PlayStation Vita debuts in Japan on Dec 17

The PlayStation Vita, Sony's upcoming handheld gaming console, will make a Japan-only debut on December 17, with the rest of the world having to wait until early 2012 to get their hands on it. A report on PC World said the new console will debut with 26 launch titles, and will be available with and without 3G, with the 3G version running on NTT DoCoMo's network. “This new device is packed with every possible function, and that’s why we confidently call it the ultimate entertainment system," it quoted Sony games unit head Hiroshi Kawano at a press conference. PC World said Vita represents Sony’s latest love-letter to traditional gamers - larger than an iPhone or Android mobile, "unusually powerful" for a handheld, and as expensive as a fully-loaded PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360. Sony has had a rough year so far, recovering from the March 11 Japan earthquake, and dealing with hackers that hit its websites. The Vita has a pair of low-end VGA cameras, and its app store is restricted to games. On the other hand, the PC World article said the delay for the rest of the world may not be much of a big deal especially after Nintendo's 3DS has been "underwhelming" so far. — TJD, GMA News