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[ArtHands]

Main reason:
- Development resources were split and they didn't have enough studios to make games for 2 platforms, so they had to prioritize PS4 development.

Other reasons:
- Proprietary memory cards were a mistake
- Back touch was not necessary and added costs
- OLED increased production costs
- Vita dev kit had video out, but they removed it for the final version just to save a few cents

 

[TVexperto]

those proprietary memory cards... oh how much I hated them they failed so easily

 

[ANoa]

Including a memory card that barely fit 1 game was definitely a choice.

Idk why they're even reentering the handheld market. Hasn't gotten easier to manage more games with the ballooning costs and dev times. And if it doesn't have exclusives then why wouldn't you just buy a Steam Deck that will have a bigger library (including most Sony games) and not charge to play online?

 

[alphachino]

But VITA means LIFE, and…

 

[yogaflame]

For me its lack of Vita exclusives. Most of the games are just ports and ps vita versions of the console Playstation game.

 

[Pedro Motta]

Nothing we didn't know already.

Still happy I have mine.

 

[chilichote]

However, the quality of the first edition is really great, even the battery still lasts a good amount of time.

But the memory cards were simply far too expensive, the touchpad at the back was a great idea, but it was hardly ever put to good use.

And even if it remains just a dream, I would buy a PS4 portable of similar quality straight away, even if I could really only play PS4 games with it!

 

[hinch7]

Yeah you could tell the teams were spread too thin. You only had second tier devs like Bend release an smaller bitsized Uncharted game and other smaller projects from SIE on there. And barely any third party exclusives. Gravity Rush was pretty good though. Nintendo had a similar issue with Wii U and 3DS; where they kind of struggled in dedicating resources between two platforms.

Shame because the hardware itself and formfactor was well ahead of its time. Much like the PSP.

 

[The_Observer]

They should have developed a ps2 emulator for it or if not possible, port more ps2 games.

 

[Dr.Morris79]

Shit, I need to charge my Vitas.

 

[Damigos]

Extremely expensive stupid proprietary memory cards was the main reason. Was it THAT hard to use SD like all other platforms ?
Also, lack of support and not using as an emulation was the 2nd reason

 

[Danny Dudekisser]

Yup, the failings were pretty clear. I did like the Vita at the time for the few games it had (and some of those were genuinely fantastic), but man... I can't think of many systems that aged more poorly. Nearly everything worthwhile on the system got ported to other platforms in significantly better form, leaving very little reason to go back to it today. Compared to the PSP, for example, which ended up being a crazy good RPG, SRPG, and general niche gaming machine that's still got a ton of worthwhile exclusives... the Vita really comes up wanting.

 

[Unknown Soldier]

The fucking piece of shit proprietary memory cards were not only expensive but they had a high failure rate

TV out should have been on Vitas, Sony could have had a Nintendo Switch years before Nintendo did but they fucked it up

Too bad for Sony, they had almost an amazing handheld

 

[violence]

The memory cards were the main deterrent for me.

 

[Robb]

All seem like sound points. I’m still baffled they put an OLED in it all the way back in 2012.

Now we’re in 2025 and the PlayStation Portal doesn’t even come with an OLED screen. And all Switch 2 rumors point towards LCD as well.

 

[Badlucktroll]

i was ensaddened that it didnt get an exclusive metal gear like peace walker and portable ops

 

[ArtHands]

those proprietary memory cards... oh how much I hated them they failed so easily

A flashback here

When Sony announces the PS Vita

Playstation Vita = TWO HUNDRED FORTY NINE US DOLLARS ($249)

From joystiq twitter PS Vita is $249 for WiFi, $299 for 3G. http://aol.it/knTb8d Sony Computer Entertainment Announces "PlayStation®Vita" as the Official Name for Next Generation Portable Entertainment System Wi-Fi Model: 24,980 Yen (including tax), $249 and euro 249 3G/Wi-Fi Model...

www.neogaf.com

When Sony announces the mandatory memory card

Some PS Vita retail games will require memory cards to start

Sorry, I didn't see this posted anywhere, so... More information about the upcoming handheld PS Vita was published by Famitsu today, and some of the information it reveals is slightly troubling. Games that require Memory Cards- and this includes games like Uncharted- will not even boot up...

www.neogaf.com

 

[Burger King]

All correct but I would also like to add another point:
- they should have called it Playstation Portable 2

 

[mansoor1980]

 

[Kvally]

Probably why they neglect the PSVR 2, for the same reason. With the PS Portal they don’t have to make any games for it and it’s doing well.

