i posted a thread a few months ago about this same topic, but im bringing it up again since theres more information regarding certain consoles and what not.  let me start by saying im definitely getting vita within the first few months it is out.  second, i am an rpg fiend and thats the whole reason why i want to get a ds or 3ds is for the rpgs and jrpgs.  with these few ideals in mind, would it be better for me to get a ds and save a 100 bucks to play the 5-6 rpgs i want to play or should i just say screw my budget and get a 3ds?

3ds man it has some good rpgs coming like kingdom hearts and tales of the abyss. And when you get more money you can buy the ds rpgs for cheap anyway.

imo find a good used dsi on ebay.

I just bought a "used" dsi on ebay that has one very minor outside scratch, no scratches on the screens and came with a very nice case and 6 good games for $90. Just shop around and make sure to look carefully at the pictures, dont buy ones with stock photos, and don't buy from the big ebay sellers and you can find a dsi thats as good as new for very cheap. I personally wouldn't get a 3ds at least not for a while.

Being a DS, DS:Lite, DSi and 3DS owner as well as an RPG fan. I would say screw budget and get a 3DS. Their are many great games coming to 3DS and their will be continuous new games coming for the next four to five years. If your going to own a Vita then owning a 3DS is essential to experiance everything the handheld gaming world has to offer.

3D is amazing and I can't wait to see what Square and other developers/publishers do with it in RPG's. Its only a 100$ that might sound like alot but when you look at the experiance and the fun your going to have, its worth every penny. I bought 3DS day one and haven't looked back the device is great and since your getting Vita your going to want to be able to play games on the latest Nintendo handheld as well.

Unless you are a "Nintendo hater" but as such I don't know why you'd want a DS. Think of it this way, in a year or so a DSi will cost like 40$ in your local flee market. But 3DS will still be at least 200$. If you really don't want 3D and you don't care to buy future RPG's and Nintendo titles then I'd say wait for DS to drop in price some more.

So the run down.

-If you want bang for your buck, you want the latest and greatest RPG's and all the RPG's DS has to offer. Then 3DS is the console for you

-If you don't care about future RPG's, you don't care about the Nintendo titles and the third party future titles, you just want to play those 6 RPG's and you want to play them now, then a DS:Lite is the answer

-If your in no rush and don't care about future games and content, you don't want to spend much. Wait a year and get a DS in your local fleemarket or Ebay!

get the 3DS, it will have an RPG library of it's own shortly. The only reason why you might prefer a DS or DS lite is if you wish to play GBA RPGs, if you don't already own one.

The 3DS is far superior - I recommend it infinitely.

I say to buy the 3DS if you have the $.(Don't not eat for a week just to buy it LOL)

3DS has some cool games coming and should get a good amount of support in the future. Also, you can also play the DS games you wanted on the 3DS.