Should Sony Stop Developing Portable Game Consoles?

After the poor sales performance of the Playstation Vita , should Sony just skip handhelds all together? There's no doubt that the Playstation Portable was a stellar handheld system with some real classics.

With the launch of the Playstation Vita, we and many others expected a true successor. After poor sales and marketing of the system, Sony dropped first party game support for the console, referring to it mostly as an add on for the Playstation 4.

[PixelGateUk]

There's still a market there, it's just really tricky to crack these days

[DarkOcelet]

I think if Sony makes a next handheld then it should be a Phone and a portable console at the same time.

That way, it can attract both games and Mobile market.

[Kaneki-Ken]

They did before but with the PSP and it was a flop.

[_-EDMIX-_]

Not sure what you mean by flop as it sold 80 plus million.

Not really sure thats a "flop" lol

[Yobo5]

@ Areku_Senpai

I think you mean this:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-...

[Kurisu]

Remember the Xperia Play? They've been there and done that, but they put no effort in to bringing PlayStation games to it. It had a lot of potential but in the end all I had for it was Crash Bandicoot which came preinstalled.

[DemonChicken]

@ Dark

disagree - prefer proper games - thing the VITA is lacking is games. The VITA is a plenty hardware capable portable hand held and like the PS4, it has the potential.

I know Sony has neglected the VITA in respect to first party support but they could up the third party support. I would also love see some or most 3DS games on the VITA and as you can imagine the VITA is a better handheld spec wise but game wise not great. Only thing stopping me getting a 3DS is it's region block plus multi-platform = better sales.

ALSO Sony could make use of the success with the PS4 to capitalise and push the VITA.The VitaTV is a good idea but how about using their gaikai technology and stream Vita games to PS4 (remote play is gaikai tech and very useful!) and use the VITA similar like the WiiU game pad?

tl:dr just blasting ideas - need more games, if they won't support first party then push for more third party. Make use of the PS4 install base.

[donwel]

@DemonChicken
I wouldn't say it's lacking in games, it has plenty of those. It would be more accurate to say it's lacking in 1st party games.
Sony's attention has shifted towards making PS4 a success, which is fair enough as they'd lose a lot more money from the PS4 failing than the Vita. Then again they're obviously making some money from Vita otherwise it would already have been discontinued.

[Knushwood Butt]

There was never much third party support for Vita outside of Japan.

In Japan, it's pretty healthy. Globally, not.

On topic, yes, there must be an alternative to playing Nintendo stuff.

[never4get]

Sony Xperia Octa-Core Phone with Detachable Controller!

[ABizzel1]

No they shouldn't.

They're much better off simply making an android based gaming focused tablet, with dedicated controls, and labeling it PlayStation Tablet, and if it's really that important making a PS Portal / PS app that has games developed specifically by Sony and their partners just like NVIDIA does with the shield.

A $299 all purpose tablet that has dedicated PS games, and enough performance to play PS1, PSP, PS2, PSV, and PS3 games while streaming PS4 and PS5 and syncing a DualShock 4 or 5, with "MICROSD SUPPORT"...

is a much easier sell than a $199 gaming handheld that needs apps and services programmed for it (so waiting months / years for things like YouTUbe and Netflix), and having it turn into an indie only platform, and dedicated memory cards that cost $100.

Plus a tablet is bigger, can squeeze in better an more powerful tech, and looking at what the Shield tablet can do, handhelds need a significant upgrade in both specs, hardware (HDMI-out and more), and software support (features like TV mode).

[PoSTedUP]

Im the only one thats still blown away by killzone mercs on a handheld. Yeah they should make another handheld, and yeah gtaVstories will be an early launch title. theyve learned from their mistakes. Not making another one would be a mistake. No more rolling the dice, do it right. Get the big third parties on board early, get a big game to make it take off, once it does, third parties wont be able to resist. More big games, indies will quadruple. You cant sell a console with no marketing and new (even though awesome) IPs. Being Bass akwards was their biggest mistake. it shouldve been, and infact is, the otherway around. Old but goodies first (e.g. GT, GTA, FF etc) then new IPs. That way you gain userbase and will sell more of the new IPs. Shame to see potential like gravity rush and tearaway go to waste.

