PlayStation Vita complaints prompt official statement, firmware updates

By Rick Marshall Published December 20, 2011

The PlayStation Vita sold over 300,000 units in the first two days it hit shelves in Japan, but a barrage of complaints about the new handheld gaming system has already prompted an apology from Sony.

“Currently, our information centre regarding PlayStation Vita as well as our usual customer service centre are receiving many enquiries,” reads the official statement on Japan’s PlayStation homepage. “We apologize if your phone isn’t connected straight away.”

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Vita users have posted numerous complaints on Twitter and YouTube regarding sudden freezes, problems with wifi connectivity, and problems starting the system up. Along with posting an extensive troubleshooting FAQ on the PlayStation site, Sony released a mandatory firmware update for the system intended to address some of the issues.

“Some issues regarding PlayStation Vita can be addressed by simple procedures at home,” reads the notice on the PlayStation site.

While these early issues aren’t likely to have a long-term effect on sales, U.S. and European gamers should probably take solace in the fact that many of these early problems are being addressed well before the system hits the market outside of Japan. At this rate, many of the system’s most troubling problems will be dealt with well before February 22 comes along and the Vita hits shelves in North America.

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