Does PS Vita Mark the End of Portable Game Consoles?

PS Vita debuted in Japan to 320K unit sales over the first two days of sales. Despite the impressive 5 inch display and a huge roster of launch games, this fell 50K units short of what Nintendo’s 3DS sold during its debut. Are we entering the end game for the mobile game console industry? Are the dirt cheap smartphone and tablet games in the process of toppling the entire proud industry based on selling $200 consoles and $40 games? Yeah, pretty much.

[NovusTerminus]

If Tablets and Smartphones take over handhelds then I am out.

I cannot standing gaming on those things. Trying playing a game like Shinobido or BlazBlue on a smart phone.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Amen brother.

[Bull5hifT]

writing this on my vita, sorta wanna change this purplish keyboard thing, id like to add some friends to see how video chat works on this, i got over the whole screen being to Hug le to reach across, it sorta comfortable with those indentions on back, so far this was worth the $600 to me, everything is so smooth

[NellyNel_7_1_3]

That why Nintendo and Sony need to team up and destroy this market you call Tablets/Smartphones... I was born with a controller in my hands, and these hands will die with a controller playing the greatest games from Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony...

[Army_of_Darkness]

sure games like angry birds, tetris or plants vs. zombie will sell well since it's made for the causal players and requires a much lower budget, which makes it much more affordable for any income.
So if developers try to make a big budget game game that sells at say, $30 I highly doubt that they will sell much at all... not against $1-$5 games anyway.

The vita probably didn't sell as much is because people these days don't have the extra cash for luxury items anymore, only necessities, unless you make big bucks... lucky bastards.

[NewMonday]

@Bull5hifT
how is the browser?
dose it support flash?
is their a youtube app?
did you get 3G? if yes, is it worth it?
vid chat using Skype?

[klecser]

@newmonday: A gamer doesn't need any of the things you mentioned. We want to play good DEEP games, not superficial games and be able to browse the web. We want our device to be the master of one thing, not a jack of all, like a smart phone.

[Oner]

Speak for yourself because I want it all. And with a Sony product (over its competitors) it is the best option out there. You know you will get the games AND get the functionality that neither of the other 2 even attempt to offer you.

I can't wait to get my hands on a PSV 3G for what it will be able to do from the start and with firmware updates/upgrades over time!

[Hufandpuf]

Ipad games are progressively getting better. I have an Ipad, and though I am not a "Hardcore" gamer on it, it does have spme pretty well made games. Check out Modern Combat 3 for Ipad, It's basically MW3 for mobile. The online play isn't that bad either.

I know it's a REAL pain using touch controls also, but I do hope someone at apple uses their small brain to collectively find a way to get a controller to hook on the Ipad.

[mttrackmaster38]

I don't think Sony, Nintendo, or Microsoft would ever develop for an ipad or android device though. This is my problem. Without a 3ds or vita, how am I supposed to get my Mario/Uncharted fix on the go?

[Pikajew]

The iPad supports blue tooth. So it's possible to hook up the Wii remote but you can't play games with it

[GribbleGrunger]

you know, these sites can live on wishful thinking all they want, i really believe that the consumer will make them look stupid in the end. the Vita is far too compelling to be stopped by a few bitter individuals who try to pass themselves off as journalists.

[moparful99]

I love how 320k units in two days spells DOOM AND GLOOM for the industry.. Sensationalism at its worst.. Wait till february, we'll see how DOOOMED sony is.. Stupid article is stupid, smh...

[soljah]

what the heck is up with all these Sony vita doom and gloom articles. didn't the same kind of crap journalism happen with ps3 launch. and now look, the best library of games on any system is on ps3

[Jobesy]

@moparful99, remember when the PS3 debuted? It's sales were less than stellar and that supposedly marked the end of the console era. Look at it now.

I wasn't planning on getting a Vita, but after seeing how awesome it is I've been putting money away each week for one. I really can't wait.

[farhad2k8]

This article is PATHETIC, how can you judge the future of portable gaming in 2 days of VITAS sales.
And we're only talking about Japan here.

I'm pretty sure the VITA will succeed. It has the potential, iPhone is for casual gamers, VITA is for hardcore gamers.

