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Sony sweetens PS Vita 3G deal

$300 version of new handheld will now include free 8GB memory stick, PSN game, AT&T 3G data plan access; $350 First Edition preorders to receive just the PSN game and data plan.

Potential PlayStation Vita purchasers have another option to consider, as Sony today announced new incentives to pick up the 3G versions of its hardware bundles.

At least now the $300 system will be able to play all the games.

At least now the $300 system will be able to play all the games.

For a limited time, those who pick up the $300 3G Vita package will receive an upgraded bundle with an 8GB memory card ($30 when sold separately); a 30-day, 250MB AT&T DataConnect Pass ($15 on its own); and a PlayStation Network game. The data plan and PSN game will be provided upon online activation of the system. The standard $300 3G Vita does not include a memory card, which is a required accessory for many of the system's games.

Gamers who pick up the $350 First Edition bundle will also receive a bonus. While they will have to settle for the 4GB memory card already announced as part of that package, Sony will still offer them the DataConnect Pass and PSN game upon activation. The First Edition also includes a limited edition case and a copy of the launch game Little Deviants, not to mention that it goes on sale February 15, a week prior to the Vita's February 22 wide release.

Once activated, the DataConnect Passes for both packages will automatically renew for a $15 fee every 30 days, although users are able to cancel their subscription at any time.

Beyond the 3G bundles, Sony will offer a $250 Wi-Fi-only model of the PS Vita at launch. For more on the system, check out GameSpot's previous coverage.

244 Comments

  • XanderZane

    Posted Feb 15, 2012 4:44 pm GMT

    @psu808

    @XanderZane, Maybe so with the PS3/PS3/PS1. But PSP uses Sony's memory stick, which is proprietary. They own the design, you can buy third party memory sticks, but the price per gig is nutz. If you buy there camera's most if not all use Sony proprietary memory.

    Yes, they are losing billions. They lose even more with the Vita. It's cool, yea but for $50 a game no thanks. **************************************************************
    Actually the 3rd party memory stick I used for my PSP was cheaper then Sony's. I got it off of EBay. http://www.ebay.com/itm/32GB-Memory-Stick-Pro-Duo-Sony-PSP-2000-3000-/170409817778?pt=Digital_Camera_Memory_Cards&hash=item27ad3776b2
    The PSVita shouldn't be proprietary since all of Sony other gaming hardware isn't.

  • anticusho1984

    Posted Feb 14, 2012 10:03 am GMT

    3G version sounds good like this, the good thing about this verswion is that comes with GPS and they said that some game would take advantage of that, so I would like to see if developers can take good use of that
    I agree the memory are overprice, they should cut price in half $15 for 8gb wouldn't be bad, but the reason to use to use a new memory is to avoid the piracy that damaged the psp since it is encrypted you have to use the software, people complain about it but I have never heard anybody complain about ipods/iphones besides microsd and sd cards transfer rate is horrible, even with a 4 core processor in the vita a slow microsd will be a the bottle neck, if they let other companies like sandisk or lexar make them also would be great.

  • Gravity_Slave

    Posted Feb 13, 2012 6:05 am GMT

    I always thought it was pronounced "Vy-ta"...not "Vee-ta"...sounds worse. anywho, handhelds are so 2003. Smart phones and tablets are phasing them out...

  • wowwow27

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 10:25 pm GMT

    just the wi-fi for me, and a 32gb memory stick, may as well get the biggest right off the bat.

  • wowwow27

    Posted Feb 12, 2012 10:23 pm GMT

    im sure you can get cheap memory sticks for the vita from hong kong, ebay anybody?

  • Metroidfire

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 5:09 pm GMT

    @Cozm1kaos: I bet you didn't even play the 3DS. What's more, you are the one who is not a real gamer. You are a fanboy, and fanboys are not real gamers.

  • lazycomplife

    Posted Feb 11, 2012 4:04 am GMT

    I'm just going to play with my katamari like usual and touch it later when some great JRPGs come and the the price drops.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Feb 10, 2012 5:50 am GMT

    @reta123

    As far as im concerned handhelds are dead. Not investing in any portable gaming until its direct installed in my cerebellum.

