At a launch event today, Sony Computer Entertainment Asia president Tetsuhiko Yasuda was on hand to proudly announce the release date and price for the PlayStation Vita. It will be released Feb 22 for S$399.
This release date is in line with previously announced dates for North America, Europe and Australia. This will please many a Singaporean fan – we’ll be able to get our hands on the Vita a few hours before our counterparts in the US. A full range of accessories are also available on the release date.
And while the console is not even a month old, you’re not going to be bored when you finally purchase it – there’s a total of 27 launch titles, ranging from popular hits like Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Disgaea 3: Return to cult favourites like Lumines: Electronic Symphony. Some of the games were available for demo play, and some of them, like Sumioni, made very creative use of the console’s touch screen.
Sony also listed some titles that are to be released down the line, including those from popular franchises like LittleBigPlanet, Street Fighter X Tekken and Silent Hill.
Sadly, the launch is only for the Wi-Fi model of the PS Vita – but rest assured, Mr Yasuda has confirmed that Sony is hard at work at getting the 3G version released in our local markets. Mr Yasuda also said that Sony’s digital music distribution service, Music Unlimited, will not be released with the PS Vita.
It’s always nice to have the local release of a Sony console so close to the Japan release date – while many of us might have bought parallel imports, those who have been patient can play their games in English instead of having to learn Japanese (or guess at what it’s saying). The release is only about 40 days away – and right after the Chinese New Year, so it’s time to start saving up!
