Topic: Decided - Should I buy a 3DS?

I'd hold off until the PS Vita releases. Why? It's going to be the same price as the 3DS (at least in the US, European mileage may vary), but it is a lot more powerful. The 3DS hasn't sold to expectations, either. I'm holding out in the hopes that there is a $25-$50 price cut for the holidays.

True, but as we know, power isn't everything. The Vita (pronounced Wita) could end up with a similar fate to the PSP, which I guess is okay to some people. My friend bought a PSP early and never bought any games other than the ones he purchased with the thing. Just last week he said to me, "Oh yeah, I have a PSP somewhere." He literally forgot he had one...

Skip the 3DS, it's worthless.
Your better off with a real gaming console, like the PSP Vita.

It's launch lineup is pretty atrocious. People will be complaining about the Vita the same way they are complaining about the 3DS.

No, power's not everything, but the 3DS, while not doing poorly given the weak launch lineup, certainly hasn't met Nintendo's expectation - and a big factor in that is the high price tag. I don't think the Vita releasing at the same price will help Ninty on that front. It will just make it seem even more overpriced than it does now. There's no guarantee of a price drop (esp. given how Mario sells systems and there are some big holiday games dropping), but given the only "must-have" out now is OoT, it can't hurt to wait.

This is the reason I would and will skip the Vita. I would go with the 3DS if I were you.

LOL, something I actually wanted to pick up in the future!

It really depends on how much of a hardcore Nintendo fanboy you are. Personally, after this year's E3, I had to have a 3DS! At first, I couldn't justify the purchase when the only thing that mildly interested me was Pilotwings. Then Ocarina of Time 3D came out, and I've been loving it. The 3DS has some great built in features that you'll love to show people that haven't experienced the 3DS yet, and the graphics are beautiful.

Your pros are all very valid reasons to grab one. Two things, though. One: definitely sell your DSi. The 3DS does everything the DSi does, if not better, and when I was picking up the 3DS I couldn't justify having a DSi when I have my DSlite for GBA purposes. I didn't see a point in having the DSi anymore, and I ended up only paying 160 USD for my 3DS. Nice!
Two: Excitebike shouldn't influence your purchase. It's not an amazing game, the 3D's cool and everything, but if you don't have the money right now and you're patient enough to wait for a color you want or whatever, I'd do that. Excitebike 3D will be available for purchase if you want it that badly, but getting it for free shouldn't make you want to drop the pounds/euros down on one.

The 3DS has an amazing library ahead of it (Luigi's Mansion 2, among the games you already referred to) and the Virtual Console is great. You can suspend the software at any time and pick it up again, and save anywhere in the game. Incredibly useful in Links Awakening. The circle-nub has been a blast to use with previous DS games, and the VC titles. Overall the 3DS is a great system, and I'm glad I finally own mine!

I suggest you find somewhere that will let you try it first. A few of the launch games are fantastic, but they don't appeal to everyone. If you find a game that you think is worth buying the system for, I say go for it.

The 3DS isn't worthless. The 3DS puts 3D gaming along with movie watching in the palm of ones hand. The 3DS is an amazing device and if one can afford it then I'd suggest buying both the 3DS and PSVita. I'm not one for console wars. I enjoy iOS, PlayStation and Nintendo along with Windows PC. I enjoy each platform for what they have to offer. However, when it comes to getting more value for your money then I say save your money and get the PSVita and wait until the 3DS has a stable library like Mario Kart 3DS, Luigi's Mansion 2, Super Mario 3DS and Animal Crossing.

I read somewhere on the internet that the 3DS is capable of graphics that come close to those of the WiiU and that we haven't even begun to see the 3DS full graphical capabilities but as we move forward we shall be awed by it. I really enjoy my 3DS far more than my iPod Touch when it comes to the dazzling eye candy of the 3D effect on games and videos. No, the 3DS definitely isn't worthless and you'd be far happier with both the 3DS and the PSVita in your possession. The 3DS is great for short bus rides and a popcorn fiesta with your friends while the PSVita will be wonderful for long cross-country road trips and airplane flights while the iPod Touch is great for just popping in your ears to listen to a inspirational tune, sermon or podcast or for watching a short youtube video. Each device is valuable and it's very foolish to go about calling something like the 3DS useless or worthless. Everything is indeed valuable and has it's place in your life and mine.

Yes, but don't buy one yet, as there aren't alot of good games out for it yet (not counting games on the eShop). I can maybe think of four titles worth owning at the moment. Plus if you wait, you may have more money to spend by then. I own one with Pilotwings and I hardly even use it. I probably won't use it until I get Dead or Alive or until Mario Kart or Super Mario 3DS comes out.

Yes, but don't buy one yet, as there aren't alot of good games out for it yet (not counting games on the eShop). I can maybe think of four titles worth owning at the moment. Plus if you wait, you may have more money to spend by then. I own one with Pilotwings and I hardly even use it. I probably won't use it until I get Dead or Alive or until Mario Kart or Super Mario 3DS comes out.

I agree with Jump, the 3DS is worthless. The only handheld you need is the Sega Nomad.

Thanks for all of the replies everyone, it has been really helpful. I've decided that (even though I realised that Excitebike shouldn't be such a pull factor) I will get one. I will probably buy Ocarina of Time and a load of games from the Virtual Console store so I won't be stuck with nothing to play. I was also wondering about the release of the Mario games and how it was rumoured to be on August 2nd. I assume this will push the price up slightly (apparently in the UK the retailers decide the price) but regardless of whether this happens or not, it will probably go up in the holiday season so I figured it's a good idea to buy one now. Also, I really want one, so that's kind of a good reason. xD

Once again, thanks for all of your help.

After price announcement of PS Vita buying a 3DS is a nonsense. Only decent 3DS game is, curiously, a direct port of a N64 game, rest are between bad and terribly bad. PS Vita is cheaper, far far more advanced and with already near 80 titles under development. Excitebike (even for free) is a bad taste joke (what a way Nintendo has to promote their device ...).

Direct port? Someone missed every single news article, review, and video of the game.

I have it, so I pretty much doubt I've missed anything. Few cosmetical changes plus a terrible control scheme, that's all.

Few cosmetical changes plus a terrible control scheme, that's all.

chokes to near death Excuse me, whuuuuuuuuut? Nintendo and Grezzo (who are Grezzo?) rebuilt Ocarina of Time from the ground up for the 3DS, they revamped the control scheme, they revamped the graphics, they revamped the textures, they revamped the whole game, the only thing they kept from the N64 version was the story line and the environments, everything else was revamped to the highest degree.

The control scheme is by no means "terrible", it is a lot harder on the Shadow Temple since you need 3 items going on at once granted, but other than that one pain in the , the game has been brought from perfection into a higher state of perfection along with the Master Quest, a Boss Rush Mode and a Hint System. OoT 3D is beyond "decent," sir...

@dhammerton: congratulations on having made your decision!