    ************************************************
    I think Nintendo would disagree with you since they've already sold over 151 million DS's and over 16 million 3DS is just over a year. Handheld systems are no where near being dead.

  • reta123

    Posted Feb 9, 2012 7:41 pm GMT

    As far as im concerned handhelds are dead. Not investing in any portable gaming until its direct installed in my cerebellum.

  • pataponplayer

    Posted Feb 9, 2012 5:51 pm GMT

    The 3G model will not do well, and will most likely be discontinued soon. You can count on it.

  • awheaten

    Posted Feb 9, 2012 10:57 am GMT

    Warning to Sony. I might buy a vita, but it may collect dust near the plug in my wall, like my PSP does.

  • mysteriously

    Posted Feb 9, 2012 9:02 am GMT

    This is zero benefit for us in Canada. It takes good games and backwards compatability to motivate people to buy a new portable, not these so called discounts.

  • metalkitten

    Posted Feb 9, 2012 7:31 am GMT

    i smell desperation

    who will buy vita except for techgeeks and those who want... ehm uncharted??

    i love uncharted...but common...(also uncharted is so frikken gorgeous i cant picture not playing it on my big tv)

    sony needs to pull it together

  • allan_delacruz

    Posted Feb 7, 2012 4:53 pm GMT

    I don't understand why people are whining about 4G. Unless you want your vita to be obsolete in 80% of the country, you should stick with the less battery hogging 3G. I can't see myself paying $15 dollars a month, and seeing a "4G not available" icon most of the time.

  • Cozm1kaos

    Posted Feb 7, 2012 1:42 pm GMT

    @airborne26

    Come on Dude, your complaining that the NEW sony PSVITA is $250 bucks? What about the daam 3DS? worst system made and really bad for your eyes lol. Sony always supported old games and their backwards compatibility, i never once saw any other system keep their older systems up to date. Who cares if it does not play old PSP games, never time wait!!! before you buy =) I sold my psp months ago for $200 bucks, before non real gamers knew PSvita was coming out. Now im only short $50 bucks =) Be smart my friend!!

  • djdanrobbins

    Posted Feb 7, 2012 2:22 am GMT

    I read a very interesting article on CNET today wherein the author essentially says that if the Vita had an Apple logo on it instead of Sony's there would be lines out the door to buy one. Nobody would be complaining about proprietary memory cards nor would they be complaining about the 3G only data plan (is there a 4G iphone yet?). And he's right.

  • amaan4ever

    Posted Feb 6, 2012 5:02 pm GMT

    I tested it in Gamestop. Graphics and touchscreen are pretty sweet but except for uncharted there isn't anything else to get at launch day

  • airborne26

    Posted Feb 5, 2012 10:20 pm GMT

    Do you really need 3g connectivity? be honest with yourselves , many of us already have cell phones with all the connectivity we need , the ps vita in my opinion is a horribly overpriced handheld gaming device , because thats all i would really want it for - gaming. even the wi-fi version is horribly priced! come on! 250 bucks for a portable , sorry SONY i bought the PSP 1000 early on and after buying the memory stick and a game the DAMN thing cost close to 400 bucks and honestly i wasn't very impressed with it, right off the bat i was pissed off that shooters had terrible controls. I hardly ever used it , and very rarely use it today. I PLEAD TO EVERYONE OUT THERE CONSIDERING BUYING ONE OF THESE OVERPRICED PAPER WEIGHTS TO WAIT - HOLD OFF AND FORCE A PRICE REDUCTION! IF YOU BUY THE VITA AT ITS CURRENT PRICE YOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE MORE MONEY THAN COMMON SENSE. Almost forgot , what am i going to do with all my worthless psp games? thanks to sony's non-backwards compatible stance , i won't be able to use them in a vita , nor will i be able to use the handful of memory sticks i've acquired . thers no F*****G WAY I'M GETTING A VITA!! SONY! IF YOU WANT MY MONEY YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO SUCK ME AND F*** ME FIRST!!!!

