PlayStation Vita – F1 2011 Video Impressions

Mobile and traveling gamers rejoice! Netbook News has posted up a video on YouTube featuring a short but sweet “review” of Codemasters’ portable version of F1 2011 for the PlayStation Vita; Sony’s new mobile gaming platform. I say “review” because the reviewer has the Japanese version of the game since the US/European and Australian versions are not available until February 22nd and 23rd, respectively. The reviewer can not read the Japanese menus but is able to set up a few quick races and highlight some general facets of gameplay that can be expected in F1 2011.

Judging from the video, the game has very impressive graphics for a mobile console! While the handling looks like it may be hard to get used to via thumbstick controls, the game still looks to be a fun solution for those who need a racing fix on the go.

The game will feature a single player not very different from it’s PC/Console counterparts as it will include a career mode, quick races, and time trials. However, it will differ slightly in the multiplayer arena in terms of scale. Mobile racers will be able to compete online via PlayStation Vita’s WLAN connection in wheel to wheel races that has a limit of four players max. There will also be a co-op career mode and time trials as featured in the PS3/Xbox 360/PC versions of the game.

F1 2011 will be a launch title for the PlayStation Vita and shall be available next week in all major worldwide regions. The prices on the PlayStation Vita itself will vary depending on the version one chooses to get. While final prices are still subject to change, Mashable Entertainment reports that the Vita “will start at $249 in the US for the wireless-only model, and $299 for the 3G version….but Vodafone, the Vita’s exclusive 3G carrier in the UK, recently announced that 3G version will sell for £279 there..The wireless-only version will go for £218.99″.

If you haven’t done so yet, be sure and check out Robin Chung’s recent preview of the PlayStation Vita and stay tuned for his review on the Vita and F1 2011!

Those interested in the technical specs of the PlayStation Vita should reference the chart provided below via Wikipedia:

Manufacturer	Sony Computer Entertainment
Product family	PlayStation
Type	Handheld game console
Generation	Eighth generation
Release date	JPN December 17, 2011[1] EU February 22, 2012[2] NA February 22, 2012[3] AU February 23, 2012[4]
Units sold	516,481 [5]
Media	PS Vita Card[6]
CPU	4 core ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore[7]
Memory	512 MB RAM, 128 MB VRAM[8][9]
Display	5-inch OLED multi-touch capacitivetouchscreen, 24-bit color, 960 × 544qHD @ 220 ppi[7]
Graphics	4 core SGX543MP4+[7]
Input	Touchscreen[7] Rear touchpad[7] Sixaxis motion sensing[7] Three-axis electronic compass[7] D-pad[7] 12 × Buttons (, , , , L, R, Start, Select, Home, Volume ±, Power)[7] 2 × Analog sticks[7]
Camera	Front and back 640×480 (0.3MP)VGA cameras[10]
Connectivity	IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, 3G,Bluetooth 2.1+EDR[11]
Online services	PlayStation Network
Dimensions	83.55 mm (3.289 in) (h) 182 mm (7.2 in) (w) 18.6 mm (0.73 in) (d)[7]
Weight	Wi-Fi: 260 grams (9.2 oz) 3G: 279 grams (9.8 oz)
Best-selling game	Everybody’s Golf 6[12]
Backward compatibility	PlayStation Portable
Predecessor	PlayStation Portable

What are your impressions of F1 2011 through this video? Are you impressed with the graphics as much as the reviewer is? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

Sources: [Netbook News] [Mashable Entertainment] [Wikipedia] [PlayStation Vita]