The PlayStation Vita Is No Longer a Day One Purchase

Recommending someone to purchase a PlayStation Vita at launch is becoming increasingly difficult.

The Vita will have a surprisingly high initial price, it's going to have countless inevitable redesigns and its memory cards are insanely over priced.

Will it really be worth the entry price on day 1?

[Godmars290]

Have to agree. the memory cards are backhand price increase.

[pangitkqb]

I was Gonna scream "hit seeker!" but it turned out to be pretty reasonable. I think the title should be altered though to something like "Vita not A Day One Purchase if Money is and issue" or something.

The Article isn't saying it's not a day one purchase universally. It's saying it's best to wait if you are gaming on a budget. Basically, people like me.

[Dante112]

If you don't want to buy any Memory cards, couldn't you just use your PS3 for your Vita's saves with the recent 4.00 update? Or even the Vita's online cloud saving system?

Edit: @ Starfox

I think the HUGE amount of pirating with the SD cards on the PSP is probably the biggest reason for the new cards.

[Controversy]

Dante's question is good. Anybody have an answer? I have my suspicions this won't be allowed though.

[Dante112]

@ Controversy

Well according to the official Playstation Site Blog, 4.00 allows...

"It will allow users to copy their digital content such as games, music, photos, and videos between PS Vita and PS3, back up PS Vita game, games including save data to your PS3 hard drive, and update the system software for your PS Vita system using the network features of your PS3."

Source: http://blog.us.playstation....

Also, you won't really need Playstation Plus for cloud saving on the Vita on some games. Most will be free cloud saving enable games.

Source: http://www.clickonline.com/...

[Controversy]

@ Dante

Good to know. Thanks for the links my friend.

[gamingdroid]

I thought a memory card is required to hold your profile. Isn't that how the PS Vita keeps track of different profiles?

[Coltrane_C]

You have only have 1 profile per system so that is incorrect

[Christopher]

***You have only have 1 profile per system so that is incorrect***

That was recently debunked.

http://n4g.com/news/901927/...

[SuperM]

It still doesnt cost more then 275$ for Vita + a memory card and thats way cheaper then anyone expected before the price of the hardware was announced.

Memory cards are expensive yes, but overall i still think its a great price and i will support it day one.

The less people that buy Vita at launch the less support it will get later on from developers which is a loss for everyone imo.

[MaxXAttaxX]

And change the title to "...IF MONEY IS AN ISSUE".

People like to compare Vita Memory Cards with the cheaper lower class SD cards available used to store photos and music, not stream video games which require higher performance.

It's not just about capacity, it's also about SPEED.

Also this:
http://playstationlifestyle...

[lelo2play]

I'll probably get one when PSVita slim gets released. Both memory and console will be much cheaper by then. No rush from my part.

I never get a console on launch. Both my X360 and PS3 were purchased 1-2 years after release.

[Controversy]

That's a good point, lelo. I want a freakin' Vita, but the inevitable redesign, combined with the higher than expected entry price (all things considered),I may have to wait.

[CloseSecond]

I never rush in to buy straight away. Its too risky and if the thing fails to take off you can expect significant price drops and bundle deals mid next year.

[sphinct]

I really want a Vita now, but the points mentioned in the piece are exactly what is keeping me on the fence. A 3G Vita w/one game and 32GB memory card will likely run you around $460. Thats pricey! Ugh...decisions.

[gamingdroid]

Meanwhile a 3DS is now $169 with a $50 Giftcard....

I know it isn't the same, but it might just be enough.

[MasterCornholio]

Depends on what you buy if you pick up a WiFi Vita and a 4GB stick with a game it will cost you 320$. If that is still too much you can pickup a 3DS with a game and a big 32GB flash card for only 250 euros. It's really up to you.

As for me I will get a WiFi vita day one then will buy a big card if the digital copies of a game are a lot cheaper. If not I will just get a 4GB card as well as a game.

