Here is a topic I often talk to other gamers about, though most couldn’t care less until they’re system doesn’t work anymore.
Passed off with ether an “I’ll do it later” or a “I don’t want to break it”, nether of which will ever happen, never to be thought of again until the system is dead and all those games, saves, and spent data bandwidth are now as worthless as a paperweight.
Well protecting your gaming system starts the moment you get the shiny new thing out the store glass case.
Protection measures differ from home console and handhelds with their requirements and ability to protect the console.
I’m hoping to make a guide for both home consoles and a few handheld consoles (they differ so much.)
Well, lets start with something useful like the PS Vita, as it is an odd one with both front and rear needing to be accessible in order to use.
Of course, we can use the usual screen protectors on just about any handheld, but the Vita also has a rear touch screen that makes it the most uncomfortable thing to try and hold for anyone with normal sized hands. See how odd this is?
Most cases cover the back for handheld devices and have much of the added structural integrity in the back, like Otter Box (if only they made a Vita case.)
Instead Sony has made that odd floppy vinyl thing, crappy silicon slip off thing, and a controller “like” grip.
However, if we look at the console we notice the double lanyards at the bottom of the system (the 2 loops on the bottoms at the sides.)
Here is my nice trick to make sure you don’t drop that that expensive Vita on the hard floor breaking it, having to go to Sony for repairs, and come back with a newer firmware that blocks your TN-V, or VHBL exploit and ruining that ISO or emulator game you were half-way through.
Here is how to make them:
For each side, we need 2 heavy-duty boot strings. (Don’t worry they’re only like $3.50 for 2 sets.)
Make sure that when the strings are folded in half, they reach from your waist to your ankle. (This is so they are long enough to play the system comfortably and still be able to move for gyroscopic games like Gravity Rush.)
Slide 2 strings though each lanyard loop, lining up all 4 aglets (the little plastic things at the ends of the shoestrings,) and pull them through until they are evenly pulled though the loop.
Keep braiding them until you get to the last 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) of string, and then braid them back into themselves.
Add quick release clips to the ends of the braided ropes, and clip it to your belt loop.
You now have one of the best system savers you can get, and best of all you made it yourself.
This also works on PSPs and any other device with a big lanyard.
Now onto that annoying Vita touchscreen that gets covered in nasty fingerprints.
This one is a bit easier to take care of as any clean inside-out sock will help, but to do a better cleaning job, and disinfect that nasty screen at the same time:
Get some 90% rubbing alcohol and a bottle of drinking water.
Dilute the alcohol to a 50-50% mix, and then put it in a squirt bottle. (Be sure to mark the bottle as having deadly chemicals in it, as rubbing alcohol has iodine and other deadly chemicals in it that kill idiots who try to drink it….yeah…America is stupid…)
Squirt a bit on the “clean” sock (just enough to make small damp spot is plenty) and then wipe your Vita clean.
Yay! No infections or nasty bacteria growth.
But if you’re thinking, “its not that bad, its just fingerprints”:
You know that whitish fog haze that shows up on the screen after a few days of sitting on your desk? That’s bacteria growing in the oils from your fingers. Yeah, its gross and disgusting. Do yourself a favour and keep it clean.
Next on to a neat trick I discovered by accident and works really well.
If you’re having trouble holding to Vita as some people have big hands or problems with their hands like I do, here is an easy trick:
Find some small rubber balls or if you tear open a oxygen eater bag, you’ll find a bunch of small antibacterial balls that happen to fit snugly in the holes on the back of the Vita were the case screws go, and bulge out just enough to help even out the grip and not ruin the smooth curvy lines of the Vita.
One thing people often forget about is storing their Vita, games, and accessories.
I personally chose an HP (Hewlett Packard) green/gray/black laptop backpack.
It has all the pockets and pouches to store everything for both my PSP and Vita with relative ease, including all my power plugs, atrac Sony CD player (remember these?,) 3 or 4 sets of headphones, 7 Vita game cases, my PSPgo/Vita car charger, an old windbreaker coat, a notepad, a mechanical pencil, and still has room for my 17in laptop if I want to take it, with all being very organized.
I’ve had this same bag sense around 2007 and been to several countries with it. I still have about 4 or 5 carnival cruise tags taped on the side, so if you can find one, they are very good bags.
What next?? Hmm….
Let me know what you want to say about the Vita or any other consoles you want to see get the services of a nice maintenance guide.
P.S.
I’m not mentioning screen protectors because they are kind of a no brainier, and should be used on all handheld screens.
Note from Wololo: Those of you with PS3s might also want to check Acid_Snake’s “Guide to take good care of your PS3“