Can't quite put a finger on it

Another advantage PS Vita has over Wii U is the multi-touch capabilities of its capacitive touch screen. Uncharted devs Naughty Dog already touched on this, citing that Wii U utilises the same resistive touch screen as the DS, limiting it to single-touch functionality. Capacitive touch screens are becoming a mainstay, and are the the same kind you'd found in Apple's iPhone and iPad. Nintendo — who popularised touch screens with the DS — is already losing its image as an arbiter of touch controls, thanks to the wide popularity of the App Store and the slew of games that continue to innovate on the relatively young control scheme.

Sound Shapes revolves around multi-touch controls

Maybe Nintendo is sticking with resistive technology to save money, or perhaps many consumers don't know or care about the difference. But it is leaving the door open to the competition, and Sony could stand to usurp Nintendo as the leader of console-quality touch controls. Nintendo's simple and workman-like approach may prove frugal, and the casual segment of the Wii U demographic may not even realise the difference, but for a company known for championing innovative control schemes, Nintendo risks being outpaced by the competition.

PS3 U

Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube150k
Watch on YouTube

Aside from how far away you can travel from your console or the number of fingers you can place on the screen, the Wii U still seemed to be the only way to control gameplay on an HDTV with a tablet, as it was unclear if the Vita could be used as a standalone controller for PS3 games. Now Sony has revealed that PS Vita doubles as PS3 a controller, meaning PS3 games can either have DualShock controls remapped to PS Vita, or titles can be built from the ground up for the home console & handheld pairing. Sony even promises it will have such titles at launch.

Sony's patent integrates handlhelds and motion controllers

More interestingly though is that Sony may bring PS Move controllers to PS Vita, as a patent filed by Sony in 2009 aims to bring motion controllers to handheld devices. PS Vita is already stuffed with PlayStation Move technology, so it seems quite likely that the system will eventually integrate with Sony's motion controllers somehow. This could open up the door for some stiff competition to the Wii U come 2012, as a PS Vita paired with a PS3 could be possibly replicate the Wii Remote & tablet integration boasted by the Wii U.

The waiting game

Motion controls, seamless console-to-controller gameplay and multiple control options are just some of the things promised by the Wii U, but Sony is slowly revealing that a PS Vita can offer a similar experience when paired with a PlayStation 3, giving consumers comparable functionality while adding in some features that the Wii U lacks, like a multi-touch screen and true on-the-go gaming.

Only 2012 will tell...or TGS

By positioning the PS Vita closer to the Wii U launch, Sony is really giving consumers an interesting offer to consider. If you are considering Wii U but already own a PS3, adding PS Vita to your collection could simultaneously upgrade your PS3 with some cool Wii U-like functionality while scoring you an interesting handheld console in its own right.

Of course, PS Vita will never play a Mario or Zelda title, and the price difference between the two game consoles is still unknown. But as far as functionality is concerned, Sony's 2012 PS Vita launch could give the Wii U a run for its money.

What about you? Is a PS Vita purchase definitely in your future, or are you still on the fence? What about the Wii U? How does owning a PS3 (or not) effect your decision? Let us know in the comments below.

If you haven't yet, hit us up on Twitter and Facebook to make sure you don't miss the next instalment of this segment, where Corbie looks at the 3DS and what it stands to gain from the Vita delay.