Is the PS Vita dead ?

Glossy, shiny and capable of so many things to so many people. Where has the PS Vita gone wrong (other than the fact it will pull your pants down to your ankles if you manage to get it into your pocket.....)

It’s been no secret that Sony’s latest handheld, the PS Vita has been struggling to take off since it release a couple of years ago. But does this mean that the Vita is just going to fade away and be forgotten? I do..

[rarity]

it's loved here in japan there's also a lot of games(that aren't indies)coming out for it(even though they're not targeted at the western audience) so i wouldn't say it's dead it's just not selling well worlwide. i mean you have freedom wars,senran kagura shinobi versus,soul sacrifice delta gets free dlc constantly,god eater 2 rage burst,chaos rings trilogy+chaos rings 3,bullet girls,criminal girls, p4 dancing all night,hyperdimension neptunia action u,hyperdimension neptunia re'birth 1,2 and 3,SAO 3,digimon cyber sleuth,gravity daze 2(already confirmed to be a vita game by famitsu) and the list goes on like i said here in japan it's wonderful it's the rest of the world that has a problem with it...

[thatbasedgamer1990]

Once I finish Uni, im moving to Japan seriously!

[rarity]

ご滞在をお楽しみください :)

[XBLSkull]

Lol after beating ninja gaiden my PS vita was dead. NG2 had frame rate problems and wasn't worth playing. I've had the thing for a year and have not touched it in 11 months. Maybe it is getting better but playing remote play on killzone SF was atrocious, that rear touch pad is worthless. Heard Diablo was good though. I regret having ever bought the thing. I'd gladly trade it for a keg of beer.

[xHeavYx]

Oh, look, XBLSkull talking crap about a Sony product again.

I use my VITA every day, especially on those long commutes to work. I've only bought 1 game for it, since PS+ has been very generous with VITA games

[NukaCola]

XBLSkull just go away.

I use my Vita all the time. I love it more than phone or 3DS gaming. I also am a big indi fan so I get spoiled. Can't wait for the 150 games coming from the NEOgaf thread. Plus Oddworld is hitting Vita soon!

[zero_gamer]

Japan has so much going for the Vita. The games I play on mine are imported from Japan. Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 recently released here, but I have been playing Re;Birth 2 since long ago. I can't wait for the newly announced Re;Birth 3.

[Odoylerules000]

Ever been there? Its a great time, I highly recommend it. In other news... it turns out XBLSkull saw his big bro drinking beer and wanted to sound grown up so... he talks about a keg of beer in his comment! Tweens try so hard.

[joeorc]

That's very good to hear, that is exactly why playstation TV is being made to make the Vita platform more viable in the west. It may work out or it may not, at least Sony is trying.

[Death]

How is PlaystationTV going to help Vita? If anything it will kill sales since you will be able to remote play and access PSNow from any other tv with PlaystationTV. The upscaler was removed from Vita when Sony decided to go with PlaystationTV which supports 1080i output.

Sony isn't trying to help Vita with PlaystationTV, they are making it less relevant.

[Anon1974]

It's really not that complicated. PSTV is based on the Vita hardware. The more Vita based harware there is out in the wild, the larger the install base of the system the more developers see it as a viable platform to develop for. If you can't see how that would help the Vita, I don't know what to tell you.

The Vita and PSTV are also not in direct competition with each other as one is a dedicated home console, the other a mobile gaming device. I really don't see how anyone could believe that one is going to hurt sales of the other. Makes about as much sense as saying the 3DS is hurting Wii-U sales.

[Concertoine]

Its like the Saturn.

Can hold its own in Japan, outside of Japan its basically a niche product with a cult fanbase begging for localizations.

[Concertoine]

Not sure why people disagree. Im not jeering, like the saturn the vita has some good games (actually more than the saturn id say). Im just saying the sales split between the two consoles are similar, in that the vita is simply not getting the sales it deserves in part due to a lack of localization for all the software in japan.

[Blaze929]

if you have to ask...

[3-4-5]

Only Vita game I see myself buying is Tales of Hearts.

The rest of these games just don't really appeal to me.

