Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: huge Japanese console manufacturer releases cutting edge new handheld game system which sells fairly well its first week, and drops off sharply after that. Yes, it happened to Nintendo with the 3DS, and now it’s happening to Sony with PlayStation Vita.
Still, the system has only been available in Japan for a couple of weeks. How bad can things be? Bad enough that some Japanese retailers are already slashing 20% off the system’s price.
Despite a solid launch lineup and clearly impressive technology, Vita has had a rough go of it since it launched in Japan on December 17, 2011. Almost immediately after the system released, reports began to surface that Vita suffered from a number of glitches, several of which were captured on video.
Nonetheless, the system’s launch numbers — 325,000 units sold in the first 48 hours — looked respectible. The numbers for the following week are tougher to defend: just 72,479 Vitas sold between December 19 and December 25. In contrast, Nintendo’s 3DS sold 210,000 units during its second week of availability — at the end of February, with a vastly less robust lineup of launch games.
Indeed, the shadow of 3DS is proving hard for Vita to escape, especially where pricing is concerned. That some Japanese retailers have slashed the price of the 3G Vita by 20% makes thier position pretty clear: a price cut worked wonders for 3DS, and Sony should follow suit. With a North American launch still seven weeks away, it is not entirely inconcievable that Sony could act to reduce the system’s price — but it’s pretty close.
Of course, it isn’t just that Japanese gamers aren’t buying Vita, it’s that they are buying 3DS instead. Predictably, Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, and Monster Hunter 3G have set 3DS sales on fire in Japan. How can Nathan Drake be expected to compete with a lineup like that?
Obviously, this story is far from over, and Vita’s fortunes may be very different when it launches in the rest of the world. Uncharted: Golden Abyss and WipEout 2048, two of the system’s most important games, may simply be a better fit for the North American market. In any case, the clock is ticking, and if Japanese retailers continue to discount Vita, Sony may have no choice but to reconsider the system’s price.
Ranters, would you be more likely to buy a Vita if Sony reduced the system’s price?
The PlayStation Vita launches in North America February 22, 2012.
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Source: GamesRadar, Tech Digest
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If they reduced the prices on both the handheld and the memory cards (I know about the slight reduction they made recently to them but its still too expensive) then it may be a day one buy for me.
I was wondering when you guys would report on this…
But yeah, I wasn’t really sure how Vita sales would go, but I had no idea they’d be this bad. O_o;
I suppose that would depend on the price after the cut.
I’m already interested in this device, though so…
I don’t think I’d worry about the 3G model. In fact… I can’t think to imagine that the 3G model would even sell very well to begin with give that most people are already paying for a data plan for their smartphones.
At any rate… I do want one. Just not for a mint. Especially where the memory cards are concerned. (Ridiculous pricing!)
No it is to much i can pay 199 get an iPod touch and buy 1 of billions of apps for 99 cents and keep me entertained with the same app for a long period of time aka angry birds or doodle jump something like that and then their cost of memory cards is way to much 120 for a 32 gb card for that i can buy a high speed 1 TB drive and play computer games and not ever need more memory the psp was cool back in the day but it is still out dated even the 3ds is out dated
you’re in the wrong area sir. smartphone games and handheld system games are in two completely different categories. they are two separate markets selling to two different demographics. You fall under the smartphone demographic, which means they aren’t advertising for gamers like you.
You couldn’t be further from the truth.
Gaming has EXPLODED on the smartphone market.
Care to take a guess as to WHY the Vita is suffering in sales right now? Not only is it a bit expensive… But people are rapidly replacing handheld gaming devices with their smartphones.
The divide between smartphones and mainstream handheld gaming devices is quickly disappearing. Given that most gamers have smartphones and use them for gaming…they may as well be the same demographic.
The above article says WHY…”Of course, it isn’t just that Japanese gamers aren’t buying Vita, it’s that they are buying 3DS instead.”.
I personally could care LESS about smartphone gaming. Sure maybe while sitting in the Dr. office or at the DMV it might be OK. But when I’m at home watching a movie or lying in bed, I don’t want to play Angry Birds, I want an analog stick and some buttons. When I’m on a 8 hr. trip or staying overnight somewhere I want Mario, Link or Nathan Drake. I don’t want Cut the Fruit Ninja Rope. Granted the iPhone games themselves have JUST recently been getting better. But, still nowhere near good enough that I’m ready to trade in my dedicated handheld.
No one is trading it in, of course.
But it is a largely significant factor. (And it was topic given for this branch of the thread.)
The 3DS slashing it’s price is another. Especially given the recent lineup of games coming out for it.
And…despite the many horrible opinions I’ve seen given for it since it came out; I found out just last week how AWESOME the 3DS really is. Looks GREAT. I can’t understand why people badmouthed it so badly. I could see the 3D effect plain as day as soon as I looked at it, too. I’m buying one this next month in fact.
I was simply pointing out that the “demographic” really isn’t very separate…if at all.
I was going to preorder a Wifi one but waited to hear the reviews out of Japan. Now, I think I’ll probably wait a couple months and see what happens. Same thing with the 3DS. I want one (I even have Mario Land unopened waiting) but, I REALLY want a 3DS 2.0. So right now I’m just biding my time seeing what info comes out of both companies.
i wouldn’t hold your breath on the ds 2.0 for now. look how long it took them to come out with the DSi from the original ds. that, and i haven’t seen any announcements on whether or not thats something they might actually do.
