Vita Memory Card Prices Revealed, On Par With PSP
See Full ImageThe PlayStation Vita will launch on February 22 and if you want the full handheld experience, you'll probably need a few accessories.
Well, GameStop has revealed the prices for several Vita-related products and re-confirms a few previously known prices.
For instance, we had heard about the Vita first edition bundle for $349.99, and we also knew games would cost $39.99 (what PSP games cost now). But it's the announcement of the memory card price tags that have people talking: the 4GB card will cost $29.99, the 8GB will run you $44.99, the 16GB will cost $69.99, and the 32GB will hurt your wallet at $119.99...basically half the price of the Wi-Fi-only Vita. That can be considered pricey.
However, before everyone starts to freak out about the memory card prices, we should remind you that the cost of PSP memory cards isn't much different. In fact, the Vita cards are actually cheaper: the 4GB PSP memory card is $37.99 while the Vita's will be $29.99, the 8GB PSP card is $50.99 while the Vita's will be $44.99, and even that big 32GB card is more expensive for the PSP: $124.99 compared to $119.99.
As a reminder, Sony has stated that retail Vita titles will come on 2GB and 4GB game cards, and the 3G model will be able to download files of up to 20MB (due to 3G mobile carrier restrictions). If you want to just use the Wi-Fi, though, you can go even higher than 4GB. Also check other Vita accessories through the link above; there's an AC adapter, headset, portable charger, carrying cases, protective films, and more.
Tags: vita, playstation vita, vita memory cards, vita accessories
11/28/2011 9:57:41 AM Ben Dutka
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Comments (64 posts)
Highlander
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:24:37 AM
For example, here is a third party 8GB MemoryStick Pro Duo for under $30, including free shipping.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820171435
The point being, Sony is making this machine network and download dependent to an extent, so gouging us for a proprietary memory standard when MemoryPro Duo already existed seems out of order - to me.
Last edited by Highlander on 11/28/2011 10:28:04 AM
6 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:27:22 AM
This 8GB Micro memoryStick M2 product. 8GB for under $10.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820234056
You'd need an adapter for the PSP, but this is a Sony card, 8GB for under $10.
2 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:30:02 AM
I'm sure third-party prices for all Vita cards will be cheaper as well.
1 up, 3 down
Highlander
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:36:53 AM
That was the point I was making. Sony always upcharges compared to third parties, of course. And I get what you are saying. But at the same time, if there are no third parties making these cards because of whatever proprietary protection Sony puts in place, we are left with a single source - Sony.
When PSP first launched, MemoryStick Pro Duo was a really new format, and getting third party cards for reasonable money was essentially impossible. I had hoped that Sony would have learned something from their proprietary format debacles of the past. But it would seem that they have not. This is yet another needless proprietary standard that will for a time lock purchasers into paying Sony a premium for flash memory that is otherwise as cheap as chips - literally.
I hope that I am proven wrong and Sony allows third parties to make inexpensive variants of this, but I doubt it. Otherwise why not stick to the MemoryStick M2 micro format, or one of the SD formats?
Last edited by Highlander on 11/28/2011 10:37:24 AM
4 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:51:08 AM
I think Sony just wants to show that the memory cards for the vastly more powerful Vita are actually a little cheaper than the cards for the PSP. Of course, the power is irrelevant in the discussion, but consumers are simple people. ;)
1 up, 4 down
Highlander
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 12:25:19 PM
4 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY2
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:54:00 PM
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firesoul453
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:48:46 AM
Reply
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Highlander
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 12:08:59 PM
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Spore_777
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:57:38 AM
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Beamboom
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 11:11:13 AM
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There are no technical reason for not doing that. The *only* reason is to profit on proprietary design, squeezing money out of their customers.
Sony did the same for their camcorders some years ago, changed to proprietary connections for...: External mics! Yup. Can you believe it? If you buy a Sony camcorder you are *forced* yo buy a Sony mic, who - whoops - just happen to be 2-3 times the price of a similar mic on the open market.
Damn, it's just *so* Microsoft to behave like this. And yes I use MS as a swear word here - they are the nightmare example of proprietary abuses.
Last edited by Beamboom on 11/28/2011 11:24:41 AM
7 up, 0 down
WeaponKnight
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 11:18:51 AM
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Excelsior1
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 12:11:21 PM
Reply
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 12:27:02 PM
Third-party stuff will always be cheaper, but you always have to wait for the influx of third-party accessories in any generation, console or handheld.
0 up, 3 down
Beamboom
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 2:17:01 PM
This is like if they made a "Sony USB" connection on the ps3, forcing everyone to buy Sony USB cables only. It's that silly.
