PlayStation Vita v1.80 Firmware Update Is Available Now

Mild controversy

by Sammy Barker Tue 28th Aug 2012

As promised, Sony has launched the latest firmware update for the PlayStation Vita. The hotly anticipated refresh brings with it PSone emulation as well as a slew of other improvements. Unfortunately, you can count the number of officially supported classics on two hands in North America.

SCEA’s list of compatible titles may include favourites such as Final Fantasy VII and Jet Moto, but it’s missing the girth of Europe’s list which is roughly 13 times longer. The good news is that a lot of the game’s not included on North America’s list do actually work. Trust Sony to take something relatively straight forward, and make it unbelievably complicated.

Outside of PSone compatibility, the software update also implements button controls on the home screen and improvements to the web browser. You can view all of the changes in action courtesy of the trailer below.

[source blog.us.playstation.com, via blog.eu.playstation.com]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Sakura_Moonlight2421
Tue 28th Aug 2012

Yay button controls~!

2
Kayoss
Tue 28th Aug 2012

I found that some of the games listed in the European release works for the U.S. I've download FF8 and castlevainia symphony of the night and it works fine. Download the game onto the PS3 but do not install it. Use data manager and you should able to get it to work. Puzzle figher and Final fantasy V does not work for U.S.
Now only if we can get PSN plus for the vita, PS2 games and also update the PS vita PSN store to include the PSone classics. This will keep me busy for a while.

3
belmont
Tue 28th Aug 2012

I think that there is a new feature in this update that was not mentioned in the ps blog. I tried the new Fate PSP game on the Vita and there is a new option to assign buttons on the corners of the touchscreen!!

4
Squiggle55
Tue 28th Aug 2012

very disappointed in the differences between SCEA and SCEE lately. Even if a lot of games are unofficially available by transferring, it's still ridiculous if there is a single game that works in Europe and not the US, and there are many such games - including FFV and Crash. It's not world-ending, it's just disappointing to consistently see SCEA lag behind.

On a positive note, I'm very happy to navigate the home screen with buttons.

5
turtlelink
Tue 28th Aug 2012

Needs more games. :/

6
get2sammyb
Tue 28th Aug 2012

@Squiggle55 This is something that definitely needs to be fixed. The inconsistencies between SCEA and SCEE (and vice versa) are starting to become a big problem.

7
Squiggle55
Tue 28th Aug 2012

@get2sammyb exactly. I'm not even a big complainer. It's just that lately it's been too obvious and blatant and weird not to point out. Partly the PS+ game choices, but mostly the strange inconsistencies for what and how quickly things are deemed compatible with the Vita. Really kinda bugs me. Lemme put wizorb on my vita.

But, hey, Ratchet and Clank HD collection is out today so that's all I need for a while!

8
Magi
Tue 28th Aug 2012

I can confirm Xenogears works on the Vita via transfer from my PS3. I'm working on FFIX next since I already own it. When I'm finished with that I've seen Vagrant Story confirmed so I'll probably purchase it and give it a whirl.