EB Estimating The PlayStation Vita Price At $338

13 years ago

June 7, 2011 at 4:23 pm

While EB’s initial price estimate for the PlayStation Vita is definitely worth pointing out, it’s also worth noting that, essentially, at this stage, EB’s guess is probably as good as ours. That said – EB is currently estimating that the PS Vita (Wifi version) will cost $338 in Australia. What do you guys think – would you pick up Sony’s new handheld for that price?

I’d be inclined to say that $338 is probably a fair price, all things considered. But I don’t expect Sony’s RRP to be that low. I’m estimating roughly $350 for the Wifi version and $400 for the 3G.

We’re still waiting on confirmation from Sony themselves with regards to pricing, but one Sony insider let us know that the Australian pricing would probably be more in line with the inflated European price than the US. That would suggest the PlayStation Vita Wifi version would cost $350 at least.

More news as we get it.

Comments

53 responses to “EB Estimating The PlayStation Vita Price At $338”

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tom

June 7, 2011 at 4:31 pm

either way, imporin is far cheaper, especially at the current exchange rate

Reply
Glenn

June 7, 2011 at 4:31 pm

What was EB’s estimation for the 3DS? Didn’t the peg it at $350 and low and behold it was $350?

Also, if you pre-order at this price, will they honour it?… if it went cheaper I’d just cancel and re-order.

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1. Cougar
  
  June 7, 2011 at 5:35 pm
  
  Yes. The way that EB Games’s POS (Point of Sale) system works that when you go to pick up your preordered item, if the price has lowered by the time you pick it up it will automatically give you the discounted price.
  
  What will be interesting (as everyone says) is will the games be regin free? The other thing is will Sony Australia offer a warranty on a piece of hardware that was not sold in their regin? I have heard of some companies not extending their local warranties on their imported counterparts… Guess we will have to wait and see.
  
  Reply
MrBS

June 7, 2011 at 4:32 pm

After all my bravado about the 3DS costing the earth in OZ I’m going to agree with you on this one Mark. $350/$400 for me. Providing it releases at the same time and is region free I might even my locally if I can get a good deal.

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1. oggob
  
  June 7, 2011 at 7:50 pm
  
  Region free is the other factor, given that alot of games will have cross platform features and the PS3 is region free, there is a HUGE assumption that the PSV would have to be as well.
  
  And for everyone else that is concerned about our price, think of it this way…
  
  I am happy to pay an extra $100-$150 on the price of the PSV at the local level, which will give a local warranty and then look to gain that saving back on software from O/S or whatever. To me, paying that little bit extra is overall a smarted option in the long run.
  
  Reply
Chuloopa

June 7, 2011 at 4:33 pm

You know if i had the disposable income i used to before i had any responsibility, i’d say feth yes!

…unfortunately, my income now is anything but disposable. lol

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706

June 7, 2011 at 4:34 pm

Have barely been able to get on here to comment on all the new news.

At that price this is probably the most tempting of the hand helds. I don’t have an iphone, I like a couple of the games on the 3DS (Zelda) but that’s all. With the impressive tech in this thing, if they followed it up with some really good titles then I would certainly like one.

I don’t know if I personally have time or the need of a portable gaming device, but even so I think this is the one I would want.

I do wonder at the cost of the games as well though. Generally a console sold at cost makes money back on games, how much are the games on the 3DS?

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matt30822

June 7, 2011 at 4:34 pm

Yeah i think its go to be at least $350 – they want to be in a good position against the 3DS but not that good of a position when they can milk some good money out of loyal Sony people at launch. Might even go a little bit further and say $375 for the Wi-fi version.

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Edward

June 7, 2011 at 4:35 pm

I’ll only be happy with pricing if it is US$249+10%GST+10%-15% difference.

With the US dollar worth less than the Australian, I refuse to pay massive markups.

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Wynston Chew

June 7, 2011 at 4:37 pm

I’m inclined to agree with you, as it’s $350~ here for the 3DS, I’d say it’d be about the same for the Vita here in aus.

Although 338 would be a more logical price point for Sony as it’d put their handheld more firmly in the console wars next to the already established 3ds.

