PS Vita US prices for Games and Memory Cards

[kupomogli]

First off I'd like to say mother fucker. Uncharted is now listed as $49.99 at Amazon. It's still $39.99 everywhere else so hurry and preorder before the price increases. Little Deviants is now $39.99 on Amazon. Everything else is showing the same as originally announced. Vita game prices will range from $9.99 - $49.99.

The memory card prices are actually cheaper than recently announced. Still over priced, but atleast cheaper than what they were originally announced as. A 4GB can be purchased at Gamestop for $30 while a 32GB can be purchased for $120. Here are the new prices already updated at Amazon.

4GB for $20, 8GB for $30, 16GB for $60, and 32GB for $100.

[gepeto]

nevermind

[RCM]

I'm excited about Vita's potential and am a cautious advocate of the platform, but those prices are pretty crazy.

I wonder if Sony will slash the Vita's launch price quicker than Nintendo did for 3DS.

[RPG_Fanatic]

I'll probably still buy one at launch on Feb. 22 not Feb. 15 no 3G for me.

[Mianrtcv]

I'm excited about Vita's potential and am a cautious advocate of the platform, but those prices are pretty crazy.

I wonder if Sony will slash the Vita's launch price quicker than Nintendo did for 3DS.

I am only speculating, I would wager they will be no quicker to go that route than Nintendo did. I just don't see Sony doing it. They would be wise to do it imo in order to strengthen their position in the handheld market. Who knows if it would help? So many factors with such an investment like they have with this.

[Hawksmoor]

Yeah, fuck those prices. I bought a PSP at launch, but I won't make that mistake again. I'm content with the breadth of game options available for Android that are a fraction of the price. $50 is pushing it for a console game IMO, let alone a game for a handheld.

[Bojay1997]

Given the relatively mediocre Japanese sales numbers, I suspect these prices on systems, games and memory cards will fall pretty quickly once the US launch rolls around. The bad economy, competition from other portable devices and the fact that launch is right in the period when people start having to pay for the holiday credit card damage are going to create problems for the launch just like the 3DS hit.

[kupomogli]

Uncharted is the only Vita game listed at $49.99. The 3DS also has a high profile game at $49.99 as well though. Resident Evil Revelations is being released at that price.

As said above, according to Sony, the Vita game prices will be $9.99 - $49.99, with every other launch title being $29.99 or $39.99. First party games Wipeout 2048, Modnation Racers Road Trip, and Everybody's Golf are all $29.99.

So other than Uncharted, most launch titles are just as affordable as all releases on the Nintendo 3DS launch before price drop, and a few of them more affordable. Not only that, but Sony has mentioned they might make games purchased for the Vita from PSN be cheaper than physical copies. Rumor has it 40% cheaper. Why all the bitching? I'm sure Sony apologizes that they're not all free like you were expecting.

Also. Sure the Wii is a console. But those shovelware titles deserve to hit the market at $50 while a game that has had a lot of development costs put into it, regardless of console, cannot? Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D is a mini game that can be played on all Resident Evil titles but sold for $40 on the 3DS. Star Fox 64 3D is a port with 3D(oooo) and won't drop in price for a very long time. I'm sure Nintendo almost broke the bank developing that one. You may go back to your regularly scheduled bitching and moaning about everything not meeting your demands.

[substantial_snake]

Cool, I'll probably pick up an 8 gig at launch since its only 10 bucks more then the 4 gig then wait for priced to drop/another cheaper alternative rolls around.

I haven't bought many psp games online, but most of them have been the compilation PSP releases like Metal Slug and such. I shouldn't have any problem with an 8 gig stick and even if it comes up I can always just transfer what I'm not playing to my PC or PS3 so again no biggie.

[Bojay1997]

Uncharted is the only Vita game listed at $49.99. The 3DS also has a high profile game at $49.99 as well though. Resident Evil Revelations is being released at that price.

As said above, according to Sony, the Vita game prices will be $9.99 - $49.99, with every other launch title being $29.99 or $39.99. First party games Wipeout 2048, Modnation Racers Road Trip, and Everybody's Golf are all $29.99.

So other than Uncharted, most launch titles are just as affordable as all releases on the Nintendo 3DS launch before price drop, and a few of them more affordable. Not only that, but Sony has mentioned they might make games purchased for the Vita from PSN be cheaper than physical copies. Rumor has it 40% cheaper. Why all the bitching? I'm sure Sony apologizes that they're not all free like you were expecting.

Also. Sure the Wii is a console. But those shovelware titles deserve to hit the market at $50 while a game that has had a lot of development costs put into it, regardless of console, cannot? Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D is a mini game that can be played on all Resident Evil titles but sold for $40 on the 3DS. Star Fox 64 3D is a port with 3D(oooo) and won't drop in price for a very long time. I'm sure Nintendo almost broke the bank developing that one. You may go back to your regularly scheduled bitching and moaning about everything not meeting your demands.

Nobody is asking for anything free nor is anyone praising Nintendo. Sony just seems very out of touch with the economic realities in the US and worldwide right now and launching a portable game at $50 on a system that starts at $250 and requires a mandatory memory card for non-download games seems both arrogant and foolish. Nintendo has had to deeply discount the 3DS and even first party games, so it seems pretty clear Sony will have to do the same after launch. It just seems stupid that Sony can't use Nintendo's very recent experience to come up with a better business plan, especially when the Vita Japanese launch wasn't close to a sell-out. Doesn't change the fact that the Vita and its games will probably be great, but I'm not paying $50 for a portable game regardless of what it is or for what platform and frankly, I'm pretty hardcore. Just imagine what mainstream consumers will think.

