Posted on 26-Feb-2012

Once and for all: PS Vita or Nintendo 3DS - Which do you think is better?

Sound off in the comments...

It might not gaming's most exciting David versus Goliath match-up but Sony and Nintendo have once again sent forth their portable champions to do battle.

Representing Sony's is the PlayStation Vita, a ludicrously powerful bit of kit that aims to give players both the bite-sized gaming experience popularised by Apple's iOS devices, and also ride with the big boys by offering lavish, console-esque experiences.

Fighting Nintey's corner is the Nintendo 3DS, a system that leverages the incredible mainstream success of its predecessor and introduces risky new 3D technology.

In our PS Vita review we say "expense is undoubtedly the PS Vita's Achilles heel -- £230 is a hefty amount of money to find in famously impecunious times, and its games can set you back up to £40". On top of that there's a significant amount of ancillary expenses required to get the system up and running.

PS Vita Screenshot
"Anyone who buys one will also have to invest in a (proprietary) memory card, because the 16Gb one provided as standard fills up very swiftly. Prospective PS Vita owners will have to be both keen gamers and pretty flush financially."

However, we also said this is an essential purchase if you're a gamer and in a position to splurge a bit of cash on it.

"The PS Vita is, simply, the most powerful, usable and best designed portable gaming console ever. The way in which it replicates the fixed-console gaming experience in a package that you can slip into your pocket is little short of astonishing. It already has a great portfolio of games, including triple-A blockbusters and cheap yet quirky and original download games, and that's just at launch. It's a technological tour de force, yet its high-tech nature hasn't in any way compromised its usability."

At this stage the Vita's biggest issues is the steep asking price. But it also has a very uncertain future ahead of it. The Vita inherits the ethos of Sony's last high-end portable console and as a result stands to fall prey to the same things issues that held it down. The question of whether people actually want blockbuster gaming experiences on a handheld being the biggest among them.

Of course Sony seems to think it has that angle covered by allowing owners to download App-like games that are cheaper and designed for portable, short-burst gaming sessions. But is it spreading itself thin?

Back when we released our Nintendo 3DS review we found it hard to resist the charms of the system and said "Nintendo's glasses-free tech could well represent the tipping point for the technology. If you want an example of a modern day gaming revolution, look no further." But since the system's 3D has proved itself as much a bane as it is a boon.

Reception to Nintendo's dazzling 3D tech hasn't been as overwhelmingly positive as they'd hoped, both because there's a significant amount of people out there that just don't get on well with it and also because it has doesn't jive well with a device without a locked viewing angle.

Although the Nintendo 3DS is slowly building up a strong library of titles, these are mostly first-party games. Titles such as Resident Evil: Revelations stand out as obvious exceptions, but for the most part third-party support has left many feeling unsatisfied. Some would argue the PS Vita has managed to launch with a library of titles that is as strong if not stronger than the library the Nintendo 3DS has built up over a year. We know there's a few people around here that are lovingly cradling their Vitas and shaking their heads with disappointment at the Nintendo 3DS.

So, you're no doubt well acquainted with the Nintendo 3DS and have likely spent some quality time with the newly released Vita. Tell which of the two (if any) you fine readers prefer and why?

If you don't have either, are you planning on picking any of these two up? If so, which one and why?

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Comments

53 comments so far...

  1. 03b2wgm on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Note: I own both, so I feel I'm fully entitled to answer this.

    PSVita wins it slightly for me. Being the more versatile of the two, plus the fact that the technology is more future-proof than that of the 3DS gives it that extra edge. Trying to play Mario Kart 7 online on the 3DS is an absolute nightmare; getting chucked out before the game has even started; this is not what I would expect from a major games company from Nintendo in 2011/12. Whereas in WipEout 2048, I was able to join an online game almost instantly, with no hassle.

    They're both good in their own ways, but PSVita has the edge, I feel.

  2. Imaduck on 26 Feb '12 said:

    NO!!!!

    Why this weekend of all of them?! Dude that is just trolling in the extreme. Expecterised better from CVG.

  3. richard99 on 26 Feb '12 said:

    If you want a 'once and for all' answer ask again in a few years. They haven't really had time to build up a library so for now a lot of their best games are console ports and I don't think either of them quite have a killer app yet. It's the games that'll decide which is better.