[strike101]

they need to release a cheap handheld ... it will sell...

[donthate]

Great... we don't need another non-supported Sony device. Thanks, but NO thanks!

[XisThatKid]

In short I hope not I rely on my Vita heavily

[pivotplease]

The Vita has been cheap. Price wasn't the problem since I bought a PSP for 300 and Vita for 200 only two years after launch.

The problem is they need to balance their home and handheld consoles financially and divvy out games fairly. I don't think they will be in a position to pull this off until the PS4 has had another two years of success. When games like Uncharted and all of the JRPGs come, Sony will be in a dominant position globally and will be more open to risks and investments.

[digitalwolf]

No all they need to do is stop with the proprietary memory card BS.

That's literally their only problem with EVERY portable console.

[Kaneki-Ken]

They just need to advertise the system in the west because Japan get great advertising. Never once saw a Vita been advertise in NA, unless you talking about remote play with the PS4.

[Hoffmann]

Things would be so different if Sony would have build up a Pokemon like game series on it or the psp and also got Capcom to continue making mH games for their portables. + more Phantasy Star Online games maybe

[_-EDMIX-_]

@Hoff- that is easier said then done, Pokemon isn't some copy and paste concept that is received the same way regardless of IP.

That is like saying, if only they can make their own GTA or Call Of Duty..

I mean you do realize that Pokemon is on a unreachable level right now even for Nintendo standards right?

You can't catch what Pokemon is, its established and a phenomenon, its not just this easy thing to copy and do million as many reasons factor into Pokemon's long term success that many can't match, not even the company that owns Pokemon can match such a thing, even if the wanted to.

[Kaneki-Ken]

You may disagree but is true. Let's face it, when was the last time Sony bother advertising the Vita in NA, there are many people here that they don't know what is Ps Vita and they don't know is a successor to the PSP because it doesn't say the word PSP 2. I own a Ps Vita, still supporting it and waiting for God Eater Resurrection and RAGE BURST 2 in the summer, Attack Of Titan, Sword Art Online Hollow Realization. Here in New York is rare, finding a person owning and playing a Vita.

[Elda]

I've never seen advertisement for Vita either & I live in the tri-state area.

[Xb1ps4]

To me it wouldn't matter because I wouldn't buy it...

[pivotplease]

I would be skeptical because of how the Vita support panned out, but I would also be interested because in all honesty I put triple the hours into my Vita than my PSP. I'm odd like that though. I still think the best software lineup Nintendo had was on the GBA.

[dauntingpixel]

i think the market that wants it is already firmly grounded in wither Nintendo or cell phones. i'm not a fan and think it's a whole lot of effort with far too little payback.

[ONESHOTV2]

DemonChicken i agree with more games would have been very good but streaming vita games to the ps4 is one i can't agree on

[3-4-5]

It's not tricky at all.

Just have a wide variety of appealing games with art styles that are pleasing to look at like on 3DS.

Vita is a great handheld with a poor selection of games.

There isn't enough variety and most of the games released for it in the past 2 years have been cringeworthy teeny bop anime games full of women characters in short skirts with huge boobs.

^ That style only appeals to so many people, and I'd be embarrassed to play 95% of those games.

PSP had a great selection of games, which is why it was successful.

The variety of games needs to be there and it is not.

[Seraphim]

that is a huge problem for those who own. Game selection. I've been thinking it would be pretty nice to see more games brought over from PSP to Vita. Daxter, Crisis Core, and so on. Obviously some new stuff is much needed but imo it wouldn't hurt.

Think overall though the US just doesn't have a huge market for handhelds. Some who did buy the PSP realized they had no need or reason for it so passed on Vita. Kids these days are being born and growing up with tablets and phone games. And of course you have Nintendo with all their DS units that are more appealing to many who do want a handheld in part because of their library. I love my Vita but I can't recall the last time a game that was good, that was of interest released on it.

[3-4-5]

U.S. has a huge market for handhelds, as the 3DS is the best selling gaming device this gen and the DS is one of the best selling gaming devices of all time.

DS+3DS has a ton of variety. Not just a few games for everyone, but a TON of games for everyone of all different genres and subgenres.