[NegativeCreep427]

compared to the most recent Nintendo portable. Nintendo has pretty much dominated the portable handheld market for about 20 years. Falling just 50k short of Nintendo in that market (Japan), in that industry (portable console gaming) in a launch window of just TWO DAYS, really isn't much. I'd definitely say this is grasping.

Also not to mention the reported shortages, which no doubt had an effect on debut sales numbers. But yeah, whatever. Deh Vita Is Doomed! Just like Deh PS3.

[dedicatedtogamers]

Vita marks the continued health of handheld gaming. Media outlets have been absolutely clueless about the whole thing, repeating the same old, tired "mobile gaming is going to destroy handheld gaming" nonsense like they're paid to do it, despite the fact that the DS/PSP generation have not only been the highest-selling handheld generation of all time, but THE HIGHEST-SELLING GAMING PLATFORM GENERATION OF ALL TIME.

Stop.

Read that again: the DS and PSP - together - form the highest-selling gaming platform generation of all time. Pound-for-pound, there isn't a single gaming generation that has sold as many videogame platforms as the DS/PSP generation. 150+ million DS systems sold and still selling. 70+ million PSPs sold and still selling.

How in the WORLD can that mean that handheld gaming is dying? The Vita has a great launch lineup so far. Even the 3DS - a system I hate because Nintendo is being so bone-headed about it - is also doing incredibly well.

And while people love to flaunt the sales of a handful of iPhone games like Angry Birds and Cut the Rope, the reality is that other than these few games, gaming on smartphones is utter, utter shite.

I'm buying a Vita. Two, actually (one for me, one for my wife). I'm buying a 3DS after the eventual hardware revision. I'm buying another PSP and possibly another DS.

Handheld gaming is dead? Right...

[blaze22-qwerty]

I hate gaming on smart phones it just doesn't feel right i hope handled gaming continues

[Guwapo77]

Support your favorite handheld. Money talks. If majority of the gamers refuse to spend that $40 for that vita game then producers won't produce. For some gamers money is tight but if we don't support what we like (not by bootleggin') it won't be there in the future.

In short, you get what you pay for.

[smashcrashbash]

So the logic of this is because the VITA sold 50K less then the 3DS that automatically means the smart phone and tablets are taking over? So far no one has any solid proof that this is happening. All I hear this coming from is the smart phone/tablet people trying to convince you to buy them and the people who own them trying to justify their purchases.

I am a GAMER. The phone games people play are not comparable to portable games like on the VITA.A 10 for Angry Birds is not the same 10 for portable games.It isn't comparable in any way to UC:GA, Gravity Daze or Dragon's Crown.Bring me more proof then 'Angry Birds' sold 100 million copies'. If Sony sold Gravity Daze for 99 cents it would sell a hundred million copies too.The portable game system isn't going anywhere any time soon.Just because $hit is cheap doesn't mean I am going to pick it up and buy it.

[CloseSecond]

There are some great games on Android and iOS devices. I swear, I've never heard so many people moan beyond their years because something doesn't have the same controls.

Touch screen gaming is here to stay and Sony knows it which is, wait for it, why the Vita has a touch screen.

[Hicken]

Sony also knows that gaming is best done with actual physical controls, which is... wait for it... why the Vita has buttons.

Touch screens are an additional feature to gaming; they won't be the primary method of gaming for at least another 20 years, when they can properly simulate the controls we have now.

I mean, really. What sense would it make for us to move from one button and a joystick in arcades 30 years ago to the multifunction controllers of today, and THEN just get rid of all the buttons?

[CloseSecond]

@hicken: the point is that a lack of physical controls does not mean less demanding games. Everyone stereotypes touch devices with Angry Birds which is just plain ridiculous.

[MasterCornholio]

Why the Vita has a touchscreen and PlayStation suite. Basically PlayStation suite is a cheap pp development that allows you to develop games for PlayStation certified devices and the android platform. So due to this I expect a lot of cheap indie games like Sounds and Shapes and Alien Spydey.

I think that the Vita will do a much better job with its library than the PSP and other handhelds.

