Dunno if guys have mentioned this, but Sony is partnering with Vodafone in the UK and most PAL territories to offer the PSV. The device isn't locked to Vodafone, but they are the preferred carrier. No mention was made of SA, but it seems likely that the same deal will apply here especially since Vodacom is now a Vodafone subsidiary. So for those who want to take out a contract to get the PSV, it seems likely that you will be able to do so at Vodacom.

PS Vita UK launch games

Uncharted: Golden Abyss
The jewel in the PS Vita launch crown, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is shaping up to be an incredible prequel to the series, delivering all of the same shooting and climbing around that fans can expect.
Developer Sony Bend is an unproven studio, but after having hands on with the game, we’re happy to reveal that it’s shaping up very nicely indeed. Best of all, you can choose to play with touch, sticks, or a combination of both. Visually, this is a real stunner, and perfectly showcases what the PS Vita is capable of.

Wipeout 2048
Developed by Studio Liverpool, Wipeout 2048 serves as prequel to the long-standing series, and charts the origins of the Anti-Gravity Racing league. The game uses a myriad of PS Vita controls, such as voice activated weapons, rear touch pad acceleration, and much more.
Again, you can choose how you play the game, and you’re not locked into a particular control method at any time. The visuals and sound are also stunning, and the game runs along at a blistering frame rate, and in keeping with Wipeout HD on PS3, the visuals are razor sharp. If you like Wipeout, or racing in general for that matter, you need to check out this game.

Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3
Capcom gears up to take you for a ride once again in the eye-burning Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3. The PS Vita version manages to muster visuals slightly below the Xbox 360 and PS3 editions of the game, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as it’s still a lovely looking game.
Control-wise, you will have all of the functionality you’d expect from the full console version, although the lack of four shoulder buttons might cause problems for some gamers. Our main reservation is the lack of arcade stick functionality, but expecting that would be a bit daft, so we’ll forgive Capcom.

Everybody’s Golf
Another PSP launch title, Everybody’s Golf – or Hot Shots Golf as it’s know in some regions – is an insanely addictive series that has been going since the PSone days, and it’s charm hasn’t waned much since then.
We’re yet to play the PS Vita version, but from what we’ve seen so far, this is shaping up to be another bright, colourful and charming title, and it also makes use of some neat tilt and touch controls, should you wish to use them.

F1 2011
Recently confirmed as a UK and Europe launch title, we first laid eyes on F1 2011 for Vita during Gamescom, and it looked very impressive indeed. The Codemasters title has the same quality visuals of its home console counterpart, and it controls like a dream.
OK, so it controls like an insanely difficult dream that frustrates us immensely, but then again the F1 series has always existed as a faithful simulator of the real sport, and thankfully the PS Vita version doesn’t scale back at all.

Reality Fighters
Making use of the PS Vita’s augmented reality features, Reality Fighters turns you or your friends into combatants using the handheld’s in-built cameras. Once you’ve made your fighters, you can then overlay them onto everyday surfaces using the rear camera, and duke it out.
To be honest however, what we’ve seen so far pales in comparison to fighting heavyweights such as Street Fighter and Tekken. Hopefully developer Novorama can turn things around before launch.

Hustle Kings
We love Hustle Kings. It’s one of those games that sounds naff on paper but once you start playing it, you simply can’t put it down. OK, so it’s a pool simulator, but it’s also just so damn playable.
Throw in a host of trick shot challenges, special chalk that has timed effects and multiplayer, and you have a neat little launch game that everyone should own. Think of it as the Angry Birds of PS Vita’s launch, and you’ll know what to expect.

Little Deviants
This new launch IP from BigBig Studios is shaping up to be a charming title that makes use of the PS Vita’s rear touchpad. The aim is to Shepard the titular Deviants to the goal by manipulating the environment by using the touchpad.
So for example, if you want to raise the terrain to make the Deviants roll down hills, you can push it up by tapping the rear touchpad, or push them along by sliding your finger across it. It’s a neat concept that should make for an addictive puzzle experience.

