Japanese retailers discount 3G PSVITAs

[mysticwaterfall]

Retailers in Japan are discounting by 20% right now, at least on the 3g model.

http://m.ign.com/articles/1215677

IGN also has a fairly good article on problems with the PSV and how they think it can be fixed -
http://m.ign.com/articles/1215654

Should be interesting to see what happens when PSV launches outside Japan.

 

[prowler]

Japanese retailers are discounting the 3G models because it's not selling, not Sony

 

[Satangel]

Would be superduperawesome if it hits here at a discount already, God that would be awesome

 

[zanfire]

Would be superduperawesome if it hits here at a discount already, God that would be awesome

they almost need to. Sony products make most of their money in japan...far and away, so if its not doing well....to the point of discounts in japan, that does not bode well for sales in the other regions. I have a feeling its going to be 3DS all over again. I went from pre-ordering it now waiting at least 6 months before i get one now. Bad sales + overpriced and necessary memory cards = Il wait a bit on this one.

its hard to argue with the #s nintendo pulled after they went below 200$ mark.

 

[Satangel]

Japanese retailers are discounting the 3G models because it's not selling, not Sony

I know, I read the article. But you never know Sony sees it too and decides to take another marketing strategy.

 

[mysticwaterfall]

Well yeah, it would be suicidial if Sony itself dropped the price less then a month later.

 

[prowler]

I know, I read the article. But you never know Sony sees it too and decides to take another marketing strategy.

Japanese market is very different from the Western, we don't know how well or poor the 3G models might sell unless there are pre-order numbers around the Internet somewhere.

 

[Valwin]

retailers are like Damn we need to get rid of this thing

Spoiler

 

[vpd]

At first I read the title of this as 'PS Vita Discontinued in Japan'
Was like wtf!? shortest lifespan ever.

 

[chris888222]

At least (I heard) the 3G isn't locked to carrier.

Oh well... Wi-Fi is good enough for me.

 

[insidexdeath]

The 3G model imo is pointless. I don't see the point of that model at all.

 

[Foxi4]

The 3G model imo is pointless. I don't see the point of that model at all.

Enjoy being wifi dependent. The Vita is a portable, for people who often use online features and like to play on the go this is a great feature. I, for one, have free, unlimited 3g access along with my cell plan, so obviously this is perfect for me.

 

[T-hug]

I thought it was ONE store or ONE chain of stores that have discounted it due to too much inventory?
Not ALL retailers...

@Foxi4, shame it is limited to 20MB downloads and most games won't use 3G for online play due to it's flakyness.
You can however use it for title updates etc. on the move.

I can't wait to pick up my unit next month, still haven't ordered any games yet though. I read Gravity daze is going to be a DL only title in UK, which is weird. Maybe it's a rush to have it for launch.
Even though I have played it loads of times, I am going to get Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus now it is announced for launch here. If it's better than NG Black then it's 100% win!

 

[boombox]

I'd prefer not to spend money every month on 3G for my PSVita, so I'll definitely be getting the Wifi only version. I can't really see the need of always being connected to the internet, but I guess it's good for car journeys?
I much prefer how the 3DS just picks up Wifi hotspots.

 

[Hop2089]

24,999 yen, not enough reductions

cut the price by 40% and I'll get a second Vita as a spare and really they are underestimating Vita's future sales.

It's only the 5th in Japan, in 21 days, the Vita will sell big time, then 6 days later another hard hitter, and another hard hitter although for PSP that can work on a Vita.

The Japanese may not want a Vita today but they will in 21-27 days time, they are cautious right now due to lack of decent software.

 

[xist]

The emphasis on the 3G console over/equal to the Wifi model in the supply chain seems a woeful oversight. I'd have thought the demand for 3G wouldn't meet the number of units available leading to a surplus that they'd have to shift....it's that initial mis-step that's the problem, not the Vita itself.

 

[Ssx9]

The 3G model imo is pointless. I don't see the point of that model at all.

Enjoy being wifi dependent. The Vita is a portable, for people who often use online features and like to play on the go this is a great feature. I, for one, have free, unlimited 3g access along with my cell plan, so obviously this is perfect for me.

Eh, enjoy being online dependent.

 

[chyyran]

The 3G model imo is pointless. I don't see the point of that model at all.

Enjoy being wifi dependent. The Vita is a portable, for people who often use online features and like to play on the go this is a great feature. I, for one, have free, unlimited 3g access along with my cell plan, so obviously this is perfect for me.

Simple solution, tether your phone's 3G to your Vita.


I'd wait for a Wifi model price drop, and even if, I wouldn't buy until it's hacked, if at all.

 

[zanfire]

i can just make my smart phone a wifi hotspot, so no biggie for me...and im sure plenty of other have figured this out too.

 

[Jamstruth]

24,999 yen, not enough reductions

cut the price by 40% and I'll get a second Vita as a spare and really they are underestimating Vita's future sales.

It's only the 5th in Japan, in 21 days, the Vita will sell big time, then 6 days later another hard hitter, and another hard hitter although for PSP that can work on a Vita.

The Japanese may not want a Vita today but they will in 21-27 days time, they are cautious right now due to lack of decent software.

Forgive me for being dense, but what changes in a month?

3G models not selling and I'm not surprised especially in Japan where you have about 20 Wi-Fi spots per square metre (in the cities anyway). I'm sure the Japanese public is just like "I pay to get Wi-Fi for my laptop going out, I can just use that on my Vita". Job done
Hell, even in the UK its easy to find BTOpenzone hotspots and if you've got internet with BT then you get a certain amount of free access to them. There's even one covering my town and I live an hour away from any city. 3G handheld is something I wouldn't invest in. Its just another expense.