Sony’s Portable Vita Player Arrives in Japan

By Cynthia Herbert :: 6:34 AM

Gamers in Japan flocked to the stores this weekend to pick up Sony’s new portable PlayStation Vita gaming system.

In the Ikebukuro shopping district of Tokyo, over 300 people lined up at a tech retailer early on Saturday morning so they could purchase the new system.

The Vita offers a touch screen interface with motion sensor technology, and is considered to be a successor to the PlayStation Portable (PSP). Users can connect over cellular networks and wi-fi, and take advantage of GPS-based location technology.

Sony is hoping that this will be the shot in the arm it needs to offset what is going on with the rest of its beleaguered business right now – the Tokyo-based company is looking at a $1-billion loss this fiscal year, it’s fourth in a row. Vita provides Sony with the largest product launch possibility since the PlayStation 3 console debuted five years ago.

Unfortunately, those of us in America won’t be able to help out Sony’s bottom line this holiday season – the Vita is not scheduled to go on sale here until late February.