Sony announces PS Vita price drop for Japan

GE: "A little more than a year after its initial launch, the PlayStation Vita will be seeing a price cut in Japan."

[SonyNGP]

But I thought it didn't need a price-cut :/

[Walker]

It needs, absolutely .

[blitz0623]

Wow. If the translator isn't mistaken, the 3G and Wifi only models will cost the same price. This translates to ~$200.

[NewMonday]

that means 100$ price drop for the 3G model.

[blitz0623]

The NA price drop announcement will probably happen together with the PS4 announcement on Feb 20. Hopefully it will also start on the 28th.

[NewMonday]

new Legend of Heroes game in 3D looks great, they must bring it over and fast.

hope Xseed games get the rights for this, they do quick publishing for the games they get.

[nix]

i picked up Vita two weeks back... oh well.

[zeee]

^ You still have time to return it. And buy it again? Perhaps invest the extra money on a larger memory card (assuming you need one)?

On topic: VITA should do fairly well on $200. Sony of course needs to do a lot more with the software but this $200 price drop should entice a number of people are still sitting on the fence for the inevitable price drop (like myself :)

[guitarded77]

@ nix

That happened to me when I bought my first 360... kinda sucks. Oh well, at least you have a Vita.

I wonder if the rumors of the 4G model with the HDMI out are true. May be that the price drop is to clear out stock for the new model. I hope the rumors are true... I'll sell my Vita and get a new one. One of the features I want most is a video out... and a flash for the camera would be awesome too.

I expect Sony to drop the price in other regions on the 20th. It would be kinda silly to have it different prices in different regions. $200 is a great price for the Vita... especially if it included at least a 4gb memory card to get players started. I hope they announce some bigger memory cards (and cheaper) soon... my 32gb is full up, and I hate swapping cards... it messes with the menu icons every time.

[aceitman]

that's what some people are waiting for. yes 3g and wifi will be the same price.

[Snookies12]

No it didn't need one, the memory cards did on the other hand. Regardless, whatever brings in more people to buy the wonderful device, I'm all for it. :]

[bicfitness]

There is a Japanese bundle coming with a 32 GB card for around $250 American (not a direct conversion, but still). I expect on Wednesday - or soon after - we'll see bundles like this:

Wifi/ 3G (they're the same price now in Japan) + 32 GB = $249.99

Wifi/ 3G + 4GB = $199.99

There should be a memory unit with every console, but we'll see. And if Sony really is going for the throat they could lower that latter bundle to $179.99. Or throw in a game with each bundle.

Great year to be a PS fan, that's for sure. Or a JRPG fan. Vita is getting slammed with games this year.

[hot4play]

Such a debbie downer...
Dont spoil the excitement for everyone else.

Anyway, the price drop is obviously good news...

EDIT Theyre showing FFX HD now on USTREAM!

[Snookies12]

Yeah, that was about the only exciting thing on that... A quick glimpse at the new character models for FFX. No new game announcements or anything. I'm disappointed honestly...

[yewles1]

"But I thought it didn't need a price-cut :/"

It's been a year...

[MasterCornholio]

Yep like I said before Sony isn't the type to PA Nick and announce a massive price drop shortly after launch.

Anyways this price drop was pretty obvious anyways ever since Sony said that they would lower it once the manufacturing costs drop.

But men doesn't really bother me because I bought mine at launch from Amazon at 220€ with an 8GB memory card included in the bundle.

Motorola RAZR i

[SilentNegotiator]

Of course you had to go and be a troll and repeat what fanboys were saying, but everyone knows Vita DOES need a pricedrop.

[ritsuka666]

A bare bones vita at $199 with no pack in game or no price cut in memory card is still unappealing for gamers.

3ds will still the king in in this market, regardless...

[Prodigy-X]

I guess the American announcement is coming Feb 20, 2013.

[Tei777]

I'm not so sure, the japan price drop is timely because they've got around 6 fairly strong titles coming out in the next 2 months over there. The price will really inflate sales.

In the west, they could drop the price but theres nothing coming out over here til late april, it would probably have a very minimal effect on sales.

[eldeladi]

Most likely scenario:
wifi and 3G model $199.99
3G model will be phased out to make room for
4G model for $249.99

Wild Guess: 4G model could be subsidized at $100 with At&t or Verizon's shared data plans. (Since those Succubus carriers make money per each GB you use.)

