Famitsu: 64% of Japanese players plan to buy PS Vita this year

Famitsu has released the result of a recent poll, about what systems people plan to buy in Japan this year, participant can pick multiple systems; the result shows that 64% of Japanese plans to buy PS Vita this year, followed by 48% for 3DS and 33.8% for Wii U; 10% of people also picked smartphone (other than iPhone). 75.6% of participants were male and 24.4% were female.

[izumo_lee]

I wonder what is the reason for the spike, perhaps the rumors of a MH game or is it the games that are coming this year or is it something else.

Maybe the Japanese are finally seeing the value of the system & are diving in.

[iamnsuperman]

I would say it will be the games coming out this year but also the logical idea the functionality between the Vita and the PS4 which is rumoured to reveal this year. I don't think the MH rumour had a big dent as it was quickly squashed.

[jujubee88]

Japanese developers suddenly appear on stage (at E3, TGS, or w/e) to talk about their PS3/PS4 games than out of nowhere they pull out a VITA and are like:

"Our game [insert title here] also fully supports cross [content/save/play/buy] with the VITA and with little to no compromises against the console version."

Than some Japanese developers drop the controller after one of their demo plays on stage (Naughty Dog style!)..... only to realize the VITA is the controller.

MIND BLOWN

Aha! :D

[yoshiroaka]

Soul Sacrifice?

Keiji Inafune's name is thrown around with it.
Not sure how big is he in japan but it seems like a big deal.

[Ult iMate]

There's a bunch of different JRPGs released and announced for 2013 for Vita.

[aceitman]

I think its a price drop there waiting for .

[Sephiroushin]

Japanese hardly wait for price drops, only a very few selected Japanese wait for things to drop in price ...

[dasbeer88]

I really wished the U.S. would be like Japan: The whole majority there love anime, manga, and video games. However, in the U.S. we're all about shooters, competition, and killing innocent lives. -_-

[Thirty3Three]

You mean you wish all of the United States turned into geeks?

I highly dislike japanime.... It's ridiculous...

But I realize I'm on one of those sites, sooo....

Bring on the disagrees! :D

[MmaFan-Qc]

@Thirty3Three

go look at Akira and try to tell me it suck.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

[boybato]

lol wut?

[ElectricKaibutsu]

You're living in a dream world, Neo.
The majority of Japanese people absolutely do not like anime or video games. Manga is pretty popular, though.

[Tei777]

Phantasy star online 2, Soul Sacrifice, Gundam, One piece, Project J, Final Fantasy X HD...

[ABizzel1]

Well that's hopeful for the Vita, but the percentage means nothing without knowing how many people were polled, and again how many times people were allowed to vote, since some poles allow for 1 vote only, 1 vote a day, or as many times as you want.

After some quick research Famitsu produces 500,000 copies of their magazines, and there was likely a poll online as well, but using magazine copies alone means that there will likely be 320,000 PS Vita's sold next year......That data means nothing, and I'm sure we all knew Sony would sale at least that many Vita's.

However, If that reign true with Japan as a whole true then the Vita will finally put an end to the PSP boom in Japan and should be selling 320,000 a week (but more likely 150,000 - 200,000 handhelds PSVita + PSP WW sales) World Wide (average of around 8.5 million per year) which is where it needs to be to get the developer support it needs and deserves.

[DOMination-]

Im guessing the reason is: they already have a psp and/or 3ds.

[fei-hung]

Or they are fed up of another MH rehash and Soul Sacrifice naturally looks more appealing due to that.

[Kalowest]

It's because of the JP only games, that we will never get. I'm so pissed and sad... I want that Time Travelers game from Level 5.

[porkChop]

That game looks amazing, I'd love to play it but I don't understand Japanese. Even if they just did English subs/menu/ui I would be fine.

[izumo_lee]

The Vita this year are also getting some very 'Japanese' games that appeal to the otaku market.

Those 'rub the screen' games like Monster Monpiece, Senran Kagura Versus, & that dungeon crawler i forget the name of. Dead or Alive Plus is another that will appeal to the otaku crowd.

There was suppose to be a Vita Game Heaven scheduled late last year that was not shown. Maybe there are secret projects that are being kept tight lipped until official anouncements. Sony is known for leaks maybe this time they are being more careful with game announcements.

[metroid32]

I would say it's because 3ds has sold over 10 million in japan,what's more impressive is 44% wanted 3ds's ? wow,handhelds sell better than consoles in japan so at least WiiU is the most wanted console.

