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Sony Japan conference round-up: Vita TV, PS4 launch date, pretty colors
If you didn't stay up for Sony's pre-Tokyo Game Show press conference and don't fancy trekking through two hours or so of sometimes confusing translations, we've got you covered here on Joystiq. Sony's presser did not disappoint when it came to news, some reveals looking very positive, others... less so. Here are the highlights for you to peruse: Vita TV is the littlest new console in the PlayStation family. It connects to the TV, can play Vita games via a slot (using a DualShock 3) and stream PS4 games using remote play. And it's priced at around $100 in Japan. A little big announcement! If you wanted your Vita smaller but not that small and not so screen-less, there's a new Vita model hitting Japan in six oh-so-pretty colors. The 2000-series Vita is 20 percent thinner, 15 percent lighter, and comes in pink. Pink! Almost as surprising as those reveals was the PS4's Japanese launch date: February 22, 2014 - some three months after Europe and North America get their hands on the next-gen system. At least there'll be a fair few launch day games by then. Plenty of games got unveiled for systems, including Soul Sacrifice Delta and Phantasy Star Nova for Vita, and Yakuza Restoration for PS4. Suda51's Grasshopper has a new PS4 game in the works too, although quite what it is beyond a "supreme action" game with a strange title - well, we'll have to wait and see. No Final Fantasy 15 to revel in yet, but Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn has a PS4 beta date - the console's launch day no less. Meanwhile, the Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD remasters are getting sentimental with a special edition Vita. All that excitement, and TGS 2013 is still yet to start. We'll be there when it does, though, so look out for our coverage from Tokyo starting next week.
Japan's PS4 launch day line-up features 19 games
We now have confirmation of what games will be available for the PlayStation 4 when it launches on February 22, 2014 in Japan. The nation's launch-day line-up includes 19 games - well, 18 games and a beta, although when that beta is for Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn, it probably counts as a game. The full launch day line-up is after the break.
PlayStation Vita TV puts Vita games on a TV, out in Japan on Nov. 14 [update: specs]
Sony Computer Entertainment Japan has revealed the PlayStation Vita TV, a miniature system that plays Vita games on the television. The Vita TV has slots for both Vita games and memory cards, allowing users to play games on their tellies with a DualShock 3. It'll support 1,300 games, including Vita, PSP, and other PlayStation offerings. Like the Vita, Vita TV will also support PS4 Remote Play through a future system update. Vita TV also enables streaming services such as Hulu. The PlayStation Vita TV will cost 9,954 yen including tax when it launches November 14 in Japan, that converting to around $100. There'll also be a bundle that includes a DualShock 3 controller and 8 GB Vita memory card for 14,994 yen after tax, or around $150. Update: Sony Computer Entertainment's press release provides some specs on Sony's littlest new device. The Vita TV comes in at 6.5cm by 10.5cm, and weighs just 110 grams. It connects to the TV via HDMI, supports Wi-Fi, and has an internal memory card of 1GB. Also, Vita TV can connect to two DualShocks at once, this functionality applied with PSOne games in mind. Full specs are below the break. Update 2: Our pals at Engadget have a great eyes-on gallery with Vita TV.
Capcom details Deep Down [update: trailer!]
At Sony's pre-TGS press conference, Capcom's Yoshinoro Ono spilled a few more details on the mysterious Deep Down, the fantasy PS4 RPG first unveiled at the console's reveal back in February. First and foremost, the game is bizarrely set in 2094 despite its medieval looks - it's not exactly clear why that's the case, but Ono did mention players being able to read the "memories" of items. We suspect there's some kind of Assassin's Creed-type tomfoolery going on here, but whatever it is, it's certainly curious. Ono reiterated Deep Down is an online multiplayer RPG, but added that it will feature automatically generated maps, enemies and equipment. We'll look to find out more at the Tokyo Game Show itself, where Ono announced Deep Down will be playable. If you're waiting for a release date, you'll have to hold out a bit longer - Ono hopes to reveal more once the PS4 launches in Japan in February, 2014.
Grasshopper and GungHo's first collaboration is Lily Bergamo, for PS4
Lily Bergamo is a new PS4 game from Grasshopper Manufacture and GungHo Online Entertainment, the two companies announced at Sony's Japan conference today. It's due out in 2014. It's a "supreme action" game with a female lead, and it may include some form of smartphone integration. GungHo purchased Suda51's Grasshopper Manufacture – responsible for Killer is Dead and Lollipop Chainsaw – in January.
