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Hana Stewart Smith

Japanese stores already slashing PlayStation Vita prices?

By | January 4, 2012, 6:06am PST

Summary: Reports are surfacing that some Japanese retailers are already cutting the price of PlayStation Vita’s following the 72 percent drop in sales during it’s second week.

Following news that PlayStation Vita sales had dropped significantly in its second week, reports are surfacing that Japanese retailers are already cutting the price of the long awaited handheld console.

Gamesradar is reporting that some stores are cutting the price of the 3G PlayStation Vita model as much as 20 percent. The 3G model has seen less success than its Wi-Fi only counterpart, and so far there are no reports suggesting that model is having price cuts also.

The PlayStation Vita had a relatively successful initial launch — selling around 320,000 units in the first week. By the second week of sales, however, that number had dropped to just over 70,000. Most new consoles can expect a drop in sales after launch, but rarely one as dramatic.

Many have already suggested that the rather expensive price of the console is a factor in lacklustre sales. The Nintendo 3DS also saw a drop in sales following its initial launch, leading to a significant price cut.

The Nintendo 3DS outsold the new console over Christmas, shifting around 482,000 units on the week of the Vita launch.

It is important to note, however, that at the moment there are still no indications of an official price cut from Sony.

At this stage it’s too early to say whether or not the drop in sales will cause the company to re-think its pricing. Drops in sales were also attributed to some bugs and glitches in the first batch of consoles that may have put off buyers.

Previously, Sony has been adamant that there would be no need for a price-cut in the same vein as the Nintendo 3DS. After Nintendo’s price cut, Sony announced it was “totally happy” with the price they had set, and that they, “didn’t price Vita relative to 3DS or those other devices.”

Although poor sales figures may have made retailers nervous, it’s likely that Sony won’t cut the price of the Vita until after the launch in the U.S. and Europe in February.

However, the company will be facing pressure to consider a price cut in time for the Western launch if sales continue to wither.

Image source: Flickr.

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Topics

Hana is three things -- small, British, and stranded in Tokyo.

Disclosure

Hana Stewart-Smith

Hana Stewart-Smith's mother is presently employed by IBM UK. No other existing or potential conflicts to report; this information will be updated whenever deemed necessary.

Biography

Hana Stewart-Smith

Hana is three things -- small, British, and stranded in Tokyo. After recognising that a degree in both English Literature and Film is, in fact, two parts unnecessary and useless, Hana decided that a change in pace was in order. With a lifelong passion for writing and a healthy fear/ fascination with technology, the next logical step was to move to Japan and surround herself with terrifying tech and a complete absence of the English language. She'll let you know how that venture works out.

Talkback Most Recent of 4 Talkback(s)

  • RE: Japanese stores already slashing PlayStation Vita prices?
    So the headlne is misleading horseshit.

    3G PS Vita's only are being discounted, not all Vita's.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    neil.postlethwaite@...
    4th Jan
  • RE: Japanese stores already slashing PlayStation Vita prices?
    @neil.postlethwaite@...

    Hmmm...I like games and never heard of the vita! Oh, thats right because XBOX is crushing Playstation! Handheld game devices will continue to die off as they get replaced by small form factor tablets...by that I mean tables in the 5"-7" variety because who wants to lug a 10" device around? Not I says me.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    Rob.sharp@...
    4th Jan
  • RE: Japanese stores already slashing PlayStation Vita prices?
    @rob.sharp@...

    I hate to break it to you. PS3 has been outselling the Xbox worldwide for 3 years straight including 2011. Quit looking at the NPD's because there's a vast world outside of America. Get your facts straight.

    And there just slashing the 3G model because its way too expensive and people only want the WiFi version. The WiFi version has been selling out at some stores in Japan but nobody is willing to buy the 3G. I don't blame them....I only want the WiFi Vita as well
    ZDNet Gravatar
    seemebright
    5th Jan
  • Wifi > 3G for "serious" gaming?
    I can see why they added 3G as an option. Presumably it's to be more competitive with the smartphones and tablets that have some gaming capability to them. But I've been watching gameplay videos at PSVitaGameplay.com for a few hours, and I have to say the Vita easily blows any of the more "casual" devices out of the water. And just like I don't need my PS3 or gaming PC to have 3G, I don't want to shell out tons of money for my Vita to have it either.

    It's totally understandable that the 3G models are being discounted for that reason, especially when Wifi access is so widely available these days.
    ZDNet Gravatar
    ThatGamerChick
    24th Jan

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