PlayStation Vita launches late 2011 in Japan, early 2012 in US and Europe

PlayStation Vita will not launch in the United States and Europe until early 2012, Sony Computer Entertainment vice president Kaz Hirai confirmed in Tokyo today.

At Sony’s E3 press conference in June, the PlayStation manufacturer promised the handheld would be released by the end of 2011. The statement remains partly true, as Hirai confirmed the handheld will still see release in Japan by the end of the year.

While he did not provide a specific reason for the delay, Hirai said that Sony wants to be prepared with a solid software lineup when the system launches. However, he was quick to downplay a possible pricecut, which would be in response to 3DS‘ recently announced drop.

“We packed so much into the device and made it very affordable,” Hirai told reporters at Sony’s Tokyo headquarters. “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.”

The Wi-Fi-only version of PlayStation Vita will cost $249 / 24,980 yen when it launches. The 3G-enabled version will run for $299 / 29,980 yen.

Thanks, AP.