[Press_Start]

Nobody is asking for anything free nor is anyone praising Nintendo. Sony just seems very out of touch with the economic realities in the US and worldwide right now and launching a portable game at $50 on a system that starts at $250 and requires a mandatory memory card for non-download games seems both arrogant and foolish. Nintendo has had to deeply discount the 3DS and even first party games, so it seems pretty clear Sony will have to do the same after launch. It just seems stupid that Sony can't use Nintendo's very recent experience to come up with a better business plan, especially when the Vita Japanese launch wasn't close to a sell-out. Doesn't change the fact that the Vita and its games will probably be great, but I'm not paying $50 for a portable game regardless of what it is or for what platform and frankly, I'm pretty hardcore. Just imagine what mainstream consumers will think.

Hasn't that been the story of Sony from the PS3 get-go?

$600 launch price for a console/blu-ray player/CELL(Linux) computer.

$100 for Lollipop Wiimote/HD Wii Sports plus Eye Camera sans $30 Nunchuck (which some Move titles require).

$500 Simulview, Sony's 3D Monitor for Simultaneous 2-Player Split Non-Splitscreen Viewing plus the $70 extra 3D glasses since Simulview bundled with.....one pair only.

As for the Vita, all I can say is $50 for a small game is too much. No seriously, the carts themselves are tiny as hell. They're the size of the top half of my thumb and thin like paper. It's like a Listerine strip, only harder to grasp. Even trying to handle the cart is a harrowing task in it of itself as the thing slipped out my hands twice just from "picking" it up. Don't get me started on the memory cards, they're 1/3-1/2 size of the game cart themselves no bigger than the area of my thumbnail and I'm talking from first-hand experience here.

[duffmanth]

So what started off as a $250 system is now turning into a $350+ purchase after buying a memory card and a game...nice work Sony! I may get a Vita, but it certainly won't be at launch.

[Bojay1997]

Hasn't that been the story of Sony from the PS3 get-go?

$600 launch price for a console/blu-ray player/CELL(Linux) computer.

$100 for Lollipop Wiimote/HD Wii Sports plus Eye Camera sans $30 Nunchuck (which some Move titles require).

$500 Simulview, Sony's 3D Monitor for Simultaneous 2-Player Split Non-Splitscreen Viewing plus the $70 extra 3D glasses since Simulview bundled with.....one pair only.

As for the Vita, all I can say is $50 for a small game is too much. No seriously, the carts themselves are tiny as hell. They're the size of the top half of my thumb and thin like paper. It's like a Listerine strip, only harder to grasp. Even trying to handle the cart is a harrowing task in it of itself as the thing slipped out my hands twice just from "picking" it up. Don't get me started on the memory cards, they're 1/3-1/2 size of the game cart themselves no bigger than the area of my thumbnail and I'm talking from first-hand experience here.

Sure, but I would say at least the PS3 launched in happier economic times and offered something that was pretty expensive at the time (Blu Ray) that in theory offered some additional value over just gaming. Of course, Move stuff dropped by 50% or more in price and the games can be had for $10 in some cases new. The Playstation monitor started at $500 and is $300 this week at Best Buy. I guess Sony is just too proud to pick a reasonable price on anything at launch to avoid deep discounting.

[kupomogli]

Stuff

hyp-o-crite noun /hi-pa-krit/

2: a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs and feelings.

How are you enjoying that 3DS you bought on day one.

I think I'm going to bitch about the Vita also. A $250 Vita that can do so much more than the 3DS and is slightly less powerful than a PS3 is way too expensive. Sony always overprices everything. Stupid fucking Vita game card slightly less width than a DS game card and a memory card that I'm only going to put in the Vita one time is larger than a Micro SD. HOW DARE THEY! Another thing. That huge screen makes it too big for a portable. Fucking Uncharted is $49.99, screw that shit. I'm not buying a Vita with overpriced games. The 3DS has much better games. I can't wait for Resident Evil Revelations. Day one purchase!

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/kupomogli/resirevelations.png

I'm getting a Vita with Uncharted day one. The Vita and an 4GB memory card at Amazon. Uncharted is preordered at Gamestop. Only $310. $20 more than if I was to buy one of the 3DS launch titles that weren't worth getting. If I also to preorder Little Deviants then only $10 more than if I was to purchase the 3DS with two launch titles.

If you're like me and eat out atleast two or three times a week, cook at home a few times and that will save you more than the price of a $40 game. Aside from toys and sports equipment, video games are an extremely inexpensive form of entertainment if you look at how much use out of a game you get in comparison to anything else.

[The Shawn]

I am just amazed of the absolute hatred you have for nintendo for some strange reason. Did they shoot your dog or something?

Weird.

[Press_Start]

How are you enjoying that 3DS you bought on day one.

Super Mario 3D Land was worth every penny. Thanks for asking. :D




I'm getting a Vita with Uncharted day one. The Vita and an 4GB memory card at Amazon. Uncharted is preordered at Gamestop. Only $310. $20 more than if I was to buy one of the 3DS launch titles that weren't worth getting. If I also to preorder Little Deviants then only $10 more than if I was to purchase the 3DS with two launch titles.


Why don't you import? Both Vita and Uncharted have built-in English options, did you know? I should. I was playing my friend's imported copy the other day, it looked fantastic like any other Uncharted game though their awkward inopportune time with the touch screen is a bit of a nuisance. Though the import process would be expensive as hell and you'd have to make due til' PSN boots up Vita in your area, something my friend tried to no avail. Then again, why should money and time stop a big Sony fan like yourself, kupo?

