Nintendo Switch Surpasses Lifetime PlayStation Vita Sales Within Japan

PS4 will be next.

The real prize is 3DS. If Switch can catch that, I'll be truly impressed. That's gonna have to be a lifetime goal though. It still has nearly 20 mil more to go in Japan for that one.

Anyone reckon Sony will make a hybrid? (I mean, handhelds are out of the question.)

It has also outsold the N64 in Japan, which greatly underperformed domestically compared to the SNES.

@KingdomHeartsFan

I agree. I recently bought a vita 2nd hand couple of weeks ago and I am really looking forward to the game library I have access to. Defiantly the Persona games. There are even some indie site which are on vita and switch that I'm now considering buying on vita instead.

As much as I love my switch...
Psvita for life!!!
(Actually going for a complete physical collection)

@GrailUK That's one of the possibilities I expect from Sony.

I think most likely, PS5 will just be a more powerful PS4 Pro, which was just a more powerful PS3, which was just a more powerful PS2... They'll just double down once again with significant upgrade on their existing hardware that wont really offer anything new. Although it will probably play 4K blue ray movies. It will probably still support PSVR, but VR wont be the focus.

Second most likely I think they will make the PS5 be the "PS Swap" and just rip off Nintendo like they did with the Playstation Move. It'll be a glaring knock off just like the Move was. And just like the move, it'll have more powerful hardware. But unlike the move, I think this would be highly successful. I suspect Sony could make their hybrid be comparable to the current PS4 Pro for not much more money. They'd probably take a loss at first, but it would still sell very well and do well in the long run.

3rd most likely I think is Sony goes all in on VR and makes the PS5 totally focused on VR. I would have ranked this higher than the Swap if you asked me last year, but it seems like the VR hype is finally dying. It failed to take off despite all the hype it had initially. However considering when the PS5 likely began development, I still think there is a good chance they will go this route.

I think the least likely thing for Sony to do is to innovate at all. Sony never innovates with gaming. They haven't since the original PS1 which was a result of their failed partnership with Nintendo. Sony's entire history with gaming is taking ideas other people have pioneered and trying to push them as far as they can. The best graphics on a dedicated home console is the standard operating procedure. I like Sony too, but they don't know HOW to make something new and original when it comes to gaming.

Kek

Tough luck Sony

@subpopz That certainly sounds like Sony.

@Heavyarms55 So rather than PS5 being a new generation, it's going to be another 2 year upgrade to exisiting hardware, but with the benefit of not being restricted to being compatible with PS4 (because this is 5). I mean, the pro committing to 4K was so prohibitive of folk using the power for something else, less PS4 slim friendly.

@JaxonH I say it has a better chance of catching up to the Xbox One than the PS4, especially in Japan. I still think that PS4 will remain as the best selling 8th gen console.

Conflicted by this news, love my Switch to bits but think the Vita could have been so much more successful. My Japanese import ice white Vita is still upstairs and gets brought out regularly. Like the PSP Go (which I also own) I think the Vita was a great bit of kit that was sadly mishandled.

@Heavyarms55 a hybrid comparable to PS4 Pro.

Absolutely no chance. Battery would last about an hour. Sony are done with handheld gaming.

Meh I don’t think it’s important if it outsells PS4 especially since it’s had such a considerable head start on the switch not to mention we will probably see the next gen PlayStation during the switches lifespan. I do think the switch should be recognized for doing amazingly well and as long as nintendo hits its own sales goals what more can you ask for ya know. These console wars are petty.

@Heavyarms55 I think Sony’s always just trying to make cinema-like experiences, which means they just need beefier hardware. They don’t really seem to care much about gaming per se.

I just want Microsoft to bow out, seeing as they bring next to nothing of distinction to the table. Nintendo and Sony both have a place in the market, but I see no point in having two mostly indistinguishable systems on shelves.

Considering the absolutely obscene failure rate of the 360, I'm confounded that the userbase hadn't abandoned them en masse.

@BlueBlur101
What?! Worldwide, probably. The PS4 is a monster. But in Japan Switch will outsell it by the end of this fiscal year (march 31th 2019)

Dang, Vita could have accomplished so much more, but Sony abandoned it.

Go, Nintendo Switch ! 😀
Sayonara PS Vita... ! 😝
(PS vita will be Discontinued on year 2019)

Comparing Switch sales to sales of other gaming devices is a bit problematic because you are comparing apples and oranges. Remember that the Switch is both a handheld AND a home console and thus isn't competing with another Nintendo device. If the Vita didn't have to compete with the PlayStation 3, it would have surely sold more. If the Wii U didn't have to compete with the 3DS, it would have surely sold more as well. Hope you all are getting what I am saying here.

Bit unfair to say both the PSP and PsVita failed to make an impact: 85 million PSP systems sold was approaching half of the Nintendo DS 'family' overall. Not to be sniffed at.

