PlayStation TV, the teensy PlayStation Vita-based microconsole that launched in Japan last year, will tune in to North American flat screens from 14th October, manufacturer Sony has announced. Those of you in Europe will need to wait a little longer to pick up a signal, as broadcasting won’t begin in the Old World until 14th November.
For those of you that are unclear what the diminutive device is, it’s essentially a PlayStation Vita without a display. While this doesn’t sound immediately appealing, its strength lies in its access to various media applications, as well as its ability to play most PlayStation Vita games on a big screen. You’ll also be able to stream PlayStation 4 titles via Remote Play.
In Europe, the system will come with three digital games which have yet to announced, but you’ll need to pay extra for a DualShock 3 or a DualShock 4 if you don’t already own one. It’ll set you back €99.99, or around £84.99. In North America, there’ll be a $99.99 bundle, including a controller and a copy of The Lego Movie Video Game.
We’re not convinced that this is going to be a particularly big seller for the console maker, but if you’re looking to expand your current gaming setup to a spare room or conservatory, it may have its uses. And, to be honest, at an almost impulse buy price point, we’re finding it difficult to say no. Will you be picking up one of these? Stream your response in the comments section below.
[source gamespot.com]
Comments 28
Instant buy! Persona 4 golden or killzone mercenary on the big screen!
Yes I want it now. 85 with a ds4 would be nice?
@SimonAdebisi No DS4, I'm afraid. Retailers might make bundles, though.
PS4 + PS TV bundle = cheaper than using vita to achieve the accessory pack in. It won't happen though, just Minecraft Bundle.
£84.99 Without a controller is a no no, though I'm sure this won't sell well and I'll get it for £30-45 in a year so I'm cool with it.
Kinda pointless on the media side for EU considering VITA pretty much only had YouTube
Would be awesome if you could use the VITA as a controller, no limitations for games!
It's a shame they couldn't price it to be more competitive with Chromecast, but then you are basically getting a full fledged games console on top of the streaming functionality. Fair price really - but not sure how well some of VIta's best games like Tearaway and LBP will carry across.
I'd buy it for fifty bucks but that's about it. It's a shame Sony isn't going to allow the vita to play the remaining psp and PSOne games since that would be a nice selling point. Gotta get those "NOW" sales though...
Definitely gonna pick up on of these so I can remote play in the other room and use a proper DS4 controller - a lot of games just don't work properly without the four shoulder buttons. Plus I'm hooked on a few of my Vita games at mo, so nice to play them on the big screen when I'm at home.
Bought one of these as an import from Hong Kong a few months ago to use for PS4 remote play, has been strictly useless so far because it locks any non-asian PSN accounts. Here's hoping that the new updated firmware will work on my existing unit. Cheers!
Heck yes been waiting 4 this since last year
Will it be region locked? If so, then sad, if not, then good.
The Vita has some very nice games available for it and this could make for a nice budget level/entry level console that could do very well if Sony can be bothered to market it the way they haven't done with the Vita. Plus if it's successful, then it might help support for the Vita to pick up, if indirectly.
Think I gonna wait until Next year to buy one since, November is a release hell
@RawShark iid mostly get one to play Soul Sacrfice tbh as that game dosnt realy use the tochscreen or pad for eniy of the actual gameplay but as you sed unsure how Tearaway and LBP will work on it (didnt thay say some games would be incompatable befor?)
Hmm I am interested in this. Might pick up one for the kids room for when he wants to play the PS4 in his room and I dont feel like moving it back and forth between the living room and his room.
Wouldn't mind having this to stream the PS4 to my bedroom.
Can anyone confirm this works with the DS4? Because they don't come bundled with it and a mate of mine who owns one, believes it isn't DS4 compatible.
I will buy one!
@Boerewors yes it works with both Dualshock 3 and 4.
http://uk.playstation.com/pstv/
Think the article is wrong. In the US, PS TV is $99.99 on its own and $139.99 bundled with Lego Movie and a DualShock 3.
Personally I doubt I'll pick this up, whether £85 or £100. And yet, if it included a DS4 and a couple of digital games or £10-20 PSN credit for only £40-50 over the price of the base unit, I probably would talk myself in to it!
At the moment I'm staying with the family at the 'would be mother-in-laws' and Remote Play via my Vita with my PS4 some 360 miles away has got me through every evening.... LoU:R Grounded New Game Plus specifically, so I'm sure it would work well on a second TV in the home.
@Donald_M Are you sure PS TV will help the Vita sales as in Original Vita since it launched because I am doubting that no big games will ever be made for this system and I feel obliged to sell mine soon.
@Enobmah_Shards - No one can be sure of anything, but if the Vita TV sells really well, then people will start making games for this market, which will of course indirectly benefit standard Vita owners (since it runs the same games).
I seriously doubt this will happen personally, and I wouldn't recommend buying one to anyone if that's what they're hoping for. But given the sheer number of great, cheap games available for Vita, the ability to Remote Play in a different room, plus making use of some extra free games for those with a PS4 and PS Plus subscription that don't have a Vita, the Vita TV certainly has potential to shift a few million units round Europe.
Its tempting to me just for the PSP backwards compatibility, since its right around the same price on top of having (most of) the Vita's own library. Problem is, several of the games I would get for it are PS3 or PS2 ports, albeit enhanced versions, but it would literally be hooked up next to them.
@professorhat Good point, thanks for clearing that up. I will just play the games that I have now and focus that for awhile.
Remote playing my PS4 in a 2nd room sells it for me....if it also had the ability to play Netflix and lovefilm then I'd be doubly sold. I'm sure there are some Vita games worth playing that I've missed thru my dislike of handheld gaming.
@get2sammyb will we be getting a review of this in the future?
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