Sony Computer Entertainment has released its next-generation PlayStation Vita handheld console.

The release of Sony's PlayStation Vita is the company's first step in making its place in the growing smartphone games market. The PlayStation Vita has a 5-inch OLED (organic light-emitting diode) touch screen, gyro-motion sensors, two cameras, and GPS receivers. It is also available in Wi-Fi and 3G models and users could also choose from a wide array of colors. As of the moment, this handheld game system is only available in Japan with a selling price between US$320-US$380. It is expected to be released in Europe and the U.S. on Feb. 22, 2012 with a suggested selling price starting at US$249.99.

Upon the day of its release, many customers were already waiting in line in order to purchase the PlayStation Vita in Tokyo's Akihabara electronics district. Ken Iioka, one of the customers who were waiting in line described the waiting situation stating that "It's actually quite fun. The waiting, the excitement. Lots of people are getting together and sharing this moment, it's a bit like a party." A salesman in Akihabara also said that "a number of the devices are already sold out; most customers had reserved them in advance."

Andrew House, CEO for Sony Computer Entertainment Group mentioned that customers nowadays want "new kinds of experiences on portable that they can't necessarily have on their home devices" and this is Sony's answer to their customer's needs. House was also interviewed by USA Today about the launch of PS Vita in Japan. Here is an excerpt from the interview:

Q: What special features on the Vita will elevate mobile gaming?

Dual analog sticks, the rear touch pad so that you can manipulate the game without obscuring anything on the screen in front of you, a high-quality touch panel display, a 5-inch jaw-droppingly beautiful OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen, gyro-motion sensors and GPS. We have really tried to take the whole panoply of user interfaces that are important to a portable experience and patch them into this one device. It translates into something magical when you are using your finger to wipe away the dust in Uncharted to uncover some secret clue buried there in the sand. These are the kinds of little magical moments that gamers will not have experienced before.

Currently, Nintendo DS is dominating in the market that the Sony wishes to tap into. Nintendo DS has sold more than 149 million units worldwide since 2004. On the other hand, Sony's PlayStation Portable has sold 73 million units. Through the release of PlayStation Vita, the company hopes to rival Nintendo's dominance in the market.