Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, Sanzaru Games' first foray into the world of the thieving raccoon, has just been announced for the PlayStation Vita. Though we knew that the game was set to release for the PS3, most likely late this year or early next year, this is the first we are hearing about a Vita version.

According to a blog post from Sanzaru, the Vita version of Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time will contain all of the awesome content from the console version, along with "some very cool Vita specific features that incorporate the front and rear touch screens and motion controls."

No mention is made as far as specifics are concerned, but they do say that players will be able to use the Vita's handy cloud connectivity with the PS3, whereby players can pick up play sessions right where they left off on either the console or the handheld.

Sanzaru Games, for any gamer that might be wondering, were the folks behind the Sly Cooper HD Collection, and therefore have a tremendous sense of duty when it comes to bringing the dynamic trio of Sly, Bentley, and Murray back to the PlayStation. With that idea in mind Sanzaru has also announced that Carmelita Fox, the Interpol police officer that was always hot on Sly's tail (and served as a sort of love interest) will once again be playable for Thieves in Time.

For Thieves in Time, Sanzaru says they are going with a "more precise over-the-shoulder aiming technique that allows players to lock on the targets quickly and easily." Carmelita's sections in Sly 3 were a huge change of pace to the common platforming sections starring Sly, and should be a welcome addition once again.

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While players will be seeing Sly Cooper, the character, in PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale it might not be until 2013 that they get their hands on this fourth game in the series. Luckily that release will not only include a chance to play as all of Sony's classic characters, but a Vita version to boot.

Are you excited to hear that Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time will also be releasing for the Vita? What Vita features would you like to see in the game?

Source: PlayStation Blog