Messaging from UK retailer ShopTo has all but confirmed a Western release for the new slimline PS Vita-2000.
Currently only on sale in Japan, the PS Vita-2000 will be made available for pre-order in UK from Thursday, January 30, according to an email blast (pictured below) sent to ShopTo customers on Wednesday. The ad did not specify an actual release date.
This comes just ahead of a Sony press conference taking place on Thursday, at which the firm has strongly hinted it will formally announce the slim Vita for Europe.
While Sony didn't specifically say what the press event was about, an invite sent to CVG offered a not-so-subtle hint; "Following the biggest launch in PlayStation history, join us for an introduction to the slimmest," it read.
So far the platform holder has made no mention of a North American release.
Sony originally revealed the PS Vita 2000 in September last year. Launched first in Japan on October 10 priced at 19,929 yen (£128 / $200 USD), the Wi-Fi handheld is 20 per cent thinner (15mm) and 20 per cent lighter (219g) than the original Vita.
The redesign boasts a high definition five inch LCD display, rather than the current Vita's OLED screen. It has a built-in 1GB memory card, while Sony says battery life has been extended by around one hour, now offering up to six hours of gameplay and seven hours of video playback.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com...stern-release/