Seems like the Vita was what the Wii U was to its predecessor. A more specialized games library and a hardware message that wasn't clear in the eyes of the mainstream customer.

Also: go Switch!

@Anti-Matter
I think that those who love gaming, as opposed to those whom have an irrational hatred of Sony, will be sad to see the Vita go.

@Ooyah
Two Reasons why 3DS is Much Better than PS Vita in my opinion:

1. I have MORE than 50 3DS games (USA + Japan version combined) on my shopping list, while i got NOTHING (Zero games that interesting for me) from PS Vita. 3DS has a lot of Cute, Interesting & Quirky games that i'm looking for.

2. 3DS has Backward Compatible with NDS that makes total more than 90 games i can play from DS family (3DS + NDS). PS Vita DOESN'T have Backward Compatible with PSP, so.... Forget that useless machine.

Those are my reason i choose 3DS over than PS Vita. I have observed their games library before i said 3DS is better than PS Vita.

No surprise really. I liked mine a lot but Sony cripples it from the start with

A) Proprietary Memory Cards at insane prices

B) Not having enough buttons to Remote Play or play all PS1 games properly

It also shows again that nobody in the industry can support two systems any more

@BlueBlur101
PS4 isnt even at 10 mil in Japan. Switch will EASILY catch PS4, probably by the end of next year.

As for Xbox, Switch passed up X1 in Japan on launch day lol. 3DS is the prize, sitting around 25m. Switch will be at around 7m by the 2 year mark. Should be on pace to match 3DS by the end of a similar 7 year period.

@Anti-Matter The Vita does have BC with most download games that were bought on a PSP. That includes PSP games, most PS1 Classics, and even the minis.

When Sony runs sales, you can even buy PSP games for the Vita and they are now marked in the Vita category.

The only thing the Vita does not run are UMD games.

But given the 3DS, Vita, and Xbox One are the only systems on the market that offer any form of BC with previous consoles, its better then nothing.

Even Nintendo has moved away from BC with the Switch.

I know lots like to say switch is in competition with Xbox1 and PS4 and I know it kinda is but for me it’s a mobile console first... that happens to be an amazing docked console too that’s what attracted me. I love nintendo but I’ve owned all of the Sony devices and every Xbox so I am not a fan boy The switch is truly remarkable. It will grow and grow. Vita was superb and should have been supported better

@Silly_G
Microsoft does actually bring alot to the table, namely competition to ensure Sony keeps their priorities straight.

If it were only one or the other, we'd have seen an online only DRM console already. But they counterbalance each other. If one tries something the other uses it as leverage against them (Sony with shared games, MS with crossplay).

That and MS has been driving future compatibility really hard. And I appreciate that. Full BC and FC. Sony sent MS home with their tail between their legs in 2013, and MS has been making up for it ever since.

We need them as a 3rd pillar to keep Sony in check and vise versa.

impressive feat for the switch but i do still love the vita too.

@Caryslan
"The Vita does have BC with most download games that were bought on a PSP. That includes PSP games, most PS1 Classics, and even the minis."

Oh, pardon. I'm looking for pysical games, Not digital download games as a game collector. PS Vita Cannot play PSP UMD, so....

@Anti-Matter
1 - There are plenty of incredible games on the Vita, just not to your taste. So what?

2 - Yep, backwards compatibility is a major factor in console desirability... that's why you like the Switch so much, right?!?!

The Vita is far from being an "useless machine"... this is just your usual "Sony are devils" routine dressed up.

Shame on you, Sony, for letting that nice piece of Vita hardware die supportless. How support is done right: Nintendo + 3DS. Had Nintendo developed the Vita, I think, it still would sell very well.

@Tsurii
I have observed PS Vita games library with these specific filters from playasia :
1. Rated E, E10+, Rating Pending, Teen
2. PEGI 3, 7 & 12
3. CERO A & B

And i browsed the games with those filters to find any interesting titles, but alas.... I found Nothing interesting. Do you know why?
1. Too many Soccer / Basketball / realistic racing games that i have ZERO interest.
2. Too many JRPG that didn't fit with my taste.
3. Completely NO Cute / Girlie / Quirky games like on 3DS or NDS.
4. Too many Visual Novel style games.

With very Not suitable games library from PS Vita with my taste, i don't need to waste my time and energy to care with PS Vita. Meanwhile, i found a lot of New 3DS games lately (Japanese version) that i have never played before. Those 3DS games are just exactly like my expectations or at least they are look interesting for me.

So, i have observed and still NOTHING interesting from PS Vita. It because their games library are (Almost) MEH for me.

That Vita never stood a chance. It was like Sonys Wii U.

@Ooyah
Switch doesn't have Backward Compatible, same as Gamecube, N64.
But, Switch has Very Great games library so far.
I have written More than 50 Switch games on my shopping list and i almost cried "Nintendo, STOP ! Too Many great games for Switch ! My wallet will cry !"

