THE BUZZ: Well folks, it’s now official—the PS Vita has a release date outside of Japan.

Just announced by Sony Computer Entertainment president & CEO Jack Tretton, the PlayStation Vita will be hitting in the United States, Canada, Latin America, and Europe on February 22nd, 2012.

EGM’s TAKE: I was just this morning talking to somebody from Sony about all of the people I know from Japan who have been scrambling to pre-order a Vita lately, while I had to continue waiting to hear when it would be hitting here in the States. So, now it’s official!

I still would have preferred to get it before Christmas, but hey—February 22nd isn’t really that far away.