[majiebeast]

More Japnese developers are switching over to vita or ps3 games that also get a vita version.

[SpartanGR]

That's just a guess right?

[metroid32]

Are u dreaming ?

[NovusTerminus]

Well, this would bring forth a surge, which will bring even more games, and so on...

I said it before, Sony systems have a slow start (PS3) but they pick up after a while. This is seeming to be no different.

[Qrphe]

Finally the Vita is starting to see some support over the PSP, over a year later.

[Sanquine90]

Soul sacrifice? Perhaps?

[lodossrage]

I was thinking this sudden surge of interest had something to do with games like Soul Sacrifice and PSO2

[EddieNX]

The reason they all want a vita is because of PSO2 , Tales of Hearts R , Soul Sacrifice etc.

But a Famitsu poll isn't exactly compiled representative data for the entire Japanese Gamers userbase. For example the 3DS sales will still destroy Vita sales in 2013 meaning this Poll is not representative of reality.

Edit- The ps vita will do amazing in Japan eventually , Sony need to ORDER devs to cease PSP game development now and focus on PSV games. Even just upressing PSP projects exclusively onto vita will be suffice.

So it had a sluggish first year in Japan , but as soon as the games come the Vita will fly in Japan and gradually pick up in EU and USA. It will be like PSP but with better software.

[RogueStatus28]

Phantasy Star Online and Tales of Hearts R? PSH, bring that over to this Bravely Default FF, Fire Emblem Awakening, Monster Hunter 3U, and Soul Hackers. Served

[Kalowest]

So glad I own both, I'm getting all of those games(as long as they release in the US).

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

I think is list might be wrong how can 360 even be at 10% or above PSP? IN JAPAN?!

[AmkOwns]

Simple jap people are smart.

[izumo_lee]

It probably is that like with the DS almost everyone in Japan already owns a PSP & are looking at alternatives.

[RogueStatus28]

What if Sony Japan was buying units of their own device to boost up sales? That's what I thought when I saw the title and picture, lol.

[TongkatAli]

I'm loving your damage control posts, keep them coming when more good Vita news comes. Your 3DS is doing well no need to be insecure.

[HarryMasonHerpderp]

He has been trolling none stop since he joined this site.

[Killzoner99]

I knew Japan would come around. I don't know what has taken them so long, they're probably just realizing what a POS the 3DS is. The Vita is the best handheld ever made and to say otherwise is just trolling. The Vita will dominate 2013 with games like Soul Sacrifice and I think will go down as the best selling handheld in history.
Long Live Play

[RogueStatus28]

Killzone Mercenary
Soul Sacrifice
Tearaway
Sly Cooper Thieves in Time
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus 2 (not exclusive)
Dead or Alive 5 Plus (not exclusive)

VS

Devil Summoner Soul Hackers
Fire Emblem Awakening
Etrian Odyssey IV
Castlevania Lords of Shadow
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity
Animal Crossing New Leaf
Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Unchained Blades
Lego City Undercover
Pokemon X
Pokemon Y
Ace Attorney 5
Dragon Quest VII
and Project X Zone

also if you bring up Japan only games I get to as well such as Bravely Default, Fantasy Life, Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney, Shin Megami Tensei IV, Monster Hunter 4 list goes on. Also most of the games on 3DS side are exclusive, you need exclusive games.

[Tei777]

I think he may be talking about japan, 80% of the games you've mentioned came out in 2012 over there, so if he us you can remove them from and add these Vita games

- Phantasy star online 2
-Demon Blade
-God eater 2
-One piece warriors 2
-Gundam Breakers
-Project J versus (gonna be huge!!!)
-Final Fantasy X HD
-Killzone Mercenary
-Soul Sacrifice
-Tearaway
-Sly Cooper Thieves in Time

[akhmenhawk17]

Killzone Mercenary,
Soul Sacrifice,
God eater 2,
Tearaway,
Sly Cooper Thieves in Time,
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus 2,
Dead or Alive 5 Plus,
Demon blade,
Gundam Breakers,
Tales of hearts,
Phantasy star online 2,
Warriors lair,
MLB 13,
Lets fish hooked on,
Oddworlds,
Guacamelee,
ratchet and clank Qforce,
LEGO Legends of Chima: Laval's Journey,
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes,
plus the many ps1, psn, ps mobile and psp titles hitting the store,
and with the added PS PLUS bonus i think there is plenty to keep us happy.