XperiaRay

[mcstorm]

Gamingdroid i agree with you. I know the psv has the better hardware specs but price has an impact on what people will buy. The 3ds was expensive at 1st but now its lower its selling better i think this will be the same for he psv. Still a few months eft until it is out un europe and usa so alot could change between now and then but i do see sony dropping the price abit like they did with the ps3 not long after it is out as this price for a handheld console will seem expensive to the none gamers and parents.

[Dee_91]

if i wanted DS i would buy a DS
how ever i dont
But I do want a PSV ..
If 460 is too much for you dont get a 32gb card.

[Christopher]

@gamingdroid: That is a huge factor now and you know Nintendo is going to be advertising the heck out of that fact when Vita releases. I thought Sony would have adjusted their pricing a bit downward, just not down to Nintendo's level. I mean, I know Sony needs the profit, but I think in the end they will lose a lot of that in the price comparison, regardless if their tech is better or not.

[pat_11_5]

The whole memory card fiasco has totally made me not want one, at least not at launch.

[Ulf]

Cloud game saves make the memcard an option, not a requirement.

[SandWitch]

then don't buy a memory card -_-

[Starfox811]

I really don't get why it doesn't have any onboard flash memory for games... But if I have the money I'll probably get one. Having played one already they are stupidly fun, and it has a strong launch line up in comparison to other consoles. If transferring my PSP games and saves is simple (and the price is reasonable) then I'd be more than happy to own one from day 1.

[frelyler]

On board would make pirating easier, proprietary is the way to go. Pirating will happen regardless, but this should help fix the "problem" faster. Sony had no choice in this. Why do you think so many developers shied away from the PSP, it's rampant pirating. If Sony did not do this they would not have nearly as many game publishers looking at this thing. The prices do stink, but it's nowhere near as outrageous as M$ and their hard drives, yet no one seems to be mentioning that in the same sentence. Why does M$ and Apple get a free pass when they do this, yet Sony gets bashed. I hate gaming "journalism" and where it has gone.

[Starfox811]

The large part of professional journalists don't care about the PSV prices for the cards, partly because they'll get them for free, but mostly because they know why they are pricey. The real dissatisfaction has come from the amateur press venting about its cost. The PSP was rife with piracy, and that didn't include any on board memory at all, in fact it was the same situation we are in now where you had to buy a separate Memory Stick Pro Duo to go with it. The PSP Go that came with internal memory suffered a lot less piracy.
In terms of MS and Apple, its a different ball game. MS aren't bothering to get into the handhelds, and Apple got there by proxy. Apple is costly because of its design aesthetics and the uses it has, MS HDD cost a pretty penny because they are mechanical devices and thus somewhat costly to build (although not as much as they sell them for). Flash cards however are low cost, low maintenance yet seem to ship for a lot of money (another reason why Apple devices like iPhones and iPod touches, even Airbooks are so costly). I think the problem comes from the fact people don't expect sony to operate in a similar way, although I have no idea why they would think that. The actual cost of a PSV is pretty damn cheap for what you are getting, it's just annoying that as always the US gets it for practically $ for £ meaning that it's about 1/3 more expensive (if not more) to purchase it in the UK. I suppose thats the price you pay for having a stronger economy =/

[jetlian]

psp came with a memory stick. And no matter how sony makes the memory its gonna get a chinese version soon after.

Sony should put onboard memory with no outside connectors making it pretty are to place anything into the system

[Titanz]

They'll be losing money on their Vita hardware for 3 years, so they need to balanced out their profit margin. Considering the price - gamers can buy a PS3 if they wanted to, though I guess they're trying to advertise Vita to the tech savvy crowd.

[madjedi]

Right bad sony and when nintendo makes a healthy profit from day by selling old hardware at a premium price point it's perfectly acceptable.

I would rather have new quality hardware for a reasonable price than slightly more powerful than psp hardware that was outdated yrs ago at a unreasonable price.

At least when sony launches a new generation of devices, they are worthy of the description a next generation devices. Nintendo views marginal upgrades as good enough, which was fine 5 yrs ago but looks dated today.

