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PlayStation Vita Dated December 17 in Japan, Lots of Ports Announced

Sony's PSP successor finally has a release date, just one week after Monster Hunter Tri 3G.

No Caption Provided

(This story will change as more news from the press conference comes in.)

Right this moment, Sony's holding a press conference in Japan ahead of Tokyo Game Show, which starts this week. The company finally confirmed a release date for Vita in Japan: December 17.

Speculation over the release date kicked into overdrive after last night's Nintendo event, where Capcom and Nintendo announced a December 10 release date for Monster Hunter Tri 3G on 3DS.

If the two had launched on the same date, it could have spelled trouble for Sony. Monster Hunter has traditionally been a PSP franchise, and is largely credited with keeping the platform alive in Japan.

No release date has been announced for Vita outside Japan, but it's expected to be 2012.

Several games were announced at the conference, despite most being leaked ahead of time.

Yoshinoro Ono, like everyone else at the event, spent too way much time in font of slides.
Yoshinoro Ono, like everyone else at the event, spent too way much time in font of slides.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Street Fighter X Tekken are both coming to Vita, with the former being a launch title. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will reportedly have an optional touch-based battle system, which sounds like yuck. The game does take advantage of Vita's "Near" feature in some capacity, as well.

Square Enix announced two games: Lord of Apocalypse, a four-player co-op action RPG, and Army Corps of Hell, which we don't know anything about. In more promising news, the company is working on an updated version of Final Fantasy X for Vita, aka the last Final Fantasy game I honestly cared about. That's part snark and sarcasm, part genuine affection for the last Final Fantasy game I poured hours into. No details on what's different, only that it's less remake and more high-definition update and coming to PlayStation 3, too.

Hideo Kojima came on stage to reveal both the upcoming Metal Gear Solid HD Collection--Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker--and Zone of the Enders HD Collection. Kojima's also working on a brand-new, original game that will arrive (at least) on PS3 and Vita, but he wasn't able to say anything about it.

There were very few gameplay demonstrations during the whole conference, an odd turn of events for a machine touted for its amazing screen and powerful hardware.

At the end, Sony unleashed the launch details outside of the release date. There will be 26 games on December 17, with roughly 100 promised in the "launch window." It's unclear what the launch window is and whether that also includes downloadable releases. Some of the new games teased included a new Lumines (!), a port of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, a new Dynasty Warriors, Rayman Origins, Michael Jackson: The Experience and much more--most of the titles were in Japanese.

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patrickklepek

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No Caption Provided

(This story will change as more news from the press conference comes in.)

Right this moment, Sony's holding a press conference in Japan ahead of Tokyo Game Show, which starts this week. The company finally confirmed a release date for Vita in Japan: December 17.

Speculation over the release date kicked into overdrive after last night's Nintendo event, where Capcom and Nintendo announced a December 10 release date for Monster Hunter Tri 3G on 3DS.

If the two had launched on the same date, it could have spelled trouble for Sony. Monster Hunter has traditionally been a PSP franchise, and is largely credited with keeping the platform alive in Japan.

No release date has been announced for Vita outside Japan, but it's expected to be 2012.

Several games were announced at the conference, despite most being leaked ahead of time.

Yoshinoro Ono, like everyone else at the event, spent too way much time in font of slides.
Yoshinoro Ono, like everyone else at the event, spent too way much time in font of slides.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and Street Fighter X Tekken are both coming to Vita, with the former being a launch title. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will reportedly have an optional touch-based battle system, which sounds like yuck. The game does take advantage of Vita's "Near" feature in some capacity, as well.

Square Enix announced two games: Lord of Apocalypse, a four-player co-op action RPG, and Army Corps of Hell, which we don't know anything about. In more promising news, the company is working on an updated version of Final Fantasy X for Vita, aka the last Final Fantasy game I honestly cared about. That's part snark and sarcasm, part genuine affection for the last Final Fantasy game I poured hours into. No details on what's different, only that it's less remake and more high-definition update and coming to PlayStation 3, too.

Hideo Kojima came on stage to reveal both the upcoming Metal Gear Solid HD Collection--Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker--and Zone of the Enders HD Collection. Kojima's also working on a brand-new, original game that will arrive (at least) on PS3 and Vita, but he wasn't able to say anything about it.