    If you just want to look at the potential:
    Vita is more powerful, it has twin sticks and generally tight controls which make it great for genres 3DS probably wont be able to do that well. On the other hand it's not exactly pocket size at the moment so even if it beat 3DS hands down in every other aspect I'd want to wait for a slim/go version and we don't know for sure that it'll be well supported and have it's own strengths and IPs rather than just trying to be a portable PS3.
    3DS isn't as powerful, I see it as a big flaw that it doesn't have a second circle pad and the 3D isn't a huge appeal for me but it is pocket size, it's properly backwards compatible, it's design will stop the screens getting all scratched and most importantly I trust Nintendo to give it games that set it apart and exclusives in it's library that don't have a superior home console version.
    So even if you just look at potential, I'd say it really depends what you want out of a handheld. I guess I lean towards the Vita but I'm not sure yet.

  4. loopholist3 on 26 Feb '12 said:

    I really don't like the location of the joysticks on the PS Vita, and it feels like the touch screen on the back should be multi-touch but the demo i played in best buy did not have that feature

  5. listerofsmeg42 on 26 Feb '12 said:

    There is no competition here the PS Vita is in another league. It is like comparing the PS3 with the Wii, it is laughable. Even try putting them next to each other and have a stranger tell you which is better and your bound to be told the PS Vita because the other is already outdated, not to mention one slider not an analog. The visuals may not quite live up to the PS3 hype but OMG they are beautiful and having such power and versatility in the palms of your hands is amazing. Who cares about 3D a technology that has been around since 1838 when Sir Charles Wheatstone invented the first stereoscope. 3D is a gimmick, old news who cares it is still not very good and few movies are utilizing it as well as Avatar did. But I digress, the PS Vita is a machine capable of easily being relevant for at least a decade, whereas the 3DS is going to need a redesign soon. They even admitted there botched design by making the circle pad add-on, which makes it look ridiculous. The PS Vita is an awesome machine, things can only get better when you come out of the gate on top. This is the best handheld ever made hands down. I suggest anyone on the fence to go try it out and you will be convinced. I have already gotten three of my friends to get the PS Vita, you should to.

  6. KK-Headcharge78 on 26 Feb '12 said:

    I own neither so the GameGear wins.

  7. Sentinator on 26 Feb '12 said:

    3DS. I really don't understand these trolls on the internet claiming 3DS is for kids. IDK I thought it had core games. I think its way better for fighting games. Probably wrong again though :(

  8. El Mag on 26 Feb '12 said:

    None. We should all be outside living life to it's fullest. By seeing friends, going shopping, visiting the cinema with that certain special lady in your life and going out to fine restaurants.

    Or failing any of that s**te happening.....helping to get a Diablo fan laid by taking them to the cheapest local strip club!

  9. 3obz on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Why argue which is better when they clearly both support two entirely different approaches to portable gaming.
    I only own a 3DS but the Vita looks impressive - and both systems can only improve as more software becomes available.
    The next 2 years will really show which is picked up more.

  10. Balladeer on 26 Feb '12 said:

    ...

    You post in hideous blue. Your argument is invalid.

    NO!!!!

    Why this weekend of all of them?! Dude that is just trolling in the extreme. Expecterised better from CVG.

    Oh come on Duckie. That's a little naïve for someone usually so cynical.

    May as well drop in my two cents. For me, based on what I've read, I think that the Vita is actually the better console, albeit worse value for money (those memory cards...). The dual analogue sticks are the big pro, but there's also the battery life to put it over the 3DS, and of course the additional power.

    It's not all sunshine and roses for the Sony console, though. Besides the aforementioned financial problems, there's the greasy thumbprints on the screen that a stylus avoids, and my personal preference for 3D over higher graphical grunt. The two screens are another minor point the 3DS has, and the design also prevents screen-scratching.

    Of course a console is nothing without its games, and I absolutely cannot be trusted to speak without bias here. I will say that Vita had an objectively better launch line-up than its competitor, but said competitor has had the time to start warming its software up now. I'm really looking forward to the 3DS' 2012, and it's already got some killer apps. in the forms of SM3DL and MK7 (03b2wgm , I've had a problem once with MK7 and that was my wireless' fault - how many issues have you had?). If you don't like Nintendo's offerings then it's a no-brainer (although MGSSE3D... Then again, Remake Syndrome).