Last edited by Beamboom on 11/28/2011 2:24:01 PM
4 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 3:48:44 PM
It's really absolutely no different than the start of the PSP era.
0 up, 1 down
daus26
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:26:54 PM
The start of the PSP era should be irrelevant. It was Sony's first handheld and they introduced the Pro-Stick duo, which is understandable, to an extent. This is their second handheld, so why create something new? It's like Apple making new charging cables for their iPod/iPhone devices every generation, but we know that's not the case.
Imagine if the PS4 didn't use SATA HDDs, just because it's a "new" generation. It would be ridiculous. This is what M$ did for their console, and something I don't expect Sony to do.
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:31:57 PM
That is... Insane!
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Cesar_ser_4
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:03:04 PM
not special hdd's special hdd enclosures
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BikerSaint
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 12:36:57 PM
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It already pissed me off enough having to find out what cards the PSP Go's took, and then to hunt for a cheaper deal on those M2 cards, plus all of their adapters too.
But in the long run, I was able to get 32GB M2 cards,(with adapters), for only $28.99 from one of my HongKong exporters.
But now I've got to hope that the aftermarket cards get out here pronto, & I'll be contacting HongKong again for these new Vita cards too.
0 up, 0 down
Excelsior1
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 1:46:35 PM
Yeah, I got a 32GB as well for $29.99 but for the life of me I can not remember where. It was at an actual store where I made the purchase. Makes these cards seem GROTESQELY overpriced in comparison. Dissapointing considering everything else about the Vita has been viewed in a mostly positive light up until now. Let us know what your HongKong contacts tell you about these Vita cards. It would interesting to know if there are any third party cards available already.
I agree with the others above such as Highlander and Beamboom. It does feel a little like daylight robbery in terms of flash memory pricing no matter how you try to justify or defend it. You would think Sony had learned some lessons in regards to pricing and propietary formats. I don't understand why Sony chose to go this way either. Well outside of them making what looks to be a nice profit. LOL at Beamboom's comment...Sony pulled a freaking MS here. I like anybody who uses MS as a swear word. :) It's kind of like how MS overcharges for their special HD drives but even that pricing is not as gouge worthy as this in my humble opinion.
2 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 2:18:01 PM
It's a deliberate choice by Sony. They do it because they can. :(
Last edited by Beamboom on 11/28/2011 2:21:26 PM
2 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:03:54 PM
Oh, you can make bet that I'll definitely be giving the "best price" link to any cheaper aftermarket Vita cards when they finally come out. I'll be on top of this one for sure!!!!!
FYI, just keep watching the forum or any one of the Vita related threads here later on because that's where I'll be posting it just so everyone else can also get the best bang for their buck too
Boombeam
Maybe I didn't word it just right, but I know there's already standards for memory cards.
I meant that make the MC standards so we don't need a damned new & different card every other Tuesday.
Like, instead of making new cards all the freaking time, how about just making adapters in every kind of form for the cards we already do have.
Hell, I know for myself, between SD cards, Micro SD, M2 & Micro cards for it too, I've already got at least 3 to 12 of every adapter card already out there foe my camera, 10 PSP's my 2 PSP Go's, and/orany other assorted self-amusement related gaming emergencies.
Besides, it just makes for more added sh!t to take up needed space, no matter how small they may be.
And if you don't have any of those specialty memory card holder wallets like I do, I can see some of those cards getting lost over time, especially how those itty-bitty, & much more pricy, M2 Micro cards are.
But that's just me,. LOL
Last edited by BikerSaint on 11/28/2011 5:08:07 PM
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 6:09:28 PM
Sandisk 4GB MicroSD High-Speed Class 4 Memory Card $4.99 w/ FREE SHIPPING
16GB MicroSD Card Hi-Speed Class 4
$12.99 w/FREE SHIPPING
Also,
Squid High Speed 7-Port USB 2.0 Hub With Built In USB Cables
$5.99 w FREE SHIPPING
Just scroll down the page for these 3 deals above, or check all 5 pages for all their other deals too.....
http://www.icemonkey.com/
0 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 2:11:03 PM
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Having just bought a 32gig card for $30 for a phone I fail to see how Sony thinks this is the right move.
6 up, 0 down
Karosso
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 2:48:23 PM
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They can keep the Vita, I won't support this type of practice. This is almost like what M$ does with its HD for the Xbox360!
