Hardware is alright. Shame its main function is to be a dust collector.
Basically its not the PS2. Nothing ever will be again unless the market collapses and relaunches (again!). Which isn't that unlikely (if people don't adapt to new-gen and brands mean less, its open for a stronger competitor to come in after the market stagnates for a long period of time) - but still, Sony dropped the ball with PS3 and lost its brand and customer loyalty. Its one of the big brand failures of the 21st century; and yes their strategy to keep selling PS2's worked very well - but they forgot Microsoft/Nintendo were still competing with them as well.
Vita hardware is good. I just don't think its necessary. Too many wee bits and pieces to make it sound exciting, yet the back touch screen will most likely be underused by developers. Great graphics, but why is that important on a handheld? Some of the best DS games kept things simple (we already saw this fight lost with PSP VS DS - people wanted gameplay/games/affordability and a good system)
Vita looks good on paper. Its hardware is decent from a power perspective. From a consumer perspective its a bit rubbish, silly and really a bit unnecessary.
Unnecessary?
Why is that?
I am a consumer, I don't want to play games on a tiny, low res 3DS screen ..... I have an iPad and some of the games are good, due to the limited control methods a lot of the games begin to feel very samey.
Hardcore gamers still exist! ...... hardcore gamers like high end hardware (hardware is decent you say, what other portable games console has better?), proper control scheme (3DS frankenstick says two sticks is important) and full on console games experience on the move (why should I accept diluted games experiences just because I am using a portable).
A lot of recent gaming trends has been the move away from the hardcore gamer scene (I hate that phrase).
This makes sense from a business perspective but just because we have seen the gaming industry expand into other markets does not mean that the hardcore gaming base no longer exists.
Kinect, Wii, Casual ....... they are not for me!
I support innovation of course, but I like two sticks for control as a foundation (give options for others), high end graphics and full on, high level games.