[swlovinist]

Nobody is asking for anything free nor is anyone praising Nintendo. Sony just seems very out of touch with the economic realities in the US and worldwide right now and launching a portable game at $50 on a system that starts at $250 and requires a mandatory memory card for non-download games seems both arrogant and foolish. Nintendo has had to deeply discount the 3DS and even first party games, so it seems pretty clear Sony will have to do the same after launch. It just seems stupid that Sony can't use Nintendo's very recent experience to come up with a better business plan, especially when the Vita Japanese launch wasn't close to a sell-out. Doesn't change the fact that the Vita and its games will probably be great, but I'm not paying $50 for a portable game regardless of what it is or for what platform and frankly, I'm pretty hardcore. Just imagine what mainstream consumers will think.

I agree with this. I wasnt a huge fan of the 3DS, nor am I going to get the Vita anytime soon. The portable game market is just different than it has been in the past. It is like both Nintendo and Sony want to operate "same as always" with their systems and prices. I can predict now that Sony is in for a huge wake up call when their US sales are soft for their new portable at these prices. The fact that they did not launch here for the holidays will be a mistake that they will regret.

[Hawksmoor]

I agree with this. I wasnt a huge fan of the 3DS, nor am I going to get the Vita anytime soon. The portable game market is just different than it has been in the past. It is like both Nintendo and Sony want to operate "same as always" with their systems and prices. I can predict now that Sony is in for a huge wake up call when their US sales are soft for their new portable at these prices. The fact that they did not launch here for the holidays will be a mistake that they will regret.

Yeah, iOS and Android games have changed the portable gaming landscape. When I can get polished games with plenty of replay value for $1, it's hard to see a $40-$50 game for a handheld as a good value and worthwhile purchase.

I'd like a 3DS and a Vita, but I'm happy enough playing games on my tablet, PSP, and DS for the time being. Eventually I'll get a Vita and 3DS, but not until it's a hell of a lot more affordable than it is now.

[videogameking26]

I'm getting one at launch with Uncharted, just to big of a fan to pass down and really want to try the new Silent Hill game for the Vita. I love my 3DS and bought it at launch and should learn from what they did with slashing the price so fast but just like to have everything and really can't wait to get my hands on the Vita and start playing Uncharted.

[heybtbm]

The portable game market is just different than it has been in the past. It is like both Nintendo and Sony want to operate "same as always" with their systems and prices. I can predict now that Sony is in for a huge wake up call when their US sales are soft for their new portable at these prices. The fact that they did not launch here for the holidays will be a mistake that they will regret.

Basically what I came here to say.

Prediction Time:
The Vita will be a bigger flop than the 3DS. I'm even leaning for a VirtuaBoy-type failure. The Vita will crash hard...that much is certain. The question is will it die in 2012 or limp into 2013 before Sony pulls the plug.

iPhone/Android/etc. has won the portable gaming battle. Dedicated portable gaming consoles are dead, but Nintendo and Sony don't seem to get it. End. Of. Story.

[megasdkirby]

Basically what I came here to say.

Prediction Time:
The Vita will be a bigger flop than the 3DS. I'm even leaning for a VirtuaBoy-type failure. The Vita will crash hard...that much is certain. The question is will it die in 2012 or limp into 2013 before Sony pulls the plug.

iPhone/Android/etc. has won the portable gaming battle. Dedicated portable gaming consoles are dead, but Nintendo and Sony don't seem to get it. End. Of. Story.

As long as the handhelds turn a profit, Nintendo and Sony will continue to make them. And I would do the same. As long as they make even the bare minimum of what they expect, support will continue, even though other platforms may be the choice for other people.

I personally don't think the Vita will be a flop, but it definitely won't win over the 3DS. The 3DS is much cheaper now and accessible to most, and many will compare the price tag...what is more attractive, a $170 console or a $250 console ($80 more)? Most will simply go for the cheapest console, as we have already seen.

Granted, the PSP was cheaper and competitive as well, but the DS already had a strong foothold in the market. So even though it sold relatively well, the DS won. The same will happen with the Vita.

[heybtbm]

As long as the handhelds turn a profit, Nintendo and Sony will continue to make them. And I would do the same. As long as they make even the bare minimum of what they expect, support will continue, even though other platforms may be the choice for other people.

Fair enough. FWIW: I don't think handhelds will be profitable for very much longer. $0.99 games and comparable hardware is going to be too hard to compete with.


I personally don't think the Vita will be a flop, but it definitely won't win over the 3DS. The 3DS is much cheaper now and accessible to most, and many will compare the price tag...what is more attractive, a $170 console or a $250 console ($80 more)? Most will simply go for the cheapest console, as we have already seen.

I would agree. The biggest reason IMO is Nintendo's golden 1st party franchises. Even Nintendo's least appealing franchise still will sell more than Sony's best franchise.

[thegamezmaster]

The prices for these is way beyond my very limited budget. So I traded in my PSP Collection and got the 3DS Zelda bundle and Super Mario 3D. Glad I waited and happy with my choice. But that's just me.

[Leo_A]

The Vita will crash hard...that much is certain. The question is will it die in 2012 or limp into 2013 before Sony pulls the plug.

I wonder if you fixed your magic ball yet. Your predictions that you state like they were facts usually crash and crash hard.

[heybtbm]

I wonder if you fixed your magic ball yet. Your predictions that you state like they were facts usually crash and crash hard.

Keep that attitude and someone won't be getting my "100%-Certain/Never-Wrong Superbowl Pick".

[kupomogli]

Hasn't that been the story of Sony from the PS3 get-go?


How are you enjoying that 3DS you bought on day one.


Super Mario 3D Land was worth every penny. Thanks for asking. :D

The point wasn't whether or not the 3DS is any good, because it does have some good games. The point was that you listed how Sony always overprices everything and your comment was also towards the Vita. The point of my comment was that you purchased the 3DS for the exact same cost. So you were a bit of a hypocrite making the statement that you did.

If you purchased it at $170 then I wouldn't have bothered commenting.