[CatXFlash]

Yup ...Feb 20th is actually a world wide event do it will be streamed across the world throught the internet from NY. It is an event meant for the planet xD

[GreenRanger]

3DS price drop incoming.
@ Disagrees
Nintendo WILL drop the price of the 3DS.
Nintendo never, EVER go head-to-head with anyone, they always drop their prices when a company offers more for around same price.
They'll do it with the Wii U when the PS4/720 come out, too.
It's the truth, whether you like it or not and to be honest, it's a very smart move.

[Theyellowflash30]

LOL! More like Monster Hunter 4. 3DS will not get a price drop. Too much good software coming out for it.

[animegamingnerd]

yeah with monster hunter 4 a price drop is unnecessary

[xursz]

I don't think monster hunter does too well in the west, to be honest.

edit: I looked this up to make sure and found that mh in general only pushes systems in Japan.

[CaptainPunch]

Lmao the 3DS doesn't need a price drop.

[NewMonday]

3DS is still cheaper

[Pillsbury1]

Go go
Power rangeerrrrrrrr!

[GreenRanger]

Go Go Pillsbury1!!!

[YodaCracker]

Maybe there's still some hope for the struggling handheld.

[DarkZane]

It's probably also gonna get a price drop for US and Europe, but probably gonna be announced on Wednesday.

[Theyellowflash30]

Is this for America as well?

[gamer42]

no, not yet at least.

[g-nome]

It really is a great little machine , even for the current retail price. I hope more users buy into it.

[ShadowGhost]

Glad to hear the Vita is finally getting a price cut. It needs it badly in order to increase sales. I hope Sony also cuts the price of the memory cards as well. More people need to own a Vita because the handheld is awesome and does so much.

[Kingthrash360]

Price drop will help the vita....its worth its original price imo but a drop ALWAYS helps... ( see 3ds, ps3, xbox360, ect) ...more people need to experience a vita.

[lodossrage]

Has anyone else watched the Vita conference so far and notice that everyone is trying to fill Monster Hunter's void?

Soul Sacrifice
Ragnarok Odessey
Vahalla Knights 3
God Eater 2
PSO 2
Tokiden

[bicfitness]

Nothing wrong with that. MH is kind of stale. No story, no real progression, just item collection and instance farming. And Capcom have been reusing the same assets since the PS2 era.

I welcome a fresh wave of hunting genre games. God Eater was leagues better, and RO had signifigantly better controls and combat. So if each "clone" brings new features and inspiration to the genre, that's not a bad thing at all.

Edit: @WhooHooAlex Agreed, but there is a unique advantage in Sony's court if any of these 1st/ 2nd party IPs turn out to be a hit. I think that's what they're banking on. "We don't have MH, but we have THIS, which is better," sort of mentality.

[WooHooAlex]

I'm not really a Monster Hunter fan, but I'd still like to see it on Vita. That would help the system a lot in Japan.
God Eater 2 and Soul Sacrifice look great tho.

[lodossrage]

@bicfitness

I agree. Never said anything was wrong with that at all. In fact, I see it as a great thing.

If Capcom isn't careful, they can find that if they do ever bring the franchise back to Sony's handheld, they may quickly find they won't be "as beloved" as they once were if you know what I mean.

I hope PSO 2 and God Eater in particular blow up so Capcom can be humbled a bit.

[bicfitness]

@ lodossrage

I wasn't disagreeing with you (nor did I click it), just adding to the dialogue :)

A bubble for one of the best fantasy animes out there.

[lodossrage]

@bicfitness

lol don't sweat it. I've been a member of this place since like 2006-2007.

I know EXACTLY the kind of mentalities most (not all) of the people here have. So trust, I won't lose sleep over the disagrees lol

[Soldierone]

The price cut will go to other regions. It doesn't take effect till the 28th, so SCEA can announce it on Wednesday too.

[PS4isKing_82]

Next will be ps3 price cut to $199 on Wednesday.
And hopefully a vita price cut for NA as well.

God it feels great being a Sony fan lately!!

[r21]

First Japan....then the world!

[H4all]

Hot Weeks for the SONY PLAYSTATION and it's product..

sony name everywhere now...

[GribbleGrunger]

And a FF10HD remake!

[izumo_lee]

Yeah that & Dragon's Crown are both alive!!! Thank god i was getting worried about those 2 games. At least we now know they are coming!

[Veneno]

Did DC get a release date?

[hot4play]

FF X HD stream footage (short but sweet)

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

*nevermind theres an article with better footage now here on n4g :p

[GribbleGrunger]

I hope the Wednesday event streams better than this for me. I was getting low res at about 3 frames a second. Terrible.

