Consumers expecting to walk into a game shop in February, plunk down $249 (plus tax) and walk out with Sony's whiz-bang new handheld may want to readjust their calculations. New details out of Japan confirm the proprietary PlayStation Vita memory card may not be as optional as originally thought.
Citing Japanese publication Famitsu's Vita FAQ, video game news blog Andriasang shared some new information gleaned from a recent reader Q&A about the device.
One potential customer asked whether a Vita memory card would be a necessity. The answer was "pretty much." According to the outlet, there are games that require a memory card and there are games that do not. In fact, games that require the additional space won't load unless a memory card is inserted.
Sony announced memory card prices for Japan last month but has yet to confirm how they will translate for the North American market. A quick-and-dirty exchange rate analysis shows that the smallest 4GB card could cost $30 while the massive 32GB card handily breaks the $100 mark. Considering the device lets players download and save full retail titles, it could be a must-buy despite the software lock-out.
One thing is certain: the Vita is beginning to look more like an investment than a simple purchase. Sony has confirmed an optional external battery pack is also in the works, though its price tag and release date remain unknown. Without that extra juice, the system will last an average of four hours per charge.
Vita releases on December 17 in Japan, and February 22 in North America, Latin America and Europe.
Do you plan on buying a Vita, or have these peripherals scared you off? Let us know in the comment section.