There were very few gameplay demonstrations during the whole conference, an odd turn of events for a machine touted for its amazing screen and powerful hardware.

At the end, Sony unleashed the launch details outside of the release date. There will be 26 games on December 17, with roughly 100 promised in the "launch window." It's unclear what the launch window is and whether that also includes downloadable releases. Some of the new games teased included a new Lumines (!), a port of Ninja Gaiden Sigma, a new Dynasty Warriors, Rayman Origins, Michael Jackson: The Experience and much more--most of the titles were in Japanese.

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ShadowConqueror

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Do not want.
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Cyrisaurus

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I'm pretty sure that they are announcing Monster Hunter game(s) for Vita at this conference. Not that I care, as there are a million other things that make the Vita the obvious choice. I wish Nintendo would just give up and say "Well shit, the 3DS sucks, and we might as well kill it and try again in the future."

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lead_farmer

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Edited By lead_farmer

Can't wait for a release date in North America. Not so much for Monster Hunter though.

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ThePhantomnaut

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Edited By ThePhantomnaut

I sense... Between March and July for North America.

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tinodz

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I cannot wait to get a new Lumines machine

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Zolfe

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that's a lot closer to christmas than it should be

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gpink

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Edited By gpink

It's going to be really interesting to see how this does. Especially in Japan.

I hope Sony realizes more than Nintendo that solid launch games carry system sales for the first couple quarters, and get their shit in gear, most importantly with Uncharted.

Seeing the launch game list for Japan, it seems much stronger than what we saw with the 3DS.

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234r2we232

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Edited By 234r2we232
Can I run Vita on my iPhone? 
 
@Cyrisaurus said:

I'm pretty sure that they are announcing Monster Hunter game(s) for Vita at this conference. Not that I care, as there are a million other things that make the Vita the obvious choice. I wish Nintendo would just give up and say "Well shit, the 3DS sucks, and we might as well kill it and try again in the future."

Actually, the 3DS doesn't suck at all. Their lack of games is the main source of annoyance for most people.
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Scrumdidlyumptious

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Do want

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MintBerryCrunch

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Edited By MintBerryCrunch

Mint Berry Crunch must have this!

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Hailinel

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Edited By Hailinel

A week after Monster Hunter 3G hits the 3DS?

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Cyrisaurus

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Edited By Cyrisaurus

@sofacitysweetheart: Yes, and the lack of games is why it sucks. What else am I going to use it for?

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Jayross

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Edited By Jayross

I'll buy one of these... probably.

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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

Strategic release dates!

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benpicko

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I CANNOT WAIT FOR THIS

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234r2we232

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Edited By 234r2we232
@Cyrisaurus said:

@sofacitysweetheart: Yes, and the lack of games is why it sucks. What else am I going to use it for?

"The lack of phone sucks. What am I gonna do with this thing" is how most people will react to the Vita :P
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Cyrisaurus

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Edited By Cyrisaurus

@sofacitysweetheart said:

@Cyrisaurus said:

@sofacitysweetheart: Yes, and the lack of games is why it sucks. What else am I going to use it for?

"The lack of phone sucks. What am I gonna do with this thing" is how most people will react to the Vita :P

uhh... not really. Even so, it has Skype.

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McShank

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Edited By McShank

I am totaly buying a psp vita wifi.. fuck At&T so no 3g version but o well.. I needs me more handhelds to accompany the collection of gameboy's i own!

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steelknight2000

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Don't forget Transfarring!

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tesson

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HOT PIZZA SCOOPS

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Skald

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Edited By Skald

I wonder how this will do against the iPhone/iPad/iPod touch with their yearly cycles and whatnot.

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Edited By onan

@sofacitysweetheart said:

Can I run Vita on my iPhone?

@Cyrisaurus said:

I'm pretty sure that they are announcing Monster Hunter game(s) for Vita at this conference. Not that I care, as there are a million other things that make the Vita the obvious choice. I wish Nintendo would just give up and say "Well shit, the 3DS sucks, and we might as well kill it and try again in the future."

Actually, the 3DS doesn't suck at all. Their lack of games is the main source of annoyance for most people.

That and the inexplicably short battery life... and the lack of a second analog stick that's getting attached via bulky add-on to an already bulky system that was clearly designed to the the "3DS Fat" to a subsequently more appreciated "3DS Lite".