[tubers]

Awesome! This is more potent than just memory card price drops as it is more obvious to more consumers than the "hidden cost" having a price drop.

[WooHooAlex]

Outside of the price drop, Final Fantasy X HD and Dragon's Crown. That presentation was a little boring to be honest. Soul Sacrifice looked great too.

Just wish there were new game announcements. Just happy to see that FFX HD is alive. Can't wait to play that.

[Soldierone]

Soul Sacrifice was looking neat too.

[TongkatAli]

Those robes looked so swag.

[joeorc]

"Just wish there were new game announcements. Just happy to see that FFX HD is alive. Can't wait to play that"

well I think that it is kinda unrealistic to really be looking for more game announcements since it takes over a year to make these High end development software for the PSVita that is frankly just as much time and resources as it would be for a living room console system. Even though the resolution may be reduced, the Game Engine and resources in unique Art direction and design, Sound, and AI and unique cloth and Lighting HD and the number of Team's required to make such softare are really the same. So we are talking about over 16 to about two years to make one of these games. Even for a development friendly system such as the PSVita.

they cannot pop out these games as quickly as many seem to think.

@DiRtY

"A dead system is dead. One year in and 4.x million sold is very bad. even Sony will focus their first party studios on the PS4 right now."

love how you talk about the system as if it was already dead, well the funny thing is it's still being stocked and sold to consumer's and with more software is still being made for the system, for Quote a "dead" system it's still Alive enough for more 3rd party and 1st party still making software for such the system, just not freaking fast enough it seems for some people. never mind it takes just as much time to make a AAA game that uses the very same Engine and Game assets that the living room game console system uses.

Just like the PS3 it will still be said to be a dead system, but yet still here it is still in the retail chain still with shelf space still with sales..but..but Microsoft and Nintendo took most of Sony's Market share and Mind share, and while those are the breaks Sony's working on rebuilding back its brand again.

and with the benefits of PSN+ , still free online play with adding more free services and function's to the systems they release, with buy software once use with all your other certified systems Sony is at least making a good effort in making good for the Consumer's that purchase the systems that the consumer's that purchase systems from Sony with still 1st party Effort's on all their platforms that they offer, not just up and Quit support when the platform takes a rough sales number's

[N311V]

Is the Vita region locked? I'm interested in getting one but do not want to pay inflated Australian prices, would rather import it.

[WooHooAlex]

Nope, the Vita is not region locked. Import away my friend.

[r21]

Its not :D But DLC and such is region locked though.

[TongkatAli]

I want every single game that was shown. Monster Hunter can stay on the 3DS, we gonna get a shit ton of giant monster killing games with online co-op XD

[DiRtY]

A dead system is dead. One year in and 4.x million sold is very bad. even Sony will focus their first party studios on the PS4 right now.

[Theyellowflash30]

Out of all the games they announced only one of those were first party. Soul Sacrifice. Sony is devoting most of their budget for large scale PS4 games. They don't care about the Vita that much.

[TongkatAli]

Good, I have too many games to get on the Vita anyway, please no more Sony XD

[chrismichaels04]

Did you think the same about the PS3 back in 2006? How about the 3DS before they cut the price? Do you feel that way about the WiiU now? Ignorant people annoy me. Go take your doom and gloom somewhere else.

[izumo_lee]

Also what they showed for the most part all has released dates in Japan so they won't be waiting long to play these games.

I said in another article that for the Vita to climb out of the hole it is in, it first has to succeed in Japan. The price cut & the very Japanese centered games are a start to get people on board with the system. Once that happens we will see more Japanese developers make games for the system & like a domino effect more developers may hop on board.

It all has to start in Japan, so lets see what this price cut does for the sales of the Vita. Hopefully we will see good things start to happen for the system.

[MegaLagann]

Good move, but the system still needs a consistent stream of games. Still not there but it's getting there and that's a start. Took the 3DS a while to get it's bearings and so will the Vita.

On a side note, Sony, I appreciate the fact that you want to do your own Nintendo Direct but dear God can you make it a little more exciting, I almost fell asleep. Also, and this goes for Nintendo too, if you're doing a Direct, or Heaven, then make sure to at least announce something new, just needed to get that out there.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

U.S. price drop at E3.

[theDECAY]

You don't think on the 20th?

[LOL_WUT]

And hes suepposedley a multiconsole gamer lol

But yes the announcement would most likely be announced on the 20th

[DivineAssault]

a few months after 1 full year in japan & the price drops.. Perfect.. I win my bet...

