Wii U or 3ds XL

[drbrock]

I am in a conundrum. The price for a 3ds XL and a Wii U are similar on Craigslist.

I am having trouble deciding which one to pick up. I prefer playing games on the couch and not utilizing my TV. The obvious choice would be the 3ds XL. But with the Wii U gamepad I can broadcast the game to a 6 inch screen.

Do games actually support this? I don't care about BLOPs 2 or 3rd party titles. I am more focused on 1st party Nintendo games.

Are there enough Wii U titles to keep me interested? Can I play 3ds games on the Wii U through eshop?

 

[gothamhunter]

3ds xl all the way.

 

[zerocool84]

Not all games can run on the screen on the controller. I'm sure you can Google to find the list. If I was buying right now, the 3DS has the better library of games. The WiiU just doesn't have it yet and won't for at least another year.

 

[Arkaign]

On library alone : 3DS XL. If you haven't got an original Wii yet, they're easy to scoop up used in the $20-$30 range, with a massive library and a number of gems in there. WiiU should be a wait right now imho.

 

[xeledon20005]

the ability to play the 3ds wherever you want compared to WiiU is what wins in my book.

I love the portable systems: I own GBC,GBA,GBASP,DS,DSI XL, and soon my limited edition zelda 3ds is commin in the mail.

Definetly get the 3ds

 

[drbrock]

Thaks it looks like the 3ds is the clear winner. Too bad wii u never got off the ground.

 

[cmdrdredd]

If you aren't going to use the TV then the obvious choice is the 3ds. I love mine and play it daily when I have no PC or other console games to get through.

 

[Arkaign]

Thaks it looks like the 3ds is the clear winner. Too bad wii u never got off the ground.

I think WiiU will get a 2nd chance when more of the major 1st party titles hit the racks and the prices come down. I don't think it will ever be a contender for 1st or 2nd place, but it should shape up to be a decent 3rd place console if things work like I expect. I would wait for the $129-$149ish SKU to come out, along with a more fleshed out library before looking at it seriously.

3DS ironically was similar. It came out with very few decent titles, languished for a long time, and is only recently really starting to thrive.

I could be totally wrong and WiiU might just disappear, but I honestly don't think so. The hardware in it is fairly low-spec overall, and Nintendo is never known for loss-leader style hardware, so I'm fairly confident that it's profitable on a per-unit basis. That gives them the ability to float it for a fairly long time as it ramps up. PS4 and XB1 will handily destroy it for mainstream titles like CoD/Madden/GTA/etc, but there are just unique 1st-party franchises that you can't get anywhere but Nintendo : Zelda, Smash, Mario, Metroid, DK, etc. Not everyone loves them, but they do have an unarguably high quality level historically, and if those are franchises that you love, then WiiU will eventually be a winner for you, even if you wait 4 years and pick one up for $50 used or whatever.

 

[dguy6789]

Not all games can run on the screen on the controller. I'm sure you can Google to find the list. If I was buying right now, the 3DS has the better library of games. The WiiU just doesn't have it yet and won't for at least another year.

Half of these will be out within 6 months on Wii U

Pikmin 3
Splinter Cell Black List
Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag
Call of Duty Ghosts
Wonderful 101
Zelda Windwaker HD
Sonic Lost World
Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze
Super Mario 3D Lands
Mario Kart 8
Super Smash Bros.
Monolith Soft X
Bayonetta 2

 

[xeledon20005]

don't forget that the 3ds can also play regular DS games.

If only it could play GBA games that be pro. GBA has some of my favorite games

Fire Emblem/FF6/Golden Sun II - DS has Chrono Trigger

 

[Arkaign]

Half of these will be out within 6 months on Wii U

Pikmin 3
Splinter Cell Black List
Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag
Call of Duty Ghosts
Wonderful 101
Zelda Windwaker HD
Sonic Lost World
Donkey Kong Tropical Freeze
Super Mario 3D Lands
Mario Kart 8
Super Smash Bros.
Monolith Soft X
Bayonetta 2

'Half' is an important distinction.

Splinter Cell / CoD / Assassin's Creed are all better on PS/XB (and almost everyone has one of those already).

Zelda remake is meh if you've already played it, the 'real' next-gen Zelda is what we really want.

Don't get me wrong, I am a believer that the WiiU will shape up nicely once we get the games promised, but the choice right now between a 3DSXL vs. WiiU is an easy one. The 3DS has a large vibrant library, the WiiU doesn't. The 3DS won't change much in price, while I'd be absolutely STUNNED if we didn't see fairly large price drops on the WiiU. Companies by definition deny price drops until the day they actually happen, but sales of the WiiU are horrible, and the current pricing structure is just too high to make sense. Once those things are $199 combined with a more fleshed out library, they will start steadily flying off the shelves. Hell I'll almost certainly buy one myself in addition to the PS4. XB1 will be bought only for Forza down the line when it's $99 or less at EOL.

 

[MetalMat]

3DS XL, no brainer.

Why take a chance on the future of the Wii U when the 3DS has an already established huge library of good games. Plus it is much more portable if you decide to game elsewhere.

 

[Sulaco]

Something else EXTREMELY important to take into consideration, which (just skimming the thread) no one else seems to have mentioned:

The WiiU is ALMOST CERTAIN to get a price drop in the next few months. The PS4/Xbox1 release in, what, 3 and a half months? You can bet Nintendo will be dropping the price from $350 if they want any chance of competing against the other juggernauts this season.
IMO, this is a HORRIBLE time to buy any console. I know you said you're buying off Craigslist, but when new prices drop, used will also follow.
That, combined with the fact that the WiiU's library is STILL subpar, and will be probably until the price drops, I don't see why you'd want one now.

