Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced a new slimmer, lighter PlayStation Vita (PS Vita) Wi-Fi model (PCH-2000 series) will be available in North America this Spring. The system will be available in black as part of the Borderlands 2 Limited Edition PlayStation Vita Bundle, which includes the first-person role-playing shooter hit Borderlands 2 with six DLC packs and an 8GB PS Vita memory card, all for $199.99 (MSRP).
The new PS Vita model comes with a redesigned architecture that is approximately 20 percent slimmer and 15 percent lighter than the original version, with new rounded edges that makes the system even more comfortable to hold. Incorporating a 1GB internal memory card, the new model makes it possible to enjoy games without purchasing a separate PS Vita memory card*1. The battery life has also been extended to four- to six-hours of game play (from three- to five-hours in the current model) and approximately seven hours of video play (from five hours in the current model). In addition, a high-definition liquid crystal display (LCD) has been adopted for the new system, delivering vivid and crisp visuals that PS Vita games are known for.
“PlayStation Vita is poised for a strong year, and introducing the new model is just the start.” said John Koller, vice president of platforms marketing, SCEA. “With an array of great games like MLB 14 The Show and The Walking Dead Season Two adding to PS Vita’s huge catalog of games, as well as our strong indie lineup and the ability to play PS4 games through Remote Play, now is the perfect time to be a PS Vita owner. In addition, PlayStation Now will expand the gaming library further by allowing PlayStation 3 titles to be streamed to PS Vita when the service launches later this year.”
Borderlands 2, from Gearbox Software, and 2K, a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., takes advantage of the PS Vita system’s unique features by letting players use the system’s front touchscreen and rear touch pad to zoom and pan on maps, manage inventory, inspect items, and more. The sequel to the breakout original shooter-looter follows six new Vault Hunters as they fight to free Pandora from the clutches of the brilliant, charismatic and utterly despicable CEO of the Hyperion Corporation – Handsome Jack. Borderlands 2 for PS Vita includes six downloadable content (DLC) packs: Captain Scarlett and Her Pirate’s Booty, Mr. Torgue’s Campaign of Carnage, Psycho Character Class, Mechromancer Character Class, Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack 1 and Collector’s Edition Pack.
Content for the PS Vita system is stronger than ever with more than 100 games planned for the system this year, including:
- God of War: Collection from SCE Worldwide Studios (WWS)
- MLB 14 The Show from SCE WWS
- The Sly Collection from SCE WWS
- Invizimals: The Alliance from SCE WWS
- Murasaki Baby from SCE WWS
- FINAL FANTASY X HD Remaster and FINAL FANTASY X-2 HD Remaster from SQUARE ENIX
- Hohokum from SCE WWS/HoneySlug
- Helldivers from Arrowhead Game Studios/SCE WWS
- Destiny of Spirits from Q Entertainment/SCE WWS
- No Heroes Allowed: No Puzzles Either! from SCE WWS
- BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma from Aksys Games
- The Walking Dead: Season Two and The Wolf Among Us from Telltale Games
Support from independent developers remains strong on the PS Vita system, with upcoming titles including:
- Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number from Dennaton and Devolver Digital
- Minecraft from Mojang
- Metrico from Digital Dreams
- LUFTRAUSERS from Vlambeer and Devolver Digital
- Fez from Polytron
- 1001 Spikes from Nicalis
Since the launch of the PlayStation 4 (PS4) system, the PS Vita system has become the ultimate companion device for the home console with key features like “Remote Play,” which allows most PS4 games to be streamed on the PS Vita system at home over a Wi-Fi connection. The PS Vita system will also support PlayStation Now (PS Now), SCE’s streaming game service that leverages cloud-based technology. The service will be offered first on the PS4 and PS3 systems this summer, followed by the PS Vita system and most 2014 U.S. models of Sony’s BRAVIA TV lineup.