Sony has always stated that they would like to get their PS Vita out in time for Christmas for the US, Japan and Europe, but conceded with the effect of component shortages due to the natural disaster that hit Japan they wouldn’t guarantee the release – only promising one region, Japan, before Christmas.
Well Japan's launch seem to be on target, but America is looking less concrete with online retailer Amazon suggesting that the PS Vita will be out December 31st, a full week after the key selling period of the pre-Christmas Launch.
UK retailers have yet to issue a firm release date for Europe and the UK with prices starting at £229.99 for the Wi-Fi edition and £279.99 for the 3G-enabled version.
But Shop.To.Net is listing the both versions for a launch date of November 4, and while as-yet unconfirmed by Sony, the site is so convinced of the date that it’s willing to guarantee all pre-orders that they will receive the device on that date – and if they don’t, they’ll get a £3 credit on their account.
The Vita, is a beast of a system and is jam-packed with tech and features that firmly brings it into the realm of a device that can satisfy your every mobile need: gaming, entertainment and communication.
The system includes both front and rear facing cameras, it features head tracking and facial recognition, a gyroscopic sensor and accelerometer, a microphone, a 5in OLED touch-screen and a rear-mounted touch-pad.
With a powerful processor and plenty of memory, the PS Vita promises a much more impressive gaming experience compared to its predecessor the PlayStation Portable. Despite its impressive technology, pricing – while at the premium end of the market – is reasonable, with ShopTo.Net putting the RRP at £229.99.
From the looks of it their may be a chance of seeing the PS Vita this side of 2011, but if it does happen it is likely to plagued with shortages as it is likely to be the only new gaming device released this Christmas and no doubt top of the must-have gadget list.
The Head of Sony said at E3 that their plans are for one region, as a minimum, for a Christmas release - so quite how Amazon and Shop.To.Net think this has changed is puzzling. But if you want one in time Christmas we’d recommend you placing a pre-order now, even if the release date is yet to be properly confirmed and if they miss the release date – you can bag £3 for your trouble.