To answer your first question, what is great games for you maybe is NOT for me. It's all about Matter of Taste. With my gaming taste about Kiddie / Cute / Girlie / Quirky, it was IMPOSSIBLE to find suitable PS vita games that fit with my gaming taste. If there was NOTHING Interesting to be founded, what should i say ?
There was NOTHING interesting from PS Vita, so i decide to spend my time and attention to Nintendo machines with their interesting games that easily to be founded.

It's impressive for how long Vita managed to thrive in Japan, despite being abandoned by Sony (and, if that was not enough, weighed down by Sony's anti-consumer practices) - kudos.

I liked the Vita... Maybe even more than 3DS... But switch is the ultimate portable.

@KingdomHeartsFan Sony's handhelds have great libraries (yes, even Vita) and arguably some of Sony's most creative and memorable first-party/second-party efforts. And despite Remote Play's limitations, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that most PS4 owners in Japan also have Vitas. We're talking the country where people have been seen bringing entire TVs and Wii Us on their train rides.

Eh, Sony has no-one to blame but themselves for what happened with the Vita. I never picked one up because the price for their memory cards were outlandish. I think the only game I really missed out on was Persona 4 Golden.

The Vita is only a few steps above the Wii U in sales, so there was no doubt the Switch would outsell it sooner than later.

The Vita was a nice piece of kit but it suffered from poor support from Sony and it came at a bad time in gaming; when mobile gaming was taking off and seen by many as the future (in the end it was nothing but a cesspool of time wasters and self running money making economies with barely any gameplay). Really, to appreciate the Vita you needed to be a fan of certain game genres. Thankfully that filled my requirements just fine. Access to great PS1 classics and one of the best d-pads ever were the icing on the cake. Pity I needed to buy three to access each region.

@Silly_G Nah competition a good thing.

I’ve still got my Vita. It’s got a (proprietary!) 64GB memory card that’s crammed with dozens of games. I occasionally pick it up for a quick blast of my favourite non-Nindie indies like Spelunky, Nuclear Throne and Hotline Miami. But as much do as I still dig it, the Vita feels like a cramped matchbox compared to the man-sized Switch. Though I will say that the Vita has the better build quality of the two. Because of the JoyCon, the Switch feels comparatively.. squeaky.

But Nintendo – being Nintendo – has revolutionised the handheld market once more. With the likes of Breath of the Wild, Odyssey, MK8, Smash and Splatoon, there’s no better place to play games than Switch. For the Real Players! 😉

Well done switch. I have to admit ps vita is still my most used console out off switch,ps4,vita. I still expect i be playing on the vita for another 18 months or so.

Japan developers were the only group keeping the Vita afloat for all these years. Now that the Switch is the market leader in dedicated portable gaming in Japan those developers will jump ship from Vita to the Switch. The volume of games being developed for the Switch is about to escalate.

Still more than 3 times less than 3DS.

@kopaka The Switch is a lot more expensive than the 3DS, though. I think we'll see Nintendo launching a Switch "lite" to replace the 3DS in the next year.

@Anti-Matter have you not played Little Big Planet? it's pretty much what your describing but an exclusive sony platform game.

@BlueBlur101 Uh it's already far beyond lifetime sales of XBox One in Japan. In fact, I think the Switch surpassed that in the first month. It's only sold 80k units there. It also surpassed the other two Xboxes already. PS4 would be the next notable goal (of recent consoles), followed by 3DS if we look at current sales.

RIP Vita. You’ll always have a special place in my heart.

WHO'S NEXT?!?!

Goldberg Theme

I literally had no idea that the Vita was that popular in Japan to begin with

@KingdomHeartsFan most of the successful psvita games were lesser versions of console games though lmao. Unless obscure jrpgs are your thing I don't really see how the library of the vita is that impressive. People crap on nintendos consoles for being "flops" for decades now, I think we are entitled to make fun of Sonys one huge flop other than the playstation move 🙃

@Tsurii why are nintendo fans of all people defending the vita? It was a flop, the library is lacking, Sony didn't even care about the thing. Move on lmaoo

The Vita was a portable PS3. Having a portable PS3 should have sold well, but it didn't. Sony started it by selling it as a portable PS3 and it finished with not many games.

I still love my vita more than my Switch. It's the perfect portable form factor and has more games than I'll ever finish.