This does not give me much confidence on how they will handle the PS4... Thought they had learned a lesson from the mess that was the PS3 launch :(
2 up, 0 down
Karosso
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:19:05 PM
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Mr_Nice_Guy
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 2:48:55 PM
Reply
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:11:24 PM
0 up, 0 down
daus26
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:30:06 PM
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Beamboom
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:54:24 PM
And regardless, they could still have used an established format on the cards, and offered high-end memory cards in that format. So while a nice theory I'm sorry but I doubt it.
Last edited by Beamboom on 11/28/2011 5:01:04 PM
1 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY2
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:57:25 PM
1 up, 0 down
Mr_Nice_Guy
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 8:17:42 PM
0 up, 0 down
JMO_INDY2
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 9:40:38 PM
1 up, 0 down
Mr_Nice_Guy
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 3:08:58 PM
Reply
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LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 3:14:19 PM
3 up, 0 down
Mr_Nice_Guy
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 3:41:09 PM
Last edited by Mr_Nice_Guy on 11/28/2011 3:41:42 PM
0 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 6:59:00 PM
If someone sold a new car at a fair price that didn't include seats but rather sold them separately at inflated prices beyond 4 times what dozens of other companies sold seats for you would bi*** about it. Evidently Sony can do something very similar (limit their new product) and you don't have a problem with it.
3 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 7:01:40 PM
0 up, 1 down
Mr_Nice_Guy
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 8:24:53 PM
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Cesar_ser_4
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:10:21 PM
1 up, 0 down
airwedge1
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 3:50:38 PM
Reply
1 up, 0 down
Karosso
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:16:21 PM
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:37:27 PM
Look, I already pointed out that these cards will in the first instance be more expensive than 3rd party Flash. so it's not like I am a fan of the price or defending it. However realistically, you're talking about $10 over the price of a 3rd party Flash product at the 8GB level. $10 is not ridiculous or unreasonable. The 16GB product is less then double the price of the 8GB product and although similar MemoryStick Pro Duos currently go for $40-$60, $69.99 again isn't going that far overboard. The cost of the 32Gb Vita card is about $30 over the typical cost of 32GB of MemoryStick Pro Duo memory from a third party. So yes it costs more, but again, is that $30 difference between a third party product and the Sony Vita product sufficient to justify the 'exponential' comment? No, I think not
I was one of the first to point out the difference in cost compared to 3rd party MemoryStick Pro Duo products. But there's no way you're going to claim that the cards make the Vita exponentially more expensive, that's simply BS.
Compare
Vita $249.99
8GB of memory $44.99
Total $295.99 + tax
Vita $249.99
8GB of MemoryStick Pro Duo $30
Total $279.99 + tax
Obviously the MemoryStick Pro Duo is only there as an illustration of a possible 3rd party product cost comparison. But it should be clear that the difference is $10-$15 depending on the third party product cost. OK, that's $10-$15 you have for something else. But are you going to refuse to buy a Vita over $10-$15? Really? Because that is what your outrage is based on, $10-$15.
Outrage is cheap, it costs as little as $10-$15.
Last edited by Highlander on 11/28/2011 4:38:52 PM
0 up, 2 down
Karosso
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:45:13 PM
First I must say this, like many on this site, I'm a big fan.
But this price difference is significant. If you must get all Webster on my ass fine, "exponentially" was a little bit of a stretch :) but it's a significant difference nonetheless.
If you will use the vita as your portable media device you will need the max amount of memory, 8GB? are you freaking kidding me? Music, movies, games, pictures and what have you will eat that up in an instant. How big is Uncharted going to be? 200MB? more like a few GBs. 8GB will barely keep you afloat. If you are a serious media junkie and gamer, you will need the 32GB period. They should just have the 16GB built in with the option to add more, just like the new Tablets/Readers do. You see, Sony is not competing against itself, it's competing against other devices, they must be measure by the general standard. $119 for 32GB of memory is evil, simple as that.
Also, you said on a post before that the games will have their own save space on the flash cards they came on, I hope you are right, I've read some troubling articles saying some games won't even start if you don't have a memory card plugged in, Uncharted included... That sounds too bizarre to be true but if it is, Sony will loose a lot of the respect I had for them...
Just for fun, here are some prices for Micro SDHC cards I just research. Micro SDHC is the closest thing to an industry standard when it comes to portable media storage.
4GB Class10 $7.00 (Sony's $30)
8GB Class10 $10.00 (5.00 w/ rebate)(Sony's $45)
16GB Class10 $27.00 (Sony's $70)
32GB Class10 $48.00 (Sony's $119)
Sorry but Sony shoot itself in the foot with this choice, I smell another UMD in the making.
4 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 3:31:11 PM
So, nice as the SDHC card prices you quoted are, they aren't really to the point of the comparison here, are they?