[I_LOVE_MYSELF]

I have always been a person who gets things at launch. PSP, GBA and the DS. I regretted all of them. The PSP just didn't interest me, the GBA was cool, but the re-vamped version totally blew my original out of the water and my DS phat is awful in comparison to my Lite (which I am VERY happy with.

I also upgraded to the PSP 3000 and enjoyed it. Not only was it a better machine, but the library was much improved with games like God of War.

I simly refuse to be an early adopter anymore and that will also go for home consoles. I have began to appreciate my money and the things I have a lot more these past recent years. I think the pro's in waiting for a new console to be dropped in price / remodel far outweigh the cons. First hand experience.

I currently don't own a 3DS and it is killing me not being able to play Mario Kart, Mario Land, Zelda etc, but in the end it will be worth it.

Same applies for PSVita. Just going to wait this one out :-D

[DarkBlood]

though i really want this badly and unless i won the lottery or something im going to wait it out as well at least till something gets cheaper within a year be that the 32 gb mem card or a temporary sale price drop

or theres always tax season but i might use that for the wiiu instead

[LettingGo]

Dude...

Should've bought Twisted Metal at launch. :)

[Game4life]

I get a memory card with my first edition bundle so it doesn't matter to me. i was gonna get a bigger card though either way. I feel peoples pain though

[user858621]

Making memory cards a requirement for popular games, and then over pricing them... oh sony

[WooHooAlex]

Sony left it up to the developer to decide if the game would require a memory card to save.

[frelyler]

Yet Apple and M$ get a free pass?

[MasterCornholio]

Since there are so many great games for the Vita I have to get one day one. What I dont know is what size of memory cards I will be buying. If digital copies cost 20 euros which is half the price of a retail handheld game then I will buy the 32GB s stick.

XperiaRay

[Game4life]

Im thinking of gettin g a 16 stcik since I already get a 4 gig stick with my first edition bundle.

[CynicalVision]

Nothing can really change my mind about buying the system on day one. Since I'm buying my games from retail the memory card situation isn't even an issue for me.

I think people are complaining just for the sake of complaining, if Sony had used a standard memory card I'm sure there would be articles claiming that the Vita wouldn't be worth buying because of piracy issues.

Either way, Sony can't win.

[TheDivine]

The issue is you will need a memory card if you want to play your retail games. You cant save games unless you buy a memory card. If it saved to the vita or game cartrige it wouldnt be an issue for me but having to buy one to play a game is kind of messed up. Im still getting one and i cant wait but they do need to be cheaper if they're going to be manditory.

[CynicalVision]

Sure, but you can just buy the cheapest 4GB card.

[jetlian]

to play UC:GA you will need a 4gb card which is gonna be 20 dollars or more. Some games wont need a card but some will. Also its not just any 4gb card.

Down below: Cell phones and tablet have a greater purpose which is why they can get away with higher cost. Phones can save your life vita (no pun) isn't gonna do $%&& for you if you get trapped somewhere.

Tablet are viewed more as an aid for work. Also they don't have high priced apps either. So its not the same

[jay2]

PMSL, Reason 1. Done with all current gen consoles AND hand helds. (games always come out later lol).
Reason 2. Oh yeah, look how much the underpower 3DS was. Oh wait, same price of the Wifi PSVita that smashes the 3DS. I think this guys wrong, why do you want to buy 5 year old hardware over the Vita AND I don't see him saying the 3DS was be the same price as the launchg day Non 3G console, that can't even touch it in tearms of power and AAA consoles, Where are the (un-remake) AAA 3DS launch titles?

[GribbleGrunger]

no matter how many of these articles appear and no matter how many people suddenly change their minds on buying it day one, once a friend brings round the Vita and shows them the games, the reasons for disliking it will soon be forgotten. this handheld is such a HUGE leap it's impossible to dislike it for long. Vita sales will reflect this and i wouldn't mind betting that Sony will struggle to keep up with demand.

[Lord_Sloth]

Shinobido and Gravity Rush means I MUST HAVE THIS DAY 1!!! I'll get the memory card, fine! THIS IS DAY 1 FOR ME!!!

