PS4 Will Launch In Non-Japanese Asian Markets December 2013

While the PS4 will launch in Japan on February 22, 2014, Sony’s next-gen console will be making its way to the surrounding region much earlier than that.

ComputerAndVideoGames has learned that the PS4 will be releasing in several big Asian markets (like Taiwan, South Korea,  Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia) in December this year. This would make Japan the last major gaming market to receive the PS4 in retail stores. In contrast, the Xbox One does not have concrete details for launching in any Asian countries beyond a late 2014 window.

It is not all bad news for the Japanese consumers. While the delay in the PS4 console launch does have to do with the lack of region-specific content (including JRPG’s and rhythm-based games), the console will not be region-locked. This means that it is possible for very desperate Japanese fans of Sony’s console can get the game system shipped in from neighboring countries so that they don’t have to wait those extra months. Even then, it is possible that some upcoming games will be region-locked (including some of the SMT or Persona games), so down the line it may be best to just wait.

The PlayStation 4 will launch here in North America on November 15th, in European and South American markets on November 29th, in Asia in December and on February 22, 2014 in Japan.