    In summary (and my opinion), the Vita is the better console, but the 3DS is better value for money and has the better software. These are both problems that Sony can and should address, though.

  11. trolltest on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Firstly, both hasn't the same public as target. 'Gamers' is looking for Vita, while more casual players wants a 3DS.

    Nevertheless, I think that the 3DS is a bit outdated, cause the 3D isn't amazing and the most of time useless, while the Vita shows up as a true 'nextgen' portable. Now, we will prefer playing Mario, Zelda or Uncharted... so the choice will be mainly done by this way, because everyone knows it, you don't chose your console of it's specifications. :)

    However, Vita has greatest specifications that are totally beating up 3DS', so I guess that the Vita is better, but may be a bit expensive.

  12. Balladeer on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Firstly, both hasn't the same public as target. 'Gamers' is looking for Vita, while more casual players wants a 3DS.

    The only really big casual game announced so far for the 3DS is Nintendogs & Cats, and the only upcoming one is Devil Kawashima's House of Fury (my name). Meanwhile there's a huge tide of "proper" games on the horizon, not to mention the few already existing. So... you base this on what again?

  13. El Mag on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Don't fall into the trap Balla, it's late and we're all tired and emotional but just look at his fecking name!

  14. NGP on 26 Feb '12 said:

    I own both. 3DS is ok but there are plenty of things I wish were different. Bigger screens, more comfort, more games on the eshop instead of relying so much on physical game cards. So these things are fixable but it is a question of how long will it take for them to make a 3DS XL and roll out the changes they proposed with the upcoming Nintendo Network.

    Vita on the other hand is perfect to me from day one. It is the first game system in many years that I would change nothing about. I am actually serious that it could displace the SNES as my fave system of all time. It look and feels great and has all the tools to play all kinds of games, like a cross between an iPhone and a PS3. Launch games are great, all it needs to do is maintain quality and consistency with upcoming software and we are in for a treat.

  15. AK47-Mentalman on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Admittedly, own neither, only owned a DS but i'm gonna voice my opinion anyway.

    The Vita strikes out more to me. The DS has some amazing titles, Animal Crossing, Pokemon & Mario games which were definitely social titles and a lot of fun to pick up and play whenever. But the support this time round for the 3DS is no-where near as special in my opinion, not a lot really happening. But, as the article says, the Vita seems to have everything. A lot of support, great titles, next gen graphics and processors. Nintendo are stuck in the past, they need to invest in some proper technology and make a high spec machine that can handle some decent stress from a triple A title. Plus the Vita is prettier, and less of a gimmick, and i've read, easier to develop games for.

    Kinda want a Vita.. but not this year... this year is Mass Effect 3 year

  16. Balladeer on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Don't fall into the trap Balla, it's late and we're all tired and emotional but just look at his fecking name!

    I know, I know! :( I'm right where CVG wants me. Going to bed before I do any more damage.

  17. Fr33Kye on 26 Feb '12 said:

    None. We should all be outside living life to it's fullest. By seeing friends, going shopping, visiting the cinema with that certain special lady in your life and going out to fine restaurants.

    Or failing any of that s**te happening.....helping to get a Diablo fan laid by taking them to the cheapest local strip club!


    I second this! Lets live our terrible lives to the fullest!

    Dont take the bait guys. Please.

  18. Imaduck on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Yeah well Bal I meant what I said, word for word. I guess it's not CVG's fault that these sort of threads tend to spiral downward, but they don't have to stoke the flames man. Then again, they appear to want that sort of crowd kicking around so, who the f**k am I to wish better of them?

    Cynical enough ? :)

  19. MD1500 on 26 Feb '12 said:

    3DS all the way for me. It fits in your pocket, offers unique experiences you can't get elsewhere, and far better value - a 2GB memory card and charging dock is included. If you want to upgrade, you can get a 16GB SD card from Amazon for just £10 - no weird, hyper-expensive cards here. Plus, backwards compatibility with almost all DS titles - you don't have to pay extra to get your old games working.

