Much hype has been made over the fact that Sony’s new handheld, the PlayStation Vita, is a fully 3G-compatible device that allows gamers to connect to any nearby AT&T signal (assuming you’re paying for the contract). The “always-on” connectivity of the device is considered one of the major selling points of the more expensive 3G version, which runs $299.99 compared to the Wi-Fi-only version’s price of $249.99.

While gamers may see 3G connectivity as a method for downloading games on the go or competing with friends online (though the thought of 3G latency makes me shudder), Sony recently revealed that the Vita, at least in Japan, has an insane download cap of 20MB per month. This means that the 3G functionality of the device is essentially useless for online gaming and game downloads, unless you’re playing for an incredibly short period of time or downloading a game that was originally released on Super Nintendo.

To put this cap in perspective, most PSP games run 200-500 megabytes, with original PlayStation games falling in around the same general area. Nintendo DS games fall between 16 and 128MB, and they’re noticeably less pretty than current PSP titles. Even if you’re using the Vita to download songs, you’re only going to be able to download seven or eight before you smash into the data cap.

Of course, this data cap only applies to Japanese players – there’s no official statement from Sony regarding what American gamers can expect from the console. The only thing Sony has said officially is that there is nothing official to say, which means a data cap may or may not be included with the Vita here in the States (and in other nations).

This, combined with concerns over the Vita 3G’s low 128Kbps down/64Kbps up connection speed put its position as the first single-purpose 3G gaming device at serious risk.

Are you planning on picking up a Vita 3G? Are you concerned over a possible data cap?

Via Destructoid

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