The Gist - 5 Reasons Why The 3DS Should Be Your Next Console Purchase

Please just stop!! Stop peddling for game companies! Why wont you stop?! This entire site is devoted to "why you should be hyped over shit that we're going to give a 2/10 at launch" You're shilling! We don't need games journalists to also be the game salespeople.

I recently bought both a Vita and a 3DS. While I certainly prefer the higher resolution and d-pad of the Vita, the 3DS has a great number of games that are easy to pick up and put down quickly, and it's clamp shell design makes it easy to pack along.

If you're a Playstation Plus member, it's hard to argue against picking up a Vita because automatically you'll have something like 5-6 games plus any in your collection that happen to be cross buy (I had Spelunky, Guacamelee, Divekick, etc. I could immediately play on my Vita).

The 3DS is a bit more expensive to get your games collection going as you'll have to buy each and every cartridge (and they're not cheap), but the device is cheaper because you won't have to buy a proprietary memory card to store your games. A 32 GB is only around $20 for the 3DS.

I'd probably argue for a Vita over a 3DS if you're a Playstation Plus member, but the 3DS is certainly a really nice option for games on the go once you've exhausted the select few mobile phone games worth playing (like Kingdom Rush). It's really nice to have an actual quality games platform on the go.

I had a Vita for about a year and I pretty much only enjoyed P4G and LBP, the rest of the game that I played or owned, I played a little before I forgot about them. Then last february I just got an itch for Nintendo and I found an unsold Zelda : A link between world 3DS XL so I got that plus Pkémon X ( my first Pokémon ever) and Paper Mario. I will surely pickup Bravely Default, Super Mario 3D lands and Fire Emblem in the near future. I enjoy it way more than my Vita. The only game that I miss on the Vita is P4G and I found a copy for the PS2 ... so yeah

Yup, I got the Zelda 3DSXL last Black Friday, forgot to register/ so just registered with a DKCR3D copy to get the free Pokemon X offer. ^_^ My friend was talking about the 3DS and the Vita and I said to get the 3DS because it seemed like their game library finally caught up. He ignored my advice-he had a PSP before while I had a DS Lite- and now he tells me he never plays his Vita. Geeee, I wonder why. Although the Vita has come a long way too, both systems were extremely slow going at first. Love TLoZ:ALBW, DKCR3D, SM3DLand, TC:GR:Shadow Wars (it's like the 3DS' X-Com), SSFIV3D, RE:R, Mario Kart 7 and TLoZ: OoT3D.

Ditch the top 5 format.

I was on the fence about getting a 3DS and I eventually did last October and I am loving it! So many good games and much more to come.

It sad because on first look you would think it's just an upgrade DS with 3D (you would be right) but it's soooo much more than that improved graphics, better online, sleeker menus, street pass, better quality software, improved camera. 3ds is a must own, for me I think I played this more than my x-box 360. 3ds has so many great games I currently own: super mario 3d land, mario kart, paper mario, super street fighter IV, luigi's mansion dark moon, resident evil, legend of Zelda OoT, legend of Zelda LbW, donkey kong country returns, fire emblem, and kingdom hearts...all great games. That's not including games I'm going to get...animal crossing, bravely default, and of course super smash bros

I am in the same boat. The 3DS offers me more entertainment hours than all other consoles combined - under-a-roof or on-the-go. In fact, Nintendo released so many 3DS games in 2013 that my wallet had trouble keeping up!

My only gripe against the 3DS? Region locking! I ended up importing a Japanese 3DS just so I can play the "niche" titles that are not available in North America!

GBA Golden Sun = Golden childhood.

Ghost Recon Shadow Wars -- good turn based shooter. By Ubisoft

Super Street Fighter IV: 3DS version -- The best version of the game because of the lower touch screen. All those complicated moves are now done with one touch. The Vita version of Street Fighter x Tekken is great too--just slide you finger to do those advanced moves.

Atari Greatest Hits Vol. 1 -- Play Asteriods and Lunar Lander

PS Vita: I like Virtua Tennis 4 (great graphics, game play, beautiful women), Unit 13--great cover based shooter and FIFA 14--awsome use of the rear touchpad for shot on goal.

