While the PlayStation Vita’s ability to speak back-and-forth with PlayStation 3 is often touted as a selling point, it becomes less of one when you consider that compatible games are often sold separately. Buying a game twice just so you can take it with isn’t always appealing, but thankfully, you’ll never face this quandary again.
Announced moments ago during Sony’s gamescom 2012 media briefing, Cross-Buy will bring tremendous value to PlayStation Network this holiday season. The idea is simple: if you buy a game for PlayStation 3, you’ll get the cross-compatible PS Vita version for free. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale will be the first AAA release to support Cross-Buy, but the new initiative will save you money on Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time and Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault as well.
With the ability to move saves back-and-forth via cloud sync, and the potential for online multiplayer across devices, Cross-Buy is one of the most exciting Vita announcements since the handheld’s debut. I was on the fence about buying Vita versions of PlayStation All-Stars and Sly Cooper before the show, but now, there’s no reason to be. Later this year, anyone who owns both a PS3 and Vita can take their favorite titles on the road, earn Trophies across both platforms, and keep being awesome. For free.
If this deal sounds like a winner to you, let us know in the comments below. Stay tuned to PSU.com for more gamescom 2012 coverage and all things PlayStation coming out of Cologne, Germany.