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New Vita Model Debuts In North America With Borderlands 2

Ben-Dutka 8 Comments

If you haven't picked up the PlayStation Vita, maybe now's the time.

The slimmer Vita 2000 model is now available in North America; for the time being, it can only be purchased as part of the previously announced $200 Borderlands 2 bundle, which features a copy of the anticipated game and an 8GB memory card.

The new Vita is 20 percent slimmer and about 15 percent lighter than the original unit, and those rounded edges are supposed to be more comfortable for extended playing. Gamers also get 1GB of built-in memory, a new LCD screen (which replaces the OLED screen), and extended battery life (4-6 hours of gameplay). As you've probably heard, the Vita also utilizes a Remote Play feature to sync up with the PlayStation 4 and in fact, Sony says Vita owners in the US have spent over 1.7 million hours playing games via Remote Play.

As for the games, Sony says there are currently over 1,000 available for the Vita, but that includes titles that are also playable on the PS3. However, they do say over 100 are scheduled to arrive this year. So, convinced yet?

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Vita 2000 Debuts With Borderlands 2 Bundle In North America

Ben-Dutka 20 Comments

You had to see this coming.

Late last month, the slimmer, lighter PlayStation Vita 2000 model was announced for the UK region .

Now, Sony Computer Entertainment America, LLC (SCEA) has confirmed that this even more attractive handheld will launch in North America this spring. It will debut as part of the Borderlands 2 Limited Edition bundle, which features the award-winning shooter and no fewer than six DLC packs. We'll also receive an 8GB memory card and a reasonable price tag of only $199.99.

The new Vita model boasts a redesigned architecture that's about 20 percent slimmer and 15 percent lighter than the original iteration. There are even rounded edges that make the unit more comfortable to hold. As an added bonus, the new unit has a 1GB internal memory card, which makes it easier to enjoy games without purchasing an extra card. The battery life has also been extended; the original Vita offered 3-5 hours of gameplay, while the Vita 2000 model offers 4-6 hours.

And yes, the OLED screen is gone; it has been replaced with an LCD screen, which you may or may not prefer. Said SCEA vice president of platforms marketing John Koller:

"PlayStation Vita is poised for a strong year, and introducing the new model is just the start. 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."

Sony also says that over 100 games are planned for the Vita's release this year, including anticipated titles like the God of War: Collection , MLB 14: The Show , Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster , Destiny of Spirits , BlazBlue: Chrono Phantasma and Helldivers . The company claims that "support remains strong" from developers, and that since the launch of the PS4, the Vita "has become the ultimate companion device for the home console" thanks to great features like Remote Play.

Okay, but will this spur sales? That's the only question we've got right now.

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