* I've tried like 15 Vita games and I've only found like 3-4 I actually truly like.

I've never had that problem on any other handheld or console.

* I just want some more traditional RPG games like Legend of Heroes or SOMETHING like that.

Almost everything is TOO Niche.

* Love the Atelier series Art style, but I personally have no interest playing as a girl in a skirt for 3 games.

So there goes those....

I don't like 1st person dungeon crawling RPG's either... so there goes like 4-5 games I won't be playing.

* Wipeout looks fun, the PsP one is, but the rest of the driving games look iffy at best.

* I have MLB the Show 13, which is a really solid game, and I had MvC:3 but returned it.

* It's like they made ALL the Vita games for the 10% who REALLY like that style, and kind of screwed over the other 90%.

I KNOW I'll get hate.....because other Vita owners can't seem to understand that NOT Everybody wants to play perv games, or run around as a girl in a short skirt.

Some of us just want to play some NORMAL fun traditional games.

I THOUGHT that is what I was getting with a Vita.

I THOUGHT it would be like my PSP, where there is a GREAT variety, and tons of quality games.

So far I WAS WRONG.....It's on me, but I don't want to give up yet.

I still have some faith we will get some better games, but all the games I thought I was going to like, turned out to be just so-so to me, or just didn't appeal to me.

* I play all genres for the most part, on almost every type of gaming device imagineable since the 1980's.

I'm open minded, and given some of these games a try, and I STILL don't like them....

They are making the wrong types of games for the Vita and it's killing the sales.

* So yea go ahead and "disagree" with me EMO kid, but not everybody wants to perv on animated women.

[DualWielding]

I agree I do like games like Neptunia, but not those that go over the top with fanservice like Monster Monopiece.... the problem of the Vita is that most of its exclusive games are japanese games that feature sexualised depictions of underage girl which puts most westerners off

[Odoylerules000]

"So yea go ahead and "disagree" with me EMO kid, but not everybody wants to perv on animated women."
You're a badass! How's that working out for you.... being all badass?

[WeAreLegion]

I don't want to say it is because I love the Vita and still play it constantly, but it's definitely in a coma outside of Japan. I don't blame Sony for moving support to PS4, but they never gave Vita the support it needed.

[joeorc]

See above, that's exactly why Sony is putting out the playstation TV for in the west , with the Viacom deal and it being about $100.00 to $70.00 cheaper entry price point, the "Vita" platform may have best been served to have been a micro-game console instead of a mobile device released in the west. And I think that is why Sony is shifting resources of the "vista" to that of playstation TV.

[GdaTyler]

The problem is that it doesn't even have the name Vita. Common customers wouldn't know and probably might ignore it anyways.

[Death]

The problem is PlaystationTV and Vita have some compatability, but not for Vita specific features or functions. Developers are not going to start supporting Vita now that the platform is being split. PlaystationTV is Sony's device that will make PSNow streaming possible for non Sony PSNow enabled HDTV's. Much of the appeal the Vita has for PS4 owners will be moved to PlaystationTV.

PlaystationTV is another nail in the Vita's coffin.

[jacksons98]

If you have PS Plus you might as well get a Vita.
I don't game a lot on my portables, but the free games every month make the purchase more than worth it.

[avengers1978]

If only I could find one. I'm thinking there's gonna be a re- release. I'm hoping to find one soon. I have plus so free games a plenty

[BattleReach]

Yes.

[Zizi]

almost

[nodim]

Oh boy, another one. Their analysis is usually so immature and useless that I'm not even irritated anymore and just enjoy making fun of these articles.
And even so this one makes a bit more sense than most of them, clickbait title alone is funny enough.

[bangoskank]

Anyone want to buy mine for $120? Didn't think so.

[Eidolon]

Is it the Slim?

[bangoskank]

Original model.

[LightningMokey]

I would but I have one... And I love it. Thinking about getting a second one for my wife.

[Odoylerules000]

I have one, thanks though.

[Automatic79]

If Sony doesn't support it then as sad as I sounds it seems like it I dead. Sold mine about 6 months ago. Awesome system but support has dwindled to Indies. Not what i expected from my first Sony portable.