  • cephas90

    Posted Feb 5, 2012 3:58 am GMT

    @OuroborosChoked Because creating a lesser product then making a greater product and selling both is better business to sony. Which I think is stupid, since a lot of people are starting to catch on to that craptastic method.

  • OuroborosChoked

    Posted Feb 4, 2012 2:00 pm GMT

    I don't even get what Sony is thinking with this.

    1. 3G is becoming old hat. 4G is increasing its market share and will become the new standard soon. Why 3G then? It'll be out of date very soon and people will be stuck with out-of-date equipment and data plans they won't want anymore. I'm sure Sony will release a 4G model in a few years anyway. Why not just wait? Sony's customers are doing just that.

    2. As we've established, nobody's interested in the 3G model. Why are they further incentivizing the model that isn't selling as well? Focus on selling as many of the one people actually want, drop the 3G, wait until 4G becomes more ubiquitous, release a 4G model with cell phone capabilities so I don't need two data plans. I seem to recall a Sony phone with Playstation gaming capabilities... being sold by a cell phone service provider... I dunno... maybe I dreamed that up. *cough*

    Is this really that complicated? People are already pissed about the proprietary memory cards. Give them a break and incentivize the one that WILL sell... so that rather than slightly improving sales of the less popular model (from poor to middling) you can improve the sales of the model that WILL sell from good to excellent... AND you'll create the market you want. Then, if your customers like what they have, you announce the 4G model in two years and they'll trade up. SIMPLE.

    Common sense > blatant avarice... every time.

  • psu808

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 6:33 pm GMT

    @XanderZane, Maybe so with the PS3/PS3/PS1. But PSP uses Sony's memory stick, which is proprietary. They own the design, you can buy third party memory sticks, but the price per gig is nutz. If you buy there camera's most if not all use Sony proprietary memory.

    Yes, they are losing billions. They lose even more with the Vita. It's cool, yea but for $50 a game no thanks.

  • XanderZane

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 8:35 am GMT

    @psu808

    @XanderZane, No you cannot use 3rd party memory vita sticks. It's proprietary which means Sony owns and Sony is the only one who can sell/make them. Sony likes to keep it in house, that way they can charge $30 for an 8gig stick. Microsoft does with it's 360 hd upgrade. $99 for for a 250gig upgrade.
    ***************************************************************
    Ok, but it wasn't like that with the PSP, PS1, PS2 or PS3. So you're wrong about Sony "keeping it in the house". On all their other systems you can use third party memory cards, controllers, even HDD's in the PS3. I think Sony did this purposely because they are losing billions every quarter and they are trying to make as much money off of gamers as they can. Microsoft did the same thing with their HDD and Wifi Adapter for the XBox 360 as well.

  • necronaux

    Posted Feb 3, 2012 8:31 am GMT

    That sucking sound you hear is Sony vacuuming up all your money (bundling, automatic renewals, sheesh).

  • Agent-M

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 4:54 pm GMT

    They can "sweeten" the deal by making 3G free. No amount of incentives will hide the fact that the 3G deals on AT&T suck and are seriously overpriced.

  • psu808

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 2:15 pm GMT

    @XanderZane, No you cannot use 3rd party memory vita sticks. It's proprietary which means Sony owns and Sony is the only one who can sell/make them. Sony likes to keep it in house, that way they can charge $30 for an 8gig stick. Microsoft does with it's 360 hd upgrade. $99 for for a 250gig upgrade.

  • aaaaaa12

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 8:29 am GMT

    yup gonna buy one now...

  • XanderZane

    Posted Feb 2, 2012 8:25 am GMT

    If you have wireless WiFi, you won't even need the 3G version. My only question is can you use 3rd party memory sticks in the PSVita like you can in the PSP? I don't have a Sony memory stick in my PSP. I should be able to use whatever I want in the PSVita. This bundle deal is crap. All PSVita's should come with an 8GB Memory stick anyways. Sony's trying to keep the cost down and not lose so much money on the hardware. I'm sure it costs well over $400 to manufacture a PSVita.

