PS Vita sales down again in Japan

Hardware sales for the recently released PlayStation Vita continue to slide in Japan.

Hardware sales for the recently released PlayStation Vita continue to slide in Japan. The most recent sales data shows another week over week drop for the handheld, with the device seeing its worst week since launch. While sales were down across the board in Japan, the Vita continues to lag behind their major competitor Nintendo's 3DS.

Both hardware and software sales have been sluggish for the recently released dedicated handheld. Although, Sony insists that the device is selling according to forecast. With one of the most robust launch lineups ever before seen in a handheld release, the Vita is getting set to release worldwide next month.

It will be interesting to see if console gamers clamoring for a next generation gaming experience on console will flock to the device to fill the void left by the extended life-cycle of the living room experience. Right now though, the Vita is quite pricey with many overhead costs that could be providing a hurdle to many gamers.

By William Schwartz on January 26, 2012

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Pete
Well if it’s not popular in Japan, then it can’t be good.
Hasn’t that been a common comment against 360?
IHATEHIPSTERS
Here in australia the wifi version is 350$ and the 32gb memory card is 150$….so as much as I want it I might buy the ipad 3 instead. Then I could hopefully mess around in that and wait for a price drop?
Damien
I know you really believe in all your heart that Sony should be worried but they aren’t. There are many insights that you need to factor in before jumping to a poor conclusion. First, comparing the vita to the DS is your first error. That is like comparing the Nintendo Wii to the Playstation 3. They are two different consoles marketed to two different genres of gamers. Second, would you call the iPhone, iPad or iPod touch a bust if only 10 apps were available? No, you would naturally tell me, wait until more more apps are developed! Duh! Wait until some games and I mean real games hit. When games like Call of Duty are released on the Vita, a lot of people will quickly change their tune. Third, Japan and US markets are much different for gamers. The stuff Japanese gamers like most US gamers don’t care about. I need you to make sure you do real research and understand the nuances of gaming. I bet you the PS Vita will be an in demand product by the time we reach next Christmas.
Lash
If it’s Not selling well I might noT Make the buy cut the price down save you self Sony be smart
Cool dude
” Sony insists that the device is selling according to forecast”
So they expected to sell this handheld for this low?
Frank
Cool dude, you’re an idiot. Most of Vitas games are targeted towards the western audience, so of course it isn’t selling well. In Japan, they’d rather play games like Catherine and Dynasty Warriors over games like skyrim. They’re out of touch with the gaming world and have been since the dreamcast days. Why do you think that flopped too in Japan? You think they wanted to play games like NBA 2K or NFL 2K? No.