Sony to Launch PS Vita in Japan on December 17

Sony has announced that the PS Vita is launching in Japan just before the end of 2011 on December 17, 2011. The Japanese holiday season peaks in January, so Vita should have a very strong launch, as hardware typically launches in November in Japan. Sony's PSP launched in Japan in November 2004, and so the space between the two portables will be seven years.

At the moment there is still no word on when Vita will launch in the West, although its all but assured not to release in 2011 now, as has previously been speculated. Sony previously intended to launch the device globally by the end of March 2012.

Vita uses 3G and non-3G networks for certain types of play. Reports state that 3G play will cost $13 for 20 hours and $65 in 100 hours.

The Japanese launch line up for Vita is said to be the following games:
                                                                                                                        

Hell's Army                                                             
DJ Max Technika
Katamari
Browser 3 Kingdom
Bass Fishing                                                                                                                  
F1 2011
Dragon's Crown
God Eater 2
Escape Plan
Sound Shapes
Sawari Makuru (translates to Touching Lots)
Super Stardust Delta
Reality Fighter 0
WipeOut
Ridge Racer

Additional titles in development include:                                                                 
 Zone of the EndersHD Edition                                     
Metal Gear Solid HD Edition                                                
Super Robot Taisen Series
Shin Megami Tensei Series                                                 
Gundam Series
Tales of Innocence R

With the late-launch in 2011 its very unlikely that many Vita titles will crack the Japanese top 10, 20, or 40 games of 2011, but the system should rapidly become a major factor in the Japanese market in 2012.