Of course you can buy an adapter to let you use MicroSDHC cards with a MemoryStick Pro Duo reader, so you can use SDHC cards, but you must pay for that adapter - but it must provide the MagicGate technology or it won't work for games.
Just like the MemoryStick Pro Duo format with the PSP, I think it's inevitable that someone will create an adapter to take a microSD card for the Vita, and then we will have a cheaper option. But come on, be fair and compare like with like.
Personally, I would have been fine with Sony sticking with MemoryStick M2 products, or even MemoryStick Pro Duo again. A new format specific to the Vita is a mistake IMHO, but I don't think it's as huge a mistake as you're suggesting, and I do think you're drawing a false comparison by using SDHC prices.
Last edited by Highlander on 11/29/2011 3:32:54 PM
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Warrior Poet
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:12:07 PM
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BikerSaint
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:19:19 PM
During the heyday of the PS2, I was getting 64MB PS2 memory cards for only $10-$11 & 128 MB cards for only $13 BRAND NEW from HongKong suppliers.
They all said Magicgate on them, with all the same exact numbers & assorted markings, and while they might have even been knock-offs for all I really know, every one of them still work perfect to this day.
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daus26
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 4:32:31 PM
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sha4dowknight05
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:22:03 PM
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Decent pricing on the console but terrible pricing on the accessories.
1 up, 0 down
Neo_Aeon666
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 5:47:59 PM
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They have to fill the gap somewhere and they got part of it in the memory cards.
They couldn't afford to let that money go to some random compagny.
1 up, 0 down
Lotusflow3r
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 6:02:28 PM
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Will every major game be a physical copy sold in store, ala as normal?
Is a 4gig memory card big enough and does a memory card have any effects on games other than saves?
Thanks in advance.
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JMO_INDY2
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 6:24:57 PM
Memory cards will be needed for PSN games, music, photos, videos, and game saves.
A 4 Gigger should be just fine. depending on your collection of media and games. 8 would be a safe bet.
Last edited by JMO_INDY2 on 11/28/2011 6:31:21 PM
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tazdood1199
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 8:46:25 PM
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0 up, 1 down
tazdood1199
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 8:47:20 PM
1 up, 1 down
Excelsior1
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 11:26:04 PM
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___________
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 2:58:49 AM
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i hate it when you have to shell out a arm and a leg for a device, then it gets replaced 6 months later and its replacement uses something different, so you have to go buy that.
rinse and repeat!
im freaking swimming in pro duo cards, then phones started using mini SD, then my go needed a nano SD i think its called, now this.
add a case, wall charger, memory stick, and its almost the price of the freaking unit!
no thanks, i think $ony have ripped me off enough already!
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BikerSaint
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 6:55:47 PM
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FYI, the Go uses the micro sized "M2" card.
Last edited by BikerSaint on 11/29/2011 6:56:07 PM
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DeathOfChaos
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 7:57:09 PM
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DeathOfChaos
Tuesday, November 29, 2011 @ 8:15:07 PM
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4GB - $37.99 (Sandisk)
8GB - $50.99 (Sandisk)
16GB - $59.99 (Sony)
32GB - $124.99 (Sandisk)
Amazon (US)
4GB - $10.00 (Sandisk)
8GB - $14.99 (Sandisk)
16GB - $39.12 (Sony)
32GB - $89.87 (Sandisk)
I took the prices from the Gamestop site first and then looked up the same brand off of Amazon from reliable sellers. I bought my 32GB Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo HX from Amazon for less than the price that was up on this article, lol.
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PHOENIXZERO
Tuesday, December 06, 2011 @ 9:47:48 AM
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Unless these new memory cards are in fact just M2s in a new shell the chance of Sandisk releasing their own is pretty slim. Hell, even if they are it's still slim since I doubt they would bother putting in the money to produce them and who knows what DRM crap they'll be laced with, Sony might not be willing to let anyone else in.
The best we can hope for is the cost of the cards being lower from other sources and there being a lot of room below MSRP for retails to slash prices, especially online retailers who seem to love to do it.
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phade2blaq
Thursday, May 17, 2012 @ 10:10:13 AM
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If the PS4 isn't able to play used games, we can't sell or trade them ! Hmmm ! makes sense sony !
How about focusing that same attention on manufacturing a Playstation console that doesn't: Freeze, Skip, Overheat, give me DRE (Disc Read Errors, Corrupt HDD messages, dreaded 80010514 error message, etc etc !
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Highlander
Reply
Monday, November 28, 2011 @ 10:22:00 AM
Even if Sony developed some new protection system beyond MagicGate, they should not be passing on the costs of their decision to consumers when the MemoryPro Duo format is still entirely valid.