Sony US announces Vita 3G memory card bundle

By Fred Dutton Published 27 January, 2012

8GB card, data pass and free PSN game thrown in.

Quick-off-the-mark US gamers can snap up a limited edition Vita 3G memory card bundle when the system launches next month, Sony has announced.

As detailed on the PlayStation Blog, for the standard Vita 3G RRP of $299, you'll get an 8GB memory card, an AT&T DataConnect Pass and an as yet unspecified PlayStation Network title.

A standalone 8GB card retails for $29.99 in the US. Add in the other gumph and Sony reckons you're saving over $55. Bearing in mind the non-3G system sells for $249 and a memory card is mandatory to play most titles, that's a reasonable deal.

Sony didn't confirm exactly how many bundles it's making available but did warn that it "will sell out immediately so we strongly recommend that you purchase your PS Vita early to make sure you get the extra value."

But then it would say that, no?

In addition to this offer, all those who pre-ordered the Vita First Edition Bundle are now also getting the AT&T pass and PSN game thrown in too.

We're chasing Sony Europe to find out whether it plans on offering a similar deal.

Picture of Fred.

About Fred Dutton

Fred Dutton is Eurogamer's US news editor, based in Washington DC.

Read more articles from Fred by visiting the Fred Dutton archive page.

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Comments (54) Latest comment 2 weeks ago

  • INSOMANiAC #1 4 weeks ago

    Here's an 8gb card we should have put in
    In the first place, now PLEASE buy the 3G that nobody wants

  • dadrester #2 4 weeks ago

    ha! I literally just sent this to EG. Someone over on another forum reckoned they'd got emailed a couple of redemption codes by amazon in Europe too, so it may not be limited to the US.

  • el_pollo_diablo #3 4 weeks ago

    I still fail to see any value in the 3G model at all. Can anyone tell me?

  • fcpthebest #4 4 weeks ago

    This is the only way people will buy the 3g version

  • silver001 #5 4 weeks ago

    Wrong the 8gb card retails for 29.99 in the U.S. But thanks for playing though.

    edit: Your welcome for the accurate information. btw the blog was changed after my post.
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 22:23

  • darkmorgado #6 4 weeks ago

    Not even launched worldwide, and already having to implement purchase incentive measures...
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 21:58

  • Snake_2011 #7 4 weeks ago

    darkmorgado because any gamer in there right mind prefers launch bundles.

  • ForozM #8 4 weeks ago

    I'm just happy Sony made a version without 3G.

  • Lunatic4ever #9 4 weeks ago

    I don't care about the 3G model anyways.
    Sony should better come up with a reasonably priced wi-fi bundle (best include a good game). After the desastrous launch in japan, they better come up with something good now otherwise the future will look rather bleak.

  • NotSoSlim #10 4 weeks ago

    Amazon still have nowt on UK site. Bloody baffling tbh

  • ElNino9 #11 4 weeks ago

    @darkmorgado it's hardly the first console that has had something bundled with it.

  • sfp_noodle #12 4 weeks ago

    @darkmorgado

    I can guarantee that if MS made the Vita you'd already have your pre-order in.
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 23:27

  • Shakey_Jake33 #13 4 weeks ago

    If Sony UK did something like this, I'd be very tempted.

  • Progguitarist #14 4 weeks ago

    <quote>sfp_noodle wrote:
    @darkmorgado

    I can guarantee that if MS made the Vita you'd already have your pre-order in.</quote>

    of course he would, especially if his little forum clique that he craves approval from said it was OK.

  • darkmorgado #15 4 weeks ago

    @sfp_noodle

    Ah, trying to claim I'm a fanboy.

    A quick look under my telly counts half a dozen consoles, of all manufacturers. In my cupboard I've got even more from previous generations, and in total I have over 500 games.

    Try harder.

    In fact, in the last two months I have bought over 20 games, and not a single one has been for the 360 (Motorstorm Apocalypse, Super Mario 3D Land, Shogun 2, Skyward Sword, MK7, Fragile Ruin, Baroque, Settlers 7, Crisis Core, Pullblox, Tales of the Abyss, LBP2, ICO+SOTC HD, Disgaea 4, HOMM6, Suikaden IV etc). Plenty of PS3, Wii, PS2, 3DS and PC titles, but no 360 games.

