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Sony Confirms Vita Launch Lineup

25 games available on Day 1 with 10 more listed as "launch window" releases.

Sold. I suspect I'll hate myself almost immediately afterwards, but... sold.
Sold. I suspect I'll hate myself almost immediately afterwards, but... sold.

As part of my efforts to keep the data looking A-OK on Giant Bomb, I've recently been digging through press releases and retailer sites in an attempt to figure out what, exactly, is launching alongside the Vita when it hits North America next February. The bits and pieces out there weren't great or conclusive, so I'm a bit relieved that Sony decided to make it somewhat easier by posting a list of confirmed launch day and launch window releases over on its official blog.

Here's the lowdown:

Launch Day Retail Games

These balls are not available in stores.
These balls are not available in stores.

While some or all of those games will also be available for sale digitally through the PlayStation Store, there will also be a few launch games that are digital-only. Which ones, you ask? Well, how about...

Launch Day PSN-Only Games

And, lastly, these are "launch window" games, which I take to mean as games that absolutely won't be available on launch day, but should be available soon after. Sony simply doesn't specify what sort of timeframe it's referring to. Retailers are listing launch day (or pre-launch day) dates for most of these games right now, so we'll have to sit on our hands and wait to figure out what's up with these games, as some of them were originally slated for launch. Maybe they'll still make it out in time?

Launch Window Releases

It's very interesting (to me, anyway) to see Ridge Racer not in the Day 1 column. Maybe the US version won't just be some sort of three-track rip-off like it apparently is overseas? Pricing details, or at least a range of prices, were also briefly discussed. Each of the games listed above will fall somewhere between $9.99 and $49.99.

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jeff

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Edited By jeff
Sold. I suspect I'll hate myself almost immediately afterwards, but... sold.
Sold. I suspect I'll hate myself almost immediately afterwards, but... sold.

As part of my efforts to keep the data looking A-OK on Giant Bomb, I've recently been digging through press releases and retailer sites in an attempt to figure out what, exactly, is launching alongside the Vita when it hits North America next February. The bits and pieces out there weren't great or conclusive, so I'm a bit relieved that Sony decided to make it somewhat easier by posting a list of confirmed launch day and launch window releases over on its official blog.

Here's the lowdown:

Launch Day Retail Games

These balls are not available in stores.
These balls are not available in stores.

While some or all of those games will also be available for sale digitally through the PlayStation Store, there will also be a few launch games that are digital-only. Which ones, you ask? Well, how about...

Launch Day PSN-Only Games

And, lastly, these are "launch window" games, which I take to mean as games that absolutely won't be available on launch day, but should be available soon after. Sony simply doesn't specify what sort of timeframe it's referring to. Retailers are listing launch day (or pre-launch day) dates for most of these games right now, so we'll have to sit on our hands and wait to figure out what's up with these games, as some of them were originally slated for launch. Maybe they'll still make it out in time?

Launch Window Releases

It's very interesting (to me, anyway) to see Ridge Racer not in the Day 1 column. Maybe the US version won't just be some sort of three-track rip-off like it apparently is overseas? Pricing details, or at least a range of prices, were also briefly discussed. Each of the games listed above will fall somewhere between $9.99 and $49.99.

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alistercat

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Edited By alistercat

I will absolutely buy one when Persona 4 comes out.

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Aegon

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Edited By Aegon

mmmmGravity Dazemmmmm

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RE_Player1

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Edited By RE_Player1

Very good launch lineup. Glad I pre-ordered some of the games in full because they will probably be in the higher price range. Best Buy put Uncharted and Modnation for $29 on their site -$5 if you pre-ordered them for awhile so I jumped on that.

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Edited By endaround

I wasn't going to get one, but where else could I get Plants vs Zombies?

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Edited By RE_Player1
Product NameRelease DateMSRP
4 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$19.99
8 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$29.99
16 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$59.99
32 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$99.99

Those are the memory card prices btw.

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Enigma777

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Edited By Enigma777

Uncharted, Wipeout and lumines for me. Cant wait!

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wolf_blitzer85

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Edited By wolf_blitzer85

That sure is a lot of games. Also up to 50 bucks for I'm assuming the top-tier games seems a little steep for a hand held.

Still though, there are some interesting titles in that bunch.

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JJOR64

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Edited By JJOR64

Really hope they fix Ridge Racer before it hits the US. Heard it was a complete pile of shit.

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JJOR64

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Edited By JJOR64

@msavo said:

Product NameRelease DateMSRP
4 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$19.99
8 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$29.99
16 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$59.99
32 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$99.99

Those are the memory card prices btw.

$100 doesn't seem too bad for a 32GB card. I spent around $70 for my 32GB SD card earlier this year. I guess that little Sony magic makes it more expensive.

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Edited By ChrisF

Ridger Racer (for Vita) is priced at just over £15 here in the UK. So I wouldn't expect much in the way of new content!