XperiaRay

[klecser]

@CloseSecond: Name a SKILL touch game that you can control AS WELL as a handheld or console with buttons. You can't.

You see, for gamers, the mystique of "OMG I'm playing a game!" as the sole benefit of doing it passed about 25 years ago. Casual audiences are just experiencing that and they're still willing to pay for shovelware that has no depth and is bullshit. The controls on touchscreens are HORRIBLE. They respond like a controller that is broken and works only 90% of the time. When a gamer encounters a controller that only works 90% of the time, they buy a new one.

[Malice-Flare]

no, like home consoles, they'll just evolve into multi-function devices. and, as long as battery tech is still lagging, smartphones are more important as phones rather than gaming devices. no one wants their phone to run out of juice due playing games...

[NovusTerminus]

100% agree with you here, Batteries need to be stronger in order to have an all in one device.

Also, who is your Avatar? I have seen that picture before.

[Malice-Flare]

the artist is Range Murata and he didn't name her...

[tiffac008]

Well said~

[MariaHelFutura]

Battery technology has been held back...

[VampiricDragon]

I was wondering when this stupid article would pop up. Saw it on gamefaqs first. The comments in the article speak for themselves. Its bullshit

The 3ds is crushing ds first year numbers in terms of hardware and software

The vita doubled up on psp launch numbers

you cant spin that badly/

[Lyle91]

I like how they don't consider the fact that maybe people in Japan happen to like the 3DS more than the Vita.

[godofboobees]

Show be a game like peace walker, ghost of Sparta, monster hunter, r&c, brave story....etc then I will somewhat change my mind about console portables. Until then Vita is king and here to stay

[GamersRulz]

VITA and 3DS Sold twice their predecessors, I'd call that a growth not a downfall.

[gigreen]

Well iPhone have been running hardcore games for a long time now, the 4S is more powerful than any handheld currently available here.

The only problem is the controls, if they figure that out, then bye bye portable consoles.

[GribbleGrunger]

could you perhaps provide a list of exclusives comparable to the 3Ds or the Vita? i think that would be helpful in determining whether handhelds are a thing of the past.

[gigreen]

Exclusives aren't really the point, there are games like Infinity Blade II, Modern Combat 3: Fallen, Dungeon Hunter, Chaos Rings (Square Enix) and many more.

The thing is iPhone has proven itself as a system capable of offering core titles. There can always be more of them which is up to the developers, the technology is definitely there.

[Ult iMate]

@gigreen
I'm still not sure that you can get a core title for $10-15.
Infinity Blade is not a core game. Core games doesn't loop after half an hour. And Chaos Rings is really mediocre in comparsion with good JRPGs on DS/PSP.

[GribbleGrunger]

gigreen, the reason handhelds will not die is because of the exclusives. you're not going to see Mario or Zelda on an iphone and you're not going to see Uncharted or LBP on an iphone either. Nintendo has proven time and time again how good franchises can make a system and the Vita is no exception. these sites can continuously overlook this blurringly obvious fact in order to propagate discontent, but the gamer knows best

[skrug]

iPhone is not as powerful as Vita (currently out ...in Japan)

Vita- quad cpu, quad gpu...

[joeorc]

That is 100% a fact

The iphone 4s has 2 core of each cpu an 2 core of each of the gpu.

The cpu's of each system are Arm core chipset. So no the iphone 4s is quite robust in its hardware spec wise it is not the more powerful chipset than whats in the PSVita.

Even the hardware thats running in the PSVita is not the very top of the line in Arm core its pretty much is for mass market devices right now because above the Quad core level gets very expensive.

The new chipsets being Quad core an above Like their more robust Pc counterparts maybe top of their lines in their tech area for gaming on their platform, but stil must point to development for software on the lesser spec platform for consumer usability because most consumers do not have the top of the line spec Pc or smartphone. thats why 1Ghz+ single core smartphones are still being sold.

Which while smartphones have that very dynamic for development of 3rd party Applications the PSVita has the main level to run those very same apps game or non game. But also software game an non game softwere made for the PSVita. In alot of ways the Tegra line of chipsets are being programmed for in the same was as the PSVita the Tegra Zone applications are made for the tegra chipset.