[BattleReach]

Your first and your last.

[ShadowWolf712]

Sony done been supporting it, bruh.

[ShadowWolf712]

lol straight disagrees and yet this

http://www.neogaf.com/forum...

[MetroidFREAK21]

I never did see the appeal of the Vita. I mean it has a lot going for it, but the lack of quality software really hurt it. Look at the 3DS, it was hurting too for a good while before good games and a drastic price cut fixed it. But even with decent games and a price cut, the Vita is getting hammered by the 3DS. The owners of the Vita I know of hardly play the handheld as well. They prefer the 3DS.
Off-topic- But I personally prefer the 2DS which I'll be getting October 3rd.

[SteamPowered]

You are spot on about the games selling the system, its true. Vita never seemed to have the system-sellers to slow the 3DS' momentum. No matter how great or powerful any device is, its the games that sell it.
Btw- I love Freddy, but the 2DS seems like a waste of money to me. 3DS is a far better product.

[MetroidFREAK21]

I'm getting the 2DS because I cannot see 3D that well and its simply cheaper

[nodim]

>The owners of the Vita I know of hardly play the handheld as well. They prefer the 3DS.

Hello, let's get acquainted. I play vita every several days and have sold my 3ds about 3 months ago. All obviously because vita has way more solid titles plus a couple of interesting indies. Sales are not everything and sales are not quality. If your friends like jap 3ds games (and not only mario and pokemons) then they are simply not attentive enough to vita's growing library or you wouldn't say these funny things. If you really have any friends with vita, of course.

Anyway, you can update your statistics now.

[Death]

While not one of his friends, I have a Vita I turn on every so often just to update it. The Vita does have games, but they are not whay Sony promised when they released the worlds most powerful handheld. Most of the good games are from the PSP library and the few exceptions are far to far between. Sony does not support the Vita with their first party studios which says a lot. Had I known Sony was going to let it turn into an indie portal I would never have bought it.

If you feel it has some really great games I would say it is just a matter of expectations. Some people are happy with the quality of software being released and some expected more.

[Spotie]

And yet everyone I know with one plays it regularly. Hell, I just put mine down after a bit of Ys between classes. I'll probably play more on my lunch break at work.

And while it may not have software YOU want, I'm sitting on 20 games, and that's just what's in this memory card.

"But they're all console ports and indies from PC."

And neither my PS4 or my laptop fit in my pocket. I also don't recall seeing Gravity Rush, Ys, KZ:Mercenaries, or plenty of other games anywhere else (unless, like Sound Shapes, it was later ported elsewhere).

Just stop with the weak attempts, would you?

[joeorc]

Its like the argument about how the PlayStation TV is another nail in the PlayStation vita viability..they are both running the same chip set, cross buy and cross play is where development is heading for the "vita" as a platform what does it freaking matter if the d@men playstation TV has "Vita" in its name, many gamers will still say the Vita is dead..lmao

The point is since Unity 3D runs native on the Vata chip set it would not really be a problem to have the same game run on both. There is still over 8 million install base for the PlayStation Vita as a platform, most of the vita games are digital releases anyway if your playstation vita and PlayStation TV both use the same blank memory card slot and game slot? Than yes they can get the same game to run on both.

You can map out the touch pad on the back of the vita to be L1 and L2

And like you said it is a very weak argument.

[MetroidFREAK21]

Re read my comment. Its an opinion, my opinion on the PS Vita. I'm not saying yours has to agree to be relevant, or to prove you wrong. I'm simply stating "I" (that key letter in my comment) never saw appeal. I'm sure the people who bought it are quite happy with it. But for me nah. And that's good everyone YOU know plays the hell out of it. Everyone "I" know... (Oh look I again) doesn't enjoy it because the lack of great games. Sure there are some decent and some exceptional titles, but it still doesn't change the fact that from personal experience where "I" am from in the US, the Vita has flopped. Sorry that you assumed that I was making it seem terrible when and I quote myself by saying "it has a lot going for it" its not a terrible handheld, but its shortcomings (meaning games) cannot be ignored.

[andron]

Did you remember to charge it?