(Incidentally, that's why hardly anyone is buying it. They know how this game works now, they've gone through this song and dance a few times now. Also, it sucks because it has no games worth playing.)

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Klaimore

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Army corps of hell? Square always with the awesome names.

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234r2we232

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Edited By 234r2we232
@onan said:

@sofacitysweetheart said:

Can I run Vita on my iPhone?

@Cyrisaurus said:

I'm pretty sure that they are announcing Monster Hunter game(s) for Vita at this conference. Not that I care, as there are a million other things that make the Vita the obvious choice. I wish Nintendo would just give up and say "Well shit, the 3DS sucks, and we might as well kill it and try again in the future."

Actually, the 3DS doesn't suck at all. Their lack of games is the main source of annoyance for most people.

That and the inexplicably short battery life... and the lack of a second analog stick that's getting attached via bulky add-on to an already bulky system that was clearly designed to the the "3DS Fat" to a subsequently more appreciated "3DS Lite".

(Incidentally, that's why hardly anyone is buying it. They know how this game works now, they've gone through this song and dance a few times now. Also, it sucks because it has no games worth playing.)

Firstly, didn't the 3DS sell okay? I'm pretty sure the big story regarding the 3DS' disappointing sales numbers were due to the amazing success of it's predecessor. Am I wrong?
 
I don't think any reasonable person clamoured for 2 analog sticks on their portable touch screen device. As it has been said many times, any game that requires 2 sticks probably plays better on a home console anyway.
 
Obviously since the Vita has more slick modern features and multimedia gimmicks it's better than the 3DS as a gaming platform. Also, smart phones don't actually exist.
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Edited By VoshiNova

Yoshinoro Ono, like everyone else at the event, spent too way much time in font of slides.

I feel like an asshole, but really?

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byterunner

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@onan: you know, I kept saying that. Then I realized that Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 are gonna be out in like less then 3 months. And then I'm okay with the 3DS right now.

I look at the retarded 2nd nub, and then I realize I don't really like holding my 3DS. Its a bit small for my fat hands. and I see the back of the add on is a curve like structure similar to the 360 controller. and then I'm kinda alright, also I kinda like Monster hunter. So I'm good.

I know I have really weird taste and I'm in a very small majority that is alright with this thing, and I seem to see the good in everything, but I'm good with my 3DS. I'm pretty alright right now.

Also; FFX on PS3? OH GOD YESSSSSSS

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Hector

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Edited By Hector

I said I wasn't going to buy one but it seems I am going to have to, so I can play Persona 4.

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What a fucking lame conference...Why even stream this shit if it was meant for investors? It was all talk no show. Your in an interactive medium, why the hell would you talk shit up but not show anything. At least the E3 had games being played, even the Vita announcement had trailers being shown. What the hell was this for?

They had a huge positive lead in only to screw it up. Sony, or at least SCEJ, needs to fire their stupid PR department. Nintendo got better traction with an ugly accessory.

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PSV needs more than ports

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The 3DS dont look so bad now.. LoL

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SCEJ is so boring. Too much talking, not enough montages. Great launch lineup though, and everything I've seen of Gravity Daze is amazing.

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I will probably cave and get this...I hope it wont burn too much of a hole in my wallet...

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Wow, some good games being announced there.

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kalmis

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Still don't see a reason to buy Vita

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Mmmslash

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I just want some NA releases of Monster Hunter. I'm not asking very much, Capcom! I bought Freedom Unite, I bought the MH Tri collector's bundle, I imported a copy of Portable 3rd and I'll be importing a copy of Portable 3rd HD. Just let me give you more of my money!

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@GPink said:

It's going to be really interesting to see how this does. Especially in Japan.

I hope Sony realizes more than Nintendo that solid launch games carry system sales for the first couple quarters, and get their shit in gear, most importantly with Uncharted.

Seeing the launch game list for Japan, it seems much stronger than what we saw with the 3DS.

Then explain the ds, sherlock. That had no games for almost 2 years and you know how that turned out. Now they have monster hunter and super mario and mario kart. And last time I checked super mario and mario kart both sold over 20 mil on the ds. So nintendo got this. Sony though, I don't know. That conference was awful. I was thinking about getting the vita at launch but I will probably wait a year now. Since most of the games I can play on ps3.