Also, if you really want to get technical. Nintendo is the only one out of the current big three that overprice their consoles. Sony was losing hundreds on each console while Microsoft, while not losing as much, was still losing on each console, yet even more so with faulty hardware. Nintendo on the other hand for all of their systems sells it at a profit rather than a loss.

So in how much each console cost, despite paying more for them than each Nintendo console, we were receiving a deal purchasing a 360 or PS3. The 3DS was overpriced at $250, and afterwards "Nintendo even admitted they overpriced it because of fan reaction." Still Nintendo fanboys follow that piece of shit company blindly. Nintendo can do no wrong, yet they have and they admitted it, but Nintendo can still do no wrong. At $170 I'm the 3DS is still making profit. Sony stated the PS Vita wifi version is $250 for each to be made, but I've heard they're still selling at a loss.

[Bojay1997]

Looks like the discounting has begun. Target is offering a $20 gift card with pre-order of the Vita. Hopefully Amazon and others will follow suit.

[kupomogli]

Looks like the discounting has begun. Target is offering a $20 gift card with pre-order of the Vita. Hopefully Amazon and others will follow suit.

Hopefully Amazon or anyone else who doesn't charge taxes. A gift card of $20 isn't worth it when the taxes cost you almost as much.

[Bojay1997]

Hopefully Amazon or anyone else who doesn't charge taxes. A gift card of $20 isn't worth it when the taxes cost you almost as much.

Doesn't matter, in most states including California you still have to pay a use tax, so there is no such thing as a "sales tax free" purchase.

[Colorado Rockies]

Doesn't matter, in most states including California you still have to pay a use tax, so there is no such thing as a "sales tax free" purchase.

I never pay taxes on Amazon and I'm in CA.

[Press_Start]

The point was that you listed how Sony always overprices everything and your comment was also towards the Vita. The point of my comment was that you purchased the 3DS for the exact same cost. So you were a bit of a hypocrite making the statement that you did.

Where did I say "overprice"? No, kupo, you're putting words in my mouth that aren't there.

Bojay said it best. Sony's decisions are starting to become so out of touch that it's almost self-defeating in a sense i.e. hyping 3D Monitors that cater simultaneous 2-player co-op while selling the 2nd pair of 3d glasses separate. On top of everything else, there's their mishandling of PSN hacks, the grotesque lack of security software for PSN before said hack, the Linux-killing update, and (my favorite) the "you can't sue us for anything" clause they sneaked in the End User Agreement lately.

Now for the fate of Vita, imo, it won't be a flop but it won't be a success either. It'll end up staggering around in limbo the same way the PSP had been, comparatively, with a much shorter lifespan as Sony will inevitably and undoubtedly reevaluate its standings and practices in the handheld market and might make the full jump to cell phones after all since a) they're already pushing for a pure DLC delivery system anyway and b) it's the only other untapped source of potential Sony can challenge against Nintendo, but time will tell.

[Bojay1997]

I never pay taxes on Amazon and I'm in CA.

Unfortunately, California law requires you to report on-line purchases and pay use tax which is equal to your local sales tax. You may not be paying it, but you have a legal obligation to do so and if you ever get audited, you will owe the back use taxes and penalties. I realize many people don't pay them, but it doesn't change the fact that you are obligated to do so and failing to do so is a crime.

[Aussie2B]

Nintendo is the only one out of the current big three that overprice their consoles. Sony was losing hundreds on each console while Microsoft, while not losing as much, was still losing on each console, yet even more so with faulty hardware. Nintendo on the other hand for all of their systems sells it at a profit rather than a loss.

So... overpriced = sells at a profit? :?

Wow, and here I thought business was about MAKING money. I guess I had everything all wrong.

And you're complaining about people supposedly saying they want something for free, when you expect every hardware manufacturer to sell their machines at a loss.

[kupomogli]

So... overpriced = sells at a profit? :?

Wow, and here I thought business was about MAKING money. I guess I had everything all wrong.

Making money and being overpriced are two entirely different things.

Take Sony televisions and Samsung televisions for example. Despite being a similar item, same manufacturing costs, same features, and came out the same year, the Sony tvs are usually overpriced. They're getting better now and are actually reasonably priced. It's Samsung tvs that are usually more expensive now, but it used to be that Sony tvs were atleast $300-400 more than a Samsung with the exact same features.

So what about the 3DS and Vita. Estimated costs for the 3DS come out to $101. No idea how much the Vita costs to manufacture, but we'll just throw $250 out there but I've heard it costs more than they sell it for.

Nintendo shouldn't have to sell at a loss, but Nintendo doesn't have to sell at a $150 profit either. Where as Sony and Microsoft are selling their consoles closer to the price that they cost to manufacture, then they're not as overpriced.

Rather than being like Nintendo and having their customers paying a ton of markup on a last gen console, customers are paying around what Sony and Microsoft pay to manufacture the product.

[Aussie2B]

First off, who is "estimating" these costs? Second, you honestly think "retail price - manufacturing cost = PROFIT!"? I don't have any background in business, and even I know that's laughable.

First of all, the stores that actually sell these products have to make money, so they get a piece of the retail price (since Nintendo would sell them the 3DS at a lower price). Second, and more importantly, there are WAY more costs than manufacturing. What about research and development? What about marketing? What about customer support? Etc. etc. etc.

If a company sells a product under, at, or very close to the cost of manufacturing, they're stupid. Plain and simple. Obviously, though, Sony and Microsoft have plans to make money off of the systems in other ways, so selling the systems is more of an investment than a flat-out loss. But either way, Nintendo has smart business sense and has been turning a profit even in times when they were far behind their competition in sales. Although didn't they just announce their first loss recently? So if you think they're raking in dough from the 3DS and other hardware, you're mistaken.

