Sony: No European, U.S. Release For PS Vita This Year

Sony has revealed that its PlayStation Vita will not be launching this calendar year in either the U.S. or Europe, although it will launch in Japan by the end of the year. Sony vice president Kazuo Hirai explained that Western regions will see the upcoming handheld console sometime early next year, reports Associated Press. While the company did not give a reason for the delay, it said that it is looking to make sure the software line-up for the handheld is strong. No specific dates were given, including for the Japanese release. Hirai did, however, note that the company was not preparing to cut the $249/$299 price points in light of the Nintendo 3DS cut. "We packed so much into the device and made it very affordable," Hirai said. "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." Nintendo confirmed last week that it will reduce the price of its 3DS console to a suggested retail price of $169.99 on August 12.