Which flop makes you sadder: Wii U or Vita?

[MikeRox]

I think they quickly realised after launch that repeating what they did with the PSP wasn't going to shift units.

I don't doubt that a lot of the PSP audience moved onto smartphones/tablets. Like you say a big draw was, it played videos and music on the go out of the box. Something phones just did not do back in 2004/2005. That probably has taken away a fair whack of what made the PSP appeal as iPods were also nowhere near as cheap as they are now.

They came out the gates with some huge titles however this failed to translate to shifting hardware. The sales of the likes of Tearaway and Killzone in 2013 also kind of show that that demographic just isn't there in big enough meaningful quantities to make pumping AAA game after AAA game out worthwhile.

I think we're really seeing a shift in strategy, luring indies onboard has proven very successful for them. I mean Hotline Miami etc all feel more at home on Vita than any other system.I think they've also done a lot of unannounced behind the scenes work getting content from Japan across to the West even if it is via smaller 3rd parties like XSEED and NISA.

I don't doubt GTA would still have the clout to help the system stand out. But I think they're currently resigned to a slow burning strategy. The hardware is powerful enough fr the long haul and as each game like Danganronpa, Toukiden, Ys etc creeps onto the market. I think they'll eventually get to the point where people will feel there is enough software to bite.

There's actually a lot more high quality Vita exclusive content than you'd ever believe reading the comments on here. It also has by far the best handheld versions of most game genres and a surprisingly diverse line up. It's just been missing 2 things, decent marketing to create awareness (as you say) and also, it's best games are barely known IPs. Again, a Gran Turismo (why this isn't happening I don't know, GT6 should have been cross format) and an exclusive "full experience" GTA could really do wonders, especially if they started packing it in with a $199 system.

I don't think it's going to happen though. I think Vita is going to remain one of those hidden gem systems and I don't doubt it's going to be a cult classic in the future.