[CerealKiller]

Its not dead just on life support.

[Eidolon]

I just bought one to play/platinum a few games, especially the Instant Collection games.

[masterfox]

Where has the PS Vita gone wrong ? simple, the horrible disgusting name!, PSP sold like 80 million and Sony for its succesor what it does ? changed a well known name!, sorry Sony that was very stupid by your side dunno what you were thinking. and NO it wasn't their overexpensive memory cards, take for example the PS3 release at 599 bucks!, yes everybody complain still it sold like hot pancakes, why you may ask? again pretty simple cause its famous name "Playstation"!, another example look the Iphone 6, that thing hasn't change at all in terms of capabilities still it will sell lot like a mothe#$fu#$cker! why ? well is an Iphone brand.

See Sony is pretty simple you just killed your own brand the PSP.

[SteamPowered]

If Nintendo can sell a million systems called "The Wii" I think anything goes. Vita isnt the worst title ever.

[iliimaster]

nintendo has all the games t hat will make you pick up your handheld system and feel great about your purchase they have the games that sell on handhelds little big planet is fun but its no mario or luigi

[Protagonist]

Why would you think every gamer likes mario or luigi?

I dont! I prefere for the PS Vita.

[iliimaster]

im talking sales wise man the vita is dead and the 2ds/3ds xl etc keep selling like hot cakes.... do you see any 3ds is doomed articles everyday? its not my business to know what you prefer but there is millions of people throwing money at the 3DS

[Protagonist]

Close to 10 million units sold is not dead selling wise and besides 2ds/3ds is a favourite amongst parents who buys them for their little kids...

I dont have any proof and I´m not about to google it but I am pretty sure 2/3 of who owns a handheld nintendo is a kid.

You are absolutely right, it is NOT your business to know what I prefere and that is why I tell you that not every GAMER likes nintendo games.
Kids on the other hand gets it as a present from their parents thus the popularity.

Besides if you say that doomed articles about the PS Vita is common, then you dont really know, do you? You just liked the headline of this one, didn´t you!

Please give us the daily articles, you are talking about...I´m here everyday, so unless you know more than me, then please provide.

[iliimaster]

so the ps vita is alive and well with great games to come why do coverage on e3? list the amazing games line up for this and next year ? i may buy one if your list is good

[llxKonanxll]

I'm loving mine in terms of the vast amount of games that are available to me. i like how there's integration for trophy support, the UI is easy to navigate and the battery life on my VITA 2000 goes all day. The only dislike i have is the design. It makes playing for long periods of time without trigger grips tiresome on the hands(especially if you have large hands).

[InTheLab]

You don't even have to ask the question when Shu comes out and tells you Sony's 1st party will not be making games for it.

It's also one of the worst selling games platforms ever made.

Yes it's dead.

[Protagonist]

Provide that link please!

[InTheLab]

http://m.softpedia.com/shuh...

Could have just googled it

[iliimaster]

lol this guy prolly holding onto his vita as hes typing this

[ndub317]

Atari Lynx, N-Gage, Atari 5200, Philips CD-I, ColecoVision , Intellivision, Atari 7800, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo Sega Saturn all sold less than the vita. Vita still has life all other systems listed is already discontinued.

[Fizzler]

If the Vita was Microsofts product, everyone would be laughing at it, it would be constantly ridiculed for it's support and games library, but since it's Sony product it's automatically a success!
Honest answer, yes, it's been dead and buried for some time now, people are just in denial and unfortunately disagree's aren't gonna dig it back up.

[llxKonanxll]

That's not the case. The vita has an enormous library already and a vast amount of games are set to come in the future. You're getting disagrees because your'e wrong, not because your opinion is right.

[Fizzler]

Quality over quantity.

[llxKonanxll]

Your opinion. Your comment from the start is filled with fanboyism that holds no weight in an objective statement. People are still buying it in large numbers, and more games are being developed for it. Just because YOU don't like it's particular games doesn't mean no one else will. Please understand that.

[Silly gameAr]

Yes, yes, yes, MS is ALWAYS the victim. No one bought MS up here. No one wants to hear the victim crap in every article.

