Vita sales on the 'low end' of expectations, says Sony CEO

Sony's handheld system has been faced with slow sales and analysts calling for a price drop. As we approach the system's first birthday in the US, Sony CEO Kaz Hirai has acknowledged that it's not exactly setting the world ablaze.

Reporting from CES, The Wall Street Journal (via Eurogamer) grilled Hirai. Regarding Vita sales, he said: "I would say it's on the low end of what we expected." But, he cautioned that he would wait 5-10 years to gauge a product's success, saying, "Long term is what is important," pointing out that similar doubts were placed around the now-successful PS3.

Regarding his handheld competition, Hirai also shrugged off Nvidia's Project Shield, an Android-based console with a built-in controller that also made its debut at CES. "I wasn't as surprised as you might think," Hirai said, according to PC World. "If you look back through the pages of history, there have been other attempts. It's difficult to break into. I've managed this industry, so I know."