What's PlayStation Vita got that my smartphone doesn't?

— -- Sony named its new handheld game system the PlayStation Vita because "vita" means "life" in Italian. But can a dedicated portable game system live la dolce vita in a world full of people playing with smartphones and tablets?

Despite some evidence to the contrary, Sony foresees a successful life of five to eight years for the Vita, out Wednesday ($250 and up). "If you are a gamer, we are betting that you will be compelled to have this with you," says Shuhei Yoshida, who oversees Sony Computer Entertainment's Worldwide Studios.

Sony is no newcomer to handheld systems: It has sold 75 million PlayStation Portables globally since 2004. But even market leader Nintendo, which has sold more than 365 million handhelds since Game Boy launched in 1989, has faced hurdles with its latest device, the Nintendo 3DS.

Sales of dedicated handheld systems have declined even as more Americans play video games. About 135 million people play at least one hour a month, up from 58 million in 2008, according to the research firm Park Associates.

Though computers and traditional home consoles remain the most popular devices, younger players prefer mobile phones, the firm says in a recent report. And three-fourths of those who own tablets play games on them.

Handheld systems have a market "for the time being," says Parks Associates research analyst Pietro Macchiarella. "As long as handhelds manage to deliver unique experiences, there will be room for them on the market."

Sony's mantra in creating — and marketing — the Vita channels that strategy. Game designers were brought in on the development of the device before its features were decided. The aim, Yoshida says, "is to provide the gaming experience you cannot get on a smartphone."

AMONG VITA'S FEATURES:

Advanced display: The Vita is the first game system to sport an Organic Light-Emitting Diode display, technology touted as brighter, thinner and higher-contrast than other types of screens. The Vita's 5-inch display is bigger than most smartphones'.

Improved controls: The Vita offers more ways to interact than previous handhelds. It's the first to have a pair of joysticks, one for each thumb, replicating the control experience for consoles such as the PS3. Players can also use the touchscreen and a first-of-its-kind rear touchpad for game interactions.

Cameras and connectivity: Cameras on front and back let you take pictures and play "augmented-reality" games such as Reality Fighters that transport the game characters to your real surroundings. Games such as WipeOut 2048 take a picture of you as you play, which pops up on the screen of other players. The Vita comes in a Wi-Fi-only model or one that adds 3G connectivity from AT&T (monthly charges $15-$30). Game updates can be posted to Facebook, Flickr and Twitter. And certain titles, such as MLB 12: The Show (due March 6), let you start a game on PS3 and continue it on Vita.

Other features: A motion sensor and accelerometer add movement to your games. In Uncharted: Golden Abyss, you tilt the system left or right to balance Nathan Drake on treacherous perches, and move it forward and backward to swing on ropes. Built-in GPS support lets you connect with nearby players for special rewards.

Popular games: Sony has 26 available now, with about 100 in development, including Vita versions of top franchises such as Assassin's Creed, BioShock, Call of Duty and Resistance.