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@sofacitysweetheart said:

@onan said:

@sofacitysweetheart said:

Can I run Vita on my iPhone?

@Cyrisaurus said:

I'm pretty sure that they are announcing Monster Hunter game(s) for Vita at this conference. Not that I care, as there are a million other things that make the Vita the obvious choice. I wish Nintendo would just give up and say "Well shit, the 3DS sucks, and we might as well kill it and try again in the future."

Actually, the 3DS doesn't suck at all. Their lack of games is the main source of annoyance for most people.

That and the inexplicably short battery life... and the lack of a second analog stick that's getting attached via bulky add-on to an already bulky system that was clearly designed to the the "3DS Fat" to a subsequently more appreciated "3DS Lite".

(Incidentally, that's why hardly anyone is buying it. They know how this game works now, they've gone through this song and dance a few times now. Also, it sucks because it has no games worth playing.)

Firstly, didn't the 3DS sell okay? I'm pretty sure the big story regarding the 3DS' disappointing sales numbers were due to the amazing success of it's predecessor. Am I wrong? I don't think any reasonable person clamoured for 2 analog sticks on their portable touch screen device. As it has been said many times, any game that requires 2 sticks probably plays better on a home console anyway. Obviously since the Vita has more slick modern features and multimedia gimmicks it's better than the 3DS as a gaming platform. Also, smart phones don't actually exist.

Technically, the 3DS had "disappointing" sales numbers because Nintendo made their own sales predictions and fell far short of those predictions. Upon admitting the lower sales, they lowered their year's anticipated profit by nearly 80%. Meaning, they were expecting something big from the 3DS to help them during the transition period to the Wii U while Wii sales are going down. While the 3DS's sales are technically fine for a handheld, they were significantly lower than anticipated by the company itself, and that is what makes its sales disappointing so far. With its current strategies, it should be able to meet, if not exceed, 2012's anticipated sales, which could put them on the rebound with the handheld. For the moment, though, it remains in the "disappointing" category.

Hope that helps explain it better. :)

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it's stupid I want one. I have a 3ds, because it was stupid.

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Edited By TruthTellah

The press conference was painfully boring, but the games they actually did get around to mentioning seemed cool! And I look forward to the Press looking at various un-highlighted games that will be on the floor this week. 31 titles out there to check out. Should be some gems in there. :)

I wish they would have just shown gameplay footage and some screenshot montages or something, though. All that one on one nonsense with data slides was excruciating.

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Edited By Addfwyn

Said it before, super excited for the Vita. PSP was my favourite console last generation, and the Vita is already looking to be an even better platform.

I'm looking forward to getting my hands on one this weekend at TGS, will probably do a write up of everything I look at from there.

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Edited By sammo21

Compared to the crap fast that is my 3DS the launch titles are awesome. I personally don't care who doesn't want this as I...do.

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Damn it's sexy. Not sure i'd ever use it though. Only use my current PSP for FF Tactics.

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I don't think I've ever been this excited for a new hardware launch. Vita's got GAMES.

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thechronodarkness

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I guess all these hd ports make sense though. Last generation is where most games *especially towards the end* didn't play in full 480i/p. Mgs3 was one of them actually. You had to enter a code in god of war 2 just to play in 'true' 480p. Gosh, try playing resident evil 4 on the wii on a modern tv. A game that was developed for such a loww resolution , blown up. It looks awful. Yes folks, that widescreen effect was required because the game had to run in such a low resolution, scaled to 480p on the system, and later got a 'zoomed' version in the ps2 and wii. It makes the 320x240 snes/n64 resolution look good

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recroulette

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Edited By recroulette

Haha, that subtitle shouldn't mean that much, but it is huge.

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Flappy

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ZOE & eventually P4? Where do I sign up?

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wolf_blitzer85

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Edited By wolf_blitzer85

Wow. 100 games huh? Not sure if that's really a good thing.

The thing sure does look expensive though.

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Lemoncookie01

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FFX HD in my veins now.

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Edited By BirthWild

as a machine, but not game wise, I'm so much more excited for this than considering a 3DS. For the 3DS I'm barely more excited game wise D: oh handhelds, maybe I'm just not mobile gaming enough.