It's official, Sumioni failed to meet its expectations in Japan.

[Shizuka]

http://gematsu.com/2012/02/media-cre...2%80%93-021212

Sumioni didn't feature the Top 20 chart in Japan for the last week, and look how much #20 sold:

20. [Wii] Wii Party (Nintendo, 07/08/10) – 4,654 (2,289,196)

Retail numbers-wise, Sumioni sold less than 4,5k copies in Japan. We'll know better when the Top 50 is updated and we get to see which position Sumioni scored.

[PringlesXD]

Well, maybe it'll do better in the US.

[Fabrizo]

Whoa, that's really bad. It never stood a chance at retail after it missed the launch window.

[Ventara]

This could be why XSEED is now considering a DD-only release for Sumioni.

But I don't get why the Vita is failing so badly. The system is as close to perfection for portable gaming as I could've hoped for. The launch games are great, and the price, though some find expensive, is in line with expectations and what the PSP cost. I am truly baffled.

Anyways, I'm glad I'm getting mine next week.

[Fabrizo]

But I don't get why the Vita is failing so badly. The system is as close to perfection for portable gaming as I could've hoped for. The launch games are great, and the price, though some find expensive, is in line with expectations and what the PSP cost. I am truly baffled.

Poor economy
Non-removable battery
No video output
No "must have" launch titles based on established franchises (Uncharted is not as popular in Japan as the west)
Only partial backwords compatibility

[Doom Kvlt]

Poor economy
Non-removable battery
No video output
No "must have" launch titles based on established franchises (Uncharted is not as popular in Japan as the west)
Only partial backwords compatibility

This. Plus, the 3DS, DS, and PSP is the competition.

[Shizuka]

Bottom line: What works in Japan will not always work in North America or Europe, just as what works in North America and Europe will not always work in Japan.

-Tom

I hope that is true and even after that news, XSEED could get success with a retail print.

[Chaosblade]

No "must have" launch titles based on established franchises (Uncharted is not as popular in Japan as the west)

This is the big one right here. Not only are there no system sellers, there aren't even any announced as far as I know. Even in the west, I don't think Uncharted will move units like Sony thinks it will. It's definitely a "maybe when something I really want sells me a Vita, I'll get that game too," sort of game, and the $50 price tag certainly doesn't help. That's pretty much where all the notable games fall, announced and launch games/games already released in Japan.

Ys IV, Gravity Rush, and Wipeout are enough for me to go ahead buy it, even if some a couple of those will be released who-knows-when, but we're hardly typical consumers.

[Shizuka]

All the Vita ever needed in Japan was a Monster Hunter game.

[yuki-chan]

This. Plus, the 3DS, DS, and PSP is the competition.

And the bugs.