PS Vita to miss 2011 launch window in US/UK, coming in early 2012

Sony confirms 2011 release of next-gen handheld is Japan-only

Words: Matt Bradford on August 4, 2011

North American and European PlayStation Vita hopefuls will have to edit their holiday wish lists, as Sony today confirmed its forthcoming handheld will not be shipping to European or US consumers until early 2012.

Sony's executive vice president Kaz Hirai delivered the somewhat disappointing news today in Japan, clarifying the PS Vita is still on track to meet its late 2011 Japanese launch window. The news follows reports from developer 505 Games it was anticipating a fall launch for the US and UK, and earlier rumblings from Amazon that the PS Vita would be ready for pre-order customers as soon as January 4th.

Hirai was careful not to call the revised launch date a delay, but rather a strategic move to make sure the PS Vita launches with a strong line-up. On the topic of cost, Hirai insisted Sony would not be dropping the price of PS Vita in response to Nintendo's 3DS retail cuts, saying, "We packed so much into the device and made it very affordable... There is no need to lower the price just because somebody else that happens to be in the video game business decided that they were going to lower their price."

The PS Vita will debut for US$249 for the WiFi-only version, and $299 for the 3G model.

Aug 4, 2011

Source: Associated Press

Platforms:

PS Vita

Topics:

Behind the scenes , Console Wars , Mobile, NGP, PSP2, Sony

19 comments

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sirdilznik - August 5, 2011 5:20 p.m.

Sony just pulled a Nintendo and shot itself in the foot. I'm not going to predict doom for the Vita, but they just handed X-Mas to the 3DS and spotted it a 10 mil+ unit lead.
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Aletheon - August 5, 2011 5:29 a.m.

No Console in History has Started Out with A Bunch Of Good Games. None. So STFU about the 3DS, Vita and anything else that is coming. IT TAKES TIME. only the dull and inexperienced would think otherwise.
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UsernameLoser - August 4, 2011 10:12 p.m.

@nelly24 Wifi Vita and it's games will cost the same as the 3DS', sounds like a good deal to me, especially since Sony isn't relying on some gimmick like Nintendo.
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UsernameLoser - August 4, 2011 10:08 p.m.

I'm kind of hoping for July-August 2012, because I can get it for free on my birthday,. I bought a 3DS for $250 and I'm not going through that shit again.
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Zepaw - August 4, 2011 9:18 p.m.

@statutoryreparez It is nto confirmed, but yes. Think of it like an iPad. You don't have to subscibe to the 3G if you buy the device but to use the feature you you will pay a montly fee. It will use too much data for them to even consider giving free data like they do with Kindle 3G.
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Linktoreality - August 4, 2011 8:59 p.m.

Couldn't care less. I expect the Vita's release line-up to be just as pathetic, if not more so, than the 3DS's. There have been exactly three games for the PSP that were interesting enough to make me want them, and I expect the Vita to follow suit.
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Defguru7777 - August 4, 2011 8:57 p.m.

Sony has a chance to make the Vita a success by having a good launch lineup. But if it could have done that AND have been out by Christmas, then it probably would have done really well. Still no interest in the Vita, but I'm interested to see how the market receives it.
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Cyberninja - August 4, 2011 7:54 p.m.

i think its a smart move if they have a rpg in the launch line.
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statutoryreparez - August 4, 2011 7:54 p.m.

I already know i want this but is the 3g version even worth it? Do i have to pay a subscription to at&t?
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nelly24 - August 4, 2011 7:40 p.m.

I really want to be excited for the Vita, but I cant help but think its going to be a bit of a failure like the PSP. Its too big, the games will probably be too expensive especially on the store, the majority of games will be ports of ps3 games. Its not a phone. It wont fit in my pocket. I have an iPhone. So tell me why would I want a Vita???
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yagirlfriendsfavoriterapper - August 4, 2011 7:23 p.m.

No shit Sherlock, in other news the 3DS lite will be revealed late 2012.
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TheKey - August 4, 2011 7:22 p.m.

Yeah, Sony's doing pretty good with their plans with the Vita, even if I'm not excited for it personally. Delaying it to make a better launch line-up is an awesome move, one I wish Nintendo had made. Though I can't wait for the "NINTENDO IS DOOOOOOOMED!!!!11!!!!" comments to come in, as those entertain me so.
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TheDigitalG - August 4, 2011 7:19 p.m.

They probably dropped the ball here. Once the fall games hit the 3DS shelves, Nintendo are gonna dominate the holiday season handheld Market.
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mockraven - August 4, 2011 7:06 p.m.

If putting off the release means a line-up of great games released with the Vita, then I'm all for it. The price isn't as much an issue so much as the value behind it. People don't think the 3DS is worth that hefty tag it came out with because they can't justify buying an expensive hand-held that'll gather dust. If there're games with it that'll make the handheld so that it'll be constantly in use then there's more value behind it.
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CoryRX8 - August 4, 2011 6:59 p.m.

I'm not really anticipating the Vita all that much, but I think that this was the right move. The 3DS launched with a pathetic launch lineup with little quality software coming anytime soon and they were punished for it. Sony, having learned their lesson doing the same thing with the PS3 launch and paying for it, is avoiding making the same mistake.
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Kieran712 - August 4, 2011 6:56 p.m.

Better its after X-mas as then more people will get it on launch =) On the note of price the price is low enough so there's no need to go lower just cause Nintendo dropped the ball on the 3DS. Any price cut would be minimal and would just make it look like Sony is trying to take advantage of the 3DS. In short, people who were gonna buy it will buy it. Just at the same time now.
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Zepaw - August 4, 2011 6:53 p.m.

@Oshawott Seems more like they are trying to avoid the 3DS's shaky start by actually having a good line up when they start. I would have bought a 3DS if any games had been worth playing.
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Oshawott - August 4, 2011 6:49 p.m.

And Sony drops the ball again, opting not to take advantage of the 3DS's shaky start.
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Zepaw - August 4, 2011 6:48 p.m.

I am not waiting with much anticipation so I don't mind. They have a great price point. I have never been a Sony player so any higher and I would not even have it on my radar.
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