So the main point unlike the iOS devices the PSVita 1st party developers access to the bare metal. Not really there for iOS devices because their a device designed for something else mainly as their target main function an not as a main game machine.

There is plenty of games for the iOS devices some of the software is quite fantastic, same with Android.

Though in my opinion as a gamer an game designer if you are wanting the device mainly for gaming that depends on what you as a person is happy with for your gaming needs. Thats why to have the idea that the smartphones going to kill off this part of the market may not happen the reason being is that even though smartphones sell millions more per sales Quarter than the game handhelds an have done so for years now. The dedicated game handheld systems still have healthy sales for this part of the market with the recent 3DS an now to add in the PSVita sales to start.

Just with the 3DS sales alone, this market is rather healthy people who purchased the DS are it seems purchasing the 3DS. An many it seems as with the opening of the PSVita it seems to be trending PSP users are also upgrading to the PSVita it already increased its opening sales that what the PSP did when it first released. We will have to see how well it trends in the next 6 to 8 months to get a better picture.

[yabhero]

I happen to have both Infinity Blades and Modern Combat on my iOS devices. They are great games. But they would be better and dedicated handhelds with proper controls. Seriously touch screen controls don both that much for Infinity Blade. Also what you said about the 4S is dead wrong. I found some specs. Vita has a quad core and a gpu which is the newer version of the 4s gnu. The 3ds and 4s cores are similar and while the 4s gp is technically stronger the 3ds has a double pica 200 for producing 3d graphics and more advanced shaded and lighting. That means for 3d 3ds games will look better with better textures and lighting and if there ever is a 3rd games that doesnt support 3d and can take advantage of all the gpus power it will look much better. Ask you yourself. Which has more jaggies resident evil or modern combat?

[Shingirayi]

Actually, the 4S processor is a dual-core processor which runs at a max of 1GHz. The VITA on the other hand has a quad-core processor able to run at a max of 2GHz. You better get you facts straight before you even think about being a troll.

And how do you suppose they figure it out to solve the touch control issue? Provide add-ons like Nintendo did with the 3ds? I don't think so! In the mean time, people gaming on touch screen devices will have to get the hang of it.

In case you have not noticed, controls in many smartphone games, especially first person shooters make use of virtual keys and analog sticks, which are....wait for it...a derivative of PHYSICAL controls! PHYSICAL CONTROLS are the real deal for crying out loud!!

Portable gaming is ALIVE and there is no way in hell its gonna disappear!!

[Shingirayi]

Actually, the 4S processor is a dual-core processor which runs at a max of 1GHz. The VITA on the other hand has a quad-core processor able to run at a max of 2GHz. You better get you facts straight before you even think about being a troll.

And how do you suppose they figure it out to solve the touch control issue? Provide add-ons like Nintendo did with the 3ds? I don't think so! In the mean time, people gaming on touch screen devices will have to get the hang of it.

In case you have not noticed, controls in many smartphone games, especially first person shooters make use of virtual keys and analog sticks, which are....wait for it...a derivative of PHYSICAL controls! PHYSICAL CONTROLS are the real deal for crying out loud!!

Portable gaming is ALIVE and there is no way in hell its gonna disappear!!

[Rageanitus]

BMW's sell much less than Toyota's and Honda's... I guess that is the end of luxury sports sedans..... time to dive into jet propelled vehicles.

[wenaldy]

Jet propelled vehicles....hmmm reminds me the old game on PSX..what's the name again? Nascar Rumble? Haha..

[Fatal Blow]

I still dont understand people when they compare a gaming handheld to a smartphone or a tablet. I have an ipad 2 and a iphone 4s and when i do play games on these products its only for 10 mins max no longer then that and i did not buy these products to play games on them. I use ipad for surfing the web and reading books etc and i use my iphone for a phone that has twitter etc thats it and the ps vita for gaming like my ps3,wii,xbox etc
the people that think smartphones and tablets are for gaming then they really dont know what is gaming that's just my option tho

[smashcrashbash]

Exactly what I have been saying. Who here plays Angry Birds or any phone game for more then 20m to 30 minutes. I can play GOW or MS for hours. These things are NOT gaming devices. They are NOT comparable. My toaster makes toast and I COULD try to make toast in my oven but I won't because I have a toaster.

