Switch Lights

The lights are on

Analysts Calling For Vita Price Cut

Research firm Strategy Analytics thinks that the new PlayStation Vita can sell 12.4 million units in 2012. But only if the price tag is cut.

"Sony now is experiencing the same story in Japan [as Nintendo]," says analyst Jia Wu. "Sales of the Wi-Fi version of PlayStation Vita at $249 initially exploded, selling more than 300,000 units in the first week of release. But the new console is barely moving 20,000 units per week in its home market after all the hardcore fans made their purchases, mirroring the experience of the Nintendo 3DS." Therefore, Wu suggests that Sony should further follow in Nintendo's footsteps and cut the price of the Vita to spur sales. Nintendo did that in 2011 for the 3DS, and it's already reaping the rewards.

Regardless, Wu notes that the Vita should do well for Sony, expecting it to bring in $2 billion in hardware and software sales in 2012. In particular, he thinks the unit has the potential to make a lot of money through its PlayStation Store.

 

[via GamesIndustry.biz]

Email the author , or follow on , and .

Comments
  • Isn't it too early? I think the reason its doing bad is because of the bad history of the PSP. All the Vita needs is more marketing and news of incoming games. If the time between new games becomes too long than it'll end up the same as the PSP so it'll come down to the marketing and the game lineup showing up on gaming news sites.
  • A price cut would be nice. Not sure if SONY feels the same way. With all the tech it's packing, it's already a pretty good deal.
  • A price cut would be nice, but why so early?
  • Naturally... $300+ for a handheld. When you've got a cheaper, more experienced competitor. Goes without saying. Or they can wait it out for a while.
  • The Vita is not a 3DS. I doubt Sony would break their word saying that they will not cut the price because of Nintendo last year.
  • ....GI your servers are killing me....i posted here... it's gone... i wrote a review for Escape Plan and it wasn't posted.....

    Anyways... what I wrote...was:

    I dont see a price cut happening in 2012.  PS3 was at $599 for a year or so... I see Vita following same suite.  Sony isn't one to make decisions like that.

    Vita...=)...................it's just so fun............

  • I think $250 for the Vita is pretty fair, but charging fifty more for the memory card is ludicrous. The only price cut the Vita needs is a free memory card included with every unit.
  • Haha, let me know when that happens...

  • someone answer this, how do you know when someone responds to your post? or you manually have to check??
  • My issue with the price is the fact that it costs more than a PS3.
  • oh GI users. use your heads. the systems is 250 not counting a game youll need to play nor the memory card. Nintendo cut the price early on and all you see now is how well its selling. i have yet to hear crap on the vita anymore

  • I don't think the Vita needs a price cut, but I think those memory cards need one.
  • It doesn't nee a price cut yet. That would be asinine from business standpoint. They need the initial surge to subside so they can maximize their profits, and considering it's only just releasing globally cutting the price now would only cost them more money as they struggle to supply their hardcore audience and those who would normally wait for that price drop.
  • Wait a minute... I thought "analysts" previously said that "portables cannot be a success in this modern world with craptacular iOS platforms and cheap-ass phone games."  

    So now, the Vita "can be a success" is in their vocabulary?

    Come on, now.

  • I completely agree...I've stated previously that the only way I would buy one is if the price dropped. I am a console gamer so I can't see dropping console dollars on a mobile device. All my friends feel the exact same way so we can't be alone. I'm certain a price drop would sell many more units. However, with all the tech in the device, a price drop may cause too much loss...not as much as not selling units though.
  • I had actually pre-ordered the Vita and UnCharted: GA. However, this was before I knew you had to pay a ridiculous amount of money to for a memory card. Note: the 4GB mem card is useless! Then I found out that if you lose, or your data transfer cord stop working, the replacement price is also ridiculous. The I found out that if your battery dies, then you well need to replace the whole unit. Long story short, I went and picked up a 3DS. I am in no ways a Nintendo fanboy, and I have never like any of there handhelds. However, I am impressed and amazed by the 3DS...in short, I'm happy!
  • i doubt they would allow a price cut so early

  • So basically they're saying "copy Nintendo, make money"? Because that's worked out so well before. While a price drop would definitely help Vita units move off of store shelves, you have to wonder how much money Sony would lose due to it.
  • Of course they oughta cut the price!!! Many gamers can't even afford it for its currently worth now! Sony needs to cut it immediately.
  • how about we wait and see how it does in America before calling for a price cut? it just came out yesterday...

1 2 3 4 5 Next ... Last