  • praack

    Posted Feb 1, 2012 8:16 pm GMT

    the cards- it's all in the cards. Sony is claiming the high cost of the cards is to prevent piracy- so they created unique memory just for the vita. Sony also tied the game saves and trophies to the card and your vita- so if you sell the game without wiping the card /vita clean the next person will not get any trophies

    Take that evil used game market! but they are being nice- if you can prove you own a PSP game on UMD they'll sell you the electronic version at a discount ;-)

  • keichimorisato9

    Posted Feb 1, 2012 6:04 pm GMT

    when sony said that they had a special "deal" with at&t exclusivity, i lost interest in the 3g version and you don't get unlimited internet why have it when you can't even use it. if i had that i would be using it so much that i would end up going over within half a month maybe even less. ill probably just get the wifi enable one.

  • SlowMotionKarma

    Posted Feb 1, 2012 5:40 pm GMT

    @shadowhunter0 "Always had" doesn't mean "should have." If I'm not mistaken, all of the games that come on the flash memory cards will have reserved space for saves/patches. The downloadable games/personal media will require the "memory cards." And you know, it wouldn't be such a big deal if they at least priced the memory cards similar to their standardized equivalents. $30 for an 8GB memory card is a total rip-off when you can get a 32GB MicroSDHC card for the same price.
    Next to the Blu-Ray player, the reason I bought a PS3 was because the hard drive was swappable with any OEM HDD. I bought more multi-platform games on the PS3 because of that too, since the 360 has a "proprietary" HDD slot and I could get, and install, a 250GB drive on my PS3 for less than half the price of the 360's "special" hard drive expansion.
    Of course, it will ultimately be the games that is the deciding factor in whether or not I purchase the handheld and again, I'm not the Vita's target demographic.

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Feb 1, 2012 2:38 am GMT

    @blaket81 well since I don't have a smart phone and there is a very small number of hotspots around where I live are the reason why I'm getting 3g but what really sold it for me was warrior's lair what that game was using it for and what the possibility granted all of it can be done on wifi but most of the time that I have wifi is when I'm at home and I'm usually gone most of the day with time to kill that it can be used for also $30 or $15 a month depending on how much data I will be using isn't all that much also there are more stuff worth connection to the internet beside downloading and doing updates to the systems and allot of it can be use on 3g

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Feb 1, 2012 2:27 am GMT

    @JmanSeo that right there is my only problem with the vita is the price of the memory cards but I'm still going to get a 32gig card

  • shadowhunter0

    Posted Feb 1, 2012 2:24 am GMT

    @SlowMotionKarma actually there are games like uncharted where you don't need the memory card the game saves saves on the game card itself but yeat it is recommended to get a memory card and the reason why they are doing this is because to help to stop piracy and its Sony they have always had their own type of memory cards

  • SlowMotionKarma

    Posted Jan 31, 2012 7:47 pm GMT

    And they can't use SDHC... why? I'm on the fence, and will be until there is a large catalog of good games. While I'm most likely not their target demographic, something like non-proprietary memory expansion would help make a device like this more palatable.
    Still really wanna play that Uncharted game though...

  • Double_Wide

    Posted Jan 31, 2012 11:24 am GMT

    @sacatash

    Well fortunately for my kids, we'll be on the same page. The issue will just be dad sharing with everyone else, lol. I'll probably start'em off on the old school consoles just to buy me some time, LOL.

    In all seriousness though, well said.

  • Matthew-first

    Posted Jan 31, 2012 9:46 am GMT

    @DenverNick Oh, okay. Then I'll have to buy a new one. Btw. About the 3G... I could get it... but paying for extra slot for sim card is non sense for me... But on the other hand... I have 1,5 gb of internet free every month from my local operator... so I might consider that.

  • JmanSeo

    Posted Jan 31, 2012 3:11 am GMT

    The only thing that is really disappointing about the Vita is the cost of the memory sticks.

    Really if the Vita had an internal 16 gigs in the system (like the PSPgo) with the $250 price, the system would be perfect.

    It's just really annoying to think that I have to shell out $250 plus another like $50-60 freaken dollars for a 16 gig card (and a card that is built for the system, I can't use a Duo stick). Not including the price for a game.