[WooHooAlex]

Memory cards are overpriced, no doubt about it, but I really find it hard to understand why people hate on Sony for doing something that Apple, Microsoft, Samsung and basically every electronics company is guilty of.

It costs $199 for an 8gb ipod touch, and $299 for a 32gb. Is that extra storage really worth an extra hundred bucks? no, but people don't bat an eye when that pricing model is used on tablets and smartphones. How about the proprietary hard drives used for the 360, it cost like a hundred bucks for a 20gb when it first launched. The only difference here is that one isn't bundled with the system. Just spend the extra $25 and it'll be more than enough memory for your game sames and updates.

This is getting blown way out of proportion.

[madjedi]

We live in an age where spending $300+ on a cellphone or $500+ on an ipad is perfectly acceptable to alot of people. Many of which see a $300+ console or $300 handheld as too expensive, case point guy down below complaining the vita is too expensive. While having a iphone 4s, which is probably the latest edition to the series.

At all people bitching that the vita is too expensive, if your always upgrading to the latest and greatest cellphone available spending $200+ in the process every 3-6 months kindly shutup and leave.

I have to wonder how much the people spend on their monthly phone bills, that say the vita is too expensive.

[smashcrashbash]

Its mob mentality. No matter how you try to reason with someone who wants to say or believe or do something they will never sit down and listen. No matter how much you say 'No its not' or 'its not as bad as you think' or 'that is the same thing everyone else does' no one hears or listens.

For instance ND has already fixed the shooting in UC3 and yet people are still trying to use the shooting as a negative against it. I just read an article saying that the prices for the memory cards may not be the actual official prices at all, which several people pointed out before and everyone ignored.

I think the main problem is that Sony is very bad at conning or swindling people. Apple, Nintendo and Microsoft are experts. They do basically the same things that Sony does but somehow its them that are always in the spotlight.

Sony is accused of selling old PS1 and PS2 games for profit but Nintendo does that all the time with all their older games.Everyone is ready to kill Sony over a single account for the VITA but Nintendo already does that with the 3DS. And your example is just one more of many examples of one company doing the same as Sony but not being called out for doing it.

Call me names or disagree with me all you want but lets face it. Sony is attacked more often for the things they do more then the others and not because they do more things, just that people point them out more. Microsoft and Apple try to squeeze every penny out of their consumers every chance they get but the minute Sony asks for money suddenly they are a evil greedy company.

[guitar_nerd_23]

At pc world (uk) at the moment theres an offer that if you buy cetain stuff you get a £50 off voucher when you spend £200 valid from next feb, might be a good way make it a bit cheaper.

[Wintersun616]

At my current financial situation I'll probably hold on until a PSV "slim". But I'm surely getting it at some point.

[CynicalVision]

I'd love to get the slim version as well but waiting 2-3 years is too much for me.

[CptFlashHeart]

Have to agree, this is gonna be a huge investment which is better left until it gathers some speed.

I have a 3DS and an iPhone 4S so my portable gaming is just dandy atm. I would like to add the Vita to my arsenal but at £275+ with one game I can't see the point for now. A few months down the line and maybe a price drop I think I'll get it anyway :)

[CynicalVision]

I love how you call the Vita a huge investment when you already have an iPhone 4S.

[smashcrashbash]

Yeah, its like people are completely blind or something. You have no problem investing in something that will be basically obsolete by the time they 'invent' the iPhone 5 and costs more.

Your 'investment' will soon be nothing and you will most likely have to buy a new one soon. You like all the rest are stuck in the infinite tech loop Apple has you in. My VITA investment will last me about 5-6 years before i will have to buy a new handheld

[CptFlashHeart]

Yeah I understand what you're saying but my 4S cost me £200 flat. I sold my 4 for £300.

And it's a phone I will use every day. If I use my Vita every day then I would agree it was worthwhile, but atm it probably wouldn't be!

[wenaldy]

Your loss, it's about Uncharted and Shinobido b**ch!!!