It is something Ninty will DEFINATELY do, especially considering the 3DS’s many design flaws. Of course WHEN is the question. I am absolutely expecting a redesigned 3DS at least by Christmas. The transition from the original DS to the DS Lite was approx. 19 months for the US, about 15 months for Japan. Nintendo did not reveal the redesign until like a month before its Japanese release. I’m sure this was done in order to not take away from the originals sales, which were still selling like crazy. My problem is I just don’t know if I can wait that long!
There will almost certainly be a 3DS 2.0, and probably sooner than we’d like. BUT — especially after a hugely successful holiday season for the original hardware — it won’t add any decisive new features. A second analog stick, for instance, just isn’t in the cards. A bigger screen and better battery life are probably safe bets.
I’d just be happy with a simple redesign that has the “bugs” worked out. The hinge wobble, the top screen scratching etc. Also I wouldn’t mind some new colors. I really dig my Bronze XL. Right now the only 3DS that appeals to me is the Cosmo Black.
Wait… 3DS 2.0?
Tell me more? LOL!
I’ll google it a bit I guess. Might have to wait a bit after all…?
There is no actual 3DS “2.0″ in the cards as of yet. Just me being hopeful that we will see a 3DS “Lite” soon.
As far as trends go, numbers show that people would sooner save money for console games or systems rather than spend money on another handheld system. I believe stronger focus should be made on the home console systems rather than fueling a branch of an industry that is proving unsuccessful.
The age of handheld gaming systems is over. With the tech in phones and tablets, there is no need for a device that only really plays video games compared to the other devices on the market. Most customers have moved on for Nintendo and Sony handhelds.
I was never excited about the Vita as I was when the PSP first came out. I have a saturation of tech with my laptop, pc, tablet, and smartphone plus game consoles. There is really no commercial viable handheld gaming systems left.
I could have saved you many, Sony.
if they drop the extortionate mem card prices and can offer a good rpg(western) and fps lineup ill definitely save up to get it.
but as it is now hell no. id rather buy a small gaming laptop. and i HATE laptops…
no. not really interested in the Vita at all.I don’t care what the price is. I just bought a PSP go for $50 and still feel like I paid too much. have my 3DS and payed full price for it, and got my 20 free “Ambassador” games already. So far, I love it. I’m not a fan of Uncharted at all, or WipeOut. or God of War. there is nothing on the Vita that interests me, perhaps the Katamari game planned, but that is all. Animal Crossing and Kingdom hearts 3d is coming to my 3DS so, I’m ok.
Well, I guess that’s why you should sale to America first before Japan
Actually, the PSP sold the best in Japan, so I’m not sure what you’re getting at.
This is no surprise at all. Who really wants to pay $250 for a handheld now adays. You can play great games that look good on your iOS or Android devices. On top of that the pS Vita games cost $40-$50 which is ridiculous. You may as well buy another console and purchase those games.
Another thing, not too many people will want to carry this thing around. Most will already have a smartphone in their pocket, it’s just not really worth it. Don’t get me wrong, its a great device but it’s not needed now. Smartphones and tablets has the mobile gaming on lock right now and it’ll only get better.
I’m still buying mine, on Black Friday. Maybe sooner, not sure. Those memory cards better drop some.
sony is stubborn. i HIGHLY doubt the price of anything will drop before release. youll probably be wating a good few years for the mem card prices to drop.
its just…why dont developers test anything anymore. its always “oh itll be patched on day one or eventually so lets just leave that crippling bug in” or “test it, why? its been hyped to fever pitch and alot of people are willing to buy it now. besides testing it would set us way behind the promised release date and we cant have that.”
it really makes me ashamed to support these developers when they obviously dont think very much of us the consumer to even try, sometimes, to iron out the bugs that affect their products that theyre probably asking way to much for anyway.
Ya know what bothers me is that at e3 when kaz hirai announced the original price everyone was happy and ppl were fine. Now we are asking for a price cut and it hasn’t even been released yet on all the continents. I think we are being spoiled bc the vita has a lot to offer and asking for 250 is good but if it was cheaper that’d be nice
I would also like to say that handheld gaming is getting better and instead of looking down upon it I have been excited for all the handheld systems that come out even though it is expensive it is cool to be able to play a handheld that produces the same things as a console especially if you’re not at home. Some ppl do not want to pack up their console and take it with them and that’s where handhelds should come in. I hope handheld gaming starts up a new trend bc it’s getting better and progressing
Every games writer with half a brain already knows this Japanese failure of the Vita is attributed to the launch titles that appeal to North American customers. The Vita is a day one buy for me. Why? It’s not because it’s a super impressive piece of tech. It’s not because of it’s future ‘potential’. It’s simply because it offers me a chance to enjoy a full blown next-gen FIFA experience on the go. One game made it an insta-buy for me. Then of course you add in Rayman, Uncharted….etc, and it’s really a no brainer must-have purchase. Just wait for Final Fantasy and the other Japanese games to make their appearances.