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SemiConscious

June 7, 2011 at 4:38 pm

not too bad, i was expecting it to be much closer to $400…

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Jordaan

June 7, 2011 at 4:40 pm

EB typically give the upper bounds of their estimate, so that $338 is likely gonna be a MAX price, but still, importing is cheaper, so long as the content is region free.

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NotoriousR

June 7, 2011 at 4:41 pm

Not going to bother to get it from Australia if it’s over $AUD300, tbh.

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Will

June 7, 2011 at 4:43 pm

At this moment with only being aware of Uncharted and Ridge Racer I would say no.

But with the oncoming hype train I’ll probably waste some money on something that my Iphone, PS3, M14x and desktop should probably satisfy.

I already have a platform for ps3 exclusives, a laptop which provides mobile and steaming needs and an Iphone for the bus. So my head sees no reason for it.

My consumer whore heart on the other hand…

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Corey

June 7, 2011 at 4:44 pm

I’m sorry.

I got burnt paying for the 3DS at launch with little library to speak of (even now) so I’m gonna give this a miss for a year or two.

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Muddy

June 7, 2011 at 4:44 pm

Found this link on whirlpool:

http://games.on.net/article/12764/Rumour_PS_Vita_Price_in_Australia_to_be_299_AU

Now it’s really just a guessing game. I have absolutely no idea. $299 would be WOW.

Reply
1. jimib
  
  June 7, 2011 at 5:26 pm
  
  The price is supposed to be the same in AUD as it is in Euros, and that means the wifi-only model will be launching at $299 AUD.
  
  so doesnt that mean you convert the euros to australian dollars? so EUR$249 and EUR$299 is at the moment AUD$338/$407, so EB seem to have it pretty close?
  
  Reply
Scott

June 7, 2011 at 4:48 pm

The Australian prices are unacceptable unless they match that of the American prices. Australia’s gotta stop sucking when it comes to pricing stuff. I’m importing.

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1. oggob
  
  June 7, 2011 at 7:41 pm
  
  It’s not going to happen, Australia is a PAL territory, so we are with Europe, so release dates and prices will be based off them.
  
  Based on $338 and upto $400, that is a confirmed sale, I paid that much for the PSP and never regretted it.
  
  With the feature set this device has (really interested in the cross platform/cloud saves) I have no problem with this price again, especially with a local warranty.
  
  Reply
stephen rushbrook

June 7, 2011 at 4:51 pm

region free for games,sure. but if you are expecting movies and similar media to be region free then you will surely be dreaming.

my japanese psp1000 was fine with any and all games but i could not use any of the UK movie UMDs. Due to the nature of the Movie studios you can bet movies an TV shows will be region locked and if you buy a US unit your Aussie bought films wont play..

but…. I could be wrong.. But I would be very much surprised if I was.

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1. NegativeZero
  
  June 7, 2011 at 5:04 pm
  
  They’re not going to deliver movies to you on physical media though. It’ll be via PSN. And PSN is effectively region locked because it’s regioned to whatever your account’s region is.
  
  Reply
  1. FuzzDog
    
    June 8, 2011 at 11:58 pm
    
    You can make another PSN account for free though. Just have to use some random US address.
    
    Reply
Matthew

June 7, 2011 at 4:52 pm

makes you think how much reducing the ram actually put it down by, but regardless seems like a good price, lets hope we dont get the short stick again

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solypsis

June 7, 2011 at 5:03 pm

It must be no more than $300 here in oz or I will import.

Why does anyone on here allow themselves to be ripped off? I can understand someones mum or dad not knowing any better, but reading some of you will willingly pay $350, $400, absolutely astounds me -even more so than the Kinect [must be standing] steering wheel.

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1. NegativeZero
  
  June 7, 2011 at 5:06 pm
  
  Honestly, for launch or near-launch hardware a bit extra is often worth it in exchange for a local warranty.
  
  Reply
  1. solypsis
    
    June 7, 2011 at 5:31 pm
    
    Yeah, that’s reasonable with tech products. Especially given the regualrity of 360 & PS3’s bricking.
    hmmm… maybe I should reconsider my hard line.
    
    Reply
  2. Abe
    
    June 7, 2011 at 5:42 pm
    
    I thought Sony had global warranty everywhere?
    
    Reply
2. Steve0410
  
  June 7, 2011 at 6:10 pm
  
  You really think something that’s priced identically to the 3DS in the US will come out $50 cheaper here for no other reason than the goodness of Sony’s heart? Good luck.
  
