If you are looking to finally jump in on the Vita bandwagon, you currently have two options: the PlayStation Vita 2000 and PlayStation TV. While both options are good, we suggest buying the 2000 model over the television device. You can find our reasons as to why we believe so below.
Handheld Screen and Resolution Are Already Good Enough
While the PlayStation TV will let you play Vita games at up to 1080i resolution, the same software already looks great on PlayStation Vita 2000 even when you considered that Sony downgraded the screen from OLED to LCD with the new hardware revision.
Videogames can run at a maximum of 960 × 544 qHD pixels on the Vita 2000. Since you eyes is already close to the screen, the visuals should already look sharp and detailed enough. On the other hand the PlayStation TV will blow up the image to 1080i (or 720p depending on your preference), which could actually make the games look worse as they won’t be rendering at their native resolution.
Touch Screen
Another advantage the PlayStation Vita 2000 has over the PlayStation TV is the touch screen. The bubble menu is great on the handheld as you can launch any app or game with a simple touch whereas you need to use the analog stick to highlight a particular bubble to replicate the same function while using the television device.
There is also a clear touch screen advantage for games that are compatible for both hardware products. In Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair, for example, there is a sequence in which you have to slash at words on the screen. With the PlayStation Vita 2000, you can simply use your finger to swipe. On the PlayStation TV, you need to use your analog stick to pinpoint a location and then press a button to slash at the words. Using the touch screen is simply more accurate and immersive when compared to using an analog for sequences like these.
Portability
While there is no HDMI output for the PlayStation Vita 2000, its portability makes up for this particular shortcoming. Even if you don’t feel like taking your handheld outside, you can still play it away from your television at home. Not to mention that the handheld has a suspend and resume feature, so you can pick up and play in the same spot where you left off your game. This is not possible with the PlayStation TV.
Better Compatibility
Last, but certainly not least, is software compatibility. The PlayStation TV is only compatible with a fraction of Vita games. So you will be missing out on some of the better games such as Gravity Rush, Tearaway and Uncharted: Golden Abyss. Of course, the PlayStation Vita 2000 supports all Vita games. If you want to have the full catalog available to you, your best bet is to purchase the handheld over the television device.
Even though we prefer the PlayStation Vita 2000, the PlayStation TV is not a bad device as long as you overlook some of its limitations when compared to the handheld. You can buy either one on Amazon: PlayStation Vita 2000 and PlayStation TV.