Sony’s PlayStation Vita, successor to its PSP has had a bit of a rough ride. Like Nintendo’s Wii U, it’s great bit of gaming tech that nobody seems to give a damn about, with sales not even nearly hitting expectations. That looks to be changing, as for the first time, the Vita holds its place as the best selling hardware in its native Japan – beating out the 3DS.
Here’s the hardware sales charts for Japan from last week, courtesy of Media Create (via Gamerevolution):
- PSV – 63,581
- 3DS – 61,008
- PS3 – 19,567
- PSP – 18,023
- WIU – 9,454
- WII – 1,363
- 360 – 768
It seems that the recent little Nipponese price cut has done wonders for the system’s sales; something I really hope Sony takes note of – so that they can cut the damned price everywhere else. The Wii U, it seems, is picking up slowly, but the Vita’s performance is impressive, riding on the back of great games (if you’re Japanese) like Soul Sacrifice, Tales of Hearts-R, Senran kagura: Shinovi Versus, Phantasy Star Online 2, and Uta no Price All-Star.
Whodathunk it? A price cut, and a steady stream of actual games help bolster sales? Never!
I know a number of you managed to pick up a Vita super cheap recently; what are your thoughts on the system – and what games are you looking forward to?
Last Updated: March 14, 2013
TechniKyle
March 14, 2013 at 14:38
Check that 360 sales…
Rikus Le Roux
March 14, 2013 at 14:58
All I can say is: “GO PS3!”
James Brawn
March 14, 2013 at 14:41
Is that sales into stores or sales into people hands?
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
March 14, 2013 at 14:43
That should be complete sell-through; so in to hands.
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 14, 2013 at 14:43
Header lulz
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 14, 2013 at 14:46
768 people? That’s like an apartment floor in Japan. Still, nice to see a decent piece of hardware selling!
Daryl Eksteen
March 14, 2013 at 14:47
Go VITA!
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 14, 2013 at 15:03
Goes well with cottage cheese… 😛
Tarisma
March 14, 2013 at 14:56
I’m moving to Bulwa next week for work go me! So the Vita has started to look more appealing, still I think its a bit too much in the price region. I guess I will just have to be happy with my kindle. Tough life I know.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 14, 2013 at 15:01
768 people thought they were buying an Usher CD.
768 people thought they were buying a satelite topbox….
768 people thought they were buying the complete box set of the anime… X
768 people are currently wondering why Microsoft tortured them with a camera that requires a room that’s 5 times bigger than the closet… they call their bedroomkitchenlivingroom.
768 people were probably Microsoft employees,
😛
I’ll stop now!
Draco Lusus
March 14, 2013 at 15:04
I got the PS Vita on your recommendation, and I am liking it so far. Only got the 2 DL games, Wipeout and Motorstorm, the new Oddworld game (pretty cool), Everybody’s Golf or something (decent) and the original Abe’s Oddessy from PS1.
Really looking forward to Warrior’s Lair and Malicious Rebirth
TechniKyle
March 14, 2013 at 15:06
I also got my Vita recently. It’s really awesome! At the moment I’m hectically addicted to Ecolibrium. It’s a free game/app, not sure if it’s everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m an ecology boffin so I love it. 😀
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 14, 2013 at 15:09
Have you tried the augmented reality games yet? The ones that use the cards that came with your Vita. They’re really simple, but still pretty cool though.
Draco Lusus
March 14, 2013 at 15:31
I have been meaning to try them, will give it a go when I get the cards back from the gf place.
TechniKyle
March 15, 2013 at 09:15
There weren’t any cards in the box…
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
March 15, 2013 at 09:20
They should be in an envelope amongst the console docs. They’re just cards with patterns on them, But if you can’t find them, don’t worry, you can just print new ones.
Check the link for augmented reality cards.
http://origin.playstationlifestyle.net/assets/uploads/2012/02/AR-Play-Cards.pdf
TechniKyle
March 15, 2013 at 10:00
No envelope. Will print these 🙂 Thanks Jim.
Draco Lusus
March 14, 2013 at 15:08
Would love it if they got Magic the Gathering online for it, and could play against PS3/4 players. As well as something like Dragon’s Dogma or something similar.
Matthew Figueira
March 14, 2013 at 15:30
What is the new Oddworld game? :O
Draco Lusus
May 14, 2013 at 10:27
Not new I don’t think, its that bounty hunter type game. Based in the Oddworld universe.
saintfighteraqua
March 14, 2013 at 18:59
Go Vita, go! We really want to love you.
I hope Sony drops the price in the west soon. It was doing better here during the holidays it seemed, but a price drop and the upcoming games from Japan can boost sales here again.