    Yep, I'm a total fanboy...

    /rolleyes
    Edited by 2 at 27/01/12 @ 23:40

  • sfp_noodle #16 4 weeks ago

    @darkmorgado

    Yes, and I added you temporarily on PS3 to compare trophies with you. The only completed games I found were Heavy Rain, Uncharted 2, and God of War 3. The remaining few were pretty negligible with no more than a maximum of 5% trophy completion.

    In contrast, a quick glance at your Xbox Gamertag tells us a lot about your gaming preferences. Not to mention you regularly bag on Sony related articles as you did recently by complaining about the Jak HD trilogy being in 720p.

    Yet you happily purchased Halo Anniversary; itself an HD remake which also couldn't even manage to run in 720p, let alone the 1080p you took issue over. Saw no such complaints from you about it being a cash cow remake, as you claimed the Jak HD trilogy to be, or the fact that it was a single game release, with MP tacked on from a game released the year before (Halo Reach). Double standards.
    Edited by 1 at 27/01/12 @ 23:42

  • BigDannyH #17 4 weeks ago

    @darkmorgado
    Wow, can I come over to play!
    Also, of those games, which has seen the most action?

  • darkmorgado #18 4 weeks ago

    @BigDannyH

    At the moment, probably Star Wars: The Old Republic (I'm too easily addicted to MMOs). Fragile Dreams arrived today though, so going to spend some time playing that tomorrow. Also spending a lot of time on SM3DL in the car and things. I wish I had spent more time on Disgaea 4, but its a game that really requires a lot of quiet thinking time and unforuntately my household doesn't really afford that.

    Got Last Story, Soul Calibur V arriving next week. One for five minute blasts, the other for in depth gaming sessions when everyone else is in bed.

  • Kill_Crazy #19 4 weeks ago

    @Darkmorgado

    It's not so much that you're a fanboy but more that you're a complete prick.

  • darkmorgado #20 4 weeks ago

    @sfp_noodle

    I was happy purchasing Halo Anniversary because it wasn't just a simple upscale of the existing game, but a complete reworking in a new engine, with new textures, additions to the original, etc. If an HD remake came out on the PS3 with similar attention (say, for example, Timesplitters Trilogy - which I desperately hope will happen), then I would be similarly attracted to it (I do keep meaning to pick up Stranger's Wrath, for example, which isn't just a simple upscale but also reworked the textures and the audio for modern consoles). But everything that has come out on the PS3, remake wise, has simply been upscaled version of existing games with NO additional work(that said, I do have the GOW updates as I missed them the first time round, and the ICO+SOTC bundle as I missed SOTC the first time and the original ps2 copy can get a bit pricey on ebay).

    And if you have looked at my PSN tag, you will see that I only play PS3 exclusives on the machine. The reason for this isn't down to fanboy bias, but simply because most of my friends are on XBL, I prefer the controller, therefore my multiplat purchases are made for the 360.

    A couple of years ago, some minutes were leaked from a SEGA meeting. What got the headlines was that Alpha Protocol wasn't meeting their standards because it wasn't mainstream enough. What got ignored was the bit about how Sony were planning on removing backwards compatibility as they saw a revenue opportunity in selling people older games.
    Edited by 4 at 28/01/12 @ 01:31

  • Nico4 #21 4 weeks ago

    $10 that they don't make a similar deal in Europe.

  • INSOMANiAC #22 4 weeks ago

    Geek fiiiiight!

  • darkmorgado #23 4 weeks ago

    @INSOMANiAC

    It's all getting very "how dare you criticise sony" isn't it? Even when you're not just singling out Sony but looking at all of the big 3.
    Edited by 1 at 28/01/12 @ 01:11

  • Snake_2011 #24 4 weeks ago

    Lunatic4ever the new patcher lol.

    darkmorgado you do it all the time big difference.
    Edited by 1 at 28/01/12 @ 01:18

  • smelly #25 4 weeks ago

    So - noone is buying the 3G version, so we'll put in a "free" memory card (which really shouldnt cost more than $8 in the first place)... And charge them $50 more for a feature they didnt want (and ties them to a specific mobile provider if they wanted to use it).

    Sounds like a bargain!

  • Schmoke-n-a-pancake #26 4 weeks ago

    @darkmorgado Completely agree. It's impossible to even constructively criticise Sony here without getting negged.

