Back in 2004, I grabbed a DS and it was good.  Over the years, I managed to purchase five more DS consoles.  Unfortunately, the DS lost some of its appeal, for me.  I grabbed a PSP in mid 2009 and instantly preferred the console to the DS.  To be honest, I stopped buying regular DS games two years ago in favor of the PSP.  Well, with the purchase of the 3DS, the pendulum has swung back into the direction of Nintendo.  I LOVE this console.  Here's a few unbiased reasons why you should love/buy a 3DS, too (and a few reasons why you should wait)!!

1.  The 3D  works!!  There are times when I look at a game and it just blows me away how clear and beautiful the 3D is.  It's like I'm watching the game world through a window instead of looking at an image on a screen.  It's often right up there with the best 3D movies.  Not only do things seem to go off into the distance, they often seem to pop up out of the screen like I could just reach in and grab them.  Nintendo pulled it off and it's no gimmick.  It's real.

2.  The DS library.  All of the great DS games that you own (with very few exceptions) work better on the 3DS than they do on the DS.  The screen is better, the resolution is brighter, and you can use the analog pad instead of the D-Pad.  Battery life increases dramatically with original DS games, too since the system isn't using a large amount of its power.  I'd wager battery life is triple what it is for using regular 3DS games. *Bonus* Hold select+Start when booting a game to change DS game resolution.  Hold select+Start and press up and down to adjust DS game brightness.  Hold Select+start and press left and right to toggle energy saver mode on original DS games).

3. The Accelerometer:  One often over looked feature on the 3DS is how well the motion controls work.  Take Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D, for example.  When aiming, if you point the 3DS up, Link looks up.  Point down and he looks down.  Spin in a complete circle and so will Link!  It really enhances the feeling of immersion in the game world and combined with the 3D create an awesome effect.

4.  Graphical Powerhouse:  When the DS launched, it had roughly the power of an N64.  The PSP was sporting power of almost PS2 levels.  Of course, it's always about the quality of the games but great graphics never hurt.  Well, the 3DS is sporting some graphical punch under its hood.  A game like Super Street Fighter 4 looks almost as good as its PS3/360 counterparts (and it's just a launch game).  Games like RE Mercenaries and Beyond the Labyrinth push the system even further, graphics-wise.  The line between what's capable on the PSV and 3DS won't be as pronounced as they were when comparing a PSP to a DS.

5.  Augmented Reality Games:  You've seen the tech before but the 3DS has it, too.  Put a card on your table (or in your hand) and a dragon will burst out of it.  It's right there in 3D in your world, in front of your eyes!  Walk around the item and you can see it from behind, above, or whatever.  While the 3DS packs nothing more than a demo, expect games like Kid Icarus Uprising to push this feature to the forefront.  Even free software like Face Raiders does a good job of showing the potential of AR Games. Again, Nintendo is taking a unique technology and making it mainstream.

6.  "Harcore" support:  It's just the beginning.  While the DS had its share of great, hardcore games, much of the mature audience preferred the kinds of experiences that were only available on the PSP.  Games like Metal Gear, Tekken, Silent Hill, and such just weren't the right fit for Nintendo's previous portable.  Well, with the 3DS, that image is changing.  Already, the 3DS is getting its share of more mature titles from series like Resident Evil, Street Fighter, Metal Gear, and more.  While managing to appeal to young people, it's making great steps to appeal to the  older crowd, too.

7.  Cheap thrills:  Cell phones/Tablet gaming has spoiled us with their cheap and free software.  These games offer fun and addictive software at bargain basement prices.  The 3DS eShop offers these types of games, too.  Lots of cheap thrills ranging from free (ie: Excitebike and Pokedex) to a couple of dollars.  It even offers full fledged versions of regular Gameboy games with other past portables (including TurboGrafx-16 titles since the Turbo-Express portable played the same games as the console) for dirt cheap prices.

8.  Street Pass:  Not a gamechanger, but a nice little bonus.  The 3DS features pretty powerful (if not well structured, yet) online capabilities.  My matches in Super Streetfighter tended to be pretty flawless (though lag factored into probably one in every seven matches).  Well, with Wi-Fi enabled on the 3DS, there's a few other features.  You can send your Mii and some info about yourself to other people just by walking past them.  You can have your system and characters fight theirs without you even knowing it.  Sometimes, your console will download content and you'll have no idea it happened until you get home.  It's a fun little perk and, along with the built in pedometer, encourage me to take my 3DS everywhere I go.

9. The little things:  A 3D camera, an Activity Log that tells you everything you've played, how often you played them, etc., a built in pedometer to tell you how many steps you've taken, music player, customizable online settings and menus, universal friends lists, ability to interface with the Wii (and eventually, the Wii U), powerful web browser, free software, 3D videos, etc. make the 3DS an enticing package.  And best of all, it's just the start.  The 3DS has the ability to add new features.  Possible upgrades include Netflix Support, media player, 3D movie partnerships, messaging support, and more.  If Nintendo can come up with it, the 3DS has the power to do it.

10.  It's Nintendo!:  Since 1989 (Even longer if you count the Game and Watch games), it's become apparent that in the world of portable gaming, you don't bet against Nintendo.  These guys have built a portable gaming dynasty over the decades.  Plus, where else are you going to find future classics like Super Mario Bros., Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, and other Nintendo franchises? 

And now, a few reasons why you may want to hold off on your 3DS purchase:

1. "3DS has no games":  Not entirely true but if you look at the current 3DS library, you'll find some disappointing titles (Steel Diver, Pilotwings), some ports, (Zelda 3D, Super Street Fighter), and some quick cash-ins (Green Lantern, Res Evil Mercs).  Yeah, there's some fun to be had but the REAL 3DS games haven't arrived yet.  Holiday 2011 should fix that.  In the meantime, what's the rush?