[SAE]

I don't think the price of the hardware matters for us that bought the vita. 1) We need price cut for the memories and the games. Even though assassin creed looks good i feel like it's not worthing the price. Same with Desclassified. 2) We need more great games every single month such as uncharted/gt5/demon souls/mgs..etc and multi platforms like gta/mg rising/tekken..etc

It's sucks looking at the upcoming games list. I only see few games that i'm interested on ..

[Good_Guy_Jamal]

Finally. Took em long enough.

[Chicago8506]

If this is true about both models being the same price, how exactly does that make sense?
wifi model doesn't have the GPS app, nor can u purchase an On-The-Go-Network.

If this is true about the model prices being the same, there is no need imo to make the wifi model any longer.

M just saying...
Game on.

[despair]

most likely its in anticipation of a new 4g model that might be announced for e3.

[Chicago8506]

i c, but wouldn't that still make the wifi model a very ridiculous buy?

I mean y buy the lesser model for the same price as the premium 1?

Y not just do-away with the wifi model, sell the 3G model as standard since it's the same price as the wifi model, and begin selling the 4G as the premium for a bit more?

C it doesn't make sense if they're the same price.
IDK....hopefully those that couldn't afford 1 can now, as well for those here in the states.

Game on.

[despair]

It does make sense if you take into account that they need to phase out the the 3g model and have the 4g one replace it, so setting a single price will let people think the 3g one is obviously the better deal and buy that instead of the Wifi, thus the 3g will sell out its stock in anticipation of the 4g model.

They will keep the Wifi model as it will work well for the cheaper version and they can make a good profit on it, I mean who wants a choice between 3g and 4g, there is no contest but for many people who don't want either one the Wifi is perfect.

[Chicago8506]

What m saying is, and as u know, "production" co$ts.
If they're trying to sell more 3G models m pretty sure a $199.99 pricetag can and will bring that about.

To produce 2 models of Vitas with the same pricetag, and introduce an upgraded version just really don't add up.

3G does everything the wifi model does and then some, wifi only does wifi with lesser features, and both @ the same price.
My question is Y produce more wifi models when clearly they won't sell sitting next to a 3G model for the same pricetag and does more?

That would only cost Sony more on a model that doesn't sell, and can no longer b looked upon as the cheaper model.
Retailers, I doubt would even stockpile em on their shelves.
Doesn't add up.

Game on.

[despair]

You missed my point, when the 4G model is released they will stop putting out the 3g model and either the 4G one will be a bit more expensive or they will reduce the wifi price again.

The reason for the same price now for the two models is to sell out all the 3g models that have been produced already else they would just collect dust when the 4G comes so that's why the 2 models are the same price so that even though the wifi won't sell much it makes the 3g more enticing to empty the current stock, it will only be so until the 4G model is announced. At least that's what I think.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Okay, now people have no excuses to not get one now! And FF10 HD was outta left field, but I love it!

[Chicago8506]

Tell u what, we'll c when they announce everything.
M excited either way, and while I doubt the 3G & WiFi both will b the same price, m curious how Sony will make this work if they do in fact have the same price :)

Game on.

[mooseman_24]

This price drop is awesome, even though i paid full price in Feb 2012, a price drop means more units gets sold, more units that get sold mean more and better games, its about time, P.S ... drop the price of COD declassified at $25 and this game might take off in sales, its a horrible game at a $50 price point, but at $25 you can overlook all some negatives and I would rate the game from a 3.5 to 6.0 if the price would drop.

[killerorca258]

I have a 3DS and a Vita, and yes, the Vita will get a price drop in regions outside Japan, although the busiest times for the Vita outside Japan will be April to June and September. The 3ds won't get a price cut with Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Monster Hunter 4, Luigi's Mansion 2, Mario and Luigi: Dream Team, Castlevania LoS MoF, Super Mario Golf, and Pokemon X and Y coming out, all of those games will easily sell 1,000,000 copies each.

[DivineAssault]

Soon the rest of the world will get the price cut & then with all the great games releasing, it should skyrocket! Vita is an amazing handheld & with a price cut, memory card price cut, & games like soul sacrifice, dragons crown, FFXHD, Persona, Killzone, etc, every core handheld gamer will buy it.. Who knows, Gaikai might be implemented as well as some really cool PS4 integration so vita will do MUCH better now

Sony is going to OWN 2013 & possibly forever after.. Good Job turning the company around from that black hole & slip up with PS3.. PS Plus rocks even harder with vita baby