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RE_Player1

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Edited By RE_Player1

Looking over the list I'm familiar with all those titles except that Silent Hill one. What the hell is it? Is there any footage online?

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Alex_Carrillo

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Edited By Alex_Carrillo

@endaround: Absolutely everywhere.

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Edited By MisterMouse

for some reason that seems like a lot of games to me...

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Edited By paulunga

Gotta say, this seems to be one of the best launch line-ups I can think of in recent years. Way better than the DS, 3DS, PSP, Xbox 360 or Wii ones. Don't remember the PS3 launch though.

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vonFlampanker

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Edited By vonFlampanker

No LittleBigPlanet in the launch window? I believe I'll wait.

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@AlisterCat said:

I will absolutely buy one when Persona 4 comes out.

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Gerhabio

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Edited By Gerhabio

Waiting fo the golden

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jeff4moso

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Edited By jeff4moso

Has there been any information on how big these Vita games will be? They can throw out these memory card sizes all they want, but it doesn't mean much if we don't know how many games can fit on them...

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Curufinwe

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Edited By Curufinwe

@JJOR64 said:

@msavo said:

Product NameRelease DateMSRP
4 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$19.99
8 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$29.99
16 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$59.99
32 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$99.99

Those are the memory card prices btw.

$100 doesn't seem too bad for a 32GB card. I spent around $70 for my 32GB SD card earlier this year. I guess that little Sony magic makes it more expensive.

Apple charges an extra $100 to go from a 16 GB iPad 2 to a 32 GB iPad 2.

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Edited By s-a-n-JR

I've been really tempted to get one recently. If I were to get one on launch, the games I'd get from the launch line-up would probably be Uncharted, Little Deviants and/or Lumines. From the "launch window", definitely Gravity Rush.

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Edited By ThePilgrums

@MisterMouse said:

for some reason that seems like a lot of games to me...

Because it is... for a launch, at least. Sony learning from both the PS3 and 3DS launches, right here.

Still don't want one, though. Nothing here interests me.

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Edited By Video_Game_King

Aw hell. It's shaping up to be the 3DS again: I know I'll buy the hell out of it, but definitely not at launch.

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Edited By originalgman

@Curufinwe said:

@JJOR64 said:

@msavo said:

Product NameRelease DateMSRP
4 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$19.99
8 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$29.99
16 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$59.99
32 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$99.99

Those are the memory card prices btw.

$100 doesn't seem too bad for a 32GB card. I spent around $70 for my 32GB SD card earlier this year. I guess that little Sony magic makes it more expensive.

Apple charges an extra $100 to go from a 16 GB iPad 2 to a 32 GB iPad 2.

Excellent point, one that most people (including the Giant Bomb staff, who almost all own iPhones and iPads) fail to realize. It's still pretty gross, and one of the reason's I've never owned an Apple product. I'll probably wait to see if someone makes a cheaper 3rd party solution, around the time when Gravity Rush and P4:TG come out.

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TehJedicake

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Edited By TehJedicake

Awesome lineup, way better than the 3DS imo

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Edited By blair

@Vexxan said:

@AlisterCat said:

I will absolutely buy one when Persona 4 comes out.

I'm thinking the same.

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Chubbaluphigous

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Edited By Chubbaluphigous

@msavo said:

Product NameRelease DateMSRP
4 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$19.99
8 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$29.99
16 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$59.99
32 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$99.99

Those are the memory card prices btw.

Where did you get those numbers from? No NA seller has the cards listed at those prices. Gamestop still has them listed at $30, $45, $70, $120. While Sony has said that those prices are not necessarily finalized, there hasn't been any news of prices dropping to what you listed.

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BobJustBob

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Edited By BobJustBob

Where is Sound Shapes?

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Edited By RE_Player1
@Chubbaluphigous From the same post Jeff got all the game info from, Playstation Blog. Jeff focused on the games but several accessories, like memory cards, were listed as were the prices.
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Edited By Hef

Ridge Racer isn't a launch day release? Has this ever happened before? The end is nigh!

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Edited By mariokart64fan

its a ok launch not the best ive seen better

-looks at the snes n64 , , 3ds .. wii .. xbox original and ps2 ,, those were awsome launches

the 2 games i see is asphalt injection -loving the 3ds version cant wait for this

and uncharted, other then that, meh rest of it just ports and take your chance kind of games

and the prices ---49.99 for uncharted has me worried is this the future of handheld gaming 50 buck 60 buck games and i hope ridge racer is not over 20 after hearing that! scratches ridge racer from list of good games

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Edited By fugie7

me it will be army corps of hell and Uncharted

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Edited By lead_farmer

LUMINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

shinin, shinin, shinin, shinin.......

