I came in here to say 3ds but after reading the OP I say save your money. And if I'm being brutally honest save it until A. a price cut (even if that's in a year from now) and B. the future of the console doesn't look so grim.

Experience, I remember when I did an update to go from firmware 4.2.0-9 to 4.3.9-10, and I had clearly gain an additional 60 to 90 minutes of 3D gaming fully charged.

And now with Firmware 5.1.0-11, I have clearly gotten an additional 30 to 60 minutes battery life. But I only got to enjoy up to 5 hours of 3D gaming for like 1 week because my battery has recently started to degenerate because of the over 500 charges, but I still have a more longer battery life with 5.1.0-11 then I did with firmware 4.5.0-10 & below.

Just playing such games as Mutant Mudds on the go was a great example, because I use to get up to 3 hours unplugged, but then with firmware 4.3.0-10 I was getting Mutant Mudds for 4 whole hours.

Get a 3DS and get Fire Emblem. Then buy a WIi U when Mario Kart, or Smash comes out

If you're going to get a 3DS, be sure to get the XL. I use mine way more than I did the original, besides the larger battery the bigger screen really helps with gameplay and the controls are somewhat improved as well. I also own a Wii U and I hardly use that thing at all outside of an occasional Netflix viewing.

Well I like the original 3ds much more than the XL. In my opinion, I prefer the more portable feeling I get with the original. The screen on the original is much sharper because on the XL, due to the increase in screen size, the ratio of all games are still that of the original 3ds. So the image stretches on the XL, and my eyes can tell the difference. Yea im glad I havnt gotten a Wii U yet, but as soon as Wonderful 101 and Pikmin 3 come out is probably when I will get one.

 I predict you will get your Wii U in August.

I'M PSYCHIC.

okay I just read the release for both games being no later then August for outside of Japan, and no later then July for Japan.

hahaha I guess so! Can't wait though, especially 101, it looks so fun!

The battery life isn't much more and I upgraded my original 3DS with a bettery pack. So far I didn't see a pack for the XL. The bigger screen is cool, I like it. The memory card is to little in any case, I have bought a bigger SD-card in any case.

For me personally I like the XL more, but the differences aren't that big - aside from the bigger screen. That is cool and all, but if he can live with the smaller screen, he should go for it.

Street Pass is really cool... BUT, if consoles are that expensive in his country the possibility is high that not much people bought some. So the chances of a street pass meet might be low. It may depend though, cities have generally a higher probability than the countryside and so on.