PlayStation Vita to be region-free, says Sony

PlayStation Vita

PlayStation Vita will be region-free, Sony Computer Entertainment has confirmed.

Shuhei Yoshida, president of Worldwide Studios, broke the news when responding to a fan question on his personal Twitter page.

Vita is scheduled for release in Japan in December, priced at $390 (£247) for the 3G model or $325 (£205) for wi-fi only. Customers in other territories will be able to import the device and encounter no software compatibility issues.

Sony announced the full list of games in development for the platform at Tokyo Game Show 2011, and revealed that it will feature an external battery pack to extend its standard three to five hour usage.

Final Fantasy X and Metal Gear Solid HD Collection were among the blockbuster titles confirmed for Vita at the Tokyo expo.

PlayStation Vita debuts in Japan on December 17.