Did you know that the PlayStation Vita will be released in just a few short weeks? In fact, it has already been released in Japan, did you know about that? Me neither. The hype has been almost non-existent.
New handhelds and consoles generally go through several phases of excitement ahead of release. There’s the buzz that echoes around the internet when the device is first announced, followed by months of speculation where everything begins to tapper off.
Just before you forget about it, the manufacturer makes a massive revelation and everything is exciting once more, at least for a few days.
That leads to inevitable decline, but there’s normally the rejuvenation stage a few weeks ahead of release. That is what’s missing. I followed the rollercoaster until now, but truth be told I’m happy with my 3DS and lack the desire to run out and slap-down a preorder right now.
That’s what I want from a new handheld or console. I want to be enticed to give a greedy retailer all of my money now, weeks before I get the product. It’s the biggest scam in retail, but if I don’t at least think about pre-ordering far too early - the best deals often arise last minute - then there’s something wrong.
Furthermore, I would have expected the internet to be ablaze with Vita content by now. It launched in Japan a few weeks ago, but there are minimal signs of heavy importing. Everything I see online is speculation and information about the Western launches: there’s little about the Vita experience itself from average people, gamers, not the massive media conglomerates.
That to me suggests there hasn’t been much importing. Perhaps that’s the result of two months between the Japanese and English-speaking launches, rather than six or twelve. Then again, it could just be that the Vita doesn’t have the pull Sony expects.
It took Nintendo almost a year to get the 3DS up and running. Only now is it really worth buying. I wouldn’t have recommended it to anybody before Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 were released.
That’s a signifier of the changing perception of handheld gaming. If the veterans, the leaders of the handheld industry for over two decades, can’t immediately make an impact, what chance does Sony have? The Vita is only their second generation. It will take time to adapt to the changes.
Conversely, with less experience, they should be able to innovate post-launch better than Nintendo with its awkward Circle Pad Pro. Sony might follow the 3DS with a slow start, but I doubt they will launch a bulky monstrosity that is the laughing stock of the industry, even if it works quite well.
On a side note, this could all be because I live in Australia. Perhaps it’s different in North America or Europe. Maybe they’re a little more “into” handheld gaming.
Nevertheless, I’m surprised at the lack of hype for the PlayStation Vita. The 3DS launch may have been indicative of the uncertainty over the future of handheld gaming, but its subsequent sales figures suggest otherwise. Maybe that means the PlayStation Vita will be a more attractive impulse purchase in 12 months time.
I certainly hope that’s the case, because like the origins of the 3DS, I’m just not as excited as I would like to be.
By Ben Salter
Are you excited for the PlayStation Vita?