Yakuza Restoration unveiled for PS4, PS3, Vita, set in Edo period
During Sony Japan's press conference, Sega announced a new entry in the Yakuza series for PS4, called Yakuza Restoration (or Yakuza Ishin). Restoration, which has been teased prior to its official unveiling just now, takes the typically modern day gangster series to feudal Japan. Yakuza Restoration will launch alongside the PS4 on February 22, and will also be available on PS3 and PS Vita. PS Vita cross-play was also mentioned during the press conference, though no exact features were pointed out.
Final Fantasy 14 PS3 players will be able to play PS4 beta for free [update]
Final Fantasy 14: A Realm Reborn players that begin their quest on the PS3 will be able to play the PS4 version's beta for free, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced today. The beta for the PS4 version of A Realm Reborn will launch alongside the console in Japan on February 22. Update: A Square Enix Europe press release confirms players will be able to carry over character data when transitioning from PS3 to PS4. The date noted in the press release is also February 22, indicating the PS4 beta will likely begin globally on that day.
PS4 launches in Japan on February 22 [Update: 19 launch games]
During the Sony Computer Entertainment Japan press conference this morning, Sony announced the PS4 is coming to Japan on February 22, 2014. Japan can pre-order the console starting October 5. The console will be available sans PS4 Eye camera for ¥39,980 ($401). A special "Limited Pack" run of consoles, which includes console, controller, download voucher for Knack and one year warranty, will also be on sale for the same price at launch – in fact, all PS4 consoles will come with a free copy of Knack in Japan. Finally, a bundle including the camera will be on sale for ¥43,980 ($442). The PlayStation 4 launches in North America on November 15 and in Europe on November 29. Late last month, Sony revealed the full PS4 launch line-up, which includes a smattering of retail games as well as PSN downloads. Update: Sony has sent out a press release confirming 19 different games will be available alongside PS4 at launch. Hop past the break to see what's coming this February.
Final Fantasy X, X-2 HD remasters to be bundled with special edition Vita
The Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 HD re-releases will be available as part of a bundle with a special edition PS Vita, Sony Computer Entertainment Japan announced today. The unique Vita captures that iconic Macalania Spring scene from FFX. Awww... No release date or other details regarding the bundle were given, but it appears that the bundle will feature the new 2000 model of the PS Vita.
Phantasy Star Nova announced for Vita
Sega announced Phantasy Star Nova at Sony's Tokyo Game Show press conference this morning, a Vita entry being developed by established RPG studio Tri-Ace. Nova is set in the same world as Phantasy Star Online 2, but can be played both offline or in online co-op for up to four players. It's due to be released for Japan in 2014. Sega also revealed sales of PSO2 are now up to 650,000, with 500,000 of those coming from downloads. The MMO reached 500,000 sales in the summer.
Soul Sacrifice Delta due out in March 2014 for Vita
Soul Sacrifice Delta is due out on Vita in Japan in March 2014, Keiji Inafune revelaed at the Sony Japan conference. Soul Sacrifice Delta is a new version of Soul Sacrifice, and it's more than a "mere update," Inafune said: "This is a brand new version with brand new elements and brand new items which gives the unique flavor of Soul Sacrifice." Soul Sacrifice Delta will be playable at Tokyo Game Show.
Thinner, lighter PS Vita remodel coming to Japan Oct. 10 [update]
During Sony's pre-TGS conference, a new PS Vita Wi-Fi remodel was introduced to the world. The PCH-2000 is 20 percent thinner and 15 percent lighter than the original Vita, has a more rounded design, and a new LCD screen compared to the existing Vita's OLED offering. The new model will come in black, white, lime green, light blue, pink and khaki. This remodel, which comes bundled with a 1GB memory card and has six hours of battery life for gaming, is available for pre-order through Japanese retailers right now, ahead of its October 10 launch, coming in at 19,929 yen (including tax), which converts to around $200. Sony Computer Entertainment's press release also notes a new micro USB slot for data backup and charging, along with a new power indicator and notification indicator at the top of the portable. Update: Our friends at Engadget went eyes-on with the new Vita model, so you can too.