We gamers do not think phones are for gaming. Phone junkies and fanboys think that. Your fooling yourselves if you think any console or handheld owner thinks that. Try to tell the million of people who brought the 3DS or the hundreds of thousands of people who brought the VITA that smartphones are better for gaming. They will laugh in your face

[dredgewalker]

It's comparing a light snack (Ipad/Android) to a full course meal (Vita/3DS).

[showtimefolks]

i mean come on its been 2 days let's give ps:vita some time. remember how poor 3ds was doing now look at the sales. I think handheld gaming has its place in gaming maybe not as big of a part as the original DS but if you end up selling 50 million plus in 4-6 years i think that's pretty good.

we are just too quick to dismiss stuff its only the launch of a new system, just give it more time

i also do believe that tablets and smart phones also have their place in gaming whether we like it or not. and on ipad there are some fun games but nothing beats having a controller in your hand atleast for me.

[ExCest]

i didnt realize that selling less than your opponent meant that both are useless.

anyways, smartphones will never take over the portable gaming industry because that isnt gaming. Its occupying yourself in a little flash game (that used to be free. then turned into a retail game by a different company) to pass time (or waste. or lose)

[GraveLord]

"Are we entering the end game for the mobile game console industry? Are the dirt cheap smartphone and tablet games in the process of toppling the entire proud industry based on selling $200 consoles and $40 games? Yeah, pretty much."

Then how do you explain the Vita 2 day launch sales being double those of the PSP?

[CloseSecond]

Funny. How many iPhones were sold in the first 2 days?

[klecser]

A lot. And they weren't bought for gaming. They were bought as a phone. Remove the phone part of it and the iPhone doesn't sell.

You're argument is like saying that people buy a microwave because of the digital clock and that clocks on microwaves made other clocks in our homes obsolete. Jack of all trade devices DO NOT make dedicated devices obsolete.

People are still buying clocks dude. My alarm clock does "clock" a lot better than my microwave does.

[Lyle91]

Or the 3DS selling twice what the DS sold in the same time.

This article is just full of faulty logic.

[SugarSoSweet]

people said the consoles whud end with ps2 and xbox now they're saying it will end with ps3 and 360...

people say alot of things.... Consoles wether home or portable will end when they r no longer profitable

[DOOMZ]

It was the pricy memory cards... Why Sony, why?!?

[DonaldBeck]

no, but i know this thing is gonna be the best handheld ever made.

[Fatal Blow]

I agree with you its because People who has been around gaming for a very long time from the good old days game boy to game gear to neo geo etc knows how far the vita has come. I mean just look at it you can play a game like uncharted on it when was it that you played a game like that on a handheld

[Ezio2048]

umm....no....there is a large audience which caters mainly to handheld consoles simply because they cant afford the big expensive gaming devices until they are priced down.

Sure DS is selling hot cakes, but even PS Vita is likely to perform good since its a new yet innovative handheld.

[Fatal Blow]

I have to disagree with you because the people that buy console do buy handheld consoles to there called gamers or they love to play games. the people that does not buy consoles they are not in to games but if the price is low then they might buy it

[aaaaqqqqq]

the problem is mobile games suck, and with no D-pad or alnalog cripple the gaming. If mobile phones more like a true gaming device then good it wins PSVita but doesn't that also mean the END of SMARTPHONE or TABLOID?

[zero_cool]

Nope just a means to a new gaming revolution!

Cheers Gamers & Happy Gaming!

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

So wait...healthy competition between two gaming handhelds means smartphones will take over? Am I the only one missing the correlation here?

[Sithlord-Gamble]

Angry Birds? Really?
This author is a tool ... of course Angry Birds "sold" millions of copies: IT WAS FREE!

If Uncharted or Mario had a $0.00 price tag, they would "sell" Billions.

Im so tired of these dumb, out of touch articles from nitwits who think they know what a gamer is. Just give it up already.

The Vita doubled the original PSP sales, and that came out before the smartphone craze. So on just that fact alone, your reasoning is flawed.

