Back in 2015, a video of a PSVita prototype went live on Assemblergames.com but it was taken down shortly after only to be reuploaded in early 2016. Now, that PSVita prototype has resurfaced and it is currently on sale for $20k on eBay!

PSVita Slider Prototype Unit? What’s that?

As mentioned above, the PSVita slider prototype unit has been known to the public since 2015 and it’s quite a bit different from the final PSVita model that Sony released in late 2011.

The PSVita prototype looks pretty nice and had Sony released this version of the PSVita, it might’ve done better in Western markets! (Image from listing)

First of all, the prototype unit uses a sliding mechanism similar to the PSP GO and Xperia Play which were seen as pretty ambitious pieces of tech at the time. Secondly, it makes use of normal SD cards rather than Sony’s proprietary memory cards that cost an arm and a leg compared to other flash storage (market prices are around $35 for a 16GB Vita memory card on eBay while a 16GB microSD card retails for a few bucks).

Other differences from final retail units include:

• As this is a development unit, it has an HDMI output similar to final ones
• The buttons and analogue stick have a different design and look more similar to the buttons found on the DualShock 3 rather than the PSVita
  • Like final PSVita units, it has two analogue sticks rather than one
• It runs FW 0.990 which, from the video showing the system in action, is quite similar to earlier versions of the retail Vita firmware
• It has a bit sticking out with all the I/O ports (Vita port, microUSB and HDMI) which is similar but more prominent than that found on present-day dev kits
• The back of the device doesn’t have the square/circle/triangle/cross finish
• It doesn’t have a built-in battery

What is currently being sold?

This prototype unit runs FW 0.990 and has original development files so Sony might have some issues with it being sold! (Image from Listing)

The listing on eBay, which is Buy It Now for $20,000, comes with a dozen good quality photos of the device and is from the eBay seller ” vandalsgames_com” who has a 100% buyer satisfaction rate. The listing includes:

• The DEM-3000H84 unit itself
  • It’s fully working, including the HDMI output
  • It also has a cute little sticker with a warning reading “The device must be returned to SCE!”
  • It also comes with a huge ‘NOT FOR SALE’ sticker on the back of the device
• An SD card containing development files
• A power supply with a US plug
• A prototype LAN adapter (which isn’t pictured)

Without a doubt, there is a possibility that this listing gets taken down in a few hours without anybody buying it as selling prototypes isn’t exactly legal. Due to this, you should probably go check it out ASAP since the pictures included in the listing are pretty nice!

Conclusion

If you have a truckload of money you want to burn, you can buy it from the link below but unfortunately, it only ships to America so if you’re in Europe/Asia tough luck (or you’ll need to set up alternate shipping arrangements). Otherwise, you can enjoy the video linked below which is of the same prototype in action without spending a dime 😉

eBay Listing: http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575106747&toolid=10001&campid=5337605582&customid=&icep_item=113696591106&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg