Report: PlayStation Vita Will Be Region Free

At an E3 PlayStation Vita session, Sony said that the upcoming handheld console will be region free, according to media reports. Talking during the session, and reported by games site IGN, SCEE vice president Michael Denny noted that, as far as he was aware, the console is going to be region free, allowing games from any region to be played on any Vita console. Sony unveiled the PSVita earlier this week at E3, noting a partnership with AT&T for the device’s optional 3G functionality in North America. The device will come in two models, one with Wifi and another with Wifi and 3G connectivity, and Sony announced that the device will cost $249.99 for Wifi-only models and $299.99 for 3G models. The device will be released this year. PSVita's rival console, Nintendo's 3DS, is region-locked. Nintendo said that this was in place so that it could offer "network services specifically tailored for each region," and that it "wants to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users."