I happen to own both systems and to me, the Vita is also better. There's no question about hardware, it's always hard to get back to the 3DS XL with it's inferior displays. You can count every pixel even meters away and the colours don't even come close to the Vita. This also effects apps such as the browser, which is as good as useless on the 3DS but pretty good on the Vita.

Of course hardware isn't a deal breaker, but on the games side, I also see the Vita in advantage. I'm having a hell lot of fun right now with Killzone: Mercenary, there simply isn't any shooter on the 3DS that could compare to that. The gameplay is a blast with two real analog sticks, it's just like a shooter is meant to be played. And the graphics, oh my god, I didn't knew something like that would be even possible on a portable.

Dead or Alive 5 is also on of my favourites. I also have Dead or Alibe Dimensions on 3DS, which is fun, but doesn't come close to the Vita version. In direct comparison, DoA 5+ is better than DoA Dimensions in every single aspect.

Of course Metal Gear has to be on my list, with the HD collection, that I got free from Plus, being much much MUCH better than Snake Eater 3D, which was hyped like hell when 3DS was announced. First off, the graphics are horrible. It looks decent, but it stutters like hell. Then the controls are just bad. You need that second stick for MGS3. The Vita version is better in every aspect and offers more content on top while being cheaper. If you have both 3DS and Vita, it's a no brainer which version to get.

I bought the 3DS mainly for Nintendo games. I got the Animal Crossing Special Edition and that game is also my favourite game for 3DS. There's nothing comparable on Vita or on any other platform. I enjoy it quite a lot, every once in a while, I don't want a challenge, I just want to sit back and relax, maybe hang out with friends. Only thing that sucks is the text chat. It happened to me that I played Animal Crossing with a friend while we talked via the Vita party chat. I'm not kidding.

The first game I then bought was Super Mario 3D Land. It's fun and all, but lacks really new ideas. As I played nearly every Mario platformer there is, it can get boring at times. It's also a very short game, it took me no more than 4.5 hours to get through. Sure, there are additional challenges, but I'm not really motivated to get into them.

I also bought Donkey Kong Country 3D which I enjoyed a lot. I also have the Wii version but didn't like that at all. That wiggling with the wiimote really turned me off, precise gameplay is impossible with that. Luickily, on the 3DS, that is no more, Just buttons, no wiggling. Thanks to that, I played to the end of DKCR for the first time and enjoyed it quite a lot. Not a game on Vita that could compare.

I have Fire Emblem, but I didn't get warm with it. It's just so simplistic, even more than XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Most times the missions are just too easy which isn't fun to me. Maybe i gets better later in the game, I don't know.

What I do like about the 3DS is the Gameboy Emulator. It's the only thing where I use the 3D function. I turn on that Gameboy borders and the green colours and oh boy, it looks just like a real Gameboy thanks to 3D!. Easily the best Gameboy Emulator around. But the games are waaaaaay too expensive.

On the Vita, you have so much games that are just not possible on 3DS. The Walking Dead is easily one of the best games I have ever played and it's on Vita. All the best indie games are released for Vita or they are on their way to the system, even Minecraft. Sure, you can say you hate all indie games, but that would be like, a little biased? Hating everything without even trying, just because it's indy and all?

Overall, I find Vita games to be much deeper than 3DS games. The better tech with better controls and better graphics are just the icing on the cake. Because of the much much better online functionality, many Vita games also offer nearly infinite replay value thanks to multiplayer modes. While with something like Mario, you play it once, maybe even do all challenges, and then never touch it again.

And as a last point, PS Plus is a plus (literally) for Vita. It leads me to trying games I wouldn't have touched otherwise. While on 3DS, I have to pay 40 € just to try a game. Also, I spent around the same money for Vita games than for 3DS games, but I have 20 games for Vita and only 8 for 3DS. With plus, you spend less money and get a better value than on 3DS.

All in all, the Vita is a better system in every aspect, if you ask me. That said, if you like Nintendo titles, theres no way to avoid a 3DS. I all comes down to personal preference when it comes to games. But in terms of hardware, thre Vita crushes the 3DS. Not judt in specs, but also in built quality, comfort and design.