[kupomogli]

I'm not adding into percentage from the store that sells it and everything. I'm quite aware that Gamestop, Walmart, wherever, isn't going to sell a $250 3DS and make nothing from it.

It doesn't change the fact that manufacturing costs are higher and lower. And yes. Nintendo has research and development costs, but doesn't mean that they're the only ones. Despite the millions in research and development that Sony and Microsoft spend, they're still selling the systems at prices closer to manufacturing costs.

So the point isn't whether "Nintendo is raking in the dough." That was your statement above. "So... overpriced = sells at a profit?" My entire comment was that Nintendo is overpriced because their console costs far less to manufacture than is sold for, while others are sold for the same/similar amounts that they're sold for. I shouldn't have to state the obvious when we're talking just manufacturing costs and MSRP.

[Aussie2B]

But don't you understand how that makes no sense? Basically you're ragging on Nintendo because the other companies sell at a loss while it doesn't. A product is SUPPOSED to cost far more than the cost to manufacture, that's MY point.

[Kitsune Sniper]

But don't you understand how that makes no sense? Basically you're ragging on Nintendo because the other companies sell at a loss while it doesn't. A product is SUPPOSED to cost far more than the cost to manufacture, that's MY point.Let it go. You can't reason with him.

[kupomogli]

A product is SUPPOSED to cost far more than the cost to manufacture, that's MY point.

Which make any of Sony and Microsoft's consoles are less overpriced than any of Nintendo's current consoles. So the $150 Wii is overpriced in comparison to the $200 360 and $250 PS3.

The Wii is an overpriced Gamecube, paperweight, door stop, crappy SD Netflix player, etc. Whatever you want to call it. Much like the Move for PS3 or Kinect for 360, I'm sure the Wiimote could have been a Gamecube add on but Nintendo wanted to be able to call it a new system and milk another generation with the same graphics and more overpriced peripherals.

[Aussie2B]

So... in other words, you created this topic for the sake of trolling? :P

[kupomogli]

So... in other words, you created this topic for the sake of trolling? :P

I'm not the group of people coming into a thread and complaining how overpriced all of Sony's other consoles are, despite buying a 3DS at the same exact price the Vita is being released at or the fact that like the Vita it also has a game coming out that's $49.99.

My original reply was to Press_Start for being a hypocrite on Sony's Vita pricing and trolling not only the Vita, but Sony as a company.

I created the topic to be informative, but everyone wanted to bitch about how even at a lower cost everything is too expensive and they'll go back to their $250 3DS that they purchased at launch. Then bitch almost every Sony released product in the last five years. There are other threads for that. Infact there's one thread that was created for that very reason I'm sure.

And now saying I'm trolling because you're not going to win the overpriced argument? I understand that you're happy to be a part of the Nintendo Defenders Club, but Nintendo's been screwing this industry since the NES. NES was a great system, as well as many other systems Nintendo has released, thanks to their great first party and many great third party developers, but it's fact that the industry would have been better off without Nintendo's douchebag tactics. The story isn't due here of course, elsewhere obviously, but the industry would more than likely be better than it is now without Nintendo(potential fact.)

[Aussie2B]

Haha, Nintendo Defenders Club? Does that come with a lapel pin and secret decoder (that'll tell me to "Be sure to play your 3DS")?

I say you're trolling because you used this topic as a springboard to start your irrelevant and illogical Nintendo bashing. Are you really that sensitive about anyone saying anything negative about Sony? You're on a board filled with game collectors that buy 20 year old games at flea markets for 2 bucks. It has nothing to do with Sony, Nintendo, or any other company. With any new system, you're going to get a ton of people saying "it's more than I want to pay" because we're all accustomed to being patient and waiting for good deals to come along, sometimes many years later. You yourself are acting like more of a system/company fanboy than most anyone else around here. Most people on here own systems from all of the major companies.

By the way, I was only ever arguing with the illogical statements you made in regard to business practices. My stance had nothing to do with Nintendo or any other company. And I think I pretty squarely "won" that one.

[Kyle15]

The Wii is an overpriced Gamecube, paperweight, door stop, crappy SD Netflix player, etc. Whatever you want to call it. Much like the Move for PS3 or Kinect for 360, I'm sure the Wiimote could have been a Gamecube add on but Nintendo wanted to be able to call it a new system and milk another generation with the same graphics and more overpriced peripherals.

Oh boy. What are "the same graphics?" Every game I've seen looks different. ;)

[kupomogli]

You yourself are acting like more of a system/company fanboy than most anyone else around here.

I'm more anti Nintendo than anything. The thread wasn't started for Nintendo bashing though. The Nintendo bashing didn't start until Press_Start's Sony bashing hypocrite post. It then ended until replied to.


Most people on here own systems from all of the major companies.

I wish I owned more than just Sony consoles. Oh wait, that's it. I do. Just because Nintendo is my least favorite gaming company doesn't mean I don't love all their consoles prior to the N64 and then the Gamecube. It took a mighty blow, the N64, for them to realize their folly and release another great and well supported console like the Gamecube. Only to fuck their fanbase over and cancel a few games and port them to the Wii and completely drop support of both the Gamecube and GBA as soon as the Gamecube reboot and DS hit the market. As soon as the Wii and the DS became a hit did they keep trying? Hell no, only enough to have something to show on the big game shows is it.


And I think I pretty squarely "lost" that one.

I'm glad that you agree that Nintendo's systems are overpriced. I don't think paying $149 for a last gen product when it's a Gamecube with waggle is a good deal either.

Want a good gift idea that's fun and will save you some money? It's just like playing the Wii and has a cooler name too.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/de/Sambaballen.JPG/209px-Sambaballen.JPG

Yes. I would recommend the purchase of maracas over the Wii.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJhQoks4D_I (this man is like the Reggie of maracas. Do not fight the urge. You know you want some.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=yEdB-CAoPkQ (it's like a Nintendo E3 but better.)

