Confirmed: PS Vita to launch by end of 2011 in Japan, early 2012 in US and Europe

It would seem Sony is acting with great caution to prevent the forthcoming PS Vita from befalling the fate of the 3DS.

The 3DS gets it price lowered on August 11th, a direct result of a poor launch stunted by a lack of content and under par services.

Sony's solution is to push the console’s worldwide release back until 2012. The PS Vita will be gripped firmly in Japanese hands by Christmas, true, but Europe and the US will now have to wait until next year – most likely March.

Software, not vapourware

Sony executive vice president Kaz Hirai, only months after making his apologies for the PSN debacle, outlined today the reasoning behind pushing the console’s western launch back to 2012.

Rather than specifically label the push as a delay, Hirai explained that Sony wants to prepare a wide spectrum of launch content.

And in the context of the 3DS’s current situation – not to mention the PSP's overall performance in the west – his reasoning seems more than sensible.

When quizzed about a potential price cut in response to Nintendo’s Ambassador project, Hirai was adamant that the PS Vita would maintain its current pricing model.

"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," he said.

So, that means we’ll still be forking out around £229.99 and £279.99 in the UK for the wi-fi and 3G versions. Or if you are over the pond, the (confirmed) $249 (wi-fi) or $299 (3G). Europeans among us will be shelling out €249 (wi-fi) or €299 (3G).

Unfortunately, we’re more than likely to have to wait until the Gamescom conference on August 17th for more precise details – launch, pricing, and line-up confirmation are expected then – though it will at least be an opportunity to see some more of the solid content being prepared for launch.

To keep you going until then, check out the Pocket Gamer PS Vita FAQ.