  • smelly #27 4 weeks ago

    I bought a 16gb kingston memory card last week for $10.

    So I fail to see why anyone would call this a "bargain" by any stretch of the imagination

  • Ryze #28 4 weeks ago

    @darkmorgado

    Don't worry about the fantards. They're like wallpaper, and they help finance R&D by buying overpriced shite like the sheep they are.

    Off you go, lemmings...

    :D

  • Snake_2011 #29 4 weeks ago

    Ryze Yawn!!!!!!!!

  • andrewsqual #30 4 weeks ago

    @Lunatic4ever What are you people smoking? Disastrous launch in Japan? If the PSVita disastrous Japan (and its out about 5 weeks mind you), then the 360 in Japan is the biggest most hugest fuckup of the century.

  • smelly #31 4 weeks ago

    The PSP bombed in Japan too.. It was HUGE in the UK though.... Never underestimate the chav gamer...

    Vita will be just as huge in the UK.

  • natureboy #32 4 weeks ago

    Historically, Europe rarely repeats deals like this - from the 32 bit to the current generation

  • NotSoSlim #33 4 weeks ago

    @smelly Really? I wonder what the data write speed is?

  • Drygore #34 4 weeks ago

    @el_pollo_diablo
    What?? I dunno about the UK, but here in Sweden the 3G and 4G speeds are great. Plus, there's no silly GB-limit on any of the subs. Im gonna be using my 3G Vita alot on 3G. Haven't checked, but i presume it can handle at least 16 mbit 3G, ill be able to hit that speed anywhere over here.

    Just the fact that ill be able to use "Near" anywhere, check the psn store, and other stuff including ofc playing online anywhere, makes it worth it for me.

    I also already have a 4G sim-card for my laptop which i can use.

    Weird that you HAVE to get a certain carrier for 3G models in some countries.. Instead of just choosing yourself, or use one you already have..

  • Lunatic4ever #35 4 weeks ago

    @andrewsqual
    wtf are u talking about?
    JAPAN is WHERE VITA NEEDED TO SCORE!

    The 360 is produced by microsoft and it wasn't expected that it will sell incredibly well in japan in the first place.So How can u compare that?

    That was simply stupid.

  • Subject91 #36 4 weeks ago

    Still wouldn't use the 3g model. spending god knows how much a month for data would eat into my games budget too much. And looking at at&t's price plans i can't see Vodafone being much better...

    Games>always on net

  • overcorpse #37 4 weeks ago

    People here haven't a clue about gaming over 3G here,typical EG uninformed bullshit.

  • Snake_2011 #38 4 weeks ago

    Lunatic4ever the PS3 is made in Japan yet sells most in Europe your point is?

    smelly Rodney you plonker.

  • makeamazing #39 4 weeks ago

    @darkmorgado I think there is a difference to making a valid point, and just talking crap, and to be honest, you do talk a lot of crap. It wouldn't be so bad if you actually said something positive or constructive once in a while, but as you spend most of your time taking shots at Sony..people are pretty much sick of you i guess. You made your bed.

    As for me, getting back on topic... I pre-ordered mine today, though didn't pre-order UC yet as the game price hasn't been decided by the store i ordered from. Went for Wi-Fi version obviously.

  • ro-kurorai #40 4 weeks ago

    Amazon Germany offers a free 8 GB card to all customers who have pre-ordered before Jan 25th (Wifi and 3G models). In addition they're slashing 15€ off a game of the customer's choice - 7 to pick from, I chose Rayman Origins.
    Now that's a deal to reward loyal customers =)
    I cancelled my 16GB card pre-order immediately afterwards.

  • SeesThroughAll #41 4 weeks ago

    Not good enough. Really lower the price on the wifi model, and then I'll consider.

  • Bumadan #42 4 weeks ago

    Ok, so I bought a PS1, PS2 and a PS3 for various reasons...but I didnt buy a PSP because it seemed kinda oddly placed...and I also wont be buying a PS Vita because I think coming up with yet another proprietary memory-card format is just too stupid to support.

    I realize that companies want to protect their products from piracy but this kind of protection just seems counterproductive.

    I think Sony needs to remember that what they are delivering is still ONLY a game-console...maybe streching to entertainment but many others are gunning for that market.

