Nintendo DS vs 3DS vs Vita

[ManBearPig]

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[ImpulsE69]

IF you want tons of cheap games, get a DSXL (or 2). The 3DS is "better" however there are really not that many necessary games for it (it does run DS games though).

I would probably skip the Vita, something tells me it's going to be even less supported than the PSP.

 

[waggy]

fuck the vita. after teh shit that was PSP i won't buy another handheld sony game.

Get the DSXL there are a ton of great games. The 3ds is nice but not many games. though i wouldn't mind a 3dsxl since it does play DS games

 

[drbrock]

I would get the 3ds xl. I am going through the same thing with my nephew for his birthday next month and I am 99% sure that I am going that route. The Vita's menus are similar to the ps3 but not very user friendly. Great screen though. Stupid expensive from the store and on top of that you have to buy a memory card from sony which are expensive.

You can find both systems used ones on craigslist crazy cheap. There are deeper discounts on the vita however.

summary: 3dsXL or regular DS.

 

[dagamer34]

If he asked for a DS, get him a DS. There are plenty of games there for him to play.

 

[darkswordsman17]

It really depends how sensitive to price you are, however while it would be tempting to get a cheap DS with some games, I'd recommend a 3DS (XL, I think it makes a bigger difference for the 3DS). It will play the DS games but will also be able to play newer ones and I believe has better feature support (like online shop/play).

If you have a Sony Store nearby you can possibly snag a 3G Vita for $200. It'd be nice for the Playstation tie ins, but I'm not sure how great it'd be as a system for him.

 

[Tweak155]

Also he may have said DS but could have been thinking 3DS. Should probably make sure which one he wants.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Vita is expensive because the hardware is far superior to the 3ds. Not that it matters to you or a kid but that's the reason. You know your phone would cost $500 if the carrier didn't subsidize it. The stuff they put into the vita with 3G and wifi antenna along with the great screen, back touch panel and whatnot. Yeah...a lot of hardware there.

It really depends on whether you are a lover of Nintendo titles or not. I am but not their handheld versions so much. That's why I don't own a 3ds but do own a vita. With the PS4, the Vita has so much going for it over the next few years.

That said, if he wants a DS and mentioned it by name...that's what I'd go with.

 

[JujuFish]

I'll add to the 3DS vote tally. It's backwards compatible with all DS games, which is what your nephew requested anyway, and it'll be ready for any future games he may want to play.

 

[fralexandr]

what kind of surprised me about the DS is that each revision also improved the hardware by a bit (speakers, processors, etc).
Thus, newer games might run less smoothly on older DS models. For example I was playing kingdom hearts 358/2 on a ds lite and there were quite a lot of slowdowns with some of the more complex spells (not too bad, but probably wouldn't have happened on a dsi).

Thus, i'd vote 3DS. Larger screens are always nice for gaming, so the 3DS XL would be cool too.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Depending on your nephew's wants, and your budget, I'd go the 3DS route as well. The entire DS library is open in addition to quite a few nice 3DS titles.

what kind of surprised me about the DS is that each revision also improved the hardware (speakers, processors, etc).
Thus, newer games might run less smoothly on older DS models. For example I was playing kingdom hearts 358/2 on a ds lite and there were quite a lot of slowdowns with some of the more complex spells (not too bad, but probably wouldn't have happened on a dsi).

It was the DS to the DSi series that doubled the processor speeds, though the GPU remained the same up until the 3DS. In addition, newer games can be played online on the DSi with a WPA wifi encryption, while the DS and DS Lite needed a WEP encrypted wifi for online gaming. Quite a nice change for Pokemon fans.

 

[fralexandr]

the spell issue might've had to do with particle count i think, which might have been processor related , though I'm certainly not ruling out graphics either. kingdom hearts 358/2 is a pretty game.

 

[mmntech]

I'll also put a vote in for the 3DS. Lots of games suitable for pre-teens and it has access to the whole DS library.

The Vita is more focused on older gamers. Bundles out there make the price more reasonable as you get a game and 4GB memory card for $250. The problem with it is the expensive memory cards and lack of developer support, including Sony themselves. It's a shame really as I do think it's a great portable.

Another option is the iPod Touch. You can get refurb 32GB 4th gen ones for $179 now. iOS has a massive library of inexpensive games. The A4 chips can still hold their own.

 

[zerocool84]

There just aren't enough good games to consider getting a Vita. Great hardware held back by the lack of software. Get him a 3DS

 

[ManBearPig]

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[Sulaco]

Thanks guys, ended up getting a 3DS XL. Seems pretty neat, he was pretty excited. It was on sale at target for $159.99.

You made the right choice, by far.

You get the entire DS library backwards compatible on the 3DS, plus the ever expanding and quality 3DS line-up. All with the extra screen real estate.

I have a 3DS XL, and I love it. I play just as many DS games on it as 3DS games, but Fire Emblem Awakening has been eating up a lot of my time lately.

 

[ManBearPig]

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[Clinkster]

+1 for 3DS. I just bought one and I've got games I already enjoy.

Mario Kart 7
Fire Emblem : Awakening
Ocarina of Time 3D

I really want to get the 3D Super Mario Bros and Luigi's Mansion (just released).