Handheld gamers smelled blood when the PS Vita’s lukewarm sales in Japan – 392,000 units sold in its first week – bred rumors of a swift price cut, à la 3DS. Christmas week did nothing to revive Sony’s chances at nipping Nintendo’s heels, as under 75,000 Vita units made it into holiday-making hands.

Keep your grin in your pocket, Vita-watchers. Video game analyst Michael Pachter has shared his belief that Sony will be staying the course with a price of $250. While a preemptive price slash would be sure to carry me (for one) over into the realm of “day one purchase,” I can understand Sony’s persistence:  PS Vita is shaping up to be an attractive piece of machinery with a fiery launch line-up. Be sure to read our first impressions of the system, as well as our previews for FIFA Soccer and Rayman Origins!