And, the Vita may be dead to you but it's still around and games are still being made for it and announced everyday. If that's dead then what would you call alive?

[Fizzler]

At least we can agree on one thing, on N4G, Microsoft is indeed ALWAYS the victim.
And this is coming from someone who has only ever owned Sony consoles.

[InTheLab]

These are not just Sony fanboys disagreeing, but overly optimistic vita fans who have convinced themselves that ANY new vita game is a good game and it down right embarrassing.

They blindly disagree with you despite the terrible sales. Sony says they are making less games and they say there's TONS of games coming. Sony says it's more of a companion to the ps4 and they cheer as if it's cool to pay $200 for a controller.

[hkgamer]

pretty much dead in the west. dont expect many games to be made by western developers unless its a lego or another skin update for fifa.

luckily there is quite a number of games available on the device and a bunch more that was announced at sony pretgs. the vita community would still be around for years.

the last hope for the western territories is the psTV, maybe that can somehow revive the vita.

[Blues Cowboy]

Nope, it has just found a new niche. As a fan of indie games and localised JPRGs/cult hits, I'm in it.

[hiawa23]

Yes, it is dead for those of us that want games like Ninja Gaiden 1 and 2, Uncharted, Madden, NBA, shooters, console like experience on the go, and anything other than rpg, Indie, bite sized phone like games. Sony buried the Vita a long time ago for many of us in the States which loved the PSP, and bought the Vita on Day 1, hoping by adding another analog stick w/kickass hardware would lead to more of the games we wanted to play, and not the Indie stuff which it is flooded with now.

[nodim]

It's funny how you mention NG which is from Koei Tecmo that is still one of the most supporting companies for vita.

[Gunstar75]

My Vita has been in its case for months. Sony's support for it was lacklustre to say the least

[joeorc]

Is it wonder when every game pretty much is seen as a watered down ps3 port or indie game released is seen as a port of an existing Android or iOS game that you can get cheaper on those platforms, by many gamers the system has no games the perception of what it is can at this point not be changed because its already seen that way by not only gamers and also the media. The perception of the product has been set for the playstation vita good or bad it is what it is.

Sony is shifting that to a relaunch of the PlayStation Vita as a platform to that of a micro-game console.

Where a:

There is no Nintendo or Microsoft offering a "micro-Game console"

And

B: where as a Micro-Game console that has a standard Game pad support that Developers can code to just like they already do for the PS4, PS3 etc.

In the West the playstation vita as a platform has its perception as a product set. Thus Sony is doing really the only thing they can do.
People may say make more AAA games, would that really help its perception at this point..No I doubt it because those games are seen as just watered down PS3 ports.

Sony gave up trying to push the vita as a platform in the west, because the consumers in the west pretty much gave up on the playstation bits from the get go. They want a Nintendo something handheld or a smartphone or tablet more than a playstation Vita.

As s Micro-Game console Sony pictures is target is the top set box market like the Apple TV or Roku or Google TV market. And with after 7 years on the market Apple TV being the install base leader is just 25 million sold through units! That's right only 7 Million 4 generations of the Apple TV released and yet Sony has just Acquired the deal with Viacom and not Apple, Not Google, not Roku, Not Microsoft..

But a company absolutely swimming in red ink. And yet Sony got the deal that took over a year to get .

So which area do you think Sony needs to push as a platform for the "Vita" in mobile game market where the products perception of it is already a "dead" platform or to a place in the market where Sony has a pretty good chance to put the playstation Vita as a "streaming" content be that movies , TV shows or as its main design function as a cheap entry game console that can direct connect into an existing Eco system that consumers already know. Playstation "living room" console gaming.

Making the Vita as a platform into a micro-game console was the better choice. The other way would have been throwing good money right after bad, because people's perception of the Vita is already that of a dead platform. Why fight it' shift the platform where it has a chance to grow it's chances to over throw Apple TV as the #1 TV streaming box in north America are pretty d@men good at this point and that truely means more playstation Vita games to boot.

[V0LT]

I don't even see the things in the shelves anymore any where where I live. I know it
isnt selling out so something is up.

