Ben-DutkaThe PlayStation Vita launches in North America and Europe on February 22. It released in Japan back in December and as far as Sony is concerned, the tallied sales numbers thus far are just fine.
Currently, Vita sales in Japan sit at around 535,000 units, with most sales coming in the first week. In the previous week, only 18,942 units were sold, which has prompted some concern from analysts and journalists. Gamers have also expressed their displeasure at the price, which may or may not have caused Sony to make the 3G Vita unit more attractive to consumers leery of its $300 price tag.
But during the fiscal third quarter earnings conference call (read the full transcript if you wish), Sony Corp. CFO Masaru Kato said they're not worried about Vita sales.
"As far as the sell-through, three weeks have passed and sell-through is 500,000. This was announced on the 10th of January. So as a start, I think we had a very – a good start. Including software and hardware, we are carrying out the sales promotions and we do it to boost the sales, and we do not think we have any problems."
Nintendo had some trouble getting the 3DS to fly at first, and that required almost immediate action (i.e., a price drop). Sony may have to do the same thing if the Vita doesn't do well around the world, but with plenty of software and an apparent promotion drive, the new portable has a good shot of becoming quite popular with core gamers.
cant wait to get mine
1-2 weeks left depending on which bundle you got. The vita is a D1P for me along with UC:Golden Abyss & Gravity Rush.
I'm excited I'll be in Canada then to pick one up so I don't have to order one to Korea. Can't wait to have that power between my fingertips.
Last edited by ZenChichiri on 2/6/2012 10:05:44 PM
I can't wait for mine to get here on the 15th! I really wish Gravity Rush would launch this month though. The Vita looks to be a fantastic system. I'll probably focus more time and money on it for this year. Can't wait to see what the future of the Vita holds too!
I'm looking forward to receiving mine from Amazon in a few weeks but at the same time I can't help but feel bad for how things have turned out for the Vita in Japan. They can spin it all they want, it isn't doing very well; hell it was being outsold by the PSP up until this past week!
Sounds like the early PS3/PS2 situation.
As rough as it may be I think Sony is right to launch now. If they waited longer, I think it would have been too late to catch gamers before they are stuck with tablets. So I think that they are right to push it now to make sure it get's into gamers hands. After all, if you get one and it's awesome, you'll tell your friends right? You can't buy marketing that good, only putting products in hands can do that.
I don't know the state of the software but maybe the bigger titles will help, Vita may be in trouble here.
I wouldn't worry.
From what I gather the Vita seems to be in good shape in terms of pre-orders in America.
And I'm sure that the main reason for the current Japanese numbers is the notable lack of system selling software. Once a major Japanese franchise hits the Vita (like Monster Hunter or Dragon Quest for example) things will likely begin to turn around for the better.
"lack of system selling software." I think that's a big part of what is going on with the Vita in Japan. Good first two days then a huge decline. Software drives sustained hardware sales. The price point could be a problem as well.
I have no idea what is on the horizon in terms of software. We will know a lot more about Japan's response to the Vita when a true system selling title arrives. The sooner the better because weekly sales of the Vita in Japan are not very good.
I really overestimated the Vita. I thought it would give the 3DS a run for its money. I got to give Nintendo a lot of credit. It cost them a fortune but they managed to turn the 3DS around pretty quickly.
Did you know the PSP was the best selling handheld in Japan in 2010? That was the first time Nintendo was ever beaten in the handheld sector in any region. That's kind of why I thought the Vita would do better than it has. Japan, in general has been very supportive of Sony's handhelds.
Last edited by Excelsior1 on 2/7/2012 7:33:31 AM
It's still early. And I would think sales would pick up after 3 months or so for something like this. I mean, it's obvious who would buy it on day one or even day 2 if you were busy on release day. But then how many people are going to run out and buy it the next couple days after?
Wouldn't it be accurate to assume the early adopters are likely to buy it at release and not shortly after?
Of course, all I can find is first year sales of PSP. I can't find anything like a day-over-day analysis to see if it's a common trend or not. Which sucks… because it means we can't judge until the first full year of the Vita's release is complete. :p
Last edited by Underdog15 on 2/7/2012 12:28:17 PM
so being out sold by a 5 year old device, the device its replacing, is their idea of a "very good start"?
in that case i dont want to know what they consider a very bad start!
only $ony could sell you a outhouse and market it as the taj mahal!
Last edited by ___________ on 2/7/2012 2:17:34 AM
I don't think the initial Japanese numbers are really anything to worry about because they are nothing that a single Monster Hunter or Dragon Quest game can't fix.
Like many have pointed out. Most of the big titles in the launch line up for Vita are more western oriented. I think that as soon as Japan gets an entry in one of their staple portable franchises the Vita's will really start moving. They really need a Monster Hunter.
As for me. I anxiously await the arrival of my First Edition bundle 😀