PS Vita 3G model dropped to $199.97 at Sony retail stores (update)

The 3G-capable model of the PlayStation Vita has been dropped from $299.99 down to $199.97 at selected Sony stores across North America for an unconfirmed period, Joystiq reports.

According to Joystiq, a few Sony store employees informed them that the 3G model is being discontinued.

The $199.97 PS Vita 3G bundle, which currently can only be bought in-store, includes the PS Vita handheld, 8GB memory card and a PlayStation Network voucher for a free game.

Online retailers such as Walmart, GameStop and Amazon still list similar PS Vita 3G bundles from $299.99. The online Sony store lists a PS Vita 3G bundle for $249.99.

Last month, Sony announced a PS Vita price drop in Japan from 24,980 yen to 19,980 yen, which went into effect Feb. 28. A week later, Sony Worldwide Studios president Shuhei Yoshida stated that the price drop would not come to North America.

Polygon has reached out to Sony for comment about the price drop and the rumored discontinuation of the PS Vita 3G model.

Update: "The reduction in price is the result of a limited time sales promotion through retail," a Sony representative told Polygon.