PlayStation Vita usable as PS3 controller

While the Wii U controller boasts a considerably larger screen than the PlayStation Vita, Sony's handheld boasts many of the same features found as the primary selling point for Nintendo's next console. According to Sony, developers will also be able to incorporate PS Vita compatibility in their PlayStation 3 games, either with direct controls or cross-platform play.

According to Eurogamer, Sony Europe R&D manager Phil Rogers confirmed for an audience of gamemakers at the Develop Conference last month that the speculated compatibility was possible, and he suggested that Sony would allow cross-talk functions between the two systems "most of the time." Rogers also demonstrated cross-platform play with the PS Vita and PS3 installments of Wipeout and Hustle Kings.

"PS3 can send data down to Vita and Vita can display it," Rogers was quoted as saying. "You could use the unique features [of Vita]--gyroscope, touch front and back--as a control device for a PS3 game. You can run software on both devices and use the network to sync the game states. And that's pretty good because you then have the processing power of PS3 doing that work, Vita [doing] fancy graphics...however you want to do it. You're not sacrificing the PS3's CPU to be able to have a rich experience on Vita."

The PS Vita is set to begin a phased worldwide rollout later this year, though rumors have surfaced pegging the system for a fall launch in both the United States and Europe. For more on the PS Vita, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.