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Edited By Duffyside

@vonFlampanker said:

No LittleBigPlanet in the launch window? I believe I'll wait.

Yeah, what's up with that? I'll do the same...

... by which I mean I pre-ordered the week-early bundle the day it was announced and can't fucking wait to download Valkyria Chronicles 2.

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Edited By RE_Player1
@Duffyside One of my favorite PSP games. I hope they bring 3 outside of Japan.
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Edited By Chubbaluphigous

@msavo: Wow. I am surprised that no stores have updated. Thanks for pointing that out. I am further surprised that none of the accessories are available for order on Amazon.

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Edited By nemesisND1derboy

@msavo: They won't unfortunately. The first two really didn't sell well. I believe Sega have already said they aren't going to release outside of Japan.

Seriously disappointing, I know.

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Edited By MiniPato

Gravity Daze, Escape Plan, and Wipeout are the ones I'm looking forward to. Uncharted looks okay, it'll be the showpiece for the Vita, but I don't expect anything at the level of Uncharted 2 or 3 as side stories tend to be like that and it's also not ND developed.

Either way, I'm holding out on a Vita. As with all new handheld consoles, I'm sure there's gonna be some improvements made over time. That and I'm waiting for Persona 4 and for Capcom to announce a Monster Hunter game for Vita. Because you know they are gonna, even if they announced MH4 for 3DS. They'd be throwing away money by not making an MH game for Vita.

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Edited By iamjohn
@OriginalGman

@Curufinwe said:

@JJOR64 said:

@msavo said:

Product NameRelease DateMSRP
4 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$19.99
8 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$29.99
16 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$59.99
32 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$99.99

Those are the memory card prices btw.

$100 doesn't seem too bad for a 32GB card. I spent around $70 for my 32GB SD card earlier this year. I guess that little Sony magic makes it more expensive.

Apple charges an extra $100 to go from a 16 GB iPad 2 to a 32 GB iPad 2.

Excellent point, one that most people (including the Giant Bomb staff, who almost all own iPhones and iPads) fail to realize. It's still pretty gross, and one of the reason's I've never owned an Apple product. I'll probably wait to see if someone makes a cheaper 3rd party solution, around the time when Gravity Rush and P4:TG come out.

I would also like to point out that I spent about the same price on a 32 gig PSP memory stick last year ($90 as opposed to $100), so it sounds like a pretty fair price to me. I mean sure, the fact that it's a proprietary format is still a load of balls, but as @JJOR64 pointed out, it's really not that far off from SD card prices.
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Edited By wadtomaton

Glad Lumines will be day 1. Hopefully Gravity Rush wil be soon after. Also nice to see Escape Plan will be there as well...and here I thought I'd just be playing Persona 3 Portable the first couple months >_>;;;/

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Edited By Klaimore

If I shake the Vita will Rachel's boobs jiggle?

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Edited By Soulblitz

y biggest issue is how big are the games going to be? I don't want to spend all that money on a 32GB card, but I don't want to constantly be thinking "Oh, will I have enough space for this" on my Vita, and have to manage which games to have on it.

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I'm pretty impressed with that lineup, but I have the same problem with the Vita that I did with the PSP: I'd rather play the majority of those games on a console. I'm sure I'll get one eventually, like I did with the PSP, but until the Vita has more games I'd rather play on the go (like Hot Shots Golf), or if some genre ends up only showing up on that platform, I can't really justify the purchase. I still don't know why the PSP got so many RPGs over the years, and that was one of the reasons I ended up buying one. And if the Vita continues the trend, I may end up buying one for that same reason.

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Edited By Joker369

Looks cool, at lease the "launch window" stuff is clearer than the 3DS stuff. I will buy it as soon as Persona 4 comes out.

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Edited By Vexxan

Oh and "launch window" is a term that means absolutely nothing these days.

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Edited By StriderJ8

Personally... I'm gonna have to pass. At least for now. Nothing that really calls out to me, aside from the Silent Hill title. I liked the first Shinobido game, but I'm not dying for a Vita sequel. Perhaps if the 3DS Resident Evil game makes the jump I'll hop on board.

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Edited By nohthink

Rayman Origin for Vita is a perfect pick!

That is awesome!

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Edited By Flameinc
@endaround

I wasn't going to get one, but where else could I get Plants vs Zombies?

@endaround

I wasn't going to get one, but where else could I get Plants vs Zombies?

This is the best thing I have read today.
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Edited By hugh_jazz

What happened to Sound Shapes? Seeing as that's the first and really only Vita game I'd ever heard about, I kinda assumed it'd be in the launch line-up.

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Edited By Thor_Molecules

@msavo said:

Product NameRelease DateMSRP
4 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$19.99
8 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$29.99
16 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$59.99
32 GB Memory CardFebruary 15, 2012$99.99

Those are the memory card prices btw.

Thanks! Those are surprisingly reasonable prices.