Retailers have been forced to slash the price of the recently released Sony PS Vita in the console’s native Japan after strong opening week sales took a hefty nosedive in the weeks leading up to Christmas.

Having shifted just under 325,000 Vita units in the device’s opening week, less than the 375,000 units managed by the rival Nintendo 3DS during its launch week, Vita sales have tailed off with second week sales dropping to just 72,479 units.

This dramatic sales slump has seen the Vita land as only the fifth highest selling piece of gaming hardware in Japan for the week, coming in behind not only the 3DS (482,200 units) but also the Vita’s predecessor the Sony PSP (101,121).

Sony PS Vita UK Release Date and Price

With a Sony PS Vita UK release date pencilled in for February 22nd gaming fans outside of Sony’s home country are to get their first experience of the touchscreen touting PSP replacement in the coming weeks. A Sony PS Vita UK price has been set at £229.99 and £279.99 for the Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + 3G models respectively.

Will you be looking to snap up Sony’s next-generation portable games console when it hits the UK next month or is it too pricey for your tastes? Lets us know via the comments box below.