 

[saintjules]

Ah, the classic let's create multiple threads on one story situation again.

News - Shuhei Yoshida has now officially concluded his time with PlayStation

https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/01/after-31-years-the-legendary-shuhei-yoshida-bids-farewell-to-playstation Shuhei Yoshida, a beloved PlayStation figurehead, has now concluded his time with the company. After a run of 31 years, he's been a part of Sony's video game brand since its very...

www.neogaf.com

Game Dev - Shuhei Yoshida theory on Sony working on Bloodborne: "Miyazaki-san is too busy"

He doesnt know anything about the game, but theorizes Sony is waiting to work again with Miyazaki: Miyazaki-san really really loved Bloodborne, what he created. So I think he is interested but he's so successful and so busy so he cannot do it himself and he doesn't want anyone else to touch...

www.neogaf.com

News - Shuhei Yoshida to leave PlayStation after 31 years

https://blog.playstation.com/2024/11/26/all-good-things-a-look-back-at-shuhei-yoshidas-31-years-with-playstation/ SID: Happy to have you, we’re going to do a lot of catching up. But I heard you had some news for us here today? SHU: Yes, I have an announcement to make. I’m leaving Sony...

www.neogaf.com

 

[RetroGamingUK]

Games cost so much to make these days that the likes of Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft can no longer support 2 software platformers.

Look at how Nintendo went from having 3DS+Wii U to just having Switch

If Sony do make another handheld, its games need to also run on the home console.

 

[SaturnSaturn]

Still use my Vita today, played Ninja Gaiden Sigma on it last night. love that machine, just feels right in the hands the 1000 models. had it since launch. We will never get that form factor again unfortunatly.

But yes the support for the vita was shamefull, we never even got the bioshock game for it that was rumored forever. expensive memory cards, no marketing. none of my friends even knew what the vita was

 

[deriks]

Everyone knew this basically from day one

The choice for PS4 was better for sure, but Sony failed a fuck ton from the ground up. People just wanted a PSP with better graphics and another stick. Even Nintendo didn't fucked that much with building of the Wii U... I mean, was still bad, but not that bad

 

[Three]

All seem like sound points. I’m still baffled they put an OLED in it all the way back in 2012.

Now we’re in 2025 and the PlayStation Portal doesn’t even come with an OLED screen. And all Switch 2 rumors point towards LCD as well.

Dumb thing was that people were actually complaining about it being OLED back then. How crazy is that? Then the new Vita LEDs came and people complained it wasn't OLED. Take away is people just like to complain.

 

[Kumomeme]

i believe this is not new information.

thats why it was a genius move from Nintendo for be able to unified both handheld and home console development with hybrid nature of Switch.

 

[StereoVsn]

those proprietary memory cards... oh how much I hated them they failed so easily

Yep, that was dumb. And instead of back touch panel they should have just had stackable shoulder buttons for triggers.

It was such a great device for the time but ruined by design deficiencies and lack of support.

Edit: especially the 32GB and 64gb cards are super unstable. They fail all the time and you have to format them if you can even recover. Now days of course the microSD hack is a must.

 

[Soapbox Killer]

Even with all its flaws it really felt like a premium product in the hands.

 

[Spukc]

Other reasons:- Proprietary memory cards…

 

[Auto_aim1]

PSVita 1000 is an alien product. l.refuse to beleive humans made it. My 2011 model still works. I charged it after freaking 5 years and it still booted up. Sadly I have lost the adapter somewhere and am using iphone charger with the proprietary connector.

 

[Dr. Samuel Hayden]

Lack of games, that's it. As always people will overcomplicate it but it always comes down to that and that alone.

 

[Codes 208]

But VITA means LIFE, and…

Vita was also originally called NG (new gen) Portable

Which also goes by No Games Portable

 

[TGO]

Development resources were split and they didn't have enough studios to make games for 2 platforms, so they had to prioritize PS4 development.

This hasn't changed, sadly it's the PS5 being ignored.

 

[danklord]

Lack of games, that's it. As always people will overcomplicate it but it always comes down to that and that alone.

Great games sell consoles. Who would've thought?