And once the PS5 comes out, the sales on the Switch will die down, because nintendo will really be behind graphics wise. Other than that, many people are thinking it's going to surpass the PS4 sales, and I doubt that, plus, you can't really compare it to the PS4 or even the XBONE, as the Switch is called more handheld than console. Other than that, smash helped it out for the holidays, but there really wasn't much attracting it for the black friday sales. Next year will be a different feeling, as long as they have a decent game releasing in November and as long as there are discounts for the black friday market. Go nintendo for having a console that's selling like hot cakes though!!!! What I still get a kick out of on this site, was how many people defended the Wii U and now put it down! Anyways, VITA did have some great games, but Sony gave up on it too quickly. The PSP was still a favorite of mine but the 3DS was somehow better than the VITA. Still though, the PS4 has more games and the VR is incredible for it. I'm just waiting for nintendo to catch up on graphics (seriously, the graphics of the PS4 and XBONE in a Mario title or Zelda title would be incredible!!!!) Still though, for some reason, I just don't get into playing the Switch and I love nintendo consoles (Gamecube is still my favorite and NES is in second). Don't know why. Animal Crossing (whenever nintendo actually puts it out...my guess, many waits and delays and then release of 2020) will get me to finally play it, until then, Horizon, God Of War and Astro Bot!!!! With some more Mario Odyssey thrown in there! Other than that, still wish nintendo would put the virtual arcade back onto the Switch, seems like most of the indie games are crap once again.

@DannyBoi The vita was a portable PS3 with a terrible games library... Sony dropped the ball on that one.

@Aozz101x
Ah.... Not interested with Little Big Planet series no matter how many times I watch Sack Boy and his gangs from YouTube videos. Sorry.

Sony is dead in Japan, especially now with their Californian HQ censorship policies which has angered a lot of Japanese gamers.

@yuwarite
Oh, Californian HQ censorship ?
What is that ?

@JLPick,

Nintendo are not really in the same market as the Ps4 or Xbox One,so I doubt that sales will be affected by either of their next generation consoles,plus by the time they get released the Switch will be on a massive installed base,I also do not see such a massive leap hardware wise as many are predicting,I mean how much better than the Xbox one X are you going to get?,we are reaching the point of diminishing returns here.

VR is hardly the next console battleground it's about as popular as a rattlesnake in a lucky dip.

@Anti-Matter Sony is now catering to kids now by censoring alot of their games as of now including anime rpg games as well if they keep this up sony wont be around anymore if their most of their base disappears cause of the censorship that sony is on.

@PrincessBowsette
So, that means Sony is going "Kiddie" like Nintendo ?
Hm...
If in the future there are more kids friendly games on Sony machines, I might soften a bit toward Sony. 🙂

@Anti-Matter i kind of find it ironic wen nintendo was censoring things they got alot of flak over it but now nintendo wants more rated m games with less censorship on them and now sony wants to cater to younger audience by making for kid friendly games with censorship very strange indeed.

Had Sony named it PSP 2 and used SD cards instead of those proprietary ones they came up with, they would've sold many more systems.

PS4 + PS4 Pro have combined sold about 7.4m in Japan. Switch will outsell them soon.

Wii was the only Nintendo I ever had. I always favored Sony, and still have the PS4 Pro for the big games. I also had PSP and Vita. I recently sold the Vita and I am getting Switch for Christmas. I will get to experience great games like Zelda and Mario Odyssey, which I am very much looking forward to. Year One, Sony had great games like Uncharted GA for PS Vita. Killzone Mercenary was the last great game for Vita. Sony just gave up, which did irritate me. I want AAA experiences on the go like Skyrim, Diablo 3, Doom just to name a few. Nintendo is bringing that, so I am finally making the jump. Sony was bringing weird Japanese games over that I had no interest in. I want great Japanese games from Capcom like Mega Man, Okami, Resident Evil, Dead Rising (hopefully). Now, if Nintendo could get Rockstar classics, NHL (way overdue), and GTA5 to come over, that would complete my dream of a perfect handheld or hybrid in this case.

@PrincessBowsette Nintendo censors things that are related to children. Their mature titles are there for fun and aren't for deep exploration of the soul.

@Jeremyjones12992 Because despite its flaws it was a good system with well arguably quality games even if it wasn't the type that was to most our tastes. Its says more about Nintendo fans then Sony ones.

@Anti-Matter Basically in 2016, Sony moved their PlayStation HQ from Japan to California - mainly due to PlayStation being bigger in the American market and console sales being on the decline in Japan.

However, as a result, it means that any game released on PlayStation, even ones exclusively released in Japan, have to go through American certification.

The result is that Japanese games are being censored in Japan, itself, which has p'd off a lot of Japanese gamers.

@Retsam (cough)bs(cough)nintendo hasnt censored anything on the switch cause they want more rated m games on it so dont be a hypocrite by trying to defend wat sony is doing with their games as of late.

@link3710 Ok I had no idea the JP Xbox One sales were already surpassed! I wonder if they can actually overtake the XONE sales America by the end of the console generation

I doubt it can catch up to the PS4 though. Especially since some of the most anticipated games of next year and beyond will show up on that system, without a Switch version. It's also selling amazingly right now

@BlueBlur101 look at next year lineup for sswitch its filled with big hitters and awesome 3rd party titles as well so switch has a big chance of passing ps4 sales.

