I have to start this by saying I find Nintendo's pricing move to be quite FUD-like and probably a bit premature.  The 3DS had been out for barely 4 months WW, 5 months in Japan, and has yet to see its first holiday season.  To go ahead with a big $80 cut under those circumstances is, in my opinion, quite foolish.  I don't believe any company has ever made a similar decision, especially when that company has been the market leader in that field for the previous gen, let alone 3.  But what is done is done, so let's switch to what this post is really about.  Does Sony need to worry about the PSV now there is an $80 price difference?

In my opinion, no.  If you look at the PSV's price by itself, it is quite an attractive offer.  The PSV will be launching at the exact same price as the PSP, but will have much better graphics and many additional features.  Both of which have seemed to draw positive attention from many in the gaming industry.  The PSP itself was a great success, even though it launched at a full $100 more than the original DS.  Its HW sales are quite impressive in a market that was dominated by Nintendo, and one that saw the previous competitor to Nintendo (Sega) only manage to sell 11 mil units of their handheld (the Game Gear).  The PSP will most likely sell over 7x that amount when all is said and done, putting it on par with Nintendo's own GBA.  And while many tout the DS's lead over the PSP, I think it would have been a much different story had the DS launched at $250, just like the PSP.  Really, I think it just comes down to Nintendo fans expect lower prices even if they have to sacrifice some power and a few features, while Sony fans don't mind paying a little extra for the power and features.  Of course, SW sales are another thing.

Now, while the PSP has had a few games that have sold quite well, overall, SW sales of individual titles are nothing really to brag about.  Unfortunately, this seems to have hurt 3rd party support, mainly in the US and EU.  I think Sony aims to change that with the Vita.  Not only is it easy to develop for, but it also sports controls just like those found on home consoles.  This should make it easier/cheaper to develop and/or port games onto the system, while also giving gamers a familiar feel to how they play at home.  Then you also have the touchscreen and pad, which should lend itself to some very unique features in core and casual titles.  Sony should see some awesome 3rd party support this handheld gen.  Something that will greatly help its chances of outperforming the PSP.

So, in the end, Nintendo's price cut will definitely give the 3DS a nice boost, but I don't think Sony has anything to fear.  The Vita should fair well this holiday due to the normal boost, plus an additional boost from being the newest handheld on the market.  And they should be able to continue with good sales if they bring their A game in terms of support.  Something I think they have every intention of doing.

No. All they need to do is add bacon. http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=132173&page=1

It depends what Sony's agenda is in regards to the portable. I'm sure it will do decently in it's own right, but Sony cannot expect the Vita to compete with the 3DS in sales worldwide.

I think they have to view it as an opportunity more so then a worry. The PS2 was $100 more then the Gamecube at one point I believe but still sold a lot more then it at the time - simply cause it was a product people wanted more. The 3DS hasn't been a hit thus far and is on the end of a lukewarm reception - Nintendo are cutting the price to get things back on track, but they've derailed thus far and Sony have to see this as an opportunity to hit while the competition is weak.

I think the key thing to remember is, first year or so the two things arn't really after the same sort of consumer. I don't totally 'get' who Nintendo was going for with the 3DS (And still arn't really sure) but Sony feel very honed in on the HD console owners type market who buy COD, AC, FIFA, GTA in their droves. The hardware, software and extra features are well suited to appeal to them - and this is an audience who I think will pay a premium gaming device they want... maybe not in their droves but plenty to get sales going for the first year after which Sony can then price match the 3DS.

So thus far things are positive for Sony, but they need to deliver on their end now.

No..

http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=132168&page=1

Already posted.. lol :p

no..this is not about just single holiday season riding on a price cut or anything....LT wise they will do just fine..sony from the start have come out with a solid plan for psv and they will succeed. and as I told in the other thread unlike ninty, sony is not putting all their eggs in one basket. oh and at this point the ones who should worry is 3ds and ninty, they are the ones making desperate moves

in some ways nintendo basically took away one of its weapons by automatically lowering the 3DS' price. Nntendo could have lowered the pirce over time and had multiple sale spikes. Now its basically one sale spike (probably to $130) but i guess nintendo did not have trouble with this last gen son i guess its alright. Sony though, can have multiple sale spikes (at least 3-4 imo from $250 to $20 to $170 to $149.99).

yes...very worried....since samsung is making it 3D too,

I voted maybe so. They certainly are going to be worried, but Vita certainly isn't domed. 3DS will do incredible numbers, Vita will do good numbers.

If they were relying on Vita beating 3DS, then obviously they should be terrified