This is a pros and cons thing...
If you are strong only in certain markets like MS is then 13 countries makes sense because you can supply the markets well and just admit you don't have strength in the others...
But, if you are solid in many markets like Sony is, it makes sense to go to 33 countries because you want to retain your market strength.
I think both companies are doing the right thing. If MS would've went to 33 countries at launch, someone would go to the weaker countries and take pictures of X1's sitting on shelves and not being sold... If Sony would've went to only 13 countries a lot of the good selling smaller countries' consumers would be saying, "why are they leaving us out of the next-gen".