ModNation Racers: Road Trip
The PS Vita version of ModNation Racers lets you create colourful and intricate go-kart tracks in minutes by tracing them out using the front touch screen.
Similar to the PS3 edition, populating your basic track with surrounding objects and detail is incredibly simple. The game will also let you share your creations with the world, and compete against others

Ridge Racer
Namco released Ridge Racer as a launch title on the original PSP, and while that game was a compilation of the best tracks and cars from the series history, the PS Vita edition will hopefully go several steps further and throw in some features that take advantage of the new hardware. Expect more information closer to launch.

also

Will I need to buy memory for my PS Vita?

Well, yes and no, and this could be something of a hidden cost for many who haven’t checked out how the PS Vita’s memory works. Many reports suggest that you will need to buy a memory card for your PS Vita in order to save your games and store digitally downloaded titles, music, pictures and video.

On the other hand, some – not all – PS Vita games are reported to come with free space on the cartridge to allow for game saves and software updates, but there has yet to be a final word from Sony on this situation.

http://www.nowgamer.com/features/1140683/ps_vita_price_release_date_tech_specs_and_launch_games.html

Well, the Tekken Tag2 images for Vita are actually quite fake. Harada tweeted about someone using teh promo flyer as the cover art. Namco Bandai logo +esrb logo cover the tekken logo partially. There is promo text running down the side (no promo text appears on tekken cover art).

In other news , the first advert for the launch has ben released. It’s rather cryptic. Playstation webbie link> http://www.jp.playstation.com/psvita/movie/popup/index.html?vStr=vita_008&ap=true

Youtube>>

PS Vita to have the same 20MB 3G download size limit as iOS devices
Wi-fi connection needed for larger games

Details of the PlayStation Vita's 3G service have begun to trickle out, with some interesting news concerning 3G downloads.

In an interview with Japanese site ASCII - as translated by Andriasang - Sony explains that 3G downloads will be capped at 20 megabytes to begin with.

This means that anyone hoping to download games larger than this will need to look for a wi-fi connection.

If that sounds stingy, bear in mind that Apple enforces the same limit. For reference, Angry Birds for iPhone is 15.9MB, and Cut the Rope is 19.1 MB. Team17's relatively simple 2D casual strategy game Worms is 100MB, and EA's FIFA 12 is a whopping 1.02GB.

The Sony representative speaking with ASCII noted that this limit may well be changed in the future.

http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/PS+Vita/PlayStation+Vita/news.asp?c=33930

That download limit news is pretty old now.

But yeah, the limit applies to the PSN (which kinda makes it useless outside of PS Suite titles). But i think its a carrier restriction more then Sony/ Apple.

I wonder if Sony will put eBooks onto the PSN.

A Vita memory card is "pretty much a requirement", Japanese magazine Famitsu has said in its official PlayStation Vita FAQ.

Kotaku Japan this week reported the following games need a card:

Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention
@Field
Hot Shots Golf 6
Monster Radar
Dream Club Zero Portable

The above applies to physical retail versions of the games. All games downloaded through PlayStation Network will require a memory card for saves.

Today Famitsu reported that a Memory Card is "pretty much a requirement" (via Andriasang). Games that require a card can't even be booted up if you don't have a memory card.

So surely one should be bundled with Vita?

I still don't see why people are so butthurt over the memory card lol. Just stop [censored] and [censored] buy one. Your going to need one, instead of them bundling a 1gig one ill fill up in a day just buy a decent sized one. Not that bad honestly.

Besides we dont even know what the release packages are besides 3G & Wifi.
I remember buying my psp, there was a bundle with no memory card and there was a bundle with a 512 or a 1gig. Same thing will probably happen here.

Man seriously... this memory card business is like month old news.

Just buy the 4gb card when you get the PSV.