$250+ per system x however many systems got sold = a whole lotta $ people DIDN'T spend on smart phone games!

But dedicated handheld gaming is dying? Could've fooled me. Vita is latin for life and its time for these idiot journalists to get one. (A life that is.)

[Lyle91]

Exactly. Of Nintendo were to make a brand new Mario game free, I'm pretty sure every person on the planet would have it in a week.

[Sithlord-Gamble]

Comparing mobile games to dedicated devices is like comparing prostitutes to wives.

People pay hookers for a quick fix of excitement on the cheap but it only lasts a few minutes.

And even tho the nagging wife might cost us a fortune, we chose to get married to obtain what we can't get from the cheap whores: Long Term commitment and substance. Sure the fun is more of an investment but that relationship is alot more fulfilling and worthwhile.

So the divorce rate is up from 10-20 yrs ago, does that mean that marriage as a whole is on the decline? No I don't think it is.

[Spinal]

Lol very good metaphor :) +agree/bubble

[ozstar]

I lol @ the potential of the mountains of spam Forbes is going to receive for this opinion piece

[ozstar]

OMG, those 2 comments by mhsdol & stevej pretty much sums it all up.

Why the hell don't Forbes start hiring actual industry experts to comment on these issues?

[spoiler]not Pachter, please[/spoiler]

[ndl1531]

ooooooooh god i cant wait to get my hands on the vita dammit . feb 2012 cant come soon enough . also have a 3ds and waiting for re revelations also in feb . gosh i love handhelds always have since my first gameboy in 89' dam good times

[CRAGE]

portable gaming from sony and nintendo = 49.99 per game.

portable gaming from phones = .99 - 6.99

If sony and Nintendo can start making their games 19.99
max. They can stay in the running, if not then of course
they are going to shrink their market share.

[tarbis]

Incredible portable games for sony and nintendo = $39.99
Shovelware portable games for phones = $0.99 - $6.99

There fixed.

[klecser]

Good to see 3DS and Vita gamers finding common ground on an issue. Just sayin'. ;)

[tarbis]

That 321k+ PSV sales does not include the online pre-orders. Just saying.

[DialgaMarine]

Really? Handheld gaming is doomed because Sony's new portable isn't destroyed the 3DS? We are talking about the long time leader for global sales in the portable gaming market (Nintendo). If anything, the Vita is doing wery well considering what it's up against, and is actually showing potential to surpass the 3DS in sales, something that no other portable brand has done to a Nintendo portable.

As far as this whole "Consoles and Portable gaming is dying!" BS, will you just shut up. I missed the fact that this yield the highest combined sales for consoles than any in previous. There is still a high demand for both consoles and portables, so that form of gaming isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

[mshope10]

don't worry vita fans remember 3ds was going to die a couple months ago and now its over 10 million sold and it has 3 months before its been out for a year.

so vita will be fine its great handheld with great exclusive games so vita will just get bigger and bigger.

i think 3ds and vita this time next year will be killing it and people like this will be on the bandwagon you will see.cause 3ds and vita have the best portable games period.

[bub16]

Just the beginning i think :)

[zeroreloaded]

lol why do u people compare smartphones/tablets with handhelds? i mean seriously i play mobile games when i'm bored, it's only casual after all.

[ozstar]

Heres a basic summary of my train rides yesterday.

Lunchtime into the city - One 3DS player and 2 DS players. Some people on mobiles (dk if playing games) and an Ipad user reading the news.

Leaving city at 5pm - No 3DS or DS players. Some people playing games on phones. The two i noticed? Sudoku and Solitaire.

Meanwhile EA dropped ALL their game prices to 99 cents on the Apple IStore this week.

Business SURE is booming for these guys.

[lizard81288]

3DS fails to sell, End of Nintendo

Vita fails to sell, End of Portable Game Consoles as we know it.

If anything, it should be Nintendo we judge upon. They have been selling Portable Game Consoles since the 80's man. Although, Kudos for Sony for sticking around. Most of what combats Nintendo's Handhelds only last a few years or so.

Both are selling quite well, and it hasn't even been a year yet. for the Vita, only a few days. Give it time. The 3DS is starting to get some good games in, and that took like what, 9 months or so.