  And just to rehash. I’m coming off like a broken record at this point, but people still don’t seem to get it…
  
  “Sony is a multinational, not just Australian. Pricing it higher is just price hedging. The Aussie dollar is very volatile, we don’t know if it will dip down to that 50 US cents as it did in ~2001.
  
  By pricing it higher, it allows Sony to ride out the trough years. It’s just self-interest. Otherwise, consoles will fluctuate like restaurant lobster and have a much scarier ‘market price’ sticker instead of a fixed price.
  
  I know it’s very tempting as an Aussie gamer to bitch about pricing, but some context please.”
  
  PS: If you want to import because the Aussie dollar is high, then by all means, go for it (I know I do). But to not understand why Aussie retail is priced as it is, is just juvenile and willful ignorance.
  
  Reply
  1. poe
    
    June 8, 2011 at 12:35 am
    
    No currency is static. The Australian dollar is actually pretty stable. The Australian dollar has been trading significantly higher than the US dollar for many months and will continue to do so for many more. This is a result of the shocking state of the US economy since the GFC. None of the US economic figures point to a recovery anytime soon. There are also no significant US policy initiatives coming online anytime soon that would lead to any change in the economic conditions and therefore forecasts, for the US. You would be hard pressed to find a single economist who would disagree in the slightest with any of this. It is false to say Australia requires companies to place a premium on their products due to a “volatile currency”.
    
    PS: Calling your fellow forum users juvenile is in itself pretty juvenile, don’t you think?
    The lack of logic in your argument displays your ignorance on this issue.
    
    Reply
    1. Steve0410
      
      June 8, 2011 at 6:37 pm
      
      Months are not years. I’m not denying the Aussie dollar will stay where it is for the forseeable near-future, but this price is fixed for 6 years (7 if the PSP is any comparison). And indeed, the Aussie pricing is fixed closer to the Euro than it is USD.
      
      I’m calling it juvenile because kneejerk reaction here is to start foaming at the mouth and disregard anything that might be considered sense. Hey, let’s ignore completely different population distributions, sales tax in the US, the difference in minimum wage, tariffs, hedging etc because “GAHHH!!! WE’RE BEING SCREWED!”
      
      Reply
Dunnowhathuh

June 7, 2011 at 5:10 pm

It’s pretty fair if you ignore the typical Australian mark ups. Though given the current trend for importing, I take it many sales are going overseas if the price isn’t much closer to 300 for the wi-fi and 350 for the 3G.

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aliasalpha

June 7, 2011 at 5:22 pm

Well if its region free, I’m sure my american friend will send me a ‘birthday present’ not long after I transfer a sum of money into her account, she’s generous like that.

$300 I’d be willing to pay here but anything more than that would be pushing it. $350 bundled with uncharted would definitely make me drop some cash though, especially if its backwards compatible with psn games

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Raif

June 7, 2011 at 5:41 pm

Cheaper than the 3ds:D

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GuardMasta

June 7, 2011 at 5:57 pm

So is it pronounced vEEta or vIta?

Ether way the name is cringe.

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Justin

June 7, 2011 at 5:59 pm

Whatever Sony do I hope they have good launch titles. The reason I didn’t get a 3DS and the reason I am still doubtful I will get one any time soon is that I ain’t crazy about the titles it has.

As far as the price point goes: EB was accurate on the 3DS so maybe that buys them some credibility this time around?

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Michael Barnes

June 7, 2011 at 6:27 pm

At launch the system will be cheaper. I got my 3DS for $288. Its since gone back up to $329 at department stores and $349 at the RRP jacking stores like EB. I regret not getting Donkey Kong Country Returns at launch. Was only $59 some places. I’ve never seen it drop past $79 new price since.

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plmko

June 7, 2011 at 6:27 pm

I’m definitely going to buy it here, importing handhelds are too risky as they can have lots of defects.

You definitely want the warranty.

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STENDEC

June 7, 2011 at 6:40 pm

I don’t care what it retails for. I’m importing. It’s 250 USD in America, which is approx. 230 AUD given the current exchange rate. So therefore to import the PSV it’s gonna be roughly $250-260 AUD if you include shipping. Knowing how much we get screwed up the arse by retailers in this country, there’s no way it’ll be anywhere close to that here.

