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Ouch: 3DS is Outselling the PS Vita 47-to-1in Japan

By on November 15, 2012

This isn’t a handheld war — it’s an absolute massacre. Media Create recently released Japanese gaming sales numbers for 11/4 – 11/11 and the results paint a grim portrait of Sony’s latest handheld. The PS Vita only moved 4,021 units last week, while the 3DS sold an impressive 187,077 units. Sure it had some help from a new Animal Crossing game, but the gap between the 3DS and the PS Vita is saddening.

Sony really needs to do something before stores just stop carrying the device (price drop, free memory cards, a Monster Hunter game, anything). It’s a great handheld and it would be a shame if it died before it’s had a chance to truly shine.

Source: NeoGaf, Gamasutra

I'm DeShaun Zollicoffer, and I approve this message/bio. "26-years-old, Proud Northeast Ohioan, a Gamer Without Loyalties, an Equal Opportunity Offender, Apple Evangelist, Apple Hater, Music Lover, Anime Junkie, Little Monster, Frequent Flyer, Dexter Fanatic, Title Case Addict, and Geek Revolt's Founder and Editorial Director."
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  • http://geekrevolt.com/author/fallguysoldier/ Edgar Ocampo

    “Sony really needs to do something before stores just stop carrying the device (price drop, free memory cards, a Monster Hunter game, anything).” – I think you pretty much nailed it. To this day, I’m still hesitant to buy a PS Vita for exactly these reasons. Price drop is the biggest in my opinion, but more exclusive titles (such as a Monster Hunter game, or hell, a remastered Lunar Eternal Blue!!) would definitely help as well. Memory cards don’t necessarily have to be free, but they should be dropped in price also.

    And the great thing about the Nintendo 3DS is that its main focus is on games despite having other features. On the other hand, the PS Vita is literally trying to condense an entire entertainment system on a small handheld, which on paper is a good thing, but honestly I think Sony’s doing too much and focusing on the wrong aspects right now especially if they’re concerned about challenging the 3DS. This is one of those few cases where a company shouldn’t always try to “one up” the other. The best strategy here is to give what the consumers really want…

    • http://www.geekrevolt.com/ DeShaun Zollicoffer

      They’re trying to make it a portable PS3 and that’s a mistake. It didn’t work well for the PSP and I don’t think it’ll pay off for the PS Vita. Currently it’s lagging behind the PSP and Dreamcast! they were doing better at this point in their lifespan. I love my PS Vita (spent $500 on it and Gravity Rush is my current GOTY), but Sony needs to act fast.

      I say pull a Nintendo and drop it to $169 (with a free 4G MC) and pay Capcom and a few other Third Party companies for quality exclusives. I know Sony doesn’t want to do that, but it’s better than just letting the system slowly fade.

      Call of Duty: Black Ops Declassified could have moved some units, but it sucks and thus the PS Vita will have a weak holiday. And at this point most Japanese developers will just make 3DS games because even the average ones sell more than the popular PS Vita games.

      Sony is doing a good job with first party stuff, but they only sell the system to hardcore PS3 fans. Uncharted and LittleBigPlanet aren’t going to move a ton of units. We’re not talking about Mario and Pokemon — their brands don’t have the same strength behind them, especially in Japan.

      • http://geekrevolt.com/author/fallguysoldier/ Edgar Ocampo

        Exactly, especially what you said here: “I say pull a Nintendo and drop it to $169 (with a free 4G MC) and pay Capcom and a few other Third Party companies for quality exclusives.” Even for the Wifi version at $199 USD would still be a good offer, providing that it comes with a free memory card and/or game. Actually, come to think of it, wouldn’t this be a great holiday bundle to boost sales? Ah, I dunno… Like you, I don’t want this handheld to “lag behind the PSP and Dreamcast”….