@PrincessBowsette Switch has notable third party releases like MK11 and Daemon X Machina, as well as the pantheon of Final Fantasy games, but nothing really big first party-wise outside of Animal Crossing, Pokemon and Luigi's Mansion 3.

In comparison PS4 exclusives for next year include Ghost of Tsushima, Death Stranding, Last of Us Part II and the MediEvil remake among others I probably missed.

@BlueBlur101
Average amount of PS4s sold per year in Japan since launch: 1.95 million
Average amount of Switches sold per year in Japan since launch: 3.1 million

@BlueBlur101 Theres fire emblem and prime 4 plus any surprises up nintendo sleeves as well.

Love my Vita. Physical games were hard to come by where I lived in Canada so I just went digital. It's the one system I do mainly digital games and Sony always has great sales. So many awesome games for like 5-10 dollars.

It's a great handheld to have in a collection and one that will get A LOT more love in 10 years when people want to collect for it.

Not surprised, while the Vita had some decent games from its launch to about 2014, that's where most of the support and consistent release of games stopped. As much as I love JRPGs, I also felt it needed a larger variety of genres too. And yeah, the memory card situation was and still is completely asinine beyond belief.

@Silly_G well that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon, not with the studio purchases and newly formed studios they’ve done recently.

@JaxonH
It's gonna be really hard for the Switch to catch up to the 3DS. It's current sales pace is ~35% behind the 3DS's sales pace when launched aligned.

Of course, the 3DS was much cheaper at launch, was made even cheaper after the huge August 2011 price cut, and had already received its first hardware revision (3DS XL) at this point in its life. If the Switch starts getting permanent price reductions and revisions, it will start to catch up to the 3DS in Japan.

Thankfully, the Switch is far outpacing the 3DS in the west, so Nintendo shouldn't be too concerned about the current numbers in Japan.

take notes, sony. this is what a properly supported handheld looks like!

@GrailUK not a good one if they do. sony has gotten too complacent. they always do after one success. they will fail eventually because they will fail to adapt to changing markets.

@subpopz if they wanted to be on the cutting edge, theyde never need to release a pro console, theyde just have released what the pro was from day 1 as the standard version. they had the tech and the means. it wasnt a cost issue. it was a calculated business decision to double dip in consumer wallets.

@companyoflosers

Except launching the Pro in 2013 would have been hugely expensive and having it as the only option would have been commercial suicide. It was a business decision to have their System on the shelves at a certain price, which given what MS did, was entirely the correct one.

@darkswabber
A question for you? I want to buy a switch. Compared with Ps Vita how about battery of the switch in portable mode? Thanks

@Heavyarms55

i would think that's what all of them will do. MS has basically said the xbox will be very PC like in that everything will be BC. sony is doing that as well and N really should too (they make bad decisions so who knows with them).

honestly MS is doing more interesting things imo. streaming console may not be what we want in the US for now but there's a host of countries with real internet that something like that could be really cool.

I'm not surprised. If anything I'm a touch worried Nintendo will misread this and do nothing to improve their eShop or online set up and such.

I recall once hearing talk Switch was designed to be gunning for Vita's stake in Japan (don't ask me why), so congrats?

@Rez switch has about 3 to 6 hours of battery life depending on the game. Base vita has 4 to 8 hours of battery life depending on the game. The vita 2.000 model (which I do not have) supposedly has 6 to 12 hours of battery life depending on the game.

So the switch is the clear loser, but keep in mind that the switch has games that ask way more. I’d say if that is too little battery life make sure to bring a power bank.

Keep going strong Nintendo!
Next year we have a lot of heavy hitters as well.

Now that's a fat dab right there

People will go crazy when Nintendo finally shows some Metroid Gameplay.
The new Pokemon game.
Fire Emblem.
Luigi's Mansion 3
Bayonetta 3
Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3

@JLPick serious dude you need to lay off the sony koolaid here. That might help clear your thoughts more. ps5 is all hype Switch is here and now. Your ps graphics is not going to get better and the price will kill it before the release. Also gamers are on the go and that will sell far more then ps long term-they want options and choices. Sony vita debacle is of their own making. Nintendo doesn't need to beat sony to win that is something you missed already. Trying to say only Smash tells this is fanboy cherry picking.

@Heavyarms55 wow your projection must hurt fanboys to give that many thumbs down. VR is dying art they failed to capitalize on it from the start. And their killing the vita and censorship proves it as much. Nintendo has both kid and adult games why can't sony see that. Censorship only serves to drive people to your competitor when they see the word "Censorship" on games. Censorship or Book banning beyond games seems to improve those sales but in Video Gaming that only serves to drive away buyers and gamers of all stripe. I think most gamers of all stripe knows what they want and what they don't want and to think your Censorship knows better tells lack of insight and a dying mindset and dying company. Video gaming industry survives from Open mindset and innovations just making a more powerful ps5 doesn't do anything to further that.

