One of the biggest reasons for the PS Vita performing so poorly in Japan is that Sony is pushing the 3G SKU of the handheld more than the Wi-fi SKU. The 3G model is basically asking for more money and offering very redundant and useless features. Obviously, the Wi-fi version has been selling more.
When the Vita releases in Europe on February 22, Sony expects the Wi-fi SKU, costing £229.99, to sell more than the 3G SKU, which will cost £279.99.
When asked by CVG ahead of the Vita’s launch in Japan last month about which one of the two models would sell more, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Andrew House said that it was “one of the tougher questions to answer right now, because we have not, to date, launched a device in these configurations… so I hesitate to make a strong prediction.”
“Speaking for the European market, I would say it would edge much more towards the Wi-Fi version,” he said. “
But in Japan, in contrast, it seems to be leaning much more solidly towards the 3G model.
“Having moved to Japan in the last four months, from London and before that the States, I’ve been quite surprised by the degree to which Japan doesn’t have the greatest access to wireless hot-spots.”
So you think the cheaper model will sell more than the costlier model when both of them have basically the same features? No shit, Sony. No shit.