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

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 executivevice 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 followsreports from developer 505 Gamesit was anticipating a fall launch for the US and UK, and earlierrumblings from Amazonthat 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."