@Heavyarms55 The way I see it, Sony needs to play to their strengths. They're doing fine with a regular console. They don't necessarily need to "innovate". What Sony has always done better than Nintendo is take a more simplistic approach.

The basic box that plays games is what Sony has always had, it's always what brought people over. They don't mind that.

@FX102A you could have just bought 3 memorycards and switched those. but yeah switching regions is terrible. I also hate that it's not even possible with 3DS (you had to import from other regions ).

I loved my Vita, but I also love my 3DS and Switch. Portable gaming for the win!

@Magician not true. The Vita had indies waaaaaay before Nintendo even noticed they needed them. Vita was and is indie-heaven.

Is has a library of 1600+ native Vita games (not counting psp, ps1, psmoble games which are also available on Vita). I think about 1000 are indie on Vita.

@HollowGrapeJ I agree with the "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset. But I really question if the dedicated, old fashion plastic box that plays games is gonna remain the viable format of choice for much longer. Gaming PCs are getting cheaper and other gamers are choosing convenience more and more. Not just with the Switch, but with phones, tablets, laptops, and things like Amazon Fire TV devices that can install all sorts of gaming apps.

I am not in the crowd of "Consoles are doomed, it's over" But they are becoming more and more niche as other, especially more versatile options, become available.

@SwitchForce How many thumbs down did I get? lol it doesn't seem to show me.

@Heavyarms55 I personally like the idea of mid-cycle upgraded consoles and I even believe Microsoft said they wanted to bridge the gap between generations. I wish they did this last gen to be honest.

@PrincessBowsette I mean Nintendo censors things that can potentially be dangerous. Like the last game that did this was Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE. Their ages were changed from 17 to 18 and they toned down upskirt shots, etc.
That said, I would likes to see Nintendo make a game like Detroit: Become Human or something R Rated. From my experience Nintendo is more focused on gameplay and action then story and adventure.

@HollowGrapeJ I'm not a fan. I already don't like how frequently phones "upgrade". I don't want to see frequent console upgrades like that.

But that is purely my personal opinion.

@SwitchForce Huh, interesting. Thanks for letting me know. I wonder why we can't see our own dislikes. I would like to know if people agree or disagree with what I say.

@HollowGrapeJ I agree. I have a hard time choosing a console of choice because Sony makes things simple. Xbox while cool and all is a bit like Nintendo in this area. Xbox Live is complex and target an audience who are looking for something really dedicated. I just want to get online to buy a game or two that works on all my modern platform and Sony makes that easy. Nintendo is innovative but at the cost of graphics and basic functionality of certain things like online. They don't explain why they do things differently just that they do which I think is stupid.
Microsoft is a bridge between the two. I would have gotten an Xbox this generation if not for the price and the fact that my bro already has one. So I'll be getting a Switch this coming Christmas.

@HollowGrapeJ That said, I don't know what to think in regards to mid generation cycles. I see its advantages but I also don't want to pay for a new iteration every few years. I rarely buy games full price even so adding a system cost to that every few years is a bit too much.

@Retsam The good thing is that you still don't have to upgrade to the mid-gen consoles. I want an Xbox One X, but I'm not mad that I just have a PS4 Slim. A lot of people seem to be against these upgraded consoles because they feel that they're required to buy it even though they know that they can still play the games. It's very weird to me. I don't understand. Lots of technology is "outdated" all the time. New phones, new laptops, etc. It's not much different.

@Heavyarms55 I can understand that. Some people feel at ease knowing there's only one console to choose and that they'll focus on that. With the Pro and One X, we're seeing improvements to current games along with higher resolutions. Something that wouldn't have been possible if we waited who knows how long for the next fully fledged consoles. It's beneficial for the future too. Playing these games later on are gonna look much better than some people remember, haha.

@HollowGrapeJ That is a good point as well. However for me it is more of, these devices are expensive. If I am going to upgrade, I want more than just a small performance buff. But right now, yearly upgrades for phones are just that, small upgrades. I don't want to see that happen to the console market, with small upgrades every year or every other year. I feel like game consoles should be closer to PCs in the sense that they are the kind of product you buy and can enjoy for several years before an upgrade becomes desirable. That is somewhat old fashioned on my part, I realize that, but my opinion is my opinion.

There is a reason I went from my Galaxy 3 to a 5 and then to an 8 and never owned a 4, 6 or 7. And even going from my 5 to my 8, it was primarily because the battery was going bad and I figured "if I am gonna spend money anyway, I might as well upgrade"

@Heavyarms55 It'll be interesting to see how things turn out for the next consoles. Personally, I'm going to go back over to PC gaming before I invest in any new console. Lol.

@HollowGrapeJ I have more than enough gaming on Switch right now. My PS3 and PS4 rarely get used. Not out of any sort of dislike, but I get into a groove and prefer to play with one toy at a time.

I am going to need to replace my PC in the relatively near future, as my current machine is getting older, going on 6 years now.