If you spend a lot of your time playing video games, then add to the insanity and buy a handheld. Buy a Kindle/e-reader instead or just take a physical book or books. Read some books when you're on the go.

3DS Games Check, DS Games Check.

SuperCard DStwo, GBA, SNES Double Check.

Jess of course would never ever use an emulator though, right?

I'm planning to use my recently acquired 3DS for sofa gaming rather than mobile. I spend so much time in front of a PC, I feel like the 3DS will give me more reason to just chill on the sofa sometimes. Although, I'm not sure if it will be better or worse for my eyes :).

its awesome. i recently bought one, and its all iv been playing. i have the xbox, and just got titanfall which is good too. but, a link between worlds, monster hunter, and pokemon have been holding my attention for a while. great system!

disagree, I got swept up in the Link Between Worlds hype, and decided to get a 3ds xl when it went on sale for $149 at Walmart. While the game is good, it was overrated. The system is cool, but I don't find myself interested in the games it offers. I have my eye on star fox....and that is pretty much it, I don't like JRPGs so Fire Emblem, etc are out. Never liked Pokemon. I really wish they release Mega Man X on the 3ds - THAT would be epic. At this point, I'm seriously considering just trading it in or giving it to an orphanage.

Yeah, I bought me one of them pokeymanz machines last year and I'm still playing it every day. Currently I am alternating between Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and Bravely Default. I originally had no interest in getting one, but now it is one of my daily staples. Everyone should give it a chance.

Oh, Jess, how you just said everything I felt since I picked up my Japanese 3DSLL a month ago. I still can not believe how good Kamitora 2(what the Japanese usually call A Link between Worlds) looks on the damn thing.

Yeah, I'm still not convinced. It is still too dear in Australia. If it appears under $200 then I might be interested.

My fiancee and I bought the Pokemon editions of the 3DS XL (I had the red one, she had the blue one), and it was the best 170 bucks we've ever spent! Ever since Pokemon, A Link Between Worlds and Bravely Default came out, our PC and console games (yes, even our PS4) have been collecting a little more dust than usual. Nintendo definitely made the right decisions in the handheld department.

I spend most of my gaming time on a PC and 3DS. Fire Emblem: Awakening is fantastic. I hope there will be a 3DS Metroid in the works soon. It's about time.

Jess got lovely hair

All great reason to own the 3ds. Plus you can buy an RJ4 Gold cartridge and play all your ROMS!

i agree the 3DS is a great buy tons of games.

that does it, I'm getting a Vita.

The xl will actuall be my next purchase ... because my actual has a broken screen since yesterday and the other xl is lent to m girlfriend and I do not want to go back to the original :( *first world problems*

She speaks sense.

I bought a 3DS for Bravely Default and I have to agree with you Jess... it's a solid system man. I have a few other RPGs to pick up once I'm finished with BD. Almost 200hrs playing this game lol.

I have a 3DS, and i don't like it too much, i prefer my Ipad and Iphone.

There is no reason to buy a portable gaming device anymore, you can't make any telephone calls with it.

It truly is one of the best Portable consoles of all time. It's backwards compatible, uses the Cheaper SD cards, nice online for most of it's games, Uses MiiVerse well, Fun Mii Plaza Mini-games, has a beefy eShop catalog that can play some exclusive indies, NES, GB, GBC, GameGear and 3D classic games plus the free games that can be obtained via Club Nintendo every month (Without subscriptions).

It's library is Strong with plenty of variety. If you don't have a 3DS you're missing out

I wish there were more games for the 3DS. The strength of the library is with the DS and GB Advance titles.

I did the same thing 2 months ago, had little to no interest in it. Was planning on getting a ps4, but was so tempted by all these games 3ds has and the price, that I decieded to purchase a sweet 3ds xl instead of the ps4.

Now even my ps3 with my psplus account has not been touched, with games like Tomb Raider and Bioshock Infinite just not being played. I have spent all my gaming time on the 3ds since I got it.

I have one, and can't find any games to play. All the good ones (Nintendo exclusives) have their prices jacked up.

i love my 3DS i put a 32gb sd card in and have just been downloading all my games and love it's so easy