Sony's newest games device has hit the Irish market, as the company tries to win over a new generation of mobile gamers with the PlayStation Vita.

The Vita is the successor to the PlayStation Portable, and comes with touch sensitive controls and "social gaming" features.

The new console includes a five-inch OLED multi-touch screen and rear touch pad, dual analog sticks, front and rear cameras and six-axis motion sensing system, which Sony is hoping will set it apart from rivals.

The portable console offers games via proprietary Vita game cards or through downloads from the PlayStation Store. It launches with a decent line-up of games available, from Uncharted: Golden Abyss and Wipeout 2048 to third-party titles such as Fifa Football, Ridge Racer and Rayman Origins, with other major titles on the way.

Gamers are being offered two versions: one with Wi-Fi only, and a second with 3G also built in. The internet connection allows players to challenge friends online, chat by voice or text, and discover what friends nearby are playing right now and share gifts.

The games device is competing with a new breed of tablets and smartphones that allow users to play games on the move. The popularity of the iPhone and other smartphones has created a lucrative casual gaming market that while Sony may not consider it as direct competition, is sure to impact on people's expectations for the games device.

However, the company is confident that the Vita will find its place in the market.

"PlayStation Vita offers Irish gaming fans everything they've been dreaming about and gives them exciting new ways to play the best games available in the market," said Niall O'Hanrahan, managing director of Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (Ireland).

"The quality of the gaming experience is monumentally better than any other mobile device available and we are confident that once Irish gaming fans get their hands on it, they won't want to put it down."