I prefer the PlayStation Vita simply because of the superior hardware and actual analogues that don't require an extra $20.

I really want to say 3DS, if only because I am a big fan of it. But I'm going to try and be fair.

3DS Has:
Classic Remakes
Platformers (So does the VIta, but I think 3DS wins here)
Shooters (Ironically)
A lower pricetag

Vita Has:
FIghters
Racers
PlayStation Plus

Both Have:
Action Adventures
JRPGs

If i had to choose right now i'd go for the 3ds because of the catalogue.
Device-like, as in ooh shiny, i'd go for the vita.

(i like it how people add that this thread is going to explode while everything is still civil... trolls themselves?)

No. I think they're just underestimating the users of this website. In general, we're a nice bunch.

No, it's just that threads like these usually go crazy around 50 posts in or later (like many 3DS vs Vita threads). Thank gaming it is still civil around.

Sorry 3DS fans but you are wrong if you think it's a better system than the Vita. That is like saying a Ford Explorer is better than a Porsche. The explorer is cheaper and probably better for you but it's crazy to think the Explorer is a better car. Just like a Porsche the Vita is a premium product. It might not even be a system you want but that doesn't change the fact it's better hardware.

Factoring in games is pointless because both systems have fantastic lineups. The Nintendo fan prefers Mario and the Sony fan prefers Drake.

P. S. My car is an Explorer, I love it. No way would I waste my money on a Porsche.

And there I was thinking that games defined a system. I guess the SNES is an inferior system to the Atari Jaguar after all.

Don't act so silly.

PSV: Expensive console with cheap games.
3DS: Cheap console with expensive games.

Take your poison.

This thread has so far been pretty civil and fair, something I'm shocked to see on this site (or any site, really, since so many people seem to actively hate the Vita.)

Well, to compare you really have to look at a lot of features:

Shape/Look/Feel/Price:

Vita is a bit more comfortable
3DS is a bit more durable
3DS is universally cheaper

Hardware/features:

3DS has slightly better battery life
3DS has backwards compatibility with DS
Vita has better processors
Vita has a better screen
Vita has better wireless capability
Vita has multi-touch and a rear touch pad
3DS has 3D
Both have equally good sound fidelity
Both have equal memory capability (but Vita is costlier)

Online:

Vita has near, skype, facebook, twitter, and a slightly better online browser

PSN vs Nintendo E-shop:

3DS has the virtual console going back through many Generations
Vita has many PSP games, and Playstation Minis
3DS has Great downloads like Pushmo
Vita has great downloads like Super Stardust, Sound Shapes, and Tales from Space
Vita has the option to download ALL Vita games to the memory card
3DS has the option to download many games, but not all

Games:

This one is really subjective, since not everyone likes the same kinds of games. the 3DS, in my opinion, is a very family friendly handheld that so far relies pretty heavily on Nintendo's First Party titles (which isn't an issue; a good game is a good game). It has good third party support, but only Resident Evil Revelations and Kingdom Hearts 3D sticks out as a must-have title that isn't mario or zelda.

Vita may not have as successful games as the 3DS, but it has a wider variety spanning across more genres and with much better console ports. There's action games, racing games, shooting games, RPG's, and platformers on the system that are all quite good.

Both systems have some awesome ports. 3DS has Ocarina of Time, Star Fox, Super Street Fighter IV, Tales of the Abyss, Skylanders, Cave Story, etc. Vita, on the other hand, has a lot more in the way of ports, such as Persona 4, Rayman Origins, Mortal Kombat, Need for Speed Most Wanted, Disgaea 3, Ultimate MArvel vs Capcom 3, Street Fighter X Tekken, and NEw Little Kings Story. Nobody buys a system for ports, though, even if they are perfected versions of beloved games (zelda and Persona being the prime examples).

Exclusive-wise, both are on equal ground, I feel. a lot of people claim the 3DS has a better game list, but I just don't see how at all. Keep in mind, 70's are perfectly legitimate games, I'm sick of people saying games that get a meta of under 80 are garbage. gonna cut it off at 70, though. 60's can be good too (look at Ragnarok Odyssey), but 70's is where I feel 'good' is. I also try to keep it to games people can relate to and can recognize.

3DS has:

90 - Super Mario 3D Land
85 - Mario Kart 7
84 - Kid Icarus: Uprising
83 - Resident Evil: Revelations
82 - Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask
80 - Theatrhythm Final Fantasy
78 - New Super Mario Brothers 2
77 - Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
75 - Paper Mario: Sticker Star
71 - Pilotwings Resort

Vita has:

88 - LittlebigPlanet Vita
84 - Lumines Electronic Symphony
82 - Gravity Rush
80 - Uncharted: Golden Abyss
80 - Wipeout 2048
78 - MLB 12: The Show
77 - Hot Shots Golf World Invitational
72 - Smart As
72 - Unit 13
71 - Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
70 - Touch my Katamari

So it does skew a bit in 3DS's favor, but considering the Vita has been out a grand total of 10 months and the 3DS is coming up on more than double that, it's doing just fine. Game wise, the Vita is lagging a bit behind in exclusives, but is much better when it comes to ports and the PSN. Vita has virtual console integration, which is awesome, but the Vita has much more to chose from online. on the flipside, 3DS has better support for DS games than the Vita has for PSP games.

Both consoles have comparable libraries with no one handheld coming out the clear victor once all factors are added in (backwards compatibility, downloads, digital only games, ports, exclusives, multiplats). Naturally, it realyl comes down to what kinds of games you like better. If you don't like mario, then there's a good chance the 3DS is not for you. However, Vita still lacks that killer game seller, which mario is.

Hardware wise I give t he nod to the Vita as the much more powerful, capable machine. It has better online, better graphics, better processing speed, a much better OLED screen with better touch capabilities on both halves. However, the price reflects that.

I give my personal nod to the vita, but both systems are awesome.