  20. Razzamoly on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Having taken a gamble and traded my 3DS in for it, it paid off. The Vita wins my vote by a massive margin. I would honestly find it difficult to back to the 3DS. The hardware is better, the games are better. It's just...better. :D

  21. Razzamoly on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Having said that, I wish you didn't need seriously expensive proprietary memory cards. That's a massive turn off.

    Hopefully Sony will lower the prices. I don't want to be stuck with 8GB for ages...

  22. godyd87 on 26 Feb '12 said:

    ooops! lzo lh haha

  23. Cocopander on 26 Feb '12 said:

    I don't own either one but I am in the market. I love my iPhone but want a little more punch to my portable gaming. This article helps and I think overall I would go for the Vita (albeit after a price drop or two).

  24. JBoo on 26 Feb '12 said:

    PSVita :P 3DS is cool tho. PSVita just feels next Gen(for a handheld that is)

  25. toaplan on 26 Feb '12 said:

    The previous "Once and for all -question: BF3 or MW3?" was easier to answer... (BF3 PC wins). I'm not sure about this one. I own a 3DS and find the glasses-free 3D quite special. But I'm a bit worried about the future software line-up for the 3DS after Nintendo's big Christmas push last year. Whereas on the Vita software seems to be more plentiful, even if much of it is PS3 ports. I don't own a Vita yet, but probably will get one eventually. I'll call it a tie.

  26. r3dk1ng on 26 Feb '12 said:

    I am already growing tired of all the negative press the "media" is giving towards the new PS VITA. Or how the media tries to compare Sony's new hand-held with the Nintendo DS/3DS. First of all the comparisons are not valid. The DS/3DS are hand-helds are targeted towards younger and more family oriented markets, where things such as graphics, and high performing systems don't come into play. The VITA however, is targeted to a bit older audience who would rather be playing Call Of Duty Modern warfare rather than making some cute bunny bounce up and down a field of colorful flowers. This is where the VITA is going to shine, especially with it's dual analog controls, quad core processor, and extremely high definition graphics.

    Let's let the gamers speak for themselves and not the market analysts who will never touch a gaming device. I am a gamer, and I really like the PS VITA, it truly is designed for "serious" gaming, and not trying to be your mid-grade family oriented gaming console such as the Wii and DS (3DS). The VITA is about power, performance, control, and graphics.

    I read somewhere where one media analyst was trying to say that market shift to mobile devices and tablets would also destroy the VITA. Seriously? I think it's time to reeducate the masses. Mobile devices and tables will NEVER replace a PC (or laptop), nor will they replace gaming consoles. You will never be able to replace tactile feedback with a touchscreen controller. Mobile devices and touchscreen tablets (while they are nice for surfing the web), will continue to grow and have their own genre of games, but the serious games will stick to the mature console, controllers, flight sticks and racing wheels that has been the industry standard for almost three decades.

    The wet dream of tablets and mobile devices is similar to the wet-dream "of the cloud" -- but that's another story. The PS VITA is a much welcome, and highly desired console with a bright future ahead for it.

  27. r3dk1ng on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Note: I own both, so I feel I'm fully entitled to answer this.

    PSVita wins it slightly for me. Being the more versatile of the two, plus the fact that the technology is more future-proof than that of the 3DS gives it that extra edge. Trying to play Mario Kart 7 online on the 3DS is an absolute nightmare; getting chucked out before the game has even started; this is not what I would expect from a major games company from Nintendo in 2011/12. Whereas in WipEout 2048, I was able to join an online game almost instantly, with no hassle.

    They're both good in their own ways, but PSVita has the edge, I feel.

    Yes, they are both good in their own separate ways. Because they are aimed at separate types customers.

  28. r3dk1ng on 26 Feb '12 said:

    I own neither so the GameGear wins.

    I had a game gear, it does rock :) Did you have the black one or the blue one?