The winning formula is there, but Sony tried to make it a portable PS3/4 and that was a terrible move.

It also has way too many Otaku/Weebo games.

[C-H-E-F]

The vita sold bad for lack of advertisement, the console is by far the best handheld device i've ever used. I think if they do it again they need to do it RIGHT and really support it. During the ps3 and ps4 gen they just promoted it as a tack on device. Really horrible because I love my vita.

[Eidolon]

It's not tricky, they just aren't very invested in the thing. All this crap about "ohh mobile now adays is ruining the handheld console market" is BS, there will always be a decent market for handheld consoles, but it takes QUALITY over QUANTITY of games to make it successful.

[nogoodusernamesleft]

sony should just throw in da towel with handhelds the 1st psp was infested with piracy and mods the vita only sells 3 units a month per region. sony abandoned it all major third party abandoned it. only indies and anime agmes left

[Fluke_Skywalker]

What they should stop doing is bringing out hand held consoles and not supporting them!
And by that I don't just mean with game development I also mean with advertising and supporting other debs to bring content to the console. Helping 3rd party publishers etc.
The Vita is an a amazing bit of kit, but after the first year they just completely abandoned it. They never gave it nearly enough promotion, so it didn't sell as good as it could've and thus 3rd party publishers saw no reason to spend money making games for it.

[digitalwolf]

People are talking about all this stuff when the only reason the vita failed is the memory cards, EVERY TIME.

The memory cards are proprietary and STUPIDLY EXPENSIVE.

Same with the PSP, but at least there were other devices that used those memory cards and it had a footing.

LOOK AT THIS. WHY?

http://www.amazon.com/PlayS...

[Yumekichigai]

Sony just needs to do better next time.

[PancakeLova]

True dat or they can just realize that it's inevitable.

[smashman98]

If theyre gonna treat it the way they did the vita then absolutely not

[2pacalypsenow]

No they should support them more and stop using stupid proprietary memory cards.

[pivotplease]

That would be a breakthrough. Realistically if a handheld came out with the extra shoulder buttons and was capable of graphical fidelity somewhere between what the PS3 and 4 are capable of (because this is the pattern they've been following unlike Nintendo) I'd be all over that.

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

I don't buy digital Vita games because I have no memory card space, I don't buy Vita memory cards because they are overpriced as fuc, I don't buy new Vita games because there are no good new Vita games unless you like the extremely weird, perverted Japanese games. Even if there are rare good Japanese games without a dub I'm not paying full price. Pretty much the Vita is just a portable PS1 for me which is great if it didn't lack a lot of the PS1 library. Sony shouldn't make another portable if they are going to wage another war on piracy which only hurt them and the consumer in the end.

[Xb1ps4]

Well said.. Memory card is one of the reason why I stopped buying games and I didn't even realise the reason for the memory cards was all about piracy.. Sony went in thinking piracy first....

[DragoonsScaleLegends]

Every time I see a message about not having enough space I die a little inside thinking about what the Vita should have been.

[Sgt_Slaughter]

Two of the biggest things it needs:

1) Far more 1st Party support
2) Better memory format, if it's proprietary then make it cheaper

Those two basically hurt the longevity of the system, if not killed it.

[_-EDMIX-_]

I actually think the memory issue hurt it more then the first party issue.

PS Vita is getting amazing 3rd party support. Titles like World Of Final Fantasy and Setsuna of Sacrifice and snow are showing it has its place with 3rd party publishers in terms of long term support.

I'm not sure more first party titles would sell millions more PS Vitas.

[pivotplease]

And I'd also argue...

3) Notable third party support from the likes of Rockstar or Capcom.

(Monster Hunter and GTA are the two series that skyrocketed the PSP. Look it up.)

[freshslicepizza]

after this generation things will change and sony will push it's online services more like playstation now. so instead of making hardware for a handheld they can just offer streaming services on android.

[Fishy Fingers]

Should of stopped at the PSP.

[MadLad]

I liked the PSP.

They just handled the Vita poorly.
It was an incredibly well-built machine wish solid tech. They just didn't support it well.

[MasterCornholio]

In the beginning they did. It was later on when support dropped off.

P.S I bought my Vita at launch.

