Vita is Region Free, But Sony Doesn’t Recommend Importing

A launch date for the PlayStation Vita was announced for Japan at Sony’s Tokyo Game Show press conference last week. Since a date hasn’t yet been revealed for other regions, it has many gamers salivating over the Vita considering importing, especially since it’s been confirmed to be region free. But Sony doesn’t think that’s the most wise of ideas.

President of Sony Worldwide Studios, Shuhei Yoshida, confirmed on Twitter that the PlayStation Vita was going to be region free. This led myself, and many others to consider importing a Vita when it launches in Japan on December 17th. But Yoshida doesn’t “recommend” it.

Yoshida goes on the explain that although there’s nothing wrong with importing (it is region free, after all), that there will be minor “nuisances” or inconsistencies, such as the X and O buttons being swapped. (Note: This may not seem like a big deal, but I imported a Japanese PSP and the X and O being swapped can be very confusing and annoying)

To help ease the mind of impatient potential importers, Yoshida said that Sony “will update the launch dates outside of Japan soon”.

Does that change anyone’s mind? Or are you still planning on importing?

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