You know what could have made PSP game Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker better? A second analog stick. Do you know what has a second analog stick? The PlayStation Vita. Deduct -50 points if you were a smartass and answered "PS3."
Snake's latest outing on the PSP is just a bit better on the Vita, as are all the other PSP games I've seen on the unit. The screen is bigger, so that means that visuals are stretched out a bit, but they look nice, and the Vita seems to make them all more colorful. A "Bilinear Filtering" option cleans up the image in some games.
The big difference is with the control, as we're now working with two analog sticks instead of one analog nub. This is fantastic for Peace Walker, as you'll see in the above video.
I'm enjoying PSP games on Vita. I can't wait until the US PS Store launches, as I have a ton of games that I could be enjoying.
Dale North is Destructoid's Editor-In-Chief, a founding editor, and specialist in Japanese gaming. An accomplished musician, Dale was reporting from Japan during the earthquakes of 2011. Luckily, he got the fuck out alive and is home in America now with his wife and beloved corgi, Einstein. Dale is also a co-founder of Destructoid's sister anime site Japanator. Likes Corgis, Sega Saturn, PSP, iPhone, Photographic tools.
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Dale, I seriously think we get it. You like the PS Vita. You think it's a superior peace of hardware. I'm sincerely glad that you're enjoying it, but perhaps bring the fanboy just a tad bit?
However, I can totally see how Peace Walker could be more enjoyable with a second analogue stick, and it's nice to know that I wouldn't have to just rely on my MGS HD Collection to have that experience.
Getting it a second time on PS3 with actual online play is enough for me, if there's anything I'm going to buy from MGS collection again it'll be the MGS3 remake on 3DS.
Its just one of those games I want to have on many different things.
Though to be honest, I never had a problem with the controls on the PSP version.
Honestly, I'd call it more comfortable, not necessarily better. You're still aiming with 8-way on/off control, instead of true analog control. Don't get me wrong though, it's a great feature to have, and I like how you can easily set the right analog to what you want.
This isn't a separate version he's showing off, it is the ORGINAL PSP version played on the Vita. The Vita is getting a version of the HD Collection, which will be the same game upgraded from the PS3 and 360 versions with native support of the analog stick.
Peace Walker is my all time favorite Metal Gear game. I'm a fool with money so I'll buy it again if I have too, but hopefully they get that whole UMD to Vita transfer/purchase thing on the go soon.
Looks pretty sweet, I wouldn't mind seeing some other old PSP games using the right analog stick like Resistance: Retribution and Assassin's Creed Bloodline
I'm surprised how smart the integration of the second analog stick functionality was, shame there just aren't thaaaaaat many games to benefit from using it (would be handy if I ever did P3P again though).
Oh Dale, big question: I've heard that there are some oddities on the Vita's PSN, like being able to play PSP games, but not demos. Do PSP Mini's work? Age of Zombies is one of my favorite portable games, and I've love to use this feature to play it with the Vita's twin sticks.
@Dale: Why is it hilarious? You just seem uber enthusiastic about the thing is all :3 It seems pretty cool, but also seems to posses a good bit of downsides as well. Maybe if you could cover a few more of those, I'd have an idea of if I'd actually want to get one or not. You know, measure out of the good and the bad? I wasn't trying to be malicious in any way, shape or form, bro, don't worry.
Um, Mr. Dale, Sir:
Which House would those points be taken off of? I'm a First-Year, and I haven't been put into a House yet. I'm hoping for Ravenclaw, mind you.
@flintmech: Hmm, now that I look at it, I was a bit idiotically harsh. Damn, wish I could delete posts. No, I'm not just buckling, I really feel stupid.
"Hmm, now that I look at it, I was a bit idiotically harsh. Damn, wish I could delete posts. No, I'm not just buckling, I really feel stupid."
Dale is without a doubt a lover of all things sony, seeing him throughout out the years I would call him a fan, but not a fanboy. So I think you were accurate on that part, telling him to tone it down a notch did go into the "wut" territory though.
I mean if you want proof of his fanboyism, look no further than the fact that he likes crono cross better than trigger, that's madness I tell you, madness!
The Vita is still a couple months away from a US release, and as far as I know Dale is the only Destructoid editor with one. He's effectively this site's single source of early hands-on Vita information. And yet rather than showing appreciation for the info, some people apparently prefer that he... what? Post less? Not share info at all?
Long time listener, first time caller, really appreciate the post ups on the vita, even though it is making the wait all the more drawn out. Just wanted to ask if you know any info on the hd collection that Konami/Kojima said was making it to the vita in some form. Anywhoszle thanks again for all the Vita jazz, I am loving it.
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Contest:
6:30 PM on 12.29.2011 | 
However, I can totally see how Peace Walker could be more enjoyable with a second analogue stick, and it's nice to know that I wouldn't have to just rely on my MGS HD Collection to have that experience.
Its just one of those games I want to have on many different things.
Though to be honest, I never had a problem with the controls on the PSP version.
It isn't a new version of the game in anyway.
After words, I need a little Badman game
not to mention the umd program is embarrassingly bad with only 33 percent of even the umd games with psn counterparts being offered
plus fifty smart ass points!
Which House would those points be taken off of? I'm a First-Year, and I haven't been put into a House yet. I'm hoping for Ravenclaw, mind you.
though i wonder how Peace Walker in MGS HD Collection would improve the graphics on Vita???? :D
...It's extremely clear that he's playing the PSP version of the game on the Vita to show how the controls are better on the new system.
50 POINTS FOR GRIFFINDOR
You're accusing Dale of fanboyism just because he's reporting on the Vita. It's hilariously stupid.
Dale is without a doubt a lover of all things sony, seeing him throughout out the years I would call him a fan, but not a fanboy. So I think you were accurate on that part, telling him to tone it down a notch did go into the "wut" territory though.
I mean if you want proof of his fanboyism, look no further than the fact that he likes crono cross better than trigger, that's madness I tell you, madness!
*looks at comments*
Wait I only see ONE person complaining, only to later realize he was off base.
Also hopefully people realize my last part of my prior post was sarcasm as well.
you mean yourself?
Having said that, a good system review usually mentions pros AND cons.
Long time listener, first time caller, really appreciate the post ups on the vita, even though it is making the wait all the more drawn out. Just wanted to ask if you know any info on the hd collection that Konami/Kojima said was making it to the vita in some form. Anywhoszle thanks again for all the Vita jazz, I am loving it.