Possibly the last real portable – a PlayStation Vita pre-order guide

Update: Price updates, release schedules shifted around.

The PlayStation Vita launch is coming up rapidly, and with SCEA recently dishing up details on their launch line-up, we finally have a more realistic look at what we’ll have to spend to be an early adopter.

The hardware is pretty standard all around. We’re talking $249.99 for the base WiFi model, and $299.99 for the 3G/WiFi version. If you’re looking for a bundle and/or would like to get your hands on a Vita one week early, you can pre-order the 3G/WiFi First Edition Bundle that includes the 3G/WiFi Vita, a copy of Little Deviants, a case, and a 4GB Memory Card. It’s a good deal if you are interested in that combination since the 4GB card is $20, the game is $40, and the case is $20.

For those looking to take advantage of the 3G wireless capabilities of the Vita, AT&T and SCEA have announced details the data plans that will be available. As with an iPad or similar device, there will be no contracts involved, and $14.99 will get you 250MB of data, and $25 will get you 2GB of data, per month.

New! SCEA has revealed a new, limited edition PlayStation Vita 3G/Wi-Fi Launch Bundle that includes a 8GB Memory Card + AT&T DataConnect Session Pass + Free PSN Game. Read up on that right here.

PlayStation Vita 3G/WiFi First Edition Bundle. Seems like a good deal.

Accessories such as the PS Vita propriatary Memory Cards aren’t cheap, though they are certainly less expensive than their Japanese counterparts. The suggested retail prices are $19.99 for 4GB, $29.99 for 8GB, $59.99 for 16GB and $99.99 for 32GB.

What is rather interesting are the game prices, at least those in physical PS Vita Memory Card form. A few seem like a rather good deal, being even cheaper than some PSP game prices, though others are more in-line with console titles. Again, the downloadable PSN versions may be cheaper… Sony hasn’t priced those out yet. But remember, you’ll need a Memory Card for those.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss looks incredible... but "console priced" incredible?

Uncharted – Golden Abyss looks to be of ridiculous quality, but $49.99 for a “console quality” portable game is sometimes a tough sell. On the other end of the scale, Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational and wipEout 2048, two of my personal most anticipated Vita launch releases and my reasons for wanting to pick one up at launch, are only $29.99. Those seem priced more than fairly.

Take a look at the current pricing, pre-order links and selection of launch titles from Amazon to see what you’ll more than likely be paying.

First Party:

Third Party:

Future releases:

First Party

Third Party

Accessories:

As you can see, not every game is available for pre-order at the moment, but Amazon seems to be adding new content to their Amazon’s PlayStation Vita store a little at a time. So make sure to check it out. We’ll keep this article updated with the latest info.

So what do you think of the upcoming PlayStation Vita launch line-up and pricing? Is it fair? Too much? Sound off below.

Paul Bryant

Staff Writer