Couldn't we say that Pokemon Yellow was essentially a Game Boy Color game?

Sony and nintendo products always make a good tandem combo in the livingroom. Sony makes games Nintendo doesn't make and nintendo makes the games sony has trouble making. Its a beautiful living room relationship. DS or Wii U it doesn't matter. Nintendo makes a good secondary brand in any sony household.

Not saying I don't completely understand why they kept very close to formula. Keeping the graphics only incrimental away from each other was probably due to all the game's cross compatibility, which is definitely very cool in its own right. Still, looking at sprites like them after 2010..... am I insane for not being impressed? 

I just always wanted a real 3D Pokemon,  Since PS1 first spoiled me with crappy polygonal 3D i have wanted it. So happy to see Battles in XY are no longer still images that vibrate with really crappy special effects but actual animations. That means the world to me.

Now if Nintendo can get it together and make a full on Pokemon MMO on WiiU I will buy one day one too.

I can't tell the difference.

Will it be on 2DS? If so at least that's a cheap option in terms of buying new hardware.

Geese this thread turned into a pissing contest real fast.

Anyway, referring to your question. If you are just going to play pokemon and nothing else, get a 2DS. It's much cheaper, and will play the game just fine.

If you are going to buy more than one game, get an XL. It's much more comfortable than the original model, and the screen size really makes a difference. I really don't want to play with the original after playing on the XL.

Also, if you are going to buy other games, I would recommend:

Kid Icarus: Uprising
Fire Emblem: Awakening (Best game on system)
Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon
Super Mario 3D Land

Good luck!

The 2DS actually looks quite portable to me...
As others have said, consider Fire Emblem: Awakening...
If you can appreciate a hardcore platformer, I would also recommend Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D...
And there's always Animal Crossing...
It might look like a game for kids, but it's basically crack...
And should you give Kid Icarus a shot, allow some time to get used to the controls...

3DS is backward compatible with DS.....Pokemon Black/White was the best Pokemon since Gold (but X & Y might be better). Still, now that you can, you may as well pick that up too. Also Black 2 has a different over-map, so it's like another Pokemon, and then there is Diamond/Pearl/Emerald, which is another Pokemon......

....Oh and don't forget the Pokemon HeartGold Remake, it's awesome!

Now if you also like Pokemon, and haven't owned a Nintendo console since GBC....let me fill you on on what you've been missing. Fire Emblem & Advance Wars. Just awesome games, get them, especially Fire Emblem Awakening for 3DS.

A few other DS recommendations, Infinite Space, Radiant Historia, Suikoden, Dragon Quest Remakes & IX, Final Fantasy Tactics A2 & Front Mission DS.

That should get you started.

---

Honestly, now that you're planing on buying a 3DS, get f***ing Fire Emblem Awakening. I'm watching you.

and diamond/ pearl to hg ss to bw showed lot's of difference even though they're all on ds.

I think it is also important to note that there is very little freedom on such limited hardware.  I'm pretty sure a LOT of games on old hardware had similar looks to it.