Sony’s support for the PS Vita may have ended more quickly than fans hoped, but the company still regards it as a major step forward in portable gaming technology. On a special webpage celebrating PlayStation’s 30-year milestone, Sony emphasized its mission to deliver “console-quality” experiences within a compact, portable design.
### Sony has never officially disclosed PS Vita lifetime sales figures
There’s been much debate about the PS Vita and the reasons behind its struggles, yet many agree that it was ahead of its time. Sony maintains that the device introduced “revolutionary new features” to handheld gaming and that it boasted a strong and diverse array of launch titles.
“Offering a true console experience that fits right into gamers’ pockets was all about innovation on a smaller scale,” Sony explained, “from changing how users engaged with gaming environments to crafting a seamless ecosystem with home PlayStation consoles.”
Conspicuously absent from this celebration is any mention of the number of PS Vita units sold over its lifespan—a statistic Sony has consistently kept under wraps. In contrast, the PSP—its predecessor—had its impressive 80 million units sold proudly highlighted on the same webpage.
Unofficial estimates put PS Vita sales somewhere between 15-16 million units, a figure that helps explain why Sony decided to step back from the portable gaming scene for a while.
However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Reliable sources report that Sony is considering re-entering the handheld market, buoyed by the positive reception of the PS Portal.