[Ryo-Hazuki]

Getting mine day one

[xflo360]

I'm buying day1 aswell!!
What's with everyones I'll wait mentality? Not to sound morbid but you only live once, why hold off buying something you want when tomorrow may never come?!
Just enjoy your life and buy the things you want, while you still can!

On a side note, where's Shenmue 3? Come on ryo, pull your finger out!!

[Ryo-Hazuki]

I'm still stuck in the cave waiting for Sega to give the green light for part 3 so I can catch Lan Di and avenge my fathers death.....

Seriously though I would faint if S3 ever got announced and I would buy 2 copies on day 1.

[Whitefox789]

There's always hope my friend I always check out interviews with Yu Suzuki at Shenmuedojo.net.

Yu Suzuki always expresses how he wants to make it and if he's ever given the chance he would do it.

Shenmue 3 is definitively one of the games I want made (I'm even playing through Shenmue 1 as we speak). Another game I want made by its orignal creators is Viewtiful Joe 3.

[sharpened sense]

I will be getting Vita day one, with at least 3 games and a 32gb memory card. Heck I paid $500 for the ipod touch when it came out got it stolen and then bought another one for $375. The vita is a ton cooler device then a ipod touch or ipad if you ask me

[cliffbo]

if it had come out at half the price you would still be getting these kind of articles.

[Ddouble]

Still Day 1.

[Ethereal]

Sorry bud, still getting one day one.

[CoryHG]

i bought a launch ps1 knowing nothing about memory cards. Atleast I knew heading into ps2. This is a way for them to not take such a big hit.

[MaxMurdoch]

proprietary SD cards to rip off consumers. yay.

[Hicken]

The real kicker is that I bet you actually believe that.

[MaxMurdoch]

what other purpose could it serve rofl... of course its to get money. The whole point of consoles is to have a locked down system so MS and SONY could capitalize on it.

Oh you are a ps3 fanboy i forgot. I own it too, but at least i dont worship the pos.

[ZippyZapper]

3DS is lookin sexy

goodbye Vita

[Hicken]

3DS is already looking dated.

Hello Vita.

[Razongunz]

so pricy! so much talk about this pricy stuff! i don't mind :P i'm saving up and i will be getting the wifi vita 32 gig card card case vita case and other needed accesories like battery pack.. and i will also get 3-5..meybe more depending on how much money i will have saved up by launch..i'm expecting to be using about a 600-800 dollars on launch day.

EDIT: 600-800 dollars is what it would cost for my stuff in the us, but i'm from norway in EU and we got about the same pricing as japan, so without our currency i'm expecting to be paying about 1000 dollars worth of here in norway..but these stuff would be about 600-700 dollars in the US :P currency differences are confusing :P

i'm not holding pack on anything i'm going all out on this one, been looking forward to this for ages..and i don't give a rats ass about the price ... for me its worth it so i'm gonna go with that, if others don't want to spend the money i belive its worth then be it, i'm buying it ether way becase for me personally this is gonna be an awesome system, i don't care how many ppl buy it or not, as long as i have one i'm as good as i can get. :)

[Protagonist]

Dont care, Still Getting The PSVITA Day 1.

[urwifeminder]

Getting a psp finally.

[webeblazing]

Yo im getting one. Even tho i sold the 3000 even before this was announced. I but it do what everybody is forgetting. u got to do what the people what, but it's not ipad so what. to me its better than holding a phone a ipad, or, or ipod, for ps vita and lil games other ( gamer perspective (maybe wrong spelling)) just look at it we live in a fast technology age shit get old fast pace urself we customers. ITS US FIRST!!!! DO U!!!!

[THC CELL]

I am getting 2 day one I think the vita is amazing and people did not moan.when Xbox had shaft everyone with memory cards or Xbox live

[tarbis]

I really don't get the mmc being super expensive and all that. New tech is always expensive and since when game saves amount to GB that you need 32GB or more? Grab a 4GB then wait for the cheaper 3rd party mmc to come out which I'm sure it'll be a few months after the PSV is released.

[tiffac008]

It can't be helped, this is just the reality that we live in now but if this prices came out a few years back without the recession, probably no one would have a problem with it.