[pivotplease]

Maybe it's like the Wii U syndrome where the name and lack of advertising lead to people not knowing if the system was a successor or just some new SKU.

[uth11]

I think many parents just buy tablets for their kids these days instead of portables and that hurt the portable market.

If they do another game device, it should be a kind of hybrid- have an Android mode so it can play all the hot apps, but also have proper thumbstick controls and it's own proper game library that can be coded to the metal, that way it could start reclaiming some of the tablet market.

[DJ]

Almost no one knows what the Vita is. The name hurt the consumer visibility. Just re-release it as "PSP 2", with no GAME CARD slot, and make 128GB the default size.

[PancakeLova]

Think they would learn their lesson already.

[Immorals]

People don't want a portable console, they want a different experience, one that's easier to pick up and play for 10 minutes here and there. Nintendo know this, and that's why they sell such a ridiculous amount.

[MadLad]

How exactly is Nintendo doing this, honestly?

The 3DS, for all intent and purpose, is a portable console. And is supported by many, many titles aimed at the core gamer.
Hell, their biggest seller could take players hundreds of hours to complete.

[MasterCornholio]

Xenoblade and Bravely Default are fantastic games that are not aimed at the casuals.

[pivotplease]

Nintendo just has a monopoly on the franchises that matter and that's the problem. I don't know if they're still using that Wii money or what but I think things are going back in Sony's favour for Square again at least.

[MadLad]

The franchises they have a monopoly on are the ones that they made popular.

Final Fantasy is no exception to that fact, but that all changed over almost two decades ago with the N64 and the Playstation.

I'm not sure what you mean.

If you help create, develop and push an IP, you have every right to holding that IP.

[gangsta_red]

Sony should focus on the mobile smart phone side of gaming. Start releasing their IP's for smart phones.

[Tobsesan]

Im not sure if they already did that with the Vita. But theire is a market for it. Just look how great the 3DS is doing.

[nommers]

I wish Japanse studios would completely halt their handheld development tbh. They need to keep their attention on consoles and PC gaming.

[RosweeSon]

No but if they are going to do one actually support it past year 2-3 rather than now they've just given up and left it for the indies, some great games sure but that console can handle uncharted and Killzone surely Sony could have brought some more big guns along, no GTA, Gran Turismo, God of war or metal gear except for the ports psp had exclusive entries for all these big games vita got left high and dry.

[ApocalypseShadow]

It's a tougher market today with so many phones and tablets on the market. And with Nintendo's continuous near monopoly on the handheld market. But it's not for a lack of trying. It's selling great in Japan. It was the west that shunned PS Vita.

Gamers complained it might be expensive,but then,Sony revealed the price to be the SAME price as PSP when it launched at $249.Better technology for the same price. Then Nintendo dropped its overpriced 3DS (because we know Nintendo sells cheap hardware for high profit), and gamers said now PS Vita was expensive again.

Gamers complained about memory cards prices.And maybe that's true. But gamers were rampant in their theft of PSP games previously. I mean stealing games left and right off the net like Dreamcast, PS1 and PS2. Sony had no choice but to go proprietary.hackers would have definitely cracked any DRM.

Also, games were bagged on as hand me downs."Uncharted is not PS3 uncharted.""Killzone is not console killzone." So Sony pushed REMOTE PLAY to PS4. Now you get next gen quality games on a console not capable of those graphics. There shouldn't be ANY complaints that you can do that from anywhere in the world using the internet,PS Vita and PS4.

And most gamers who PS Vita is marketed to(adults) are going to want to play next gen games on a TV or monitor. So it is what it is. But it wasn't for a lack of trying because the portable is amazing.

Maybe they can try again and let Mark Cerny make their next portable.

[tmisellati]

how about re launching the ps vita with new added features and getting rid of the features we hate.
for example, providing it with slightly larger screen , R2/L2 buttons and replacing the vita memory card slot with a SD card one !!

[FallenAngel1984]

I'm amazed that Vita has still somehow managed to sell more than Wii U

[hiawa23]

I say yes, they should stop. I preferred and loved the PSP vs the DS, preferred the Vita over the 3DS, but Sony just shut things down very early with the Vita and I would not buy another handheld from them. I wanted more console style games like Ninja Gaiden 1/2, uncharted, Cod, and none of the phone like Indy games which I have no interest in. The tech behind the Vita is amazing, though..