[Aussie2B]

So the gist of it is that you're butthurt and a raging anti-Nintendo fanboy because the GBA and GameCube stopped getting support after they enjoyed full system lifespans? And because a few games got bumped to the new platforms? You know, there were NES games bumped to SNES, and SNES games bumped to N64, and N64 games bumped to GameCube, and... yeah.

Keep trolling, man, keep trolling. Eventually a mod will grow weary of this 14-year-old GameFAQs-style crap.

[Streetball 21]

Uncharted is the only Vita game listed at $49.99. The 3DS also has a high profile game at $49.99 as well though. Resident Evil Revelations is being released at that price.

As said above, according to Sony, the Vita game prices will be $9.99 - $49.99, with every other launch title being $29.99 or $39.99. First party games Wipeout 2048, Modnation Racers Road Trip, and Everybody's Golf are all $29.99.

So other than Uncharted, most launch titles are just as affordable as all releases on the Nintendo 3DS launch before price drop, and a few of them more affordable. Not only that, but Sony has mentioned they might make games purchased for the Vita from PSN be cheaper than physical copies. Rumor has it 40% cheaper. Why all the bitching? I'm sure Sony apologizes that they're not all free like you were expecting.

Also. Sure the Wii is a console. But those shovelware titles deserve to hit the market at $50 while a game that has had a lot of development costs put into it, regardless of console, cannot? Resident Evil Mercenaries 3D is a mini game that can be played on all Resident Evil titles but sold for $40 on the 3DS. Star Fox 64 3D is a port with 3D(oooo) and won't drop in price for a very long time. I'm sure Nintendo almost broke the bank developing that one. You may go back to your regularly scheduled bitching and moaning about everything not meeting your demands.

Nintendo bashing started here. BTW Starfox 64 is a great game. Even better to have it on a handheld. Bottom line is the 3DS price drop will hurt Vita unless they counter.

[kupomogli]

Nintendo bashing started here. BTW Starfox 64 is a great game. Even better to have it on a handheld. Bottom line is the 3DS price drop will hurt Vita unless they counter.

Where's the Nintendo bashing. Replying to "there's a $49.99 game on the Vita and the games are overpriced." Vita and 3DS both have a title priced at $49.99. Fact. "Most" Vita prices are as affordable or more affordable than the 3DS launch line up. Fact, as all 3DS launch games were priced at $39.99 where as there are $29.99 Vita games.

Then the last paragraph wasn't bashing either. Still talking about how the games released originally were overpriced. Resident Evil Mercenaries is indeed a mini game retailing at $40 MSRP. Star Fox 64 3D is a port retailing at $40 MSRP. This wasn't bashing Nintendo, but how some games were quite a bit overpriced for a Capcom mini game and a Nintendo port. It's not like we can't purchase God of War Origins HD, garbage as it may be, for $40, or Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for $50. The Vita is getting Metal Gear Solid HD Collection(transfarring) as well, so doesn't the cost of a single $40 port sound extremely steep when a three game collection costs $50?

So no. None of that post was bashing Nintendo. Again. That didn't start until Press_Start's post where I did infact start bashing Nintendo. Unless you were talking about my statement of those $50 shovelware titles, which I was talking about actual shovelware that's released at $50. Not all Wii games. Though now that you mention it. Almost everything on the Wii is shovelware isn't it ;).

[Bojay1997]

Where's the Nintendo bashing. Replying to "there's a $49.99 game on the Vita and the games are overpriced." Vita and 3DS both have a title priced at $49.99. Fact. "Most" Vita prices are as affordable or more affordable than the 3DS launch line up. Fact, as all 3DS launch games were priced at $39.99 where as there are $29.99 Vita games.

Then the last paragraph wasn't bashing either. Still talking about how the games released originally were overpriced. Resident Evil Mercenaries is indeed a mini game retailing at $40 MSRP. Star Fox 64 3D is a port retailing at $40 MSRP. This wasn't bashing Nintendo, but how some games were quite a bit overpriced for a Capcom mini game and a Nintendo port. It's not like we can't purchase God of War Origins HD, garbage as it may be, for $40, or Metal Gear Solid HD Collection for $50. The Vita is getting Metal Gear Solid HD Collection(transfarring) as well, so doesn't the cost of a single $40 port sound extremely steep when a three game collection costs $50?

So no. None of that post was bashing Nintendo. Again. That didn't start until Press_Start's post where I did infact start bashing Nintendo. Unless you were talking about my statement of those $50 shovelware titles, which I was talking about actual shovelware that's released at $50. Not all Wii games. Though now that you mention it. Almost everything on the Wii is shovelware isn't it ;).

Why even mention Nintendo at all? It doesn't help your argument in any way, it just shows that Sony is too arrogant or foolish to learn from Nintendo's very recent mistakes. If the 3DS hadn't launched less than nine months ago and hadn't had a massive price drop and the games hadn't fallen in price, Sony's strategy with the Vita would have seemed more reasonable. Unfortunately, all of those things have happened and then Sony decides to price the one game everyone wants at $50 not including the mandatory memory card starting at $20 required to play that game. So, you're really looking at $70 plus the system at $250 just to get started with that one game. How can you possibly sit there straight faced and say that this is not Sony just doing the same money grab that every company does? I'm not saying it's necessarily wrong since all companies must by their very nature seek profit in any legal way possible, just that it seems ridiculous and out of touch with reality in light of the current economy and frankly, their less than stellar Japanese launch a few weeks ago.

[Streetball 21]

I agree. And in the second week after release in Japan, PS Vita was outsold by the 3DS, PS3, PSP and Wii. Yes, the Wii. Not good for Sony.

