I guess my prejudice stems from the perceived fanfare around Vita on the internet. Admittedly, it's not really worth anything considering the past installments of handheld devices.

The collective belief on the internet is such a misleading thing - I'm probably wrong (gave it a second thought).

what a waste of time that survey was lol. 1000 ppl my ass.

I wouldn't be surprised if 64% of Japanese people owned a system. If you add up this generation's consoles you get 55%. Of course some people will own several systems so say 45-50%. Then add PS2 to that and it's pretty likely.

If you go to Japan you'll see that all kinds of people use their DS's and PSP's, from children to old people, going through businessmen.

I agree though that the size of the sample is not a problem as long as it is representative. That's how surveying works, people always complain about sample sizes and don't realise that you don't need a sample of thousands. A scientific sample of this size is enough.

However, it is just loyal, early adopters who are going to be interested in a system before it launches. I'm sure it was similar for PSP, 3DS, etc. If the system gets good support, it is liked by those who buy it, etc., then more people will become interested down the line. It doesn't mean that 6m will buy the Vita, period.

And off-topic, but your avatar makes me think of certain sexual practice, also of Japanese origin, but that's just my dirty mind.

It's difficult to imagine 13m peopl are 100% sure they will buy WiiU, so you may be right, perhaps the sample is not the best.

Anyway, Japan is very keen to quickly disappearing fads. Perhaps many people are certain they'll buy it because that's what's 'in', but they'll end up passing on the system once it's not. I'm sure many surveys in Japan end up with exaggerated numbers. Then again, that still doesn't bode well for Vita.

Nothing against you avatar, lol.

Maybe I’m missing something, but being (probably) a year away from release with limited details available and having similar sales intention numbers to a system that is going to be released very soon is not that bad for the Wii U.

As has already been said, the Wii U at this point in time has only been demonstrated as a concept; and, as most of Nintendo’s fanbase will tell you, while the Wii U concept has potential it is not as exciting as the Wiimote was. This upcoming E3 will be Nintendo’s opportunity to show the Wii U as a system, and selling it to people who are currently uncommitted. If Nintendo does well, by showing off solid software, eliminating people’s fears about the hardware, and displaying services that people desire, the buying intentions for the Wii U could rise dramatically from their current spot.

It will do fine. The Vita anyways. The PSP is on it's last legs. It was a great handheld and was very successful. I think most people know that it's time for it to pass on now. Let's just wait and see. As for the WiiU, based on the OP's signature, I'm not excited for it either

Since it says gamers with at least one gaming platform it gives us over 3 milions (if we counted only DS owners) as potential buyers in short term - then there's another 30% + who are interested but not buying yet.

And uninterested people tend to become interested once you release soft they care about.
If you asked me if i would buy PSP when it was released I'd say lol no- now I have it and something like 20 games for it ;)

I agree however this research wouldn't be of much use to them. It doesn't specifically target age groups or levels of consumers.

Sony and Nintendo would probably be interested in a study that asked non-gamers if they are interested in their next generation systems. Or a poll that focused entirely on the elderly or mid aged adults. This survey covers way to wide of a demographic to be all that useful. Also a survey covering only gamers may give a better picture of how successful the systems could be. A survey restricted to Sony fans or Nintendo fans.

Nintendo and Sony need to know this stuff, but this specific survey doesn't offer the depth or facts to actually be of much use. Other then the fact that it proves WiiU is more popular among those surveyed then Wii was!

As for every console owner being a gamer. Well I know several people who bought PS2's because they were a cheap DVD player and many didn't buy a single game and if they did it was usually for a child living in the home. I myself bought my PS3 primarily as a BluRay player and know of at least two individuals who aren't gamers but purchased PS3's because they knew that the BluRay player was of higher quality.

One of them had bought a BluRay player at launch but it wasn't connected to the web and didn't update. It wasn't able to play a lot of the newer BluRays. I told him my PS3 was always updated and I didn't have that problem so he chose to buy a PS3 instead of another BR player.

Just because you own a console does not make you a gamer. Also judging by the ages of many of the responders they could have bought the console for their children and not played games at all. The survey didn't ask how many of you play games on a regular basis it asked how many of you own a games machine.

Owning a games machine and actually being a gamer don't always go hand in hand. You can own a machine and not be a gamer just like you can be a gamer and not own a machine!

Nailed it.

Though I can completely understand Japan's disinterest with Vita.

And why would Japan be not interested in Vita ?