    They are gonna get completely smashed by Android and even IOS if they insist on being so secluded. And for a brand-new thing like the Vita thats really bad.

    If I had any Sony stocks I would be looking to sell them.

  • etBie #43 4 weeks ago

    amazon.de presents everyone who preorders any Vita an 8Gb Card and 15 Euro off of a Vita game.

  • spunkythefunkymunkey #44 4 weeks ago

    I have already pre-ordered the 3G one, but I am only getting it because I already pay for a Vodafone 3G broadband contract that I don't use.
    I'm tied into a contract that I took out a while back and don't really get any use out of anymore, so at least now I'll maybe use it. Once it ends though I doubt I'll renew it.

    But I do stress that I would absolutely not be getting the 3G one were it not for that fact, and the fact that you get Wipeout 2048 free with the 3G one so it's only really an extra £20. If they throw in this 8gb memory card here too then I'll actually be quids in.
    Edited by 1 at 29/01/12 @ 01:39

  • castertroy #45 4 weeks ago

    I'm getting the 3g version cause I've got shit loads of money !
    Edited by 1 at 29/01/12 @ 05:46

  • KrazyFace #46 4 weeks ago

    @Darkmorgado You're either A) A spoiled child, B) Too rich and too stupid or C) An addict to computer game boxes and packaging that just buys anything coz it's shiny. I mean really, over 500 games? In my entire LIFE as a gamer I may have played (fully) around 500 odd games but even if I kept every game I bought, they'd still not add up to that many. Do you just buy any old crap that's released?

    Anyway, back on point; Sounds like Sony are indeed fearing for their launch sales stats and throwing the pasta at the wall in the hope that something will stick. Personally it's another waiting game for me. I held my breath on the 3DS, and I'm glad I did. Apart from Zelda, there's STILL nothing on the 3DS to entice me to put that much money on one. As for the Vita, the new Wipeout looks good (big fan here) and Uncharted seems ok, but the other things like Reality Fighters just smells of that stale "Fantastic New IP" smell that seems to follow launch consoles until they get decent devs onboard.

    I'll wait Sony, if you give Vita as much attention you gave the PSP for half its life, then I'll maybe get one in 5 years...

  • mcmothercruncher #47 4 weeks ago

    Selling a unit without just some base memory is ridiculous, particularly given how cheap it is- this design choice wasn't a cost issue it was a cynical £$€ issue.

  • Quak #48 4 weeks ago

    "it will sell out immediately so we strongly recommend that you purchase your PS Vita early to make sure you get the extra value"

    That sounds awfully similar to their claims that PS3s were sold out everywhere back when that was launched... when shops couldn't move for stock.

  • NotSoSlim #49 4 weeks ago

    To be fair this bundle will sell out as its better value than the first editon one available.

    AT&T have probably had a hand in this one so doubt Vodafone will follow suit.

    Typical

  • vizzini #50 4 weeks ago

    mcmothercruncher: Selling a unit without just some base memory is ridiculous, particularly given how cheap it is- this design choice wasn't a cost issue it was a cynical £$€ issue.

    Fast memory card performance at the Vita card level currently is expensive.

    But I suspect you would have been in the camp of people claiming a 4gb inclusion was a poultry amount had they done that and did a £245 wifi RRP; as you wanted 64gb because phones come with 16/32gb (slower)memory. And then others would have criticised them for a 32gb or 64gb wifi model costing in excess of £300, so they've tackled the problem as best they can(imo) by allowing the early adopter to choose themselves. I'm sure Sony will bundle a large Vita card when it is cost effective to do so for the less technologically savy late adopter.

    I've pre-order the 4gb card with mine, knowing it is a 6-12 month solution, and will await better GB/£ value on the bigger cards.

  • SleepyGlenn #51 4 weeks ago

    Game are currently doing bundles on the Wifi version but not the 3G, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.

  • NotSoSlim #52 4 weeks ago

    <quote>SleepyGlenn wrote:
    Game are currently doing bundles on the Wifi version but not the 3G, which doesn't make a lot of sense to me.</quote>

    Agree. Guess 3G one is pointless i guess

  • DRUNK3N-_-DRAGON #53 3 weeks ago

    @Kill_Crazy and a lazy bastard with no life too!

  • Rano #54 2 weeks ago

    I want this in Europe Sony!! :@