Sinncross not all of us get a corporate cheerleader discount.

CVG has two videos of all the available at launch PSV accessories including covers.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/327712/all-of-vitas-accessories-shown-in-two-long-videos/

PS Vita game box:

Unit 13 Gameplay:

Doensn't really impress me, and the guy playing it doesn't seem to make it very exciting either.

Scottie said ...

Sinncross not all of us get a corporate cheerleader discount.

Lucky me, right?

if the memory card business rubs you the wrong way then just dont buy a Vita: its that simple. There is a perfectly good Nintendo offering available for you.

Charmi said ...

Unit 13 Gameplay:

Doensn't really impress me, and the guy playing it doesn't seem to make it very exciting either.

Yeah the reveal trailer and this do not scream must buy at all. I think Sony should really consider not making this a launch title and push it back 2 months. Hopefully it will be more polished by launch nevertheless.

I think Sony has their launch pricing perfectly planned out (especially to compensate the knock they are taking). The memory cards are expensive, but I prefer them raising the price of their peripherals, rather than them raising the price of the console.
I’ll get a 4gb, just for saves dlc and some music, and then just wait for a price drop.
Will only hit the pre-order button after the jpn launch though – just to eliminate a few doubts in my mind.

if the memory card business rubs you the wrong way then just dont buy a Vita: its that simple. There is a perfectly good Nintendo offering available for you.

there's something else rubbing me up the wrong way at the moment but anyway

1) I will be buying a PSV,
2) I will be moaning/whining/[censored] about the memory cards or anything else for as long as I want and
3) I have a 3DS already (and a DS and two PSPs)

but thanks for your concern

Scottie said ...
2) I will be moaning/whining/[censored] about the memory cards or anything else for as long as I want and

Why? All your going to do is annoy people by continually complaining about the same thing over and over and it will accomplish nothing. Instead of trying to be difficult build the bridge and move on. Yes it sucks that you don't get a card with the Vita, yes your not the only one who thinks so. Yes Sony doesn't care because you will buy one in the end. Move on.

Not directly Vita related news, but this guys photostream contains quite a few screenshots from Vita games (and other platforms too). >
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37395489@N05/page23/

Theres also some ultra hi-res artwork from Gravity Daze that i found there
Like this one>
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37395489@N05/5827314824/in/photostream/

I was only joking regarding this point, Dark Prince. My original post this morning was actually to highlight which games (so far) required a memory card - I fail to see what should have caused such annoyance but anyway your point is taken.

Not a launch title but following shortly afterwards

Nice i was hoping that will come to Vita, ill get it on there aswell, it will be so worth it.

A couple of interesting reads

1> San Francisco: PS Vita Meet-ups Kick Off This Week
Can we have this here as well?


2> Also> So, Is This How You Troll Dual Thumbsticks?

3> And some lovely negative yet valid points of interest about the vita> Sony Has Already Killed the PS Vita

LOL both of those made laugh hard.

Japanese people can be serious drama queens some times hahaha. [censored] about the thumb sticks? seriously.

You have two analog sticks, what more do you want? it looks absolutely fine to me, so what if it's close to the buttons? it's a hand held lol.

The other guy had the odd valid point but really apart from the battery life nothing else there really bothers me. Again with the UMD thing it's not optimal by anymeans, but for gods sake how cheap can you get?

So they are going to charge me like 50 bucks to move over a psp game big woop. I only have Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep on my hard copies i really will play again on vita. Everything else still have a psp3000 and like 99% of my old games i will never actually play most of them again for longer than an hour most likely.

The other 1% i will move across, if this bothers you get a job, if you cant get a job suck it up like you did when you were a kid and move on.

And the SD card thing falls under again, get a job or wait for the generics to come out.

Also this was a hell of alot cheaper than i thought i would be originally.

As i said only thing bothering me is the battery situation, especially if you cant change your own battery.