is that the Vita has physical controls, not just a touchscreen. These controls are not too dissimilar to those available on PlayStation control pads since the dual analogue sticks were added in 1997, missing only the second set of shoulder buttons or triggers.

Physical controls enable more traditional games to be played more easily on the Vita; anybody who has played almost any first person game, such as Minecraft, on their iPhone will appreciate not having to cover part of the display with their fingers in order to control the game. You can also use buttons instead of gestures, this alone makes the version of Lumines on the Vita at least twice as good as on the one on the iPhone.

The Vita also has a rear touchpad which is as large and precise as the front facing touchscreen. This touchpad could conceivably be used to replace the triggers missing on the Vita when compared to a Dual Shock. It can also be used as another way to stop your fingers getting in the way of the display.

These differences mean that the Vita can handle more "traditional" games and the iPhone may be more suited to "casual" games. However, you can pause Vita games at any time and pick them up later as long as you don't start another game in the meantime, so it's by no means unfriendly to casual games.

The big issue if you already have an iPhone, or an Android phone for that matter, is that the Vita becomes another thing to carry around. Make no mistake, you will need a bag to carry it, either a Vita-specific soft case or a proper rucksack, briefcase or handbag. This is partly to carry your game cards around and partly to carry your charger because the Vita has a bit of a short battery life.

So, we get back to what you want out of your mobile gaming. If you want games with more meat than the average iPhone game and you're happy carrying it around then the Vita is an obvious choice. If you're very happy with your iPhone games or you're not prepared to carry another piece of electronics with you then the Vita probably isn't for you.

However, if you lie between those two cases, you should probably try the Vita and see what you think. If you have a 3DS or you used to play a PSP then you'll have a good idea what to expect. If you're looking for a bit more than you're getting out of your iPhone, drop into a store and ask to try the Vita, most shops have demo units with a good selection of games to help you make up your mind.

Overall the Vita compares very favourably with the iPhone and is much better for a certain set of game types. It is an excellent games console and is well worth your money if you want a full hand held console and are happy to carry it round with you.