Japanese consumers have been slow to adopt to the PS Vita. But a recent report from Famitsu suggests that 2013 could see a huge shift in interest for the handheld. With data received through a recent poll on the large video game magazine out of Japan, the outlet reports that nearly 70% of Japanese players are looking to purchase a Vita within the next year.
The PS Vita has seen dwindling interest since the system’s launch back in 2011, but many analysts believe that its due to a lack of “system selling” software for the device. While the numbers have been anything but reassuring, Sony has remained confident that their newest handheld should not be judged just yet.
The handheld has faced numerous headwinds in its launch. A burgeoning mobile market of smartphones and tablets have taken a huge chunk of market share in the mobile gaming market. A slash in price of the Nintendo 3DS has given consumers a tough choice at retail, while the PS Vita has seen little if any price reductions since launch.
Will we see these consumers flock to the Vita in 2013? It could happen if the necessary software influx forces these handheld gamers to jump ship from the PSP. The Vita has also been rumored to be a bigger part of the PlayStation 4 ecosystem, which could also boost sales of the device when the PlayStation 4 is finally announced.