[Kingthrash360]

Rogue.... You look really stupid with that very short list comparison.....know your facts before you try to make a point..

[stuntman_mike]

I'm not Japanese but I'll probably be with 'em.

[Cam977]

COMPLETE FINAL FANTASTY SALE NEXT WEEK ON PSN!
PREPARE TO BE DOWN IN FUNDS!

[gtr_loh]

If only we had the games they would release in Japan... I'm sure we would be seeing "70% of American Gamers finally perceive the value in owning the PS Vita System".

[LastXeno]

Most of the games people are putting on their Vita list are Japan only. if that's the case my list just doubled. I said North American announced games...
KillZone Mercenary
Soul Sacrifice
Tearawy
Sly Cooper TiT
Gaiden Sigma Plus 2
DoA5 Plus
is it... 3 of those aren't even exclusive

[LastXeno]

but since you want to include Japan only games, I get to as well...

Devil Summoner Soul Hackers
Fire Emblem Awakening
Etrian Odyssey IV
Castlevania Mirror of Fate
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Gates to Infinity
Animal Crossing New Leaf
Chocobo Racing 3D
Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Pokemon X
Pokemon Y
Ace Attorney 5
Bravely Default Flying Fairy
Dragon Quest VII
Fantasy Life
Lego City Undercover
Moster Hunter 4
Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney
Project X Zone
Shin Megami Tensei 4
Unchained Blades
and Naruto Powerful Shippuden

Oh... We can list shop games? You guys did it, so I get to as well

Mutant Mudds 2
Rhythm Hunter HarmoKnight
Shantae and the Pirates Curse
Tokyo Crash Mobs
and Yatagarasu

[LastXeno]

Most of the Vita games you guys listed are also on 3DS, 360, and PS3... Almost all of the games on my list are 3DS exclusive.

[Blastoise]

Who are you talking to?...

And more to the point. Why are you listing 3DS games on Vita article?

[TongkatAli]

Never seen such a cracked out Nintendo fanbase in all of my years of gaming.

[r21]

Off topic, arent you?

[MultiConsoleGamer]

It's an outstanding system, with a great game library, amazing backwards compatibility with PSP (275 games), and it has the best controls currently available on a handheld game system.

The Japanese have always understood the value of traditional gaming. It's nice to see them embrace a system that truly deserves all the high praise.

[Hicken]

Oh, boy. The anti-Sony trolls are out in force yet again.

Let's discredit Famitsu!

Let's make the Vita's list of games smaller!

Let's turn it into a conspiracy!

Anything to make this story seem less impressive than it is.

Man, you guys are a trip.

Hopefully, this'll get more third party games on the system. Sony's doing a damn good job of supporting the device, despite what a lot of trolls say. Once third parties get on board, it'll be more than a match for the 3DS.

I don't expect the sales to EVER match its competition, as there seems to just be something about the NAME when it comes to Nintendo's handhelds. But I DO believe it'll continue- yes, CONTINUE- to have a better library.

[boybato]

this is supposedly good news for handheld gamers as a whole, considering that the vita seems to have a different target market i cannot understand why Ninty fans discredit the vita so much...

[TheBardsSong]

Doesn't necessarily mean it will reflect sales of next year, but good news.

[tubers]

A lot already have a 3DS and Japan is very interested in portable platforms..

I don't think the 64% is amazing (it's good) when there's still 48% who's getting a 3DS as well..

~9m vs ~1.4m.. the lower base count is likely to gain a bit more ground.

[strigoi814]

Its time to retire the psp i guess...so they are looking for a new psp like system.

[kesvalk]

they throw all these percentages around, but don't say how many ppl answered the poll.

give all the info godamnit!

[wiiulee]

lol sure the whole country plans on picking up a vita after sony kills it off and its selling for 50 dollars, as long as good 3ds hg==games keep coming out psvita is doa

[tubers]

Project X Zone is coming to the 3DS on the West. A rare title to come outside JPN because of the plethora of characters from several franchises.. but the 3DS has made it possible..

and then there's the One Piece game that has PS3 and a VITA version.. but the VITA version will never come to the West..

DAMN IT!

[EffectO]

Somebody should do n4g Vita poll.

[TENTONGUN]

nice to hear. vita is awesome. sometimes shit takes more than a year to get off the ground. but i bet even the haters secretly want a vita. i wish someone could tell me exactly what sucks about the device. dont give me the no games bs either. ive bought plenty for it so far.