  29. lordirongut on 26 Feb '12 said:

    The Vita takes the cake for me at the moment. Hardware-wise the Vita is basically perfect - comfortable, intuitive controls, excellent build quality and a premium feel that the 3DS doesn't replicate. The 3DS suffers the problem that the PSP did - the single analogue. Monster Hunter Claw is obviously here to stay - you could argue back that the 3DS has the Circle Pad Pro but it's hardly an ideal situation and it's a huge design oversight by Nintendo. The materials it's made from are also cheaper-feeling - it actually feels less robust than the original DS handhelds did. There are also some stupid, stupid design decisions made in games - take Zelda, in which you can't aim in 3D because aiming is performed with the gyros. The 3D in general is actually pretty poor - I've played most games in 2D since I got the 3DS and it's the very definition of a gimmick. Another major problem is its touchscreen - resistive rather than capacitive, which means that it's like something from a 2004 mobile phone. That was fine on the original DS, but it's unacceptable for something released in 2011. After using Apple and Android touchscreens, it's jarring to go back to the 3DS. The touchscreen on the Vita by comparison is essentially perfect.

    Of course, both will live and die on their game selections, and I think that both are pretty even at the moment. Both are still early in their lifespans so neither have really hit their stride, but it must be said that the Vita has had a much better launch than the 3DS did, essentially 'catching up' its game library in week 1. The only thing it lacks behind the 3DS is a fully-featured RPG. The 3DS does seem to have more in the pipeline, however. That said I think that the extra power and better controls of the Vita offer better potential than the 3DS does.

    To sum up, for now, the Vita is better and is looking better. However, as others have already said, the 3DS versus Vita argument will only be resolved in the years to come when we see the software that is out for both.

  30. r3dk1ng on 26 Feb '12 said:

    Having taken a gamble and traded my 3DS in for it, it paid off. The Vita wins my vote by a massive margin. I would honestly find it difficult to back to the 3DS. The hardware is better, the games are better. It's just...better. :D

    Good choice!

  31. MD1500 on 27 Feb '12 said:

    Some would argue the PS Vita has managed to launch with a library of titles that is as strong if not stronger than the library the Nintendo 3DS has built up over a year.

    They might argue it, but they'd be hopelessly wrong. To prove this is a load of donkey offal, let's look at Metacritic.

    The 3DS has 3 games scoring 90% or above.
    The Vita, by comparison, has zero games scoring 90% or above...

    http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/ ... =condensed
    http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/ ... =condensed

    Finally, the highest scoring game on Vita is Rayman Origins with 88%. However, not only is that same game already on the main consoles in far greater definition, it's also coming out on the 3DS too....

  32. brownboy90 on 27 Feb '12 said:

    The 3DS for me. I prefer the type of games on this system. And I won't get robbed playing it out in the open.

  33. Sentinator on 27 Feb '12 said:

    MD and brownboy have my respect. I almost thought I was the only one on this site that likes 3DS better.

  34. Dragovian on 27 Feb '12 said:

    Nintendo 3DS.

    I thought I was going to love the Vita, I really did, but in reality the superior graphics are not enough to give a "wow" factor. I agree the Wii was terribly underpowered compared to the PS3 (or just in general), but this isn't that kind of difference. I'm also not keen on the analogue sticks or the way you hold the machine at its edges. Perhaps worst of all are the loading times - everyone I know is noticing them. They don't bother me all that much, but I think Sony should have scaled back some of the technology - processors, rear touch panel - and spent the money instead on some fast, on-board storage instead of those expensive, proprietary memory cards.

    Actually, none of that is the worst thing. The worst thing is that I really want the machine, but none of the games, and I've no idea whether there will ever be any games I want for it (lack of Japanese support would stop me ever buying it).

    The 3DS, on the other hand, I've enjoyed ever since it launched. Good graphics, good controls (the Slide Pad is genius), decent resolution... Perhaps best of all is the way the overall system works, with both on-board storage and a free SD card. StreetPass and SpotPass are incredible - Nintendo innovation at its best - and allow the brilliant StreetPass Quest and Letterbox.

    The games are also phenomenal. Pilotwings and Ocarina of Time (a very good remake) were enough for me to buy it. Then there was Mario 3D Land and soon enough Paper Mario, Luigi's Mansion 2 and Animal Crossing. The Japanese support is also dynamite (hopefully they'll be released here) - Code of Princess, Etrian Odyssey IV, Dragon Quest Monsters (remake) and Bravely Default: Flying Fairy. Every single game on that list appeals to me more than anything for the Vita.

    So, the Vita is a decent piece of kit. I just hope there will be some games that make me want it.

