Honestly, with all the "vita is d00med" threads and what not, I'm amazed it's sold as much as it has. Why you say? Well think about it. If you had a choice of two handhelds, albeit with different games, and one was almost $100 more than the other, which would you pick? The bottom line is there isn't any one game that's a MUST PLAY on the Vita or the 3ds. There are quality games on both handhelds. So when deciding which to pick up, price becomes a main selling point.
I currently don't own either handheld. I do however own a DS lite and a PSP-3000. Both are great consoles, although I spend a bit more time on my DS due to pokemon addiction... With that said, when I eventually decide to get one of the next gen handhelds, I'll likely go with the 3ds. As a middle class consumer, I honestly don't need to be spending $250 on a handheld system (vita) when I can get a 3ds for $169. It seems silly. Yes I'd love to play P4: Golden, Uncharted, and LBPvita, but there are many same-quality games on the 3ds, so it comes down to price.
Sony needs to act fast in order to save the Vita. I understand they'd be selling at a loss, but if DRASTIC chances are not made, then the 3ds will completley blow the vita out of the water. If Sony comes with a small price cut, Nintendo can easily counter that. I think the Vita at an attractive price of $169.99 will sell great and actually compete with the 3ds, convincing more developers to work with the handheld.
What are your thoughts on the need a Vita price cut? How soon do they need to lower the price, if at all???