[Bowzabub]

Mine is charged.

[NotAfanBoyy]

I've been hoping the PS TV could turn things around for the Vita, but after looking at the new list of launch games I'm not so sure.

No good exclusive system sellers like Uncharted Golden Abyss, Unit 13, Resistance Burning Skies

I guess you can still pay $10 for old PS1 games on PSN

and there's the overpriced PS2 HD remakes

[joeorc]

Oh' please no good exclusive games? The games you listed were one of the "just watered down ps3 ports" claim, than you have what you stated about well you can still buy ps1 and over priced PS2 games.

With perception based on your attitude being the majority is it any d@mn wonder Sony is shifting main investment resources to that of the playstation TV. Nothing is going to change the perception of the viability of the playstation vita.

The dead horse beating is getting pretty ironic at this point. Because Sony is releasing the playstation TV mainly for the market in the top set streaming box market. Where the market leader after 7 years has only sold through 25 million units..

[DEATHxTHExKIDx]

No its just Niche like the article says indies/jrpgs/ports and maybe once in awhile a. AAA game and if u like that Vita is good for u.

[Protagonist]

"PS Vita has been struggling to take off"

Close to 10 millions units sold in 2 years with tons of games is hardly struggling!

[PSNintyGamer]

Ten million in two years is terrible, there's no spinning that, especially whemboth the 3DS and PSP had sold way more by that time

[Protagonist]

Uhmm no, it is not terrible! Unless you have an agenda to make those number seem terrible.

[pop-voxuli]

NO

[SharnOfTheDEAD]

Just finished Murasaki Baby although short, showed that the Vita can be used in many clever ways. Also plenty of new games like Disgea revisited and danganronpa 2. plenty of life in it yet.

[Artista]

I'm actually moving to England for University, and the first thing my brother asked me was, "are you leaving your vita behind 'cause you never play it".

Lol
It has been in its case for so long. I'm looking to pick up Ys and Gravity Rush soon for it.
It's a JRPG and Indie machines. If those aren't really your thing, then you won't be spending much time with Vita.

Also, when I finally get a PS4 it'll be nice to use remote play.

[RosweeSon]

AAA, gran turismo, grand theft auto, metal gear all had their own psp exclusive versions and maybe a sequel to uncharted once 4 is out of the way or killzone mercenary 2 and gravity rush. Indies are great and all that but the vita veritably wasn't built just for indies and to allow remote play sort it out sony.

[ikk47]

HAHA I sold my original Vita and then after a month, I realize I had made a mistake in life thinking games on my smartphone would do for mobile gaming..... Just last week, I ran and ordered a Slim model from Amazon.com
YES, now my life is back on track!

[PhucSeeker]

Lost my original Vita last year thanks to my stupid brain keep forgetting to put stuff in my bag before going home . After 1 week of sulking , i try living for 4 whole months without the damn thing and nope , just have to buy a new one .

[captainexplosion]

I have never liked handhelds before but I love my Vita. I play it as much as my PS4, XB1, WiiU, and 3DS combined. But yes, considering Sony still hasn't even added a content manager to the PS4 I think Sony is letting it die.

[sanosukegtr123]

Another article of " Is the vita dead" no its not you!

[HentaiMasterRace]

Nope, no console/handheld this generation is dead. Why is everyone obsessed with the idea of a device meeting it's doom? Sony does indeed need to rethink their selling strategy though. TGS also revealed quite a bunch of good games for it. I think it will pick up more steam in the summer of 2015, maybe sooner.

[Hold_It]

I'm so fucking tired of seeing these articles. There's a new PS Vita is dead article every other week. Is it dead? No. Is it dead to you? Probably.

[PhucSeeker]

Business : A gaming system is truly dead only if there's no more game coming to the system and the mother company pull the plug of the network service for the system .

Gamer : A gaming system is dead if they stop using it and either throw it away or selling it and never again using the system for the rest of their life .

So yeah , maybe it's dead to some but not to many others , and definitely not on the business market . Little support is different than stop supporting altogether .

[Killzoner99]

Vita means life so I highly doubt it's dead. I am getting tired of these troll , clickbait articles.