You heard it here first: Sony has confirmed a 2011 release date for PlayStation Vita in Japan, but the handheld won't hit Europe or the US until next year.
It's disappointing news for those outside of Japan, but we've heard US and European gamers won't have to wait too long for the portable's arrival. Sony had promised a "phased global rollout" starting later this year, and our sources indicate Vita will hit western markets in January or February. When it does launch in the UK, Vita will set you back £229 for the Wi-Fi model and £279 for the 3G version.
If you can't wait until next year to get your hands on the device, Vita will be publicly available during the Tokyo Games Show this September. Or for the price of getting out to Japan, you could just import one - Vita is expected to be region free.
Comments
30 comments so far...
wrightandrewjame on 4 Aug '11 said:
No big surprise there then. Was hoping it was going to come out next year. This Autumn / Winter is far too busy with games that I want to play. Easter would be a good time.
dpb135 on 4 Aug '11 said:
Why cant Sony manage a world wide release? even if its within a month launch period. Total usual Sony rubbish
Malmo on 4 Aug '11 said:
not a massive surprise but a disappointment nonetheless, oh well, hopefully it'll allow more time for some good games to launch, the 3ds launch was terrible in japan, though admittedly more not much better here. At least there were more games.
photoboy on 4 Aug '11 said:
Plus ça change
MD1500 on 4 Aug '11 said:
Good news for the 3DS. Nintendo have the holiday season to themselves.
KesMonkey on 4 Aug '11 said:
Seriously? Apply just a little thought and I'm sure it'll come to you.
NEO_SUPERMAN on 4 Aug '11 said:
Agreed.
If nintendo are smart, which I think they are, they will really, really capitalise on this in these regions. They will have a much better Xmas now.
lordirongut on 4 Aug '11 said:
Highly disappointing, but at least this gives me the chance to play other games over Christmas.
Moribundman on 4 Aug '11 said:
What everyone else has said. Is Christmas the same be-all and end-all shop-fest in Japan (where 90-odd percent of the country is Shinto/Buddhist) as it is in predominantly WASPy western Christian Europe and the US?
Who am I kidding... This is a Capitalist holiday son, Jeebus ain't got nothin' to do with it... And it'd be a cold day in hell before Sony would launch a product in any other market...
I'll still be playing Skyrim by Chrimbo anyway!
dpb135 on 4 Aug '11 said:
Oh yeah, of course, p**s poor planning
Apple manage it with iphones & heck even M$ had a month launch window for the xbox 360 in 2005. Its not the 90's anymore
lordirongut on 4 Aug '11 said:
Actually, Christmas is still big in Japan, it's just that it's more of a Valentine's style celebration over there and it's not a national holiday. Odometou Kurismasu!
deepbluerd on 4 Aug '11 said:
Member the big earthquake in Japan well there is your delay. I still think they should have brought it out in US/UK first since how well the PSP is doing in Japan but meh I don't blame them. I just hope its not too late cause the 3DS has got its price cut and it will have its Mario kart and the other big hits out too.
monty_79 on 4 Aug '11 said:
Gutted but not surprised. Oh well. There are tons of games available from September onwards, so i won't be too left out. Also, hopefully by then, the 3DS will have some more good games available so I will be able to trade it for a Vita.
Anyone know any reliable importers? I am tempted to import it, but at the same time if the difference is only a month, it's probably not worth it..
deepbluerd on 4 Aug '11 said:
Oh and I forgot to say Ha ha Blockbuster you failed big time!
Balladeer on 4 Aug '11 said:
http://motivateurself.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/weeaboo.jpg
buffig on 4 Aug '11 said:
Never for a second thought it would be released this year
dubplate240 on 4 Aug '11 said:
If it's a Jan/Feb release I'll be happy with that, like everyone has said there's far too many quality games this Chrimo, any longer delay (like the offensive 9months of the PSP) then I'll import.
R.I.P Liksang.
RandyChimp on 4 Aug '11 said:
Oh, sod off, you t**t.
shogunreaper on 4 Aug '11 said:
GJ missing the biggest holiday of the year in the U.S sony.
Yeah..cause parents will have $250+ dollars the month after xmas to spend on their kids..amirite?
slick loose on 4 Aug '11 said:
I'm going to import one and rub it in everyones face
GTCzeero on 4 Aug '11 said:
On one hand there's the standard disappointment that a games company prioritises its own region over other, possibly more beneficial territories.
On the other hand, it means that there's more money and time that can be spent on Skyrim, Uncharted 3, Batman et al.
PS3Tard on 4 Aug '11 said:
You must be so proud of that witty retort.
SJC on 4 Aug '11 said:
http://images.memegenerator.net/instances/500x/9216050.jpg
DAEDALUS79 on 4 Aug '11 said:
Im fine with that, wasnt really expecting it this year anyway when I placed my pre-order and there are loads of games to keep me entertained until its out.
Fr33Kye on 4 Aug '11 said:
Tragedy. Some will probably just import. Japan may not care or it may go crazy.
AJDarkstar on 4 Aug '11 said:
I'll hang on for the Wii U, not yet conveinced by the vita.
humanhand on 4 Aug '11 said:
Man. Oh well.
KippDynamite on 4 Aug '11 said:
Eff. I'll be gone for Christmas and was hoping for this to cure the boredom.
rbt2 on 4 Aug '11 said:
Thank f**k for that!
It'll give me a chance to recharge the financial batteries.
That'll do for me, Phony.
RandyChimp on 5 Aug '11 said:
Extremely