As expected, Sony has announced the PlayStation Vita Slim for enjoyment outside of Japan. Unfortunately, despite previous rumors, the Vita Slim was only announced for the UK (good news for you guys) with no mention of a US release. Dubbed as PlayStation Vita 2000, the new Vita sports a 15-percent lighter and 20-percent slimmer design. Despite the thinner profile, Sony was able to extend gameplay battery life to 6 hours and offer an internal 1GB memory. To achieve some of the refinements, the PS Vita PCH-2000 sacrifices the OLED screen for a IPS LED display which offers the same 960 x 544 resolution.

So how about price you ask? Sony has tweaked that as well.

Sony will be launching the PlayStation Vita Slim on February 7th for £180. This seems a bit strange since you can currently get the original PS Vita Wi-Fi + 3G for £160 and PlayStation Vita Wi-Fi bundle with 10 games and a 16GB memory card for £169. When the PS Vita launched in Japan, it also commanded a lower price point than the original OLED carrying model and Sony wisely continued to offer both models, allowing gamers to choose what they’d prefer. In fact, traditionally, each iteration of a console that comes out tends to offer a slimmer profile and a lowered price point, something that the Vita surely could use, now that the library of games for it are growing, thanks to a big boost from indie developers.

With the PS4, Sony ensured a proper price point with a great lineup which has resulted in the console behind ahead of the Xbox One by over a million units. If this price strategy holds and expands to the US where the PS Vita Slim will be eventually released (maybe E3?), it surely shows that the minds behind the PS4 launch and PS Vita launch are from two very different teams which is a shame. The PS Vita by itself is a fantastic gaming console, one that has limitless possibilities when combined with the PS4. It’s just a shame if Sony doesn’t do everything it can to get more people to buy one.

If the Vita needs something it’s more marketing, more games, and a continued price cut. What the Vita didn’t need is new features for MORE money. Also, unlike Japan which has multiple color options, UK is only getting the PS Vita Slim in black.

Discuss:

Assuming the PS Vita Slim comes in at a lower price point, would you purchase it over the original Vita or is that OLED screen too good to pass up?