In reflecting on Sony’s handheld consoles, former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida recently shed light on why the PS Vita struggled to gain popularity, unlike its predecessor, the PSP. Despite its release in 2011 and ending in 2019, the PS Vita couldn’t replicate the massive success of the PSP.
Following Sony’s successful entry into the handheld market with the PSP in 2004, the PS Vita had substantial expectations to meet. Although it was equipped to do so, the console failed to make its mark and lagged in sales, managing only 16 million units over nine years. This falls short when compared to the PSP, which sold over 80 million units in 11 years. While it didn’t achieve Sony’s desired impact, a portion of gamers did appreciate its selection of games. Now, several years after Sony laid the Vita to rest, Yoshida, who stepped away from Sony on January 15, 2025, provided insights into why the Vita fell short.
In an inspiring conversation with Kinda Funny Games, Yoshida shared his thoughts on the PS Vita’s performance. He identified several “technical choices” that hindered the device’s success, notably the decision to use proprietary memory cards, which he considered a misstep from a consumer perspective. Additionally, the rear touchpad, though adding to the device’s manufacturing cost, was deemed unnecessary. These choices excluded features like a video-out port, which was present in the developer kits. The core challenge, according to Yoshida, was that the Vita’s launch was not well-timed with the end of PS3’s cycle and the beginning of PS4’s, leading to a lack of resources to support both the handheld and the new console effectively.
Explaining further, Yoshida emphasized that PlayStation lacked the “big talent pool” necessary to properly support both the Vita and the PS4 simultaneously. This ultimately led to prioritizing the PS4, which left many potential handheld projects in the lurch. Yoshida also expressed admiration for the innovation in handheld gaming PCs, specifically products from GPD and Ayaneo.
Though Yoshida wasn’t optimistic about juggling two platforms, current trends suggest Sony might not share this view. Recent rumors hint at Sony’s potential return to handheld gaming. Following the announcement of the streaming-focused PS Portal, the community anticipates the PS5 maker might soon unveil a comprehensive portable console.
This era for Sony offers a compelling prospect for handheld gaming enthusiasts and raises curiosity about what the future holds for one of the gaming industry’s giants.