2. No current video support: Yeah, the 3DS has the power.  Time and time again, I've instantly streamed video from the Nintendo eStore to my 3DS.  The video plays with crystal clear clarity, too.  On a few occasions, I've saved video from the Store to my portable.  So WHY can't I save movies to my 3DS's SD card?  Why doesn't youtube (or any video) work on the 3DS browser?  The power is there.  The function is not.  For that reason, I'm still carrying my PSP when I leave the house, in addition to my smartphone and 3DS.

3. Weak Camera:  The 3DS camera gets the job done when it comes to playing AR Games but when it comes to recording video (it doesn't) and taking pictures (low resolution), it doesn't cut the mustard.  For the premium price, would it kill them to toss in a decent camera?

4. No multi-touch: At a time when smartphones, tablets, and competing portable consoles are offering touch screen enabled games, was it a wise move for Nintendo to leave multi-touch out of the 3DS?  The touch screen was the big (for lack of a better word) gimmick for the original DS.  The touch screen has evolved but, with the 3DS, it seems we have the same touch screen that we've had back in 2004--stylus and all.  Once again, Sony it going to take something that Nintendo originally popularized and do it better than Nintendo (And why no dual analog, Nintendo?  It's a no-brainer!!).  History repeats itself.

5.  It's Nintendo!:  The 3DS costs a whopping $250.  I'm not at all disappointed with my purchase but you know as well as I what's going to happen.  We're going to get a price drop.  We're going to get a 3DS XL, 3DS Lite, 3DS Slim, 3DSi, 3DS Micro, 3DS Plus, 3DS 2D, and whatever else Nintendo can come up with.  It's a good console, now.  It will be improved upon, later.  It's the Nintendo way.

*Edit*  Nintendo has added Netflix support to the handheld as of Friday.  It works very well but does require a Wi-Fi hotspot and a Netflix account.  Even some high end smartphones (Like my Motorolla Droid 2) don't even offer this option.  It's a nice bonus for anybody interested.

I wanted to get the 3DS But cause of your hold off reason #5 is why I don't want to get it now. Drop maybe $200 or maybe a little low I'll buy one, by then it will have a lot more games for it too!

The point about the touchscreen isn't entirely a negative. There are a lot of positives behind using a resistive screen instead of capacitive. Some of those include cheaper production, being able to use a normal stylus, and vastly greater precision. If you ask me, while multitouch WOULD be nice to have, it may not necessarily be the best choice for the Nintendo crowd.

Price IS the biggest detractor, though. That's so much for a handheld.

Good post.

I kinda went through the same thing. I bought a PSP in 06 and a DS in 08. I only had 3 DS games! Pokemon Diamond and Soul Silver, and Mario Kart. All great games but after i beat them, I lost all interest in my DS and gave it to my sister, and the games to my little brother. As for my PSP, still have it but rarely play it. I usually only buy like 2 games every year for the past 3 years, but have sold many that i bought for it the first few years. Anyway both great consoles but i prefer my PSP.

Up until this generation i was always a Playstation (Note: Not "Sony" :P) and Nintendo supporter. Although there is a Wii in the house(my bro's), i don't game on it. (Only completed NSMBW and DKR, occasional MK). I still cant bring myself to get my personal one.

Anyway, my point is, as a gamer, Nintendo has failed to draw me in. I still play my GC, but see no reason to buy a Wii. I like the 3DS, but it doesn't currently have the games and it's a little to expensive. When it comes to paying $250, i'd rather buy the Vita. Also, there are only a few games I'd like to get on 3DS:
RE:Revelations
Paper Mario
and Mario Adventure game
There are a few others like Star Fox and Kid Icarus, but it just isn't enough to warrant a purchase.

EDIT: Just to add, I'd rather buy another DS(XL) than a 3DS mainly due to price and library(Note: I know 3DS is BC)

I will maybe buy a 3ds when Nintendo starts doing some new IPS i don't want mario over and over and over.

Also, it doesn't play my GBA games. Unless something has changed that i don't know of.

I was hyped for the 3DS but when I played the demo of Pilot Wings and Super Street Fighter, my excitement waned.  The 3D wasn't used very well in those games.  But after I bought one (solely for the updated Legend of Zelda), I became a believer.  And best of all, after the intial period of getting used to it, my eyes have adapted.  I only play on the max 3D setting (unless I'm using the motion controls) and I play for hours on end without a problem.

This is just why everybody should keep their older systems when they get new. I still have my N64 and GCN, and my GB, GBA, GBA:SP, DS Lite, and DSi XL.

True but that's not necessarily a strike against the 3DS.  I mean, I'd love if my Wii still played my N64 games but it just can't.  I wouldn't call it a con.  I just keep my N64 (at my mom's house).  Most of my PSP games are digital download.  Maybe 25 out of 30 or something like that.  When I buy a PSV, it'll be for the PSV games.  Any game that gets backwards compatible support is welcome but not a must.  Like thetonestarr said, just keep your older console for when the urge to play the older games arises.  It's not like home consoles where space under the TV is so important.

i dont think anyone should wait to get a 3ds, i have decided against a psvita because its a ps3 lite and it doesnt offer me anything new that i want or am excited about, just my personal opinion.
also the 3d effect is so well done without the need for glasses, it makes me excited for when the tv's get to that point.
ocarina of time 3d,resident evil mercenaries 3d,dead or alive dimensions are 3 games to show what the 3ds can do so early in its life.
the 2nd half of this year is gonna be so huge for the 3ds , the game lineup is brilliant and i will be buying around 10 games at least.