[ApocalypseShadow]

You're the perfect example that I spoke about above. You want CONSOLE quality games for a portable.

REMOTE PLAY gives you NEXT GEN quality games on a portable NOT capable of those graphics. You can play Until Dawn,Uncharted 4,the next Gran Turismo,Ratchet and Clank,SF5,etc,etc on it from anywhere in the world with good internet connection.

There's no point in making graphically intensive games for it when Western gamers aren't buying the system like the Japanese are. And if you want, indies will still be there to enjoy because there are some great ones made.

[Junebug]

He's known to troll on vita articles... That is the way he is!

[hiawa23]

I don't want to play PS4 games on my Vita. Remote play has no appeal to me, so I use mine mostly for my PSP games which I own my complete digital PSP collection on it, & I love games like Killzone, Uncharted, that were built for the Vita, not piggy backing PS4 games on the Vita screen. If I am at home, PS4 games are played on the big screen. I play my PS4 games on my PS4.

[hiawa23]

Junebug, your response is pure bull. I am no troll when it comes to the Vita. I merely state my opinion, which is I love the Vita, I just expected more games built to take advantage if its hardware that appealed to me. I am no troll. That is just ridiculous. If u don't't agree with me that doesn't make me a troll. To old for that foolishness.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Sounds reasonable. But the Japanese are buying the system and games because it is fun. AAA title or not. Saying you don't like *ANY* Indy games limits your definition of games.

Either it's fun or not.

No point of Sony making or pushing devs to make expensive games when western gamers aren't buying it for *games.*

So your choice is indies,psnow and remote play. While the Japanese don't care as long as it's a *good* game. So they get more of all of the above.

Enjoy.

[hiawa23]

I get what u r saying. As far as what Japanese buy, really not interested in that, I am not Japanese. As you mentioned this is what the system delivers now, which is why I said I will continue just enjoying the games that I currently have, and would not buy anorher handheld. That is pretty much simple as that.

[OB1Biker]

Vita s selling like really well in Japan. Glad I can enjoy a PS handheld thanks to that so yea keep making them and dev new models Sony

[Herbalistic]

Its hard to support a home console and portable market at the same time.The major studios in the west aren't going to jump aboard plus Sony 1st party won't split resources..

[Zarock]

I'd rather play on an Ipad with controller support than have to deal with a tiny screen device. So yeah they should focus on their resources on tablets Instead.

[stunkilla]

I just kind of broke atm. I do have a psvita but the memory card is max out. Would still buy more if it wasnt lol

[Shineon]

I'd say if they do decide to do it again maybe they should see it through by supporting it

[DarkAzureIIIX]

Next thing you know people will say "Should Microsoft stop making consoles". The vita sells, just not as much as the 3DS.

[OB1Biker]

Yea I thing as long as xbox sells well in the US it won't stop just like as long as handheld sell well in Japan why would Sony stop

[ocelot07]

I honestly don't think they should. Am really annoyed at the way they simply stopped making games for the Vita (first party). I think they should just focus on the PS4 and the PS5 when ever they release that.

[ApocalypseShadow]

See above comment for hiawa.

[L0wlifeGamer]

They should. It means more money to invest in the PS5.

[MadLad]

Or it could mean they can do very well in two separate markets, bringing in even more money in the long run.

Hell, they could use one to market the other, and do that much better because of it.

It's risky to keep all your eggs in one basket.

[MilkMan]

Yep. Focus on your streghts. You gave the portable market the college try. Now it's over.

[Skankinruby]

Vita was such an awesome little machine. So much potential that was never given a chance. Oh well, they should just let it go and do everything to make Playstation as profitable as possible

[mr-phillips]

If Sony comes out of the portable market then Nintendo should come out of the home console market. It seems this article wants everyone to give up after a few failures.

[elarcadia]

I never owned or was interested in a PSP, but I don't think they should stop investing in the handheld market. Tons of consumers love the PSP...what they should do is provide first party support.

[Smokingunz]

Nope,make a psp3. The vita is a great handheld.

