Sony PlayStation Vita console to launch in America February 22

TAMPA - Sony CEO Jack Tretton announced Tuesday that the PlayStation Vita will come out in North America and Europe on February 22, 2012. The powerhouse handheld system will release in Japan on December 17 before hitting store shelves in the U.S.

Packing a 5-inch OLED touch screen and a rear touch panel, along with dual analog sticks and cameras, the PlayStation Vita will be the most advanced handheld gaming system available.

Tretton also announced today that over a hundred games are currently in development from studios around the world. Hit series such as Assassin's Creed, FIFA, and Uncharted will make an appearance on the Vita. However, no games have been firmly announced as launch titles as of yet.

The Vita will come in two models: A Wi-Fi only system will cost $249, and an AT&T 3G enabled system will cost $299. All models will be region free, meaning players can North America can play games released only in Asia and vice versa, a move that should please hardcore gamers.

Games will be released on proprietary cards, not discs as was the case with the PlayStation Portable, which should help cut down on battery usage.