PS Vita getting outsold by the PSP in Europe

Things are looking pretty grim for the Vita. Sony’s flagship handheld is being outsold in Europe by both the Wii, and worse, the PSP.

The research was conducted by Nintendo, and is “based on sales information by market research companies in each European country.” The data puts the PS3 on top, followed by the 3DS and Xbox 360 tied for second, then, in order, the Wii, PSP and Vita.

The Vita is selling about 25,000 units per week, compared to the PS3 which is hitting numbers of 70,000. Talking on Nintendo’s own sales, president Satoru Iwata said that the 3DS’s weekly sales have increased, but are still “far from a satisfactory level”.

The Vita is however doing a little better in the US, where it comes in fourth. Well I said better, not good. Xbox 360 reigns supreme in America, followed by the PS3, 3DS, Vita, Wii, DS and PSP, which is almost non-existent.

Iwata chimed in again on 3DS sales in the US, again being dissatisfied with the handheld’s success.

“The Nintendo 3DS, which now has an overwhelming presence in Japan, also has the largest share in the US handheld game market,” he said.

“However, considering that the US market is two or three times the size of its Japanese equivalent, I believe that the sales of the Nintendo 3DS in the US are far below the level that it could potentially reach. Also, unlike Japan, the United States still has a relatively large market for the Nintendo DS.”

In Japan the handhelds are king, with the order looking like this: 3DS, PS3, PSP, Vita, Wii, DS and Xbox 360. Once again we see the Vita being outperformed by both the 3DS and its aging predecessor, the PSP.

I hate to say I told you so (but I did).