not true in japan.

You might be on to something here. I don't think it is a flaw of the Vita itself however, it is a change in the demographics of mobile today in the US. In Japan (as has been brought up) Vita is doing okay and sales have been picking up for it there as of late. It is the US where you are right most adults won't be using a Vita but I don't necessarily think out of embarrassment but rather because they own a smart phone which is "good enough" for quick gaming, listening to music or podcasts etc. and they see no reason to bring a secondary or often tertiary device with them. Plus it is relatively expensive in terms of a handheld device as its main focus is games.

I wouldn't play a handheld device (including my phone) on public transportation mostly just to avoid being distracted an unaware of those around me but a long train trip or a plane flight you can bet I'm pulling out my Vita and playing as long as my battery will allow me to.

As for using it at home I beg to differ on your assertion that "...it defeats the purpose," especially with the remote play capabilities as many people have multiple TV watchers/users and having that ability allows you to play while the TV is occupied. Handy when the wife insists on watching Happily Ever After or True Blood or even Dracula.

Honestly i could care less of what people think, but i play my 3DS in public any chance i get. I think for most people its kinda surprising because I really dont look like a geek (ive been told to look like "sports" kind of guy) so seeing me enjoy some mario bros, might seem kinda weird lol, But I get alot of street passes so i guess im not the only one with a 3DS in public :D

I don't think that is a major reason at all. I've actually seen people use a vita in public, all people that look like they're in their twenties. The only people that ever stared or annoyed me about my vita were teen boys, which is probably because I look like a teen girl. I think a lot of non-gamers see it as another tablet alternative and don't care. Meanwhile I've never ever seen a 3ds in public, and the one time I took it on the train explained why... they all stared at me like I was a weirdo. All kids have tablets not 3ds, so vita becoming more kiddie wouldn't have saved it. Handheld are just dying in the USA, Sony's next ''handheld'' is going to be a gaming smartphone or tablet.

I do not understand why western culture and people are under such complexes, whats with that tardiness... I wish I was born Japanese and not a westerner... Why are all westerners such damn whimps and act kiddie when comes to handhelds in public? Grow up already... Do you care about someone elses opinion if they see you gaming on a handheld in public? Are you all ashamed of beign gamers? Are you closet gamers? You are ashamed of gaming on a handheld but not on a smartphone in public?! Double standards?! You people sometimes make me sick... Bunch of whimps #RANT

There are some really insecure people here, if u care what random strangers in public think about u playing handheld video games then I feel bad for u.

I honestly don't get it. I see people on my bus in the mornings when I am going to the university playing on their phones and they look really goofy sometimes, especially with driving games that have steering controls. But nobody cares, so why should anyone care if they are playing on a handheld? Really odd double standard.

Amen! My thoughts exactly, princess. 

There was no need to clarify. You said there isn't,not there hasn't been. There is no reason for the psp to say hi, since it's not selling well at the moment. Your post was perfectly fine. 

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