Japanese Vita release was delayed to build up stock

Sony initially had the handheld pencilled in for an early December launch

By Tom Ivan for computerandvideogames.com

Sony pushed the Japanese Vita launch back by two weeks in order to build up stock levels.

That's according to Sony Computer Entertainment president Hiroshi Kawano, who told Famitsu (via Andriasang) that the system was originally scheduled for release on December 3.

It's now set to launch on December 17, with European and US releases expected in early 2012. If you do fancy importing one in time for Christmas though, Vita will be region free.

While we have to wait a little longer than Japan to get our hands on the portable, it should arrive over here with plenty of games. It's launching with 26 in Sony's home country, but the platform holder has said it expects 100 to be available within the console's launch window.