Sony: 3DS success shows that handheld console gaming is not dead

Sony's PS Vita didn't make quite the explosive impact upon launch last month in Japan that the company had hoped for - indeed, the 3DS even managed to outsell the Vita in the Vita's launch week.

However, rather than worrying about a trouncing from its biggest rival, Sony views the recovery and subsequent success of the 3DS as a positive for the handheld market in general.

SCE president and CEO Andrew House has explained that the renewed optimism about, and interest in, the Nintendo 3DS shows that there is still demand for portable handheld console gaming, despite all the naysayers who believe smartphone gaming is now king.

"The sales of the 3DS, having the advantage of releasing a little bit ahead of us, have been exceedingly good," House noted. "I think that shows that there is, in general, a lot of demand for a gaming-primary portable device."

However, he made sure to give Nintendo a quick jab in the gut for good measure.

"But our device in contrast has just so much more to offer," he said. "What I think we've done is point to a market that really has started out with potentially casual games on other devices, but now wants a deeper, better, or more premier gaming experience."