By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
Guitarguy on 18 October 2014
Edit Thread
Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
Guitarguy said:
Dr.Henry_Killinger said:
NightDragon83 said:
This is the "worst generation for handhelds" because Vita's sales are terrible, not the other way around.

And both the 3DS and Vita were way overpriced when they were released... a $250 handheld was NEVER going to be successful. Notice how the 3DS's sales finally picked up after it was dropped below $200, and it has plenty of quality software, along with the 2DS for those on a budget. Vita meanwhile is still $200+ with literally no games. Not hard to see why this is the "worst generation for handhelds".

Smartphones are why.


40 million 3DS units say hello.

80 million PSPs

81 million GBAs

118 million GBs

150 million NDSs

Pre smartphones

3DS units say bye.


Nice job comparing those handheld's sales many years after they have been released. The DS was introduced in 2004 and the 3DS replaced it in 2011, that is a 7 year run.  The 3DS has sold over 40 million units merely 3 and a half years. Surely if the 3DS can 'only' sell 40 million units in 3.5 years, the Vita should sell 25 million units give it has been out 2.75 years and is struggling against smart phones just like the 3DS. So if smart phones are  the sole reason for bad handheld console sales, how has the 3DS been outselling the Wii U, Xbox One, 360 and PS3 for quite some time? Is the 3DS somewhat immune to the worldwide smart phone epidemic?

Don't get me wrong, smart phones did subtract a sizeable portion of gamers that would have otherwise have bought a 3DS/Vita but I do not believe it has damaged handheld console sales to the extent that they are no longer viable. The 3DS is constantly in 2nd place on VGC weekly charts above ALL consoles besides the PS4(aside from the recent Xbox One upsurge). I don't believe the Vita's poor sales are solely due to smart phones. Did smart phones hinder handheld console sales? Unequivocally, YES. Are smart phones the sole reason for Vita's poor sales? No. If the 3DS can outsell most home consoles weekly and sell 40 million units in 3.5 years, theoretically the Vita should be able to do the same.