Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Mobile games have probably killed the PlayStation Vita 2, says Sony

By

Sony PlayStation Vita Slim review front screen angle
The handheld PlayStation Vita is likely the last of its kind. At UK gaming event EGX 2015, an audience member asked Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida about the future of handheld consoles, who gave a sad answer for Vita fans.

“People have mobile phones, smart phones, and it’s so easy to just play … games for free,” he said. “The climate is not healthy for now, because of the huge dominance of mobile games.” He also compared touch screens with the feeling of a stick and buttons, stressing the difference in gaming experience.

20 Years of Play - a Q&A with Shuhei Yoshida

The Vita still sells well in Japan, but sales have slowed in the rest of the world. The numbers were stronger for its predecessor, the PSP. Nintendo has experienced a similar decline with its 3DS, which has not sold as well as the DS that came before it.

Recommended Videos

Though mobile gaming has become a major competitor to handheld consoles, there are more factors behind the Vita’s dwindling popularity. Just a few months ago, Yoshida admitted that Sony’s first party developers are not working on any new titles for the Vita, reports IGN. Sony is relying on third party and smaller studios to support the Vita. Additionally, developers continue to offer games with cross-platform support between the Vita and PlayStation consoles.

Related

The Vita’s priced dropped to $200 in 2013, and we can expect to see it go down further. For the time being, you can find the occasional bundle and get a free game and other accessories.

Still, Sony is not giving up on its 4-year-old handheld system. For the first time in North America, the Vita will be available in a color other than the standard black. The aqua blue Vita will be released on November 6, and is available for pre-order as a GameStop exclusive.

Pre-order Acqua Blue Vita from GameStop

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Albert Khoury
Albert Khoury
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Al started his career at a downtown Manhattan publisher, and has since worked with digital and print publications. He's…
Final Fantasy XVI’s first 3 hours play like a high fantasy Last of Us
Joshua speaks to Clive in Final Fantasy XVI.

When I demoed Final Fantasy XVI back in February, I had some questions. The slice I played was very much focused on the upcoming PS5 release’s combat system. I was immediately impressed with how fast and furious it was, bringing a bit of Devil May Cry to the RPG series. That said, there was quite a bit I didn’t see. The story mission I played would only give me a brief introduction to its hero, Clive Rosfield, and the war-torn nation in which the game takes place. I was itching to know more.

I’d get all those lingering questions answered when I went hands-on with the first three hours of the game, which launches on June 22. Rather than letting me test out an arsenal of spells, I’d start with a much less capable Clive with only a few attacks to his name. I’d get to see his full tragic backstory play out through long cinematics with only a few smaller gameplay snippets between. I’d leave my demo session with far fewer question marks, a bit more intrigue, and a couple of lingering concerns that could be alleviated later in the adventure.

Read more
Humanity is the best PS5 (and PSVR2) game I’ve played so far
Humans jump over a gap in Humanity.

Over the past few years, I’ve found myself mourning the PlayStation brand I grew up with. When I was a kid, PlayStation was an eccentric platform home to the kind of oddball creative swings you now only ever see indie publishers take a chance on. In the PS5 era, though, Sony has doubled down on a cinematic action-adventure formula that feels less safe (though likely way more profitable) by comparison. It’s an understandable pivot, but it leaves me hungry for more diverse experiences on my PS5.

Thankfully, that desire has been satiated with Humanity, a game that’s already nabbing several impressive accolades from me. It’s the best reason to subscribe to PS Plus, the best game currently available on PlayStation VR2, and perhaps the best PS5 console-exclusive period (it’s also available on PC via Steam). The unique puzzler has all the markings of those left-field PlayStation classics I love … except for the fact it wasn’t developed or published by Sony at all.

Read more
PlayStation reveals new features and UI for its PS5 Access Controller
Sony's Project Leonardo controller sits on a table.

Sony revealed new details about its PlayStation 5 accessibility controller, which has been renamed from Project Leonardo to the Access Controller. A new blog post details what comes with the controller and offers a glimpse at the UI interface that players will use to customize it on the PS5.

Sony surprise revealed its "Project Leonardo" at CES earlier this year (Digital Trends named it the best gaming tech of the show). The circular pad features a unique design meant to make it easier for people with disabilities to customize controls to their needs. While it still doesn't have a price or release date, Sony has opened a new website for its newly renamed Access Controller and shared new details on it.

Read more