The formerly named NGP (Next Generation Portable) is set to launch in Japan by the end of this year, but company executive, Kazuo Hirai, has confirmed that Playstation Vita will make its way to North America and Europe next year.
For many, this comes as a surprise due to their initial announcement of the platform coming before the end of the year, but Sony insists that they did not explicitly say it would be a worldwide launch. The reasons for the delay are similar to Nintendo’s decision when they launched the 3DS overseas just after the new year, with Sony wanting to provide a much more solid line-up before releasing the handheld.
Despite the $80 price cut that is coming next week for the Nintendo 3DS, Sony has no plans to change their $249.99 price tag at launch. “We packed so much into the device and made it very affordable,” Hirai was quoted saying in an AP report. “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.”
