Sony Corp is set to kick off the global rollout of its new PlayStation Vita on Dec. 17 in Japan.

In a press conference, Sony said it will launch 26 software titles along with the PS Vita with Japan's biggest mobile carrier, NTT Docomo, which will provide prepaid 3G plans for PS Vita users.

While it has been criticized for setting the PS Vita's price too high for the mass market, Sony insisted it will not drop its price even as rival Nintendo has its prices.

Sony said in August there was no need to cut the price of the PS Vita from the announced figure of 24,980 yen ($325) for a Wi-fi only model and 29,980 yen ($390) for a 3G plus Wi-fi version.

Reuters cited gadget market analysts saying the new PS Vita will likely appeal chiefly to hardcore gamers, who do not mind high prices for good devices.

Hiroshi Kawano, president of Sony Computer Entertainment Japan, presented the domestic launch plans to reporters a day ahead of the annual Tokyo Game Show. The PS Vita was first unveiled in Tokyo in January.

Reuters reported the PS Vita is expected to go on sale in the United States and Europe in early 2012.

Meanwhile, Nintendo dropped prices for its own portable games device by up to 40 per cent to 15,000 yen ($195) last month after sales plummeted. To revive interest in games, Nintendo also unveiled a raft of new software on Tuesday.

While it is not reducing the cost of PS Vita, Sony last month cut the price of PlayStation 3 by one-fifth to regain lost market against rival Microsoft, maker of the PS rival Xbox.