Reply
1. Steve0410
  
  June 7, 2011 at 8:51 pm
  
  You people make me laugh.
  
  You do realise that $250 USD isn’t including sales tax that is mandatory in basically every state? So throw in ~10% surcharge and that $275 is looking a bit less appetising, toss in shipping too and you’re closer to $300.
  
  It might be less than Aussie RRP at the end, but America isn’t some gaming wonderland that some people think. If you want to bitch about their PS Vita cost, maybe you should live with their equivalent minimum wage and realise the costs of living are completely different.
  
  “Goddamn! It only costs $1 a day for food in China?! We’re being screwed!”
  
  Reply
  1. alastair
    
    June 9, 2011 at 7:14 pm
    
    Pro tip: not everyone gets the minimum wage.
    
    Reply
Matt

June 7, 2011 at 6:58 pm

$338 sounds good, cheaper than 3DS and comparable to other prices (24,980 yen is ~$310 AUD). If we comparing to USD yea they get it cheaper but really they get EVERYTHING cheaper, and ~250 USD vs. ~300 AUD (pre-tax) isn’t too bad considering retailers have higher mark-up’s here + shipping, etc.

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Cam

June 7, 2011 at 7:32 pm

IF it costs as much as an xbox or ps3, why the fluff would you ever buy it?

Reply
1. Steve0410
  
  June 7, 2011 at 8:47 pm
  
  Why buy a bike when a horse is a bike that pedals itself?
  
  Console =/= Handheld.
  
  Reply
Peter Richards

June 7, 2011 at 7:51 pm

By the time this comes out, the 3DS may well be retailing at $299, so they may end up pricing this at $299 anyway.

Reply
1. Apris
  
  June 7, 2011 at 8:39 pm
  
  I doubt it, a price drop within 8 months or so is unheard of.
  
  Reply
  1. solypsis
    
    June 8, 2011 at 12:46 am
    
    Not unheard of, just uncommon.
    
    I remember the first xbox had a significant price cut within months of launch here in Australia -I remember they compensated those of us who bought it at full price by sending us 2 free games and a controller.
    
    I don’t think a price cut for 3DS would be too surpising if it continues to not sell as well as Nintendo hopes, which they have admitted is the current situation.
    
    Reply
Boomtish

June 7, 2011 at 9:25 pm

Awesome. I’ll get one. But I’m also too busy playing DOA on the 3DS to care right now.

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Arcturus

June 7, 2011 at 10:42 pm

Considering our dollar is golden & the US dollar is worth little more than toilet paper, anything more that the US price is waaaay too much. Couldn’t really care either way anyway to be honest. The fact that besides a new proprietary storage format for the games it’s rumoured to use yet another new proprietary format for media storage is enough for me to tell Sony to go gargle my nads. Thanks but no thanks $ony

Reply
1. Cypher
  
  June 8, 2011 at 12:05 pm
  
  +1
  
  Reply
FuzzDog

June 9, 2011 at 12:05 am

Another reason to import is because it will surely be released here much later than in the US. Sony have said that they’ll be flat out trying to get it to America before the end of the year and that they don’t expect Europe or the rest of the world (except possibly japan)to get it until Q1 or Q2 2012.

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Dark_Templar

June 10, 2011 at 4:28 pm

Price gone up to $348

Reply
Don Bolte

July 30, 2011 at 3:43 pm

Sony can try again if EB guess is correct. Given current state of play with the global economy and currency rates Sony will only get my money if its pricing is on par with the US i.e. $249 wifi $299 3g. Anything more is just greed…Sony is Sony regardless of where they are in the world and which “business unit” controls which territory, get over this “divisional cost structure” create a unified global currency and get on with it already!! local shops will only suffer in the long run. OS companies and importers are driving the big cars and living in McMansions…everyone else is scratching the back alleys for a feed!!

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s23m

September 27, 2011 at 11:37 am

the ps vita has a huge difference when i did the exchange rate and prices. 3G/WIFI: Exchange Rate Conversion: $305. huge difference there. wow these australian companies are just ppl that they love to make more money off. why can’t they just stick to the conversion rate rather than just add more dollars to make it more expensive. that just sounds unfair…. 🙁

Reply

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EB Estimating The PlayStation Vita Price At $338

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