  35. Jaalii on 27 Feb '12 said:

    The PSVita takes it for me. The games are beautiful on such a small screen and the compatibility with PS3 is awesome. The system is pretty future proof but they have a few flaws. The 3G version is abysmall as AT&T charges you RIDICULOUS data rates. You pay per amounts you use to playing online through a cell tower is going to cost you your arms and legs, litterally.

    They should have taken it a step further and allowed you to use it as a phone too. I would have paid $500 for a phone/handheld gaming device anyday. That way you can hit the app stores through Android as well as have the functionality of the PSN.

    The other major flaw is "The sony flaw". I say this because Sony is ALWAYS known for going against the grain with interchangable media. 8TRAK instead of cassettes, UMDs instead of mini-disks, Blu-Ray instead of HD-DVD(Sony actually won on this one for once) and now they have a memory stick for the PSVita instead of using SD or Mirco-SD. Anything to make an extra dollar, and that is the one thing I can't stand about SONY as a company.

  36. damoxuk on 27 Feb '12 said:

    They aren't even in the same league. One is a tacky cheap design (3DS) and one is sleek and sexy (Vita).

    Note I have both I bought a 3DS on day 1 I also have a circle pad pro which does give 3DS the advantage of triggers.
    But the circle pad pro looks hideous.

    I've played more on my Vita in less than a week than I've played on my 3DS since I bought it last March.

  37. NintyFan on 27 Feb '12 said:

    Not only is this article overly baised but then we have the flood of Sony fanboys who trollalalalala...

    I've read comment about how both systems are aiming at different targets. Vita at the "hardcore" (sick of this sick term that has no meaning anymore) and 3DS at the causal... Uh...umm... But 3DS also hopes to capture core and "hardcore" gamers as well. I'm sick of this Sony fanboy talk about "Oh Nintendo is so kiddy... ONLY A KID WANTS A 3DS!" Grow up, realize not everyone is a carbon copy of you guys.

    Also to the haters of the Circle Pad Pro, there's a reason Vita ain't gonna have a monster hunter for a long while. It's because Nintendo bowed to Capcoms demands for it so the game could play better.

    If history has showed us anything, it's that Nintendo's innovation over power works. Sony really hasn't figured that out, I will say though I did enjoy a few games for PSP but enjoyed DS much more.

    So my vote goes to 3DS cause of the possible innovations that could be done with the 3D. Super Mario 3D Land has already shown us some interesting effects that could be put to good use in puzzle games or be used in say puzzles for a new Zelda. What can Vita do that can't be done elsewhere? Nothing, it just looks pretty... Graphics aren't the thing that make or break a game.

  38. Balladeer on 27 Feb '12 said:

    NintyFan, you're not actually allowed to do anything with the 3D, because some people can't see the 3D. Which is irritating. What about people with colour-blindness who couldn't played Legend of Zelda DX?

  39. Fr33Kye on 27 Feb '12 said:

    Not only is this article overly baised but then we have the flood of Sony fanboys who trollalalalala...

    I've read comment about how both systems are aiming at different targets. Vita at the "hardcore" (sick of this sick term that has no meaning anymore) and 3DS at the causal... Uh...umm... But 3DS also hopes to capture core and "hardcore" gamers as well. I'm sick of this Sony fanboy talk about "Oh Nintendo is so kiddy... ONLY A KID WANTS A 3DS!" Grow up, realize not everyone is a carbon copy of you guys.

    Also to the haters of the Circle Pad Pro, there's a reason Vita ain't gonna have a monster hunter for a long while. It's because Nintendo bowed to Capcoms demands for it so the game could play better.

    If history has showed us anything, it's that Nintendo's innovation over power works. Sony really hasn't figured that out, I will say though I did enjoy a few games for PSP but enjoyed DS much more.

    So my vote goes to 3DS cause of the possible innovations that could be done with the 3D. Super Mario 3D Land has already shown us some interesting effects that could be put to good use in puzzle games or be used in say puzzles for a new Zelda. What can Vita do that can't be done elsewhere? Nothing, it just looks pretty... Graphics aren't the thing that make or break a game.