[kupomogli]

The 3DS is a comparison. If people are complaining about the Vita having a $49 game, what else is there to compare it to other than another handheld. What other handheld has a game coming out that's $49? What other handheld had a launch line up for games that was no less than $39? Comparison and bashing are not the same. So yes, that's why I brought up the 3DS.

It's unfortunate that the Vita isn't selling as well as Sony has hoped. Being that the launch line up was aimed more at western audiences than Japan, most games were western developed afterall, that's more than likely the reason why the console isn't selling.

Also, it doesn't help the Vita that the 3DS did have a bunch of high profile games announced the week it was to be released. Dragon Quest Monsters remake hitting the 3DS with a playable demo the day the Vita was released. So buy a Vita or save money for one of Japan's favorite franchises could also potentially have detracted from Vita sales.

But hey, maybe Japan is thinking the same thing. If the Vita doesn't do that well during launch, maybe Sony will make the same move Nintendo does and drop the price to a similar amount. I'd agree that it's in Sony's best interest to drop it to atleast $199 being that they're a year behind and off to a slow start. $250 is well worth it, but just like the Wii, people would rather pay less and get much less than pay what they're getting for. Not bashing the Wii, but this is pretty much true. A good comparison would be how fast food businesses make far more per day than an actual restaurant. A bit cheaper and quick, but what you're getting is much less than what you paid.

[Bojay1997]

The 3DS is a comparison. If people are complaining about the Vita having a $49 game, what else is there to compare it to other than another handheld. What other handheld has a game coming out that's $49? What other handheld had a launch line up for games that was no less than $39? Comparison and bashing are not the same. So yes, that's why I brought up the 3DS.

It's unfortunate that the Vita isn't selling as well as Sony has hoped. Being that the launch line up was aimed more at western audiences than Japan, most games were western developed afterall, that's more than likely the reason why the console isn't selling.

Also, it doesn't help the Vita that the 3DS did have a bunch of high profile games announced the week it was to be released. Dragon Quest Monsters remake hitting the 3DS with a playable demo the day the Vita was released. So buy a Vita or save money for one of Japan's favorite franchises could also potentially have detracted from Vita sales.

But hey, maybe Japan is thinking the same thing. If the Vita doesn't do that well during launch, maybe Sony will make the same move Nintendo does and drop the price to a similar amount. I'd agree that it's in Sony's best interest to drop it to atleast $199 being that they're a year behind and off to a slow start. $250 is well worth it, but just like the Wii, people would rather pay less and get much less than pay what they're getting for. Not bashing the Wii, but this is pretty much true. A good comparison would be how fast food businesses make far more per day than an actual restaurant. A bit cheaper and quick, but what you're getting is much less than what you paid.

Except the comparison completely falls apart in the sense that the only game to ever hit the $50 price point on the 3DS isn't even out yet and it's not even a first party game, nor does it require a mandatory accessory to make it work. You can make all sorts of arguments about the launch line-up of the Vita in Japan or the high profile game launches in Japan that week or month, but ultimately, it's priced too high for the market right now and it doesn't offer compelling enough game content to make people rush out and buy it. It also is now in direct competition with other cheaper mobile devices and inexpensive downloadable games.

Frankly, the 3DS was poorly launched as well and still isn't doing massive sales on either the hardware or software side. The thing that's really frustrating about Sony is that instead of doing the logical thing and adjusting to the market, they are trying to play the Apple card and launching at a premium price point regardless of the market. While it works for Apple because they make great products that have a cult-like following, it won't work for Sony, especially when there are so many other cheaper alternatives in the market. Despite all this, I still have a Vita pre-ordered and paid off on Amazon along with a few games even though I know I will regret it once the inevitable price drop happens just like it did on the 3DS I paid full price to buy.

[TonyTheTiger]

While I understand and share the frustration with respect to the memory cards, I don't get why everybody is brushing off the $250-$300 price point for the base system as irrelevant now. It seems like whatever good Sony did by pricing the system on the lower end goes out the window with the accessories. I don't think it works that way because it could very easily have been $100 more for the Vita on top of whatever proprietary shenanigans Sony employed with the memory.

The value of the device itself is still a factor. Very few consoles are fully usable right out of the box. Pretty much everybody will have to buy some game/accessory(s) early on to get a "full" experience. We were doing it since back around the PlayStation days where you needed a memory card and maybe an extra controller for the wealth of two player games in the launch window. We were always dealing with $300ish systems turning into $450ish purchases.

So I don't see why the Vita is that much different other than the fact that proprietary storage is fairly antiquated these days. If you want to consider the Vita a $350 purchase instead of a $250 purchase then by all means go for it. But $350 for access to the full potential of the machine still sounds pretty decent to me. Not great for a handheld by any stretch but decent.

While the Vita is by no means a budget platform, considering what it has packed inside even after buying a game and a smaller capacity memory card you'd be walking away with, while not a steal, a pretty competitively priced product. Maybe it's not that big a deal to me since I'm biased by the fact that I won't make heavy use of digital games and so I'll be able to get by on smaller/cheaper memory.

[8-bitNesMan]

NES was a great system, as well as many other systems Nintendo has released, thanks to their great first party and many great third party developers, but it's fact that the industry would have been better off without Nintendo's douchebag tactics. The story isn't due here of course, elsewhere obviously, but the industry would more than likely be better than it is now without Nintendo(potential fact.)

What part of your butt do you pull these "facts" out of? Are you too young to remember how Atari oversaturated the market and damn near killed the industry? You can hate on Nintendo all you want but the real fact is that there would not be a US video game industry without them.

[supaevil]

3ds will win this battle. Unless the vita drops price. The problem with sony is they are too japanese and dont even think of the west. Nintendo at least has a pulse on the western market. Nintendo has the magic. Sony has there head in there wasabi eating ass. Cheers!