@HollowGrapeJ Well I don't usually buy consoles at launch but when you do a mid gen upgrade like that it makes the decision hard for me. Basically I waited a few years for the price of the original console to go down and now they throw in a refresh that kind of make me wait all over again. They also make refreshes very value oriented and tempting. So its kind of this Catch-22.

@Heavyarms55 @HollowGrapeJ Also I think based on how the Xbox One X and PS4 Pro market strategy worked, they are there to tempt buyers to make the jump and buy. A very smart move and sales are reflecting that accordingly.

The PS4 Pro was more of a leap from the PS4 was then the base PS4 was to the PS3.

I'm not good with decisions like this and it makes it even harder for me to buy something or I end up spending a lot more on "impulse" if that's the right word to use, which is what they want.

I had a PS3 and basically, the Pro and X is more value for money more then the 4 and One and PS3 ever was.

Even when the PS5 appear, the PS4 Pro can still give it a run for its money and it'll be a good deal.

@Retsam I would find that absurd. If the PS5 is only moderately more powerful than the PS4 Pro, I highly doubt I would be alone in not having much interest in upgrading.

@Heavyarms55 Well the exclusives and third party support would sell the PS5 system you see. Its like how the initial PS4 worked. I didn't see value in upgrading from a PS3 at all if not for the games so I didn't but many obviously did.

In fact, based on sales data, the PS4 has had year on year growth for four years since the launch of the system. Something that doesn't usually happen. Most system sell the best after 3 years and then drop off on the 4th.

@Heavyarms55 That said the PS5 has the Switch to compete with so I don't doubt it would make another PS2 to PS3 like jump and there probably won't be a Pro system.

Bascially, PS2...best selling console of all time.
PS3 power. Many PS2 users buy.
PS4 mediocre but games. PS3 users buy.
PS4 Pro value for money. PS4 and PS3 users buy.
PS5 ???
Likely powerful to make the Switch look obsolete but will need exclusives to back.

Remember that power of a console makes it harder for third party to develop games for since ultimately its about money.

So Sony finally has their work cut out for them next generation.

@Retsam While the PS4 on the surface wasn't "that" much more powerful under the hood (so to speak) if fixed many of the issues that the PS3 had, namely it's atypical hardware that made it harder to develop for. The PS4 lacks that problem, so it wont necessarily get that boost in popularity unless they make it easier still to develop for. Even then, I don't know. Since I know people were upset with the PS3 being difficult to develop for, but I have heard no such issue with the PS4.

@Retsam Sony has always gone the route of standard power as their SOP. But if they fall into the trap of the PS3 of pushing that power with difficult to use hardware, they wont get those games.

@Heavyarms55 Indeed it fixed a lot of PS3's problem because the PS3 was a huge leap forward.

I don't know what route Sony will take with the PS5 but likely it will not colour me interested...

Unless they do a PSP that is. To this day their best platform.

@Retsam It likely wont be a PSP, but it might be a "PS Swap". Which is basically the same thing, except with native TV support. I'd expect it to be basically a portable PS4. Despite what some of the naysayers have been saying, I think something like that, announced next year, and released in 2020 is very much possible. Some people have talked about battery life, but I suspect, unlike Nintendo, Sony wont try to keep the price as low. It might cost as much as 450 dollars at launch but will have a very good battery. They might even go so far as to let you immediately download any PS4 game you already have, straight to it.

If Sony did that (big IF) I suspect it'd blow Nintendo out of the water. Even I (a huge Nintendo Buff) would be all over that like a fly on a dead pig!

The only downside to such a device is that it would lack a disk drive or the Drive would be part of the dock and only usable in docked mode.

@koekiemonster Except you have to reset the console after every memory card switch. Couldn’t be bothered with the hassle.

@SwitchForce Wow...talk about fanboy picking!!!! Gotta laugh hearing you, as the PS2 and PS4 have sold greatly and the PS1 (beat the N64 by a long run). Sony seems to have many hits, even the VR is selling like crazy. I'm a Sony and Nintendo fan, been with nintendo since the Atari ages. Both have great IP's and going for just one company is just plain dumb, considering all of the game companies have great games (unless you count the company that made the horrible Anubis 2, Ninjabread Man and Rock and Roll Adventures). I have all 3 consoles, PS4 is played more, even with my young kids. Switch comes in 3rd right now (not even sure how the XBONE gets turned on much). Other than that, Switch WILL NOT surpass the PS4 lifetime sales, and that's not coming from Sony or even Microsoft fans...it's pure facts...nintendo has a while to catch up to PS4, and I'm sorry to say, that when the next consoles come out (which nobody has a clue about anything about them, so you're showing favoritism by putting down a console you know nothing about), nintendo's Switch will be over half-way into it's lifespan, it will then be lacking many games, as many developers will start flocking to the next consoles (because many of those games won't fit onto the Switch), and nintendo (because they probably already are) will be working on their next console. The only fanboy is you, who is apparently living in your own underground world! Get your head out of the gutter and stop trolling around by putting down other's opinions on here...again, they're other people's opinions, not yours. Please don't comment to me again!

