It would seem like it. Sony’s wonderful idea to give gamers a wired PlayStation extended / media streamer, seemed like a great idea at first. However it seems that it didn’t meet the success that Sony was looking for when it first released as the PS Vita TV in Japan back in November 2013. Sony then later brought the device over to the North American market late last year and hasn’t managed to make much head way with the device.
I’ve noticed myself that retailers have dropped the price of the device multiple times since it’s release in the states and now it seems that retailers are going even further. It’s been reported and confirmed that Gamestop is currently running a promo that will net gamers a free PlayStation TV when they purchase a PlayStation 4 console. Bestbuy is also getting into the action and is offering the same deal + 1 year of PSN for this week’s upcoming sale on February 22nd. That deal is now live here.
Now that’s not saying that the device is doing awful however it’s definitely not a good sign. Despite it offering the ability to stream PlayStation 4 titles to the micro-console via a wired connection,the ability to play PlayStation One/PSP/PS Vita titles and the ability to stream movies there are still faults with the unit. There is no surround sound, you’re limited to a 720p/1080i resolution, media streaming options are limited to Sony’s Video channel, Crunchyroll, Crackle…. No Netflix, no Hulu, up-scaled PS Vita games look terrible on a big screen tv, and not all games that support touch controls can be played on the unit. And while it can also streaming PlayStation 3 titles from Sony’s PS Now service, that is still limited in it’s offerings and way overpriced, at least to me. It’s the classic “This device had potential” and if I was Sony, i’d be looking on how to change the outlook on this unit.
Still it’s a great way to stream your PlayStation 4 titles, as long as you don’t mind dropping the resolution down to 720p/1080i and the lack of surround sound. It definitely works as I actually own a PlayStation TV and lets you get into the game in a room that doesn’t have access to a gaming console or on the road, though I have yet to get that working but apparently it does work. If you don’t have a PlayStation 4 already and planned on picking on up, then either one of these deals would be perfect for you.
Still it would seem that retailers are likely frustrated with the lack of sales of the PlayStation TV (as is Sony), they maybe trying to trim their stock of the micro-console that couldn’t. Which is a shame as the device had a lot going for it, at least on paper. Which is also another sad reminder of another Sony product that has fantastic potential but isn’t being acted on.
Sony PS Vita, anyone?
Update: That Bestbuy PlayStation TV offer is indeed real and is live now – here. Just pick up any PlayStation 4 console and get a PlayStation TV on the side for free.
Sources: Cheapassgamer
