The handheld market has rapidly changed since the original PSP launched back in 2004, mobile phones have become more advanced and more people are playing these ‘bitesized’ gaming apps. They’re cheap to buy and perfect for wasting a few minutes on here and there. However the biggest hurdle smartphone gaming has is control. Sure touch screen is cool and all that, but it will never replace the tactile input of the humble button. Plus having to use the same display that the game being played on can lead to you losing out on what’s happening on the screen. But smartphone gaming shouldn’t be completely written off just yet, there are a number of titles available on the App Store that would be perfect for PlayStation Vita.
We thought we’d take a look at a few titles currently available for iOS devices that should be bought to Vita and there’s not a flying bird or smug-looking pig in sight.
Day 1. Groove Coaster – Tatio/SquareEnix
The premise of Groove Coaster is simple, you follow an ‘Avatar ship’ has it travels along a line, as you make your way along said line you will come across ‘beats’ as the ‘Avatar ship’ passes over these ‘beats’ you simply tap the screen. Hit the ‘beats’ at the correct time and you will fill your ‘Groove Meter’ thus clearing the level. It doesn’t sound that exciting on paper but when combine with translucent neon visuals and an amazing soundtrack, Groove Coaster becomes one of the best Rhythm games we have ever played. It comes from the mind of Reisuke Ishida, creator of the internationally award-winning PlayStation Network title – SPACE INVADERS INFINITY GENE. Like Space Invaders Infinity, it mixes the virtual flare of titles like Rez, Space Invaders Infinity and the upcoming PS3 title Child of Eden with a wide range of music, from trance-like J-Pop tracks to remixed versions of arcade classics.
Why would it work on PlayStation Vita?
It’s crying out for PS Vita version, the OLED screen would make the already impressive visuals look even more crisp and colourful, that coupled with the stereo speakers of the PlayStation Vita, would make a truly engaging experience. Controlling Groove Coaster can sometime be an issue, although you can tap anywhere on the screen, to register hits, but you’ll often find your fingers getting in the way of the action on screen. So it would be perfect for Vita’s USP – the rear touchpad.
Groove Coaster also has a stage called ‘The Beginning’ – the more friends you add via Game Center, the more this stage evolves, offering different visuals and music. Using PlayStation Vita’s location-based feature ‘Near’ players could collect other Groove Coasters players data allowing them to collect a new experiences every time they take their PS Vita out. If all that wasn’t enough, it has 54 achievements, so ding – PlayStation Network Trophies galore! Hopefully SquareEnix are already working on a version of Groove Coaster to the PlayStation Vita, but until then you can find out more about it over on their official website