Will the Vita Always be a Niche Console?

Sony’s handhelds have always been second to Nintendo’s in the west. The Playstation Portable was mainly owned by those who really loved Sony’s exclusive titles or people who enjoyed emulation thanks to the Playstation Portable’s homebrew scene. Many people argued that the PSP didn’t do as well as it should have thanks to piracy whilst others would argue that it’s doing just fine or that Nintendo’s portable consoles were just too big to overtake.

[bothebo]

Lol well the real value of gaming hardware is the software you can run on it. I'm surprised indies weren't addressed as they are not doing much for the system other than (poorly) filling a software drought along with Japanese shovelware (no not Toukiden or Final Fantasy X). The fact that we have no announced games from Sony outside of SCEJ is simply astonishing and shows that there is really no push to get this thing into people's hands. So yes, I think it is a niche handheld, a niche within a niche. I mean honestly there is no real diversity in its software catalog and indies will contribute very little if nothing to that with the majority of indie games being bland on the Vita.

[3-4-5]

They do still need that "mario like" game that will sell 5+ million copies.

I think FF X/S-2 is going to help it sell a bit better and it's also getting more good games as the months go by.

2014-2015 should be good for the Vita, that is about the time (2-3 years) when the PSP started getting a ton of good games.

[dedicatedtogamers]

It will be. Heck, if you look at PSP's game sales, the PSP was a niche console (even the highest-selling games never got more than 5m in sales) and I'm doubtful the Vita will sell more than the PSP.

I still love the dang thing. Gonna play the Toukiden demo tonight.

[Protagonist]

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories sold close to 8m and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite close to 6m. Now considering how heavily pirated PSP games (out of 80m sold PSPs) was, "copies" of the games, was probably much higher.

Compare that to PS Vitas user base with 7.35m after two years, with three games close to a million each (Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Assassin's Creed III: Liberation, Call of Duty Black Ops: Declassified) it may seem like a niche, but games actually sell better for the PS Vita than the PSP.

[WatDoesTheStarFoxSay]

I don't think it's a niche handheld at all. There are tons of great games and the library is growing every month. If you own a PS4 you should own a Vita also. Until Playstation Now comes out that is. I'm Just Joking! But seriously it's a great system, except for the memory cards. They really need to change that! If you buy it you won't be disapointed, just don't buy the "new" one, buy the old one because it has a bmuch better screen! IMP

[kopicha]

indeed, Vita is definitely PS4's best companion. Seeing demo video or listening to how people talk about it is almost pointless. One needs to really hold it on their hands and actually use them together to really see magic between the 2.

Not to forget that With PS Plus, basically even if you dont buy any games for your Vita, you wont run out of games to play with it. Free games from Instant game collection + Remote Play anywhere as long as you have a good Wifi connection = Greatness Awaits

[Team_Litt]

I'll answer that question with another question, what is a PlayStation Vita?
No I kid.
Yes, the Vita will always be a niche console, to sell less than 100k during the busiest month of the year in the biggest gaming market is not a good sign.

[DualWielding]

yes, but even the 3DS is kinda niche in the West, most western studios and gamers see handhelds as second rate consoles, don't respect them like Japanese do.. that's why Vita main base would always be those that enjoy Japanese games

[Aggesan]

You do know that the 3DS was the best selling console in every region during 2013, right? It's hardly niche.

[cyphertech]

If psblog makes another post about a new vita game thats some "quirky" japanese anything I'm gonna lose my mind. Yes, it's niche, but I love the Vita and the games. I also like unique experiences so niche isn't usually a negative term for me.

[TheKayle1]

it is already

[nevin1]

PSP found an audience.

[tubers]

Long answer: Yeeeeeeeeeeeesssssss..
Short answer: Yes.

PS Now not being exclusive to the handheld is another nail in its coffin.

Disagree with the card prices. They're almost irrelevant to the gravity of the lack of software/system sellers.

[captainexplosion]

Nah, memory card prices are a huge deterrent.

[captainexplosion]

If Sony actually promoted the thing and reduced the cost of mem cards that would help a ton. Right now a decent memory card costs $80. If Now works well on it and if Sony releases another LBP and Tearaway plus maybe Rathcet and Clank and Resogun then it could sell. I think the Vita is better than the 3DS but I don't think Sony is committed to the system.

[Veneno]

The vita could use some key system selling titles like:

GTA
A GOOD Call of Duty game
a Demons' Souls spin off
Gran Turismo
God of War
A true Naughty Dog experience on the Vita
Elder Scrolls/Fallout
Metal Gear
Street Fighter

and if they can't get the 3rd party titles, then Sony must make their own clones of these popular games.

[NYC_Gamer]

PSV is a wasted quality piece of hardware that's failing due to not having enough support

[kewlkat007]

Yes!!

You know why?

It does not reach the mass audience it needs to compete with the DS. Nintendo only does well because of it's 1st-party games and the age group that is made up of most DS purchases.

At the end of the day, if the vita is suppose to be an extension of a mature console like the PS4, then it will never beat the DS. I just don't see many 18-35 year olds buying handheld consoles.

[DualWielding]

In the West, that's what I'm talking about unfortunately lot of people in the West thing like that. In Japan is different people treat handhelds as seriously as main consoles. Handhelds are niche in the west because of this mentality.

Vita and 3DS main appeal for me is their Japanese exclusives,

[sGIBMBR]

I got the Vita to accompany my PS4 near launch and it was worth it for Tearaway alone.

[Belking]

I believe it already is. Sony never releases any sales figures for it and it's always at the bottom of the list. Same goes for software for it. Might as well just use it for remote play only.

[GarrusVakarian]

Lol, no. It may not be a raging success, but to say people may as well use it JUST for remote play is ignorant. Remote play is an awesome feature and i can see it helping the Vita sales considerably, but all the Vita needs are some great, dedicated exclusives for it to pick up momentum. It has plenty of games....it just needs THE game. The game that sells it.

I bet it pleases you so much to see the Vita "struggling". You know you have nothing on the PS4, so you bash constantly on it's baby brother. Haha.

[SpiralTear]

It will be unless Sony quits neglecting it and actually gives it the attention and support it deserves.

[dcj0524]

Mark me part of the niche. Gravity Rush was aTHE game just like how Halo is THE game or Uncharted is THE game.