Persona 4 remake for Vita revealed

Catherine developer Atlus has announced a Persona 4 remake for PlayStation Vita, called Persona 4 The Golden.

Details spilled from Japanese magazine Famitsu (translated by Andriasang). A number of new features have been added to the PlayStation 2 original, including a new character, called Marie, more voice dialogue, the ability to call on other players to help you when you're about to die in a dungeon, a new opening anime and new animation movies.

There's also 3G and Wi-Fi support, new event scenes, added Personas and added character outfits. The game is due out in spring 2012.

Atlus has also announced a 2D Persona-themed fighting game, called Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena. BlazBlue developer Arc System Works is at the helm. It features a new story, set two months after the events of Persona 4. Characters from the fourth and third games are included. They all have their own original stories, but there is an overarching storyline, which focuses on a fighting program called P-1 Grand Prix.

According to Famitsu, the game's producer, Arc's Toshimichi Mori, said he was shocked when Atlus approached the developer with the offer, but the BlazBlue developers were fans of the series, so were keen to get involved. It is a joint project between Arc and the Persona team. Persona 4 The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena launches in Japanese arcades in spring 2012, then on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in summer 2012.

And finally, Atlus has revealed a few new details on Persona 5, which is without launch platforms or a release date. Preparation for development is complete. The team will use a new, internal engine to create the game, which according to staff will make the process smooth. Expect a "lengthy" wait until release, though.