    MUST NOT TAKE BAIT......Must not point out that in the realm of innovation the 3ds is a f**king joke compared to it's predecessor. Must not point out that 3d is a visual trick which questionable merits that doesn't work for everyone and therefore is unlikely to be an imperative part of any major nintendo game's gameplay. Must not point out that nintendo did not pick 3d to innovate they picked it because they hoped it would be the buzzword to move a bajillion systems and when they realized it didn't they shifted their marketing focus. Must not point out that nintendo are not geniuses for adding 3d. Must not point out that the true secret is that great developers can make great games on any platform for any interface. Must not point out that the circle pad pro is a reminder of nintendo's poor design and the vita's easily capable of playing monster hunter as well without an addon.


    Thankfully i didnt take the bait.

  40. Fr33Kye on 27 Feb '12 said:

    The 3ds is the cheaper, safer option that is likely to sell MUCH more and have a respectable library. The vita is better designed, more expensive and still a risk.

  41. MRHONGKONGDAVE on 27 Feb '12 said:

    The Vita kicks ass and I would include it as one of my all time best buy consoles.

    It is what the psp should have been.

    Zavvi are banging it out at £199 so I can't see how anyone is moaning about the price? I got it on 3G from Yodafone with free memory card and Wipeout which I thought was a good deal. £279 less wipeout £35 less 4gb mem £18 = £226 for 3G £4 cheaper than wifi only. Compare that to some shizer phones out at the mo for twice that and I can't see the price problem, unless you're jobless and then you should worry about getting work not gaming!

    I have briefly played the 3DS and thought it was good but I would say nintendo haven't been aiming at the core gamer since the N64, granted the cube had some great games but it wandered off after a while. They have gone too casual now and are losing fanbase.

    Sorry random rambling!

  42. Padua on 27 Feb '12 said:

    I have little interest in 3DS or iPad. Love my Galaxy SII smartphone but it sucks with gaming. Although I am a great fan of touch games I despise games on touch screens that emulate real controls. That is why Vita wins for me. I don't think it is too expensive but then who wouldn't want it cheaper? It is a shame Sony went with bespoke memory cards but after all they are just trying to combat piracy. I see a lot of potential with the Vita getting ports of many of the upcoming big titles. COD is just one. I will pick one up around Christmas when it is more stable. I prefer to be a happy adopter than an early adopter! 8)

  43. sepewrath on 27 Feb '12 said:

    I think the 3DS will be the superior handheld. Simply because I think the Vita will fall into the same trap as the PSP. It will be nothing more than console games, that you would rather play on a console, instead of a handheld. The 3DS will offer the console like games, but it will more openly fully embrace that its a handheld, separate from consoles, given it greater value to have alongside your console.

  44. stealth on 28 Feb '12 said:

    what? the 3ds has no third party support?

    ARE YOU KIDDING

    SQUARE PUT ROCKET SLIME 3 ON IT

    LAYTON 5 IS ALREADY ON IT

    RESIDENT EVIL 5 IS ON IT

    A NEW IP RPG FROM KONAMI IS ON ITT

    Those are new titles from 4 major japanese devs

  45. stealth on 28 Feb '12 said:

    oh and last week even during the vita launched the 3ds was the number 1 system worldwide,

    And with THIRD PARTY SUPPORT LIKE

    RYTHM THIEF, KINGDOM HEARTS, AND OTHER THINGS ON THE WAY.


    Its going to be nintendo domination all over

  46. theideal on 28 Feb '12 said:

    Anybody that closes their minds to either is an idiot.

  47. Laughlyn on 28 Feb '12 said:

    I prefer 3DS simply as i dont find any teh Vitas games appealing, sure they may be great games and huge blockbusters... to some. for me i'm not interested in many of the games. Even on 3DS, i'm not a fan of Ocarina, its a fantastic game and i've enjoyed the bits i've played but i just dont really care for the big massive adventure games. I liek to pikcup MK7, do a few races n turn it off, The main game i've played is Pokemon, for the past 16yrs pokemon has always won it over for me (i'm 32 in june) i enjoy my BF3 on the PS3 or Forza 4 on 360 but something bout pokemon just draws me in.

    3DS was released way too early with an extremely poor line up, it was too expensive for the market and i think vita will have same. it doenst impress me, its more of teh same from sony, rip off what they can of nintendo, double up on the best bits and plug it as their own innovation. all in all i've recently had the best time in gaming playing Minish Cap on a GBA SP over any of the other games thats been out

  48. TheLastDodo on 28 Feb '12 said:

    Anybody that closes their minds to either is an idiot.