Though I agree having owned both, the Vta is an awesome piece of kit and I love it (I have 2 now) I would certainly pick it over the 3DS. Thats not to say the 3DS isnt also a very good piece of kit, its down to personal opinion and the Vita is more suited to me.

However, you post comes across as very bias towards the Vita. If your going to make comparisons, you shoud try to keep an open mind and be fair.

3DS wins with the games alone.

Well, at last a biased thread that makes the Vita shine better than it actually does.

I stopped using my 3DS over a year ago. I'd like to have a reason or even excuse to use it, but I just don't.

Granted, there are some games on it that I simply can't play on any other platform, and it plays all my old DS games, making it the best Nintendo portable ever (I've owned them all) and unlike a lot of complainers, I actually like the 3D function, even with its limited angle of view and limited effect.

My PSV sees very limited use, determined almost entirely by whether there is a game I want to play on it that either isn't available on other platforms (Gravity Rush), or I just prefer playing on portable (Guacamelee!). I haven't bothered to transfer my purchase of Persona 4 Golden, mostly because it takes 4GB, I don't feel like juggling data and I'm not going to bother buying a larger memory card at inflated prices given the minimal amount of use my PSV sees. I don't use it for anything but playing games, partially due to the extremely limited 8GB of memory I have.

If I had to choose today between a $180 3DS or $200 3DS XL or a $200 PSV bundle, I'd buy the PSV in a flash; no question. I say this entirely based upon my tastes in games; all hardware issues aside. I prefer the PSV on the hardware end for what that's worth and I can objectively say that it is better hardware, which about a billion people will be quick to say is irrelevant because they only care about the games. Nintendo only has a couple of IPs that I still follow after about 30 years of playing their games, so the whole "Nintendo games are only on Nintendo systems" sales tag does nothing for me.

I have both and my opinion is very simply this:

I prefer the Vita. I use it almost every day due to the internet browser and ability to play youtube videos and others (they have been increasing the compatability to more players) like watching anime videos. You can also customise the looks of the UI wich is cool and you can wirelessly connect it to your PS3, PC or PS4 im guessing and you can store or tranfers music.video or games around the platforms. Remote play on PS4 looks like a dream come true aswell. Games wise, its not super though. It has plenty of games to keep you entertained but the meat is actually on the PSP digital titles. All titles are very cheap wich makes them great value for money.
The system is also more confortable to play with in your hand for long periods of time.

The 3DS, has 3D options for fun when you want that. It gives it something no other system has. In terms of games it definitly has more exclusives. Its not too confortable to hold for long periods of time as it will make your hands hurt, but we all need to make sacrifices for good games i suppose. Games also tend to be considerably more expensive than the Vita ones wich is a minus.

I like them both, but i like the Vita more. I wish i could play my 3DS games on the Vita cause its just that more convinient to have everything in one place with all the utility, but oh well... I also seem to have more games for the Vita because they are cheaper while on the 3DS i only buy those i absolutely must have.

I'm just glad i dont have to choose between them cause the 3DS has some games i really like, but my life wouldnt be the same without theVita atm. Its very convinient and its the one i take with me if i know i need to go out and wait somewhere. If i could only choose one i would probably choose the Vita, even though in reality i have bought the 3DS first (it was out first afterall).

The poll doesnt make sense though, so i didnt answer. But if i did, i would probably pick the dreamcast.

For a buyer's guide this certainly is biased.

I can't say I'm surprised.

3DS - *Mario n stuff, you know*
Vita - *every game released by name*

I always find it funny that certain people have such a particular taste in games that none of one companies games appeal to them although they are spread out over a wide array of genres and at the same time all of the games that another company releases apparently hit those peoples sweet spots with every single game they develope even though those games are also spread out over a wide array of genres and even sometimes heavily overlap with the genres the first company releases. That sure is some pinpoint accurancy.

Umm, what?