PS Vita downloadable games without a PS3?

December 11, 2012 1:53 PM

I'm interested in getting a PS Vita but I don't have a PS3. Can I still buy downloadable vita & PSP games and download them to my Vita without a PS3? Can I just pay for a game with a credit card or do I have to buy points first?
posted by mattholomew to Computers & Internet (7 answers total)

Yes, you can download games straight to the Vita without a PS3. It connects to the Internet through wi-fi, or, if you shell out for the more expensive model, cellular access.
posted by Holy Zarquon's Singing Fish at 2:06 PM on December 11, 2012

We bought my stepson a Vita, and he doesn't have a PS3 -- he saves up his allowance and buys Playstation Network cards, which he then uses to buy games and other stuff. I believe it is possible to attach your credit card and pay directly, but I'm not familiar with the process.
posted by AzraelBrown at 2:06 PM on December 11, 2012

Can I just pay for a game with a credit card or do I have to buy points first?

You can pay with a credit card, but considering that Sony have repeatedly proven themselves to be shitty about credit card security, I would purchase a PSN gift certificate from Amazon or Gamestop or wherever and use that instead. Fortunately, there's no point system like on Xbox Live or with the Wii; everything is a dollar-based transaction.
posted by griphus at 2:07 PM on December 11, 2012

Yes to all your questions. You can buy directly on the Vita, you can use a credit card, or you can use points cards. I have a Vita and entered my credit card information, which is very handy when you want to buy a game away from home.
posted by 2bucksplus at 2:39 PM on December 11, 2012

Best answer: Sorry to say, but there are games that the Vita unofficially supports that aren't available through the Vita PSN storefront. These can be purchased through the PS3 and then transferred to the Vita through the Vita's Content Manager application, though.

http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=316058 has what appears to be an up-to-date compatibility list. Do note that such titles as Valkyria Chronicles 2 and Jeanne d'Arc require at least temporary access to a PS3 in order to get them on your Vita.

I probably wouldn't recommend putting your credit card info into your Vita unless necessary (but maybe i'm just paranoid because of the PSN security fiasco of 2011). Amazon will happily sell you instantly redeemable (and tax-free) codes that can be inputted into your PSN wallet for $20 or $50.
posted by aiko at 6:00 PM on December 11, 2012

Also: be prepared to shell out a boatload of money for Sony's proprietary memory cards (16GB=$100) for downloadable games. And they fill up fast.
posted by kuanes at 4:01 AM on December 12, 2012

The proprietary memory cards needed for downloadable games on the Vita are expensive, and while 32GB is a relative pittance, when compared to other memory card formats, you do get 32GB for $100 USD instead of 16GB.
posted by TimeDoctor at 2:03 AM on December 13, 2012