  • Coolyfett

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 3:15 pm GMT

    sounds good to Coolyfett

  • TTDog

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 12:02 pm GMT

    In short... Pre-orders have been dismal... let's throw in a cheap extra we would normally charge them for

  • MOwens9512

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 10:04 am GMT

    I guess that's nice that they give you the freebies with it, but $15 a month for online service for a portable gaming device? Call me old or lame, but that's a bit much, and I'm not talking pricing. I mean seriously if you have that much time on your hands to play multiplayer games when you're on the go, you probably can stay home and do that on your console or use the wi-fi you got at home and save money LOL

  • blaket81

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 9:40 am GMT

    @denvernick
    The limited access on the vita with the 3G connection has nothing to do with speed, they just made it that way for the data connection versus wi-fi. To put it simply, even if the vita had 4G it would still have the same restrictions. On the other hand, with wi-fi, even on a slow wi-fi you can download games and do the things that make an internet connection worth having. While i myself would never pay extra to my carrier to make my phone a hotspot (because i think this is stupid and a waste of money), it would still serve a better purpose than having the vita on 3G. I don't have anything against people that got the 3G version, i'm just not the kind of person that's going to pay extra, and pay service fees, for something that's not a necessity. The only things worth connecting to the internet for are downloading games and doing a system update, neither of which can you do on 3G

  • leeko_link

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 9:19 am GMT

    @ JudgeSim If you don't consider our folks in the Land of the Rising Sun as ppl then you must be an alien and yes they are handheld addicts thanks to games like these: Dragon Quest, Super Mario, Monster Hunter, Pokemon, Final Fantasy, and Tales of Something.

  • bakagami

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 9:19 am GMT

    @jorelperez you the MAN!

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 9:16 am GMT

    Would have been nice to see a subsidized offering from AT&T as well. This would put the Vita in the hands of people who can't easily get $300 for a new system. These people could then purchase the Vita for ~$50-100 with a 2-year commitment to a data plan on AT&T. I'm not really favorable for subsidized. But I do it with my phones and millions of other people do too. It seems like it would be a lucrative new way to get people to jump on board earlier in the product life-cycle.

  • atopp399

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 8:42 am GMT

    Start sweetening the wifi packages and I might consider.

  • DenverNick

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 8:25 am GMT

    I pre-ordered the first edition bundle so that I could get the system a week early. My initial thought was that I wanted wi-fi only as I didn't like the cost. However, the more I thought about it, coupled with the fact that you do not have to sign a contract for the 3G service, I decided that the 3G version is the best to have. One, it still works with wi-fi first and foremost, I do not have to pay the additional money every month to have the 3G. However, if needed because I am on a business trip, etc., I have the option to pay $15 or so to ensure that I have access to any online things I may need. The pros outweigh the cons. I am not stuck with a contract and can purchase 3G access on an as needed basis which means I will also never be stuck in an area with no wi-fi and not still be able to play multiplayer games, etc.. Sure, you can't download new games from the marketplace through the 3G, but that is no different than any other device that has 3G access. iPhone users trying to download anything over 20MB know what I am talking about. Basically, I paid the extra $50 so I could have the access if I wanted it, would hate to be in a situation where I really wished I had access, but could do nothing about it because I only had the wi-fi version.

  • DenverNick

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 8:16 am GMT

    @Matthew-first

    The new memory cards are a different size than the ones used for the PSP.

  • DenverNick

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 8:14 am GMT

    What are you talking about blaket81? first, it would be more expensive to pay your cell phone provider to make your phone a wi-fi hotspot, which is more expensive than what AT&T is charging for the Vita 3G service. In addition, unless you have a 4G phone, your wi-fi hotspot phone would like still just be a 3G connection and the same restrictions would apply. Just because you pay for wi-fi hotspot service for your phone does not automatically make it have great wi-fi access, it is limited to the phone's capabilities.

  • Megavideogamer

    Posted Jan 30, 2012 8:01 am GMT

    Seems that "Little deviant" is the unofficial mascot for Psvita. good chioce since Sony was a bit deviant in not including a memory card from the start, At least they listened this time. So a 4GB or 8GB memory card depending on which bundle you buy early.

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