The Nintendo 3DS and the Sony PlayStation Vita, while both providing different gaming experiences (the 3DS with glasses-free 3D capabilities), are in a way rivals due to their portable nature. Let’s not forget that due to the different games being made available on either console, unless you are a hardcore gamer, consumers will usually pick a platform and stick with it
Basically it made sense for Sony to drop its price if they hoped to remain competitive, but according to Sony’s worldwide studios boss, Shuhei Yoshida:
“We are totally happy with the price we put out. Personally, I was expecting Nintendo might move their price, but I wasn’t expecting them to move at this time. We didn’t price Vita relative to 3DS or those other devices. We plan the value we want to put in to the Vita and the price people would perceive the value would be. Nothing changed since the announcement. We are totally happy.”
It looks like Sony will be keeping their original announced price of the PlayStation Vita after all, but given that the specs of the Vita will be “newer” than the 3DS, perhaps the difference in price may be justified.