    The best post on here by a clear margin.


    All I'm going to say on this topic is: I've had a great experience with my 3DS so far and looking at the 2012 3DS lineup I don't think I'm going to regret my purchase.

    I'd also like to say cut out all the "Vita is for hardcore gamers & 3DS is for casuals" bulls**t immediately.

    Both systems have their fair share of "kiddy" "mature" and "core" titles so please lets have less of the fanboy drivel.

  49. Balladeer on 28 Feb '12 said:

    I'd also like to say cut out all the "Vita is for hardcore gamers & 3DS is for casuals" bulls**t immediately.

    Both systems have their fair share of "kiddy" "mature" and "core" titles so please lets have less of the fanboy drivel.

    http://jesusfootprints.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/hallelujah.jpg

  50. NintyFan on 28 Feb '12 said:

    The Vita kicks ass and I would include it as one of my all time best buy consoles.

    It is what the psp should have been.

    Zavvi are banging it out at £199 so I can't see how anyone is moaning about the price? I got it on 3G from Yodafone with free memory card and Wipeout which I thought was a good deal. £279 less wipeout £35 less 4gb mem £18 = £226 for 3G £4 cheaper than wifi only. Compare that to some shizer phones out at the mo for twice that and I can't see the price problem, unless you're jobless and then you should worry about getting work not gaming!

    I have briefly played the 3DS and thought it was good but I would say nintendo haven't been aiming at the core gamer since the N64, granted the cube had some great games but it wandered off after a while. They have gone too casual now and are losing fanbase.

    Sorry random rambling!

    Then what's with the 20 year old guys in the 3DS commercials? Aren't they core/hardcore gamers? Well in the US they've been using a group of four guys to advertise the 3DS. They show them playing the 3DS in a living room together. The lastest on has them playing Mario Kart 7 online, getting their butts handed to them by some japanese girls who are laughing about it. If this isn't an attempt to target core gamers than I don't know what it is.

  51. stato257 on 28 Feb '12 said:

    I'm favouring the Vita. I bought a 3DS on day 1 and only ended up picking up a couple of games for it as I quickly got bored with it. Sure, the 3D was the initial draw and props to Nintendo bringing something different to the market, however when I did play it, I usually ended up turning the 3D off/down. I know i'm probably in the minority as DS/3DS are the market leaders but the casual nature and cutesy graphics of a lot of its games just didn't suit me in the end.It got traded in at Xmas.

    The Vita on the other hand seems to be what i'm looking for - or at least from my first week impression. Awesome graphics and sound. Controls 'just feel right'. Wide selection of games - appreciate theres nothing new but it has plenty of my favourites already! It was only £20 more than my 3DS so its wasn't particularly expensive either. Maxing out trade ins this this week has afforded me to pick up a 16gb card and 5 games and i'm loving them all so far (UC, Fifa, VT4, Lumines, Wipeout 2048).

  52. botsio on 28 Feb '12 said:

    i am a nintendo fan to begin with.but even if i wasn't using my economics background.i will definitely settle for the 3ds.sony's psp and now vita have and always be luxurious goods.my dad will have to be filthy rich an oil baron,banker ,lawyer,or may be a drug lord.men! sony has created a powerful handheld no doubt with unquestionable function power.but i quote'it will be hard for them to break the hold of nintendo'.nintendo always factor a lot of things into the creation of their handheld.economic wise it is financially affordable to get and utility is maximized.nintendo thinks of the pocket of the consumer,sony always think about the cash.to them i say good job!but keep dreaming.nintendo is the ish!

  53. darthjam on 5 Mar '12 said:

    Vita's biggest competition is not from the 3DS, but rather the PS3. Most of its games seem to be sequels to home console titles, and how long before its biggest names appear on the PS3 as the original PSP's did arrive on the PS2. While many people play on the bus/train or at lunch most time playing is probably spent at home and given the choice playing in front of the huge tv with surround sound will beat playing on a handheld. I think the 3DS will win because Nintendo have always tried to create a different experience with a handheld to home console. Someone on these comments pages compared Vita and 3DS to like comparing PS3 and Wii, well which one of those sold the most and has been more profitable?