Like the falling apples that formulated Sir Isaac Newton’s theory of gravity, the release of Gravity Rush – known as Gravity Daze domestically – could not thwart the dwindling numbers for Sony’s new handheld in Japan.
The snazzy handheld – which releases worldwide next week – managed to sell just 13,939 units, its lowest tally yet since hitting Japanese store shelves back on 17th December.
The numbers were contrasted by surprisingly strong sales for Gravity Rush, which managed to shift a respectable 43,462 copies: a strong number considering the nature of the title and the still relatively miniscule install base for the PS Vita in Japan.
But it wasn’t enough to put the new hardware ahead of the PSP, with the release of a new Suikoden propelling Sony’s previous handheld ahead of its new piece of hardware. The difference between the two devices was minor, but with the 3DS still riding on the crest of its trifecta of unstoppable software releases, the Vita’s low positioning doesn’t make for particularly palatable reading.
See if you can stomach the full charts below.
Hardware
1. 3DS - 67,558
2. PS3 - 22,002
3. PSP - 15,860
4. Vita - 13,939
5. Wii - 8,206
6. PS2 - 1,239
7. Xbox 360 - 1,139
8. DSi LL - 957
9. DSi - 651
Software
1. [PSP] Suikoden: Tsumugareshi Hyakunen no Toki - 61.784
2. [PSV] Gravity Rush - 43.462
3. [3DS] Resident Evil: Revelations - 26.106
4. [3DS] Mario Kart 7 - 23.758
5. [3DS] Monster Hunter 3G - 21.318
6. [3DS] Super Mario 3D Land - 19.673
7. [PS3] Gran Turismo 5 Spec II - 12.613
8. [PS3] Armored Core V - 11.673
9. [PSV] Ragnarok Odyssey - 8.117
10. [WII] Just Dance Wii - 7.896
11. [PS3] Soul Calibur V - 7.519
12. [PSP] PhotoKano - 7.361
13. [3DS] Inazuma Eleven Go: Shine / Dark - 7.099
14. [PSP] Monster Hunter Freedom 3 (PSP the Best) - 5.955
15. [3DS] Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure - 5.888
16. [WII] Wii Sports Resort with Remote Plus - 5.867
17. [WII] Mario Kart Wii - 5.527
18. [PS3] Dragon Age II - 5.308
19. [PSP] Vitamin X: Detective B6 - 5.073
20. [WII] Wii Party - 4.654
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 8
I have two words for Sony Japan...Monster Hunter. Besides, Gravity Rush seems more like a title that would appeal to western gamers than Japanese players.
I think Nintendo managed to lock up Monster Hunter in the portable space. It'll be interesting to see how that swings the handheld dynamic in Japan.
Port the PS3 HD version of the PSP Monster Hunter 3rdP to the Vita and they'll be set. I don't think Nintendo has the SOLE rights to the Monster Hunter portable games, but I know there were some Online/Trophy issues bringing the PS3 edition of MH3rd to the rest of the world.
Also, I think Nintendo devices will always outsell others regardless of quality.
I'm also in the camp that believes Nintendo's locked down Monster Hunter. I'd be happy to be proven wrong, but I don't think Sony's getting a PS Vita version for a while.
I find it kind of concerning that a single, third-party franchise can essentially dictate the fate of a platform. If Nintendo really has locked it up, I don't really know what they can do.
Outside of Monster Hunter though, I think it's the continued viability of the PSP that's hurting the Vita most. It's still got some big Japanese releases left to come, so I think it's going to be a while before PS Vita becomes the dominant Sony produced handheld in Japan.
I thought Sony confirmed that Capcom were working on a PS Vita Monster Hunter title that's due to hit within the next several months.
Personally, I think people are getting a bit worked up just as they did when 3DS struggled during its first several months on the market. This is going to be a long race, and there will likely be many ups and downs along the way. The smartphone market has changed the dynamics of the portable gaming market, so this race is going to be about the long haul, not the short run.
Resistance should help a little when it hits in a few months, but Sony has got to keep the big names coming and coming frequently. I also see a price drop coming later in the year for Vita, at least it had better come.
I love that Pushsquare is a Sony focused site where its OK to love Nintendo.
I'm thrilled that the 3DS is doing so well. I glad that the dooooomed stage is over for 3DS and we can all just be excited for the games.
I'm also really looking forward to when the Vita finds its feet and gets its chance at the top of the charts.
What a complete disaster thus far. They need Monster Hunter and a Final Fantasy over there asap. A price drop wouldn't hurt either but from stuff I've read it wouldn't seem like the company is in a position to be able to do that right now. On the plus side, the only place things can go from here are up and I expect that to happen once more games start showing up that appeal to the Japanese audience.
Could paying for 3G be a factor in those sales? I for one am going to have to suck it up and just get the wifi version despite not having a hotspot near me.
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