So then...

I would like to buy a new portable system (even if neither of the ones mentioned are truly new, but they are new to me! ), and cannot decide between a Vita and 3DS.

There are pros to each - I consider the following important:

Vita:

• Nice piece of hardware, can play my PSP games.
• Remote play with PS4.
• Many superior versions of older PS3 games, a liiiiiitle bit of nice exclusives.
• ...otherwise, few big titles, few exclusives, etc. it's a real problem in deciding to splurge a large sum of cash. I am not interested in most ports, which seem to be a huge chunk of Vita's better games.

Thanks

...don't recommend a Switch, reason why can be seen two posts below =P

Do you have a Switch? I'd rather recommend that if you dont.

MonHun - so 3DS.

I skipped games from Vita/3DS times that I wanna play before moving on to Switch. I know the system looks good (great E3, as well), but, it's lacking in portability for my taste - a bit too big, and I need a truly small device (no dock preferably, I will be out of my home for more than a month).

3D function has a little bit of anti-aliasing which make the games look better, and it has Smash, and Mario, and Luigis Mansion 2 adn Nintendo just made a statement that said "We will support 3DS beyond 2018" https://mynintendonews.com/2017/06/16/nintendo-says-it-will-support-the-nintendo-3ds-beyond-2018/

3DS, by far.Its not even a contest.You buy the hardware to play the games, and that is what the 3DS has, with a gigantic advantage

Why be convinced? Buy both :-p neither are that pricey

Xen said: So then... I would like to buy a new portable system (even if neither of the ones mentioned are truly new, but they are new to me! ), and cannot decide between a Vita and 3DS. There are pros to each - I consider the following important: Vita:   Nice piece of hardware, can play my PSP games. Remote play with PS4. Many superior versions of older PS3 games, a liiiiiitle bit of nice exclusives. ...otherwise, few big titles, few exclusives, etc. it's a real problem in deciding to splurge a large sum of cash. I am not interested in most ports, which seem to be a huge chunk of Vita's better games. 3DS: Many more genuinely exclusive games! Good, strong design. Clamshell is a pro for me. Shin Megami Tensei titles. Allows girlfriend to use it to play Pokemon (I don't like Pokemon, however). ...however, lacklustre online infrastrcuture, no compatiblity within my.. ecosystem I guess. I have to say, that I find either one to be a bleak shadow of either the PSP or the DS, which is why this decision is so hard for me - I can easily afford both, just don't have time for both at the same time... therefore, I need this community to convince me into buying either one. I like just about any genre, so you have a good range to use to convince me. Thanks ...don't recommend a Switch, reason why can be seen two posts below =P

Do consider the pricepoint, as well. The new 2DS xl costs 150$ and you can get an old 2DS + a game for 100$, while the newer vita models are closer to 200$, not to speak of extremely expensive peripherials (60$ memory cards...)

Vita. You'd be surprised at how many games it actually has, when you really look at it. Vastly under rated library. I have at least 250 games. lol. Sorry I can't recommend anything atm. In a hurry. Will edit later.

3DS (here are some good games):
- Fire Emblem: Awakening and Fire Emblem Fates
- Donkey Kong Country Returns
- Super Mario Maker
- Kirby: Triple Deluxe and Planet Robobot
- Professor Layton series
- Mario Tennis Open
- Bravely Default and Bravely Second
- Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
- Mario Kart 7
- Super Smash Bros.
- Super Mario 3D Land
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
- The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D
- Harvest Moon and Story of Seasons games
- Resident Evil: Revelations
- Project X Zone
- Mario Sports Superstars
- Etrian Odyssey IV
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth
- Yo-Kai Watch games
- Scribblenauts: Unlimited
- Shin Megami Tensei IV

+ Virtual Console

EDIT

Metroid: Samus Returns will be available September 15, 2017