[RPG_Fanatic]

I think I'll wait on buying a Vita until a price drop. It looks like it's second week on store shelves it's not doing to well. I just read this at G4.com -


Bad news for the PlayStation Vita in Japan. According to Media Create (Via Joystiq), Sony's innovative handheld unit sold 72,479 units on its second week on the market. The Nintendo 3DS, on the other hand, sold 482,200 units. In Japan, the PSP, Wii, and PS3 all outsold the handheld.

On the software sales charts in Japan, three of the top five games are for the 3DS: Mario Kart 7 (#1), Super Mario 3D Land (#3), and Monster Hunter Tri-G (#4). Where no Vita games appear in the top 20 -- though, as Joystiq points out,this is likely due to both the poor hardware sales and the availability of retail games on PSN at lower prices.

The Vita is scheduled for release in North America on February 22. My question: Will it sell in the US? I've played around with it, and it's really, really cool, but I wonder how it will fare in the crowded market place of handheld devices.

[BetaWolf47]

Also, if you really want to get technical. Nintendo is the only one out of the current big three that overprice their consoles. Sony was losing hundreds on each console while Microsoft, while not losing as much, was still losing on each console, yet even more so with faulty hardware. Nintendo on the other hand for all of their systems sells it at a profit rather than a loss.

So in how much each console cost, despite paying more for them than each Nintendo console, we were receiving a deal purchasing a 360 or PS3. The 3DS was overpriced at $250, and afterwards "Nintendo even admitted they overpriced it because of fan reaction." Still Nintendo fanboys follow that piece of shit company blindly. Nintendo can do no wrong, yet they have and they admitted it, but Nintendo can still do no wrong. At $170 I'm the 3DS is still making profit. Sony stated the PS Vita wifi version is $250 for each to be made, but I've heard they're still selling at a loss.

You're indeed right about Nintendo being the only one to sell their consoles for a profit recently. That's probably helped them get ahead like they have.

However, you're acting like Sony and Microsoft are selling consoles at a loss out of generosity, which is anything but true. Haven't you ever wondered why Microsoft was selling the Xbox 360 Wi-fi adapter, which is literally nothing more than a preconfigured ethernet bridge, for $100? Or why they are selling a controller that is basically a Wavebird with rumble for $50? Or why console versions of games usually cost $10 more than the PC version? Or, perhaps, why Sony is selling 32GB Memory Sticks for $100 when 32GB SD cards cost $40? They can give their system away for free, but that doesn't mean they are the Santa Claus of gaming.

Also, the vast majority of Nintendo fans were NOT okay with Nintendo selling the 3DS for $250. Stop acting like that, because that's nothing but bullcrap.

[heybtbm]

$0.99 games on a device that every single person already owns or a $300+ investment and $50 per game in the worst economy since the Great Depression? Hmmm...I wonder which one will prevail?

I totally plan on buying one on clearance this Fall.

[kupomogli]

On the software sales charts in Japan, three of the top five games are for the 3DS: Mario Kart 7 (#1), Super Mario 3D Land (#3), and Monster Hunter Tri-G (#4). Where no Vita games appear in the top 20

Nintendo did well to release Mario before the Vita launch. It's really the primary reason to own a Nintendo console. The PSP sold well in Japan due to a lot of Japanese games. Sold tons when a new Monster Hunter was released. With Nintendo having the Monster Hunter series on lockdown now, the release of Tri-G and MH4 coming out in the future, plus Dragon Quest being pretty much Nintendo exclusive now, at this time, the Vita really has no chance at coming out on top in Japan.

With the launch line up being mostly aimed towards the west, that's probably the reason why it didn't sell well in Japan. Outselling the 3DS right now is doubtful atleast until more games come out for the Vita. Though it'll probably sell much better in the west than it did in Japan.


3ds will win this battle. Unless the vita drops price. The problem with sony is they are too japanese and dont even think of the west. Nintendo at least has a pulse on the western market. Nintendo has the magic. Sony has there head in there wasabi eating ass. Cheers!

You're probably right about the 3DS winning and the Vita does need to drop in price, but do you smoke crack? Seriously? Sony is too Japanese and doesn't think about the west? The PSP selling well in Japan is due to third party games, same with the PS3. Almost every first party Sony game is western developed and some that aren't are aimed towards western audiences.


I totally plan on buying one on clearance this Fall.

Didn't realize that it was 2016 yet.

[RPG_Fanatic]

The PS Vita just isn't selling that well in Japan, hell even the PSP is outselling it. I think Sony's going to have to do a price cut soon.

Read - http://www.computerandvideogames.com/331180/japanese-ps-vita-sales-continue-disappointing-run/

[Leo_A]

From what I've read elsewhere, that's simply because Sony hasn't been able to ship an adequate amount of units to keep retailers stocked after the initial launch.

[Bojay1997]

From what I've read elsewhere, that's simply because Sony hasn't been able to ship an adequate amount of units to keep retailers stocked after the initial launch.

Well, apparently Sony completely screwed up on anticipating what demand would be like for the 3G version, so they have tons of those sitting unsold and a smaller proportion of the wi-fi version available. It doesn't change the fact that they've only sold 440K units in three weeks which is pretty terrible and that there are still units available sitting unsold. I've heard that some retailers in Japan are even cutting the price on the 3G version just to move them to customers who want the wi-fi and won't buy the more expensive version.

[duffmanth]

I think this is how things are going to go with the Vita short term, the system, memory cards and games will launch at their current prices, it'll probably do good numbers the first few days to a week, then it'll completely trail off for 6 months until Sony finally realizes that everything is too expensive, then drop the price on everything.

[Ludwig]

Anyone know if there is going to be a re-release of final fantasy 7, 8 and 9 for the thing in physical form?