By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close

Forums - Gaming Discussion - Why do Japanese gamers prefer 3DS over PS-Vita?

 

Why do Japanese gamers prefer 3DS over PS-Vita?

Base hardware price dispa... 10 5.81%
 
Uses standard SDHC memory... 6 3.49%
 
Smaller size of base hard... 1 0.58%
 
Flip screen design makes ... 2 1.16%
 
StreetPass feature encour... 5 2.91%
 
Mario and other Nintendo ... 65 37.79%
 
Local Wifi multiplayer su... 2 1.16%
 
It's all about whomever ... 35 20.35%
 
Something else: Explained in Comments 9 5.23%
 
Just show me results 37 21.51%
 
Total:172
VicViper on 23 November 2012
cusman said:
I still don't think it is a software problem as much as it is a marketing problem

Why doesn't [Smart As] sell PS-Vita hardware in Japan when [Brain Age] moved tons of DS hardware in Japan? I have [Smart As] and it is a better [Brain Age] and there is no 3DS [Brain Age] announced.

Ragnarok Odyssey sort of like a Monster Hunter game isn't it?

Isn't LittleBigPlanet Vita a good answer to Mario?

PS-Vita already has it's Super Smash Bros or closest equivalent in PS All-Stars Battle Royale while the 3DS equivalent is 1-2+ years out.

I suppose there isn't any Mario Kart equivalent, but the moment Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed ends up on Vita wouldn't that be an equivalent?

Not to mention the many more software on Vita including some notable exclusives like Persona 4 Golden, Disgaea 3, AC-3 Liberation, Uncharted Golden Abyss, Gravity Rush, and others.

It must be a failure of marketing or something else. I myself don't see any problem in the hardware or the software availability.

There's a brain age for the 3DS - Brain Age 3: Concentration - but that boat sailed a long time ago (multi-million seller brain teaser games).

And "equivalents" are just not the real things (for sales)



Around the Network
cusman on 23 November 2012
enrageorange said:

It has everything to do with the games. The 3ds's library is currently so much better than the psvita's its not even fair, especially in Japan. Not only does nintendo now have Monster Hunter, but it also has Pokemon, Animal Crossing, and New Super Mario Bros which are all bigger than monster hunter in Japan, and Mario Kart looks like it will become bigger than monster hunter as well.

The only psp games to sell over 1million copies in Japan were the Monster Hunter games. The DS had 37 different games sell over 1mil in Japan. Sony literally has next to nothing now that they lost their only big portable franchise in Japan. Heck next week the 3ds will pass the psp in number of games that sold over 1mil in Japan, and it's install base is less than half the psp's.

Clearly software has been more successful on DS and 3DS... so why not on PSP as much and now even worse on PS-Vita?

It isn't purely a software quality issue right?

I mean Valkyria Chronicles 2 on PSP is phenomenally good software. There are other notably high quality softwares from both PSP and PS-Vita, yet they don't sell anywhere near as well as software manages to sell on DS / 3DS.

I don't buy that software of DS / 3DS is that much better... it must be Nintendo's marketing or brand that is stronger. Sometime simple as more people carrying around their 3DS for StreetPass causing more word of mouth consumer awareness.

Heck, I would even buy that Sony going all digital with the PS-Vita harmed them with retailers giving them less shelf space and store promotions. It's a problem of consumer awareness. The only "real" problem with the PS-Vita since the start to me has been that ridiculously priced unnecessary proprietary memory card they chose. Everything else has been better than I expected.

I mean people were upset over the 3DS missing second analog stick, and yet it sells better than PS-Vita that has exactly what people were complaining about?



cusman on 23 November 2012
VicViper said:
cusman said:
I still don't think it is a software problem as much as it is a marketing problem

Why doesn't [Smart As] sell PS-Vita hardware in Japan when [Brain Age] moved tons of DS hardware in Japan? I have [Smart As] and it is a better [Brain Age] and there is no 3DS [Brain Age] announced.

There's a brain age for the 3DS - Brain Age 3: Concentration - but that boat sailed a long time ago (multi-million seller brain teaser games).

And "equivalents" are just not the real things (for sales)

Never heard of Brain Age 3 for 3DS. Is that just in Japan or available in US already? I am waiting for Fire Emblem - Awakening for my 3DS but would absolutely purchase a 3DS Brain Age as well.



S.T.A.G.E. on 23 November 2012

The 3DS features games that have grown a base on nintendo portables. DS games had a following, but Sony never followed up on the PSP's most popular games, so they gave no reason for people to buy it. Cross play is great but it only does so much. You need hot games that differ from the PS3.



VicViper on 23 November 2012
cusman said:

Never heard of Brain Age 3 for 3DS. Is that just in Japan or available in US already? I am waiting for Fire Emblem - Awakening for my 3DS but would absolutely purchase a 3DS Brain Age as well.


Yes, it's japan only so far.

It's slated for Q1 next year for US/EU release



Around the Network
Oromashu on 23 November 2012

I feel bad for Persona 4 Golden. It's such a highly reviewed game, yet it won't be marketed well at all. Funny thing is, Black Ops 2 Declassified on the Vita will probably outsell it. Maybe Vita needs to change its gameplan when it comes to games that are good.

In Japan, the 3DS has a lot more games than outside the country, and the 3DS just feels very portable and not consoley if you understand what I mean. Sounds odd, but that's how the 3DS feels, and who knows, maybe that image has also affected the perception of the brand in Japan.

In most part, it could also be because of the 3DS's initial presence in Japan. It got a headstart and somehow used that to its advantage despite the sluggish sales in the beginning. Vita also doesn't have that killer app, like Monster Hunter, or DQ, or Mario, or Pokemon, maybe the Vita can get some Final Fantasies that can help it out. It also has Persona series and Disgaea but they're not as strong compared to what the 3DS has.

The franchises that Sony are relying on now are Western IP, which doesn't perform especially well in Japan. Right now, I believe the major detriment to Vita's software sales mostly have to do with its install base. The 3DS has eight times that of the Vita, which could be throwing off potential developers from making a game on that platform.



Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward = best game ever made.

ninetailschris on 23 November 2012
Turkish said:
Holy hell, why is this even a question? The 3DS has Monster Hunter and is cheaper. The Vita has no Monster Hunter and is expensive. You got your answer now?


3ds sold more at the same price without monster hunter being announced.

maybe the vita.... Just isn't that good behind specs...



"Excuse me sir, I see you have a weapon. Why don't you put it down and let's settle this like gentlemen"  ~ max

Kenology on 23 November 2012
Turkish said:
Holy hell, why is this even a question? The 3DS has Monster Hunter and is cheaper. The Vita has no Monster Hunter and is expensive. You got your answer now?

Monster Hunter isn't the determining factor here.  It helps, but its not what determines victory in the handheld space:  see DS vs PSP.



Kenology on 23 November 2012

@ OP:

Because Mario + Animal Crossing + Monster Hunter = HEAD SHOT.

Add Dragon Quest to the mix + Gen 6 Pokemon and it's a bloody massacre.  Vita never had a chance.



cusman on 23 November 2012
kowenicki said:
Why are you singling out Japanese gamers? Gamers from all countries prefer 3DS over Vita.

Its cheaper and it has a better and larger selection of games they prefer.

Focusing on Japan because portables are more played and more important there than home consoles and whatever happens there is what happens everywhere else with regards to portable gaming.