The Vita is like the Dreamcast. Also, the Saturn, 32X, and the Game Gear.

[ThePixelatedGenocide]

For better or for worse, it's the most Sega like console ever made by someone who isn't Sega. Just look at all the features:

1. Beautiful launch games that push it further than the many low profile indie titles which followed.

2. Proudly outside of the mainstream. Overpriced at launch, and a crushing disappointment to North American retailers, the Vita's library is usually tailored to the tastes of the Japanese market, when it isn't hit or miss experimental.

3. It's been marketed as both a cheap alternative for those who can't afford to completely enter the next generation of gaming, and as an expensive add-on for a more popular console.

4. It contains inferior ports of home console games, which the mainstream gaming press won't let you forget for a second - but they blow away all the handheld competition if you're using it like a home console you can easily take with you.

Also, as with much of Sega's library, there's so much bright, vivid color. The Vita isn't quite powerful enough to manage complex shaders, so aside from the comparitively high screen resolution, it's artistic direction often comes across like the most powerful retro console theoretically possible. If you took a mid-90's gamer, and had them imagine a dream machine, it might look something like this.

If any of you still have an inner child fitting that description, you owe it to that kid to get one while the games can still be had for cheap. The system may never live up to it's full potential, but what's already here is amazing.

[ptdebate]

The Vita has an excellent library but caters to very specific tastes. If--like me--you enjoy Japanese franchises like Disgaea, Persona, Final Fantasy, Danganronpa, Atelier, or the "gamindustri" titles, for example, the Vita is a must-own portable. If you are not into JRPGs and anime-style games, there's really no justifiable reason for owning one (unless you don't own a PSP and perhaps find one for really cheap).

[ThePixelatedGenocide]

It really is for specific tastes, but I'm not into turn based JRPGs (not enough time), anime games (Poor quality control), or even Monster Hunter knock-offs. (Maybe you could recommend one that isn't Monster Hunter?)

The Vita won me over based on the fighting game library - DOA 5+, Marvel vs. Capom 3, Mortal Kombat 9, Street Fighter vs. Tekken, Blaz Blue, Skull Girls 2nd Encore, and Injustice: Gods Among Us.

It's already way ahead of all the other portable options available, and that's even when including the Nomad. It's like corporate actually burned millions of dollars, just to make a very few people ridiculously happy.

It probably won't happen again, in our lifetimes.

Plus it features TXK, the spiritual successor to the Tempest 2k series, unavailable anywhere else, and Assassins Creed Liberty, which is wonderful sandbox catharsis for anyone sick of being told that real gamers should want to play Hatred and XTreme Beach Volleyball, instead.

Then there's Metal Gear Solid 2&3, and the Sly collection. And Ys. And Tear Away.

It may be the most underrated library in history.

[Herschie]

Bought it specifically for MLB 12: The Show, and haven't been sorry one bit that I did!