@darkswabber @darkswabber @Anti-Matter
I'm interested in Switch for Monster Boy,but i'm not interested in docking mode,only portable mode. Someone sill playing to this indie and tell me about battery? Thanks

@Heavyarms55 i disagree. Ps5 will very likely be a much more powerful ps4 pro with new techs (rtx? Maybe) but ps4 and ps3 was a very different story. The base structure of this gen consoles are very similar to PC which solves alot of headache for devs about compatibility. While ps3 and pc is very different structural ly.

Poor, poor Vita. It even makes WiiU look good.....

@Retsam Well, I've found that it doesn't really benefit me much at all getting consoles as soon as possible. So, I don't think it'll be that hard for me to resist getting them this time. It's tempting, but I realize I could be getting a lot of actual games instead of jumping straight towards another pricey device I might not even use that much.

@Heavyarms55 If they're aiming for a reasonable $400 price again, you probably shouldn't expect too huge a boost from PS4 Pro.

@HollowGrapeJ That defeats the purpose of upgrading. I certainly would not be interested in buying a new console that does very little to nothing new.

@Heavyarms55 Then, it mostly just comes down to exclusives and the kind of performance you want from games. You can probably hold out a bit longer if have a Pro. But, a base PS4 won't cut it in the next generation of 4K. And the One X only gets you halfway there despite how impressive it is.

But we aren't talking of base model PS4 to PS5, we are talking the Pro to the PS5. If the PS5 is only a little more powerful than the Pro, but costs more, I can't see why anyone would upgrade, unless they forced the issue by abandoning support for the PS4 Pro right away.

Also Xbone long since lost me. I have zero interest and barely consider them a contender. They haven't released anything that has caught my interest in years.

@Heavyarms55 In reply to your "PS Swap" comment, I suspect that some sort of portable device will come. So far Sony has released a portable console in between every gen bar the first one. That said, the question is will it be any good?
Honestly, the Switch is pretty good hardware wise. The problem is its battery and its storage. 32GB is not enough and isn't really pushing the system to its limits. Most modern games are 50-100 GBs and that is why they aren't getting the third parties.
Nintendo is introducing 64GB cartridges in 2019 so I think Sony's system will likely make sure that it can tap into that market and more without it being too expensive...which is not easy to do.

Sony is about hardware so they will likely be focused on making the unit have the right features. I don't think it will be that much more powerful then the base Switch....maybe more RAM. The PSP did well because it was "simple" and Nintendo fans bought it in doves, especially the ones that missed the GBA.
Ultimately it'll be the Sony brand that entices developers to flock to it and the game library that entices gamers to come to it.
PSP had much better games even though it wasn't that much better then the DS and I suspect that this PS Swap thing will likely be the same.

@Heavyarms55 That said, Nintendo's strategy is working for them too. Since the GameCube, they are releasing systems that are "a gen behind" in storage and then selling a Pro edition of said system that basically doesn't have any games on it later down the line.
Tbh with you, I'm not sure why it works/sell but it does. The DS did the same thing as did the 3DS. I think a lot of people must be suckered into upgrading? I dunno.
I would have loved to have seen a Switch with at least 64GB-128GB of storage built in and games that are 64GB-128GB in size at launch. Then people won't complain about it having no third party or only getting rehash of old games. Right now, though we're stuck with 32GB storage and most Nintendo games are only 16GB in size.
Its like they aren't pushing the hardware to the limits or their games are bit sized that they don't care to keep up to date with the rest of the world.

@Retsam The thing is, a revised Switch with that much more built in storage would actually be an upgrade. Though that alone wouldn't really be enough in my opinion(since that alone can be accomplished by just buying a bigger SD card) Going from 3DS to "New" 3DS which added a few buttons that almost no games made use of wasn't. DS to DSi were the same way. (but the DSi actually removed features too!) And in both of those cases Nintendo had the implied promise to take advantage of those upgrades, but never really did.

If/When we get a revised Switch, I really hope they don't fall into that trap. And I don't want to see Sony make that mistake either.

@Heavyarms55 Well I think they will likely bump up the RAM and processor speed a bit too through a die shrink.

My point is that they should have launched with 64GB cartridges and games not wait till 2019. They should have gotten the major third party publishers onboard to at least port one big modern game onto their system because it would actually...fit.

I know why they did what they did because its smarter from a marketing perspective but it'll surely be great for fans who has wanted this elusive third party support for a long time.

Nintendo might be innovative but they don't like to take risks with their innovative investments.

@SwitchForce not a fanboy, kiddo. And if you're looking at iterations, better check your stories more...how many handhelds for each generations by nintendo? Grow up kiddo!

@KingdomHeartsFan Exactly this! You are now my hero... Just FYI.