PS Vita launch lineup 17% more expensive from PSN than retail

Despite claims from Sony that “there will be a discount on the downloadable PS Vita titles from PSN”, it seems that comparing the recently revealed PSN prices for PS Vita games for UK customers are actually on average 17% more expensive than the retail equivalent prices.

Everybody’s Golf – £29.99 on PSN, £27.95 at The Hut.

Little Deviants – £19.99 on PSN, £17.99 at Play.com.

Modnation Racers: Road Trip £29.99 on PSN, £27.95 at Zavvi.

Reality Fighters – £19.99 on PSN, £17.99 at Play.com.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss – £39.99 on PSN, £34.85 at Shopto.

Wipeout 2048 – £29.99 on PSN, £28.95 at Zavvi.

Army Corps Of Hell – £34.99 on PSN, £19.85 at Shopto.

Virtua Tennis 4 – £34.99 on PSN, £24.85 at Shopto.

Asphalt: Injection – £19.99 on PSN, £17.99 at Play.com.

Lumines Electronic Symphony – £29.99 on PSN, £22.97 at Coolshop.

Rayman Origins – £29.99 on PSN, £23.98 at Coolshop.

FIFA 2012 – £44.99 on PSN, £34.95 at The Hut.

Shinobido 2 – £34.99 on PSN, £24.95 at The Hut.

Touch My Katamari – £24.99 on PSN, £19.95 at Zavvi.

Blazblue Continuum Shift Extend – £34.99 on PSN, £25.85 at Zavvi.

Michael Jackson The Experience HD – £24.99 on PSN, £17.99 at Amazon.

Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 – £39.99 on PSN, £29.95 at The Game Collection.

Dynasty Warriors Next – £29.99 on PSN, £29.95 at Zavvi.

Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus – £29.99 on PSN, £24.99 at Sainsbury’s.

Ridge Racer – £16.99 on PSN, £14.95 at Zavvi.

Dungeon Hunter: Alliance – £29.99 on PSN, £29.86 at Shopto.

F1 2011 – £44.99 on PSN, £29.86 at Shopto.

This is only comparing prices at release, clearly the retail versions prices will drop over time in conjunction with market forces, whereas the PSN prices will only drop when Sony and/or the publishers decide it is time for them to drop.

What do you reckon to that? It seems crazy to me that they are making the download versions (which are better for the environment, encourage people to buy more of Sony’s expensive needlessly proprietary memory cards, and can’t be traded in) more expensive than the version that come in a plastic box, particularly after their claims that PSN versions would be cheaper.

It seems to me that Sony are more interested in keeping retailers happy than letting their customers access games in the most convenient way without compromising on value.

Will this impact your plans regarding getting a PS Vita?