 

[KaOTiK]

As much as I like my Wii U and it has some really cool games coming out soon, overall I'd suggest a 3DS XL. The 3DS just has a great library and has a ton of cool games coming out soon. I wish I was into handheld gaming again because man there are some games coming out I really want too play.

If you look at the Wii U's lineup and it looks appealing, then by all means go for it. It has Pikmin, Wonderful 101, Zelda Wind Waker HD, Super Mario 3D World, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, and Sonic Lost World all coming out before the years end that are exclusives.

 

[Arkaign]

Something else EXTREMELY important to take into consideration, which (just skimming the thread) no one else seems to have mentioned:

The WiiU is ALMOST CERTAIN to get a price drop in the next few months. The PS4/Xbox1 release in, what, 3 and a half months? You can bet Nintendo will be dropping the price from $350 if they want any chance of competing against the other juggernauts this season.
IMO, this is a HORRIBLE time to buy any console. I know you said you're buying off Craigslist, but when new prices drop, used will also follow.
That, combined with the fact that the WiiU's library is STILL subpar, and will be probably until the price drops, I don't see why you'd want one now.

Look two posts up

 

[darkswordsman17]

We need specifics. If you're seeing the same prices, you're either dealing with completely out of touch people selling 3DS (can't you buy refurb from Nintendo for like $120 or something?), unless they come with a ton of (good) games. That or you're getting a really decent deal on the Wii U. Obviously depending on games/extras you get.

Er, noticed the XL, and its $170 refurb from Nintendo, I didn't think there's a $50 difference in price for them new so not sure what that's about (hell wasn't it possible to get a 3DS XL new for $170 or so at like Target?). Guess it depends on what you're all getting, but if you're seeing similar prices then I stand by that either Wii U prices are decent or the 3DS XL sellers are out of touch.

If you're just meaning similar percentage less than new or something, then the 3DS XL all the way.

 

[drbrock]

3ds XL is the hottest system out right now. So Craigslist sellers are getting top dollar. I have not seen demand like this since the ipad 1 and 2 on craigslist. They typically sell within a day of being posted. The Wii U is tanking horribly because there are no games out. I can get a 3ds for around 175 here and the Wii U is going for the same thing.

Crazy but true. Arkaign is right. I should wait out for the Wii U price drop and even get it for less. Like 125-150 and focus on getting a 3ds XL for 175 to 200. Will probably wait for another special edition as I know I can get my money back from it. Zelda is coming out soon. Wish they would announce that special edition.

 

[Aikouka]

They're finally releasing a black 3DS XL outside of Japan, which makes me happy!

 

[xeledon20005]

Yeah i want a 3DS XL Limited edition Fire Emblem one, they cost a ton but only can get them in europe or something like that right now.

 

[Josh123]

don't forget that the 3ds can also play regular DS games.

If only it could play GBA games that be pro. GBA has some of my favorite games

Fire Emblem/FF6/Golden Sun II - DS has Chrono Trigger

Whaaaa???

Man, I only have Super Mario Bros for my 3DS XL and I never play it. I might have to pick Chrono Trigger up and dust it off!

 

[gothamhunter]

Whaaaa???

Man, I only have Super Mario Bros for my 3DS XL and I never play it. I might have to pick Chrono Trigger up and dust it off!

Why in the world do you only have SMB for your 3DS XL? There are soooooo many good titles for it in the DS and 3DS library.

For shame.

 

[Josh123]

Why in the world do you only have SMB for your 3DS XL? There are soooooo many good titles for it in the DS and 3DS library.

For shame.

I have a hard time spending $40 on game that I can only play on a handheld.

I just ordered Chrono Trigger from Best Buy though. I have about $100 in Best Buy rewards so I used $10 and paid the other $5 out of pocket. They only had a Pre-Owned copy though so hopefully it doesn't look like shit.

 

[Sulaco]

I have a hard time spending $40 on game that I can only play on a handheld.

I have no idea where you're shopping, but very few DS games are going to be anywhere near $40 anymore, unless they're very rare or collectable. Go to Amazon and basically every DS game worth playing can be had between $5-$25.

3DS is slightly different, but.....it's brand new, and plenty of deals can be found for below $40.

 

[Zodiark1593]

I have a hard time spending $40 on game that I can only play on a handheld.

I just ordered Chrono Trigger from Best Buy though. I have about $100 in Best Buy rewards so I used $10 and paid the other $5 out of pocket. They only had a Pre-Owned copy though so hopefully it doesn't look like shit.

I have a hard time spending $40 on a game, period. :\

Not once have I ever paid the full $60 on a game, ever.()

Probably the once-in-a-year exception ($40) of this year was Monster Hunter 3 ultimate for the 3DS. Fantastic game btw.

 

[xeledon20005]

I have no idea where you're shopping, but very few DS games are going to be anywhere near $40 anymore, unless they're very rare or collectable. Go to Amazon and basically every DS game worth playing can be had between $5-$25.

3DS is slightly different, but.....it's brand new, and plenty of deals can be found for below $40.

wish you could say the same about GBA games;

the good titles like

pokemon/fire emblem/ golden sun I,II- they are like 20+ unless you go ebay. Chances are your going to pick up a pokemon game with a dead battery.