Sometimes, you come across an accessory which makes you question: "Why?" From Nintendo's cancelled Vitality Sensor to the Xbox One Kinect, there are some video game add-ons which simply don't make a whole lot of sense. You can now add another one to that growing list because Sony has come out with a Final Fantasy VII Remake branded "immersive wearable speaker" in Japan.
Retailing at 29,380 yen, which works out at roughly $272, you can slap this device on your shoulders to experience sound from a new perspective, as the official Sony store listing claims. "The speaker rests on your shoulders and immerses you in full, clear sound and reactive vibrations." The only two things which separate this special edition from the standard version, however, are the packaging the speaker comes in and the small Final Fantasy VII logo on its side. We're not entirely sure who this device is for. It doesn't appear to serve any special purpose that a good old pair of headphones can't manage, unless you want to look like a bit of an idiot in your own home.
It hasn't done particularly well in terms of reviews either, with two of the three verdicts on the official site giving it a one-star rating. "Just got this as a gift and it has ruined my life", someone even states.
What's much more understandable, however, is this lovely looking PlayStation 4 console cover. Coming in at a much more reasonable 4,000 yen/$37, it wouldn't look so out of place in a special edition bundle -- complete with the logo and Cloud's Buster Sword. We know which one we'd rather have in our home, but what say you? Would you dare to wear that speaker? Let us know in the comments below.
[source gematsu.com, via sony.com, pur.store.sony.jp]
Comments 10
The console looks cool.
i would LOVE that cover but i have a OG PS4 not a slim so i can't get it
Apparently the cover is for a regular PS4, not Pro, which is a shame.
So this is how they are funding the inevitable 9 further games till the remake is fully done.
Wearable speakers? They'll never catch on. Next you're going to tell us we can carry our entire record collections around with us in our pockets.
"to the Xbox One Kinect"
Really? Sure, it was a poor fit on Xbox w/ all of it's "mature" gamers, but Kinect is just 1 camera in a long line of cameras - PS EyeToy, PS Eye, PS4 camera, and the Wii's motion sensor. No camera, no PSVR.
So if you wanna make fun of an unnecessary accessory just say PS EyeToy. The name itself just begs to be ridiculed.
This $272 neckset better do more than just vibrate, it better massage me all the way to a happy ending.
Being snobby to other cultures or people that like wearable tech is a bit low.
If you live in Japan, you would understand what that speaker is for.
Here people rarely have a sound system because of paper thin walls. And wearing headphones for a long period is exhausting on your ears and head.
So I would imagine those wearable speakers being a good alternative in between for Japanese who live in small apartments.
I've been looking into buying one of these, you can get a decent one second hand for a reasonable price. Probably not a bad shout for gaming, no more sweaty ears.
I like the sound a good pair of headphones provide but I have to admit I get tired of wearing them after a while. I actually ended up buying these Sony wearable speakers. They still don't compare to a good pair of headphones but it's a nice alternative. I've used them occasionally late in the evening. My only gripe is that it sounds a lot better if you hold something above your ears so that the sound bounces back. You get a much fuller sound that way. The bass rumble is pretty cool too. I paid $250 for mine but they would be easier to recommend at $150.00.
Wearing headphones with the VR headset is not very comfortable so I'm looking forward to trying these with PSVR when I have the time. I have a feeling Resident Evil 7 in VR and with these speakers is going to be crazy!
They hook up directly to the tv so they come in handy with the Nintendo Switch. I mainly play in docked mode which doesn't make it easy to use headphones. Dialog is also easier to hear when watching certain tv shows.
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