[Snappy]

Problem with the vita was no big games. Psp had the god of war spin offs, syphon filter, gta stories, final fantasy crisis core, metal gear solid peace walker all big franchises but not ports. At the moment all I play on my vita is persona 4 and indies. Still love my vita

[PickAShoe]

and the vita should support micro sd card too. i love my vita too, and im currently playing suikoden II and indies.

[DivineAssault]

Unless they make an exclusive deal with a phone company to play portable titles, i'd say leave... I dont want them to get out but if nobody is supporting it, theres not going to be anything to play

[NohansenBoy]

Yes. Not even the hackers care about it anymore.

[skratchy]

I don't know. It's not doing THAT bad, better than the WiiU :P Plenty of the cross platform games do really well in Japan too.

[no_ripley]

Yes!

[R00bot]

Well, given the success of the PS4 I think the playstation brand is still strong. At this point a new portable from them might actually do alright, given strong support and PS4 integration of some kind.

[feraldrgn]

No.
I want a PSP2, there's still a market there.

[esmittystud101]

I thought someone stole my Vita when I saw that picture. It looks just like mine with that inch of dust on it. I bought if for my four year old but it literlly has nothing for him to play on it. Ray Man Legends is the game he has for it and thats it.

Me on the other hand would have no use for it. I'm a console gamer and thats it. I don't even have any games on my smartphone. The controls are always so weird on smartphones. Not to mention the controls when you were trying to play a PS4 game on your Vita. How does R1, R2,L1,L2 work again? Nice feature but you had to be in the same room as the PS4 was located, if not it would drop the signal.

[Clown_Syndr0me]

I'd still rather play my GBA than my Vita. So many Great RPGs. Got the urge to play Golden a Sun now.

[alvgamin4lif]

God I hope not. While it sucks that there isn't more 1st party support, I love my vita for all the japanese and indie games it gets.

[mynameisthumper]

no.

[Kamikaze135]

After the PSP and the Vita, I think it's obvious what Sony must do...and that's not releasing something so powerful, use cartridges that store saved data,make it affordable and continue to support it with games even if it isn't doing too great.

[fllysurfer]

"Should they?" or "Haven´t they already?". There is no further development in the horizon for portable handhelds... Vita game numbers are dwindling... They tried the Sony Ericsson approach, PSP, GO, VITA... Unless they can make VR portable ( chuckle ), mobile is out for Sony.

[InMyOpinion]

They should revive the Xperia Play gaming mobile (see pic) and give it retractable analogue sticks that fold out when you open it.

[Drithe]

There are so many great games on the PS Vita. The system itself is the best handheld out there right now.

[cyclindk]

I think they should not be such an "island" to themselves and co-develop something with Google perhaps, hardware/software side.

[Elda]

A big fat NO,so in a couple years they'll abandon it buy not making any first party titles like they did the Vita.Mine is just collecting dust.

[tubers]

Wait for 5-7 years and make a handheld PS4 with reasonably priced, fast Sony branded, aggressively recommended SD/microSD cards.

100% PS4 digital library compatibility and with certain new cart releases for faux "VITA 2.0" game specially for Japan.

PS4 Digital (all home console games)
PS4 Portable Carts (for those supposed new Sony handheld JPN games).

I don't think just a simple VITA 2.0 would be as good or as safe.

[GiantFriendlyCrab]

sony have good chance if they implemented android on the next vita with no proprietary memory cards

[Jivesh]

Nope, there's a market for 'em and I don't wanna play RPG's on a smartphone

[jon200547]

Yes they should drop handhelds and only work on their systems that should be for everyone should only work on game systems only

[jon200547]

Not on smartphones or iPads or any other sort just the video game systems

[GrimDragon]

The vita will always be the little engine that could for me. It's the one handheld I'll always cherish. That being said I think Sony should officially open up the vita to homebrew games, let it be capable of modded games as well as let adult game developers have a go on it. By doing this they can collect a fee off these modders, and adult game developers without investing a penny on the vita it could still be a source of revenue to divert cash into future Sony consoles. It's win win. As long as the vita is the last handheld they make.

[Manubiggs]

Love my vita. Unfortunately the future of mobile is candy crush and clash of clans ...according to the men in suits, and they get the final say