Topic: looking for help. First timer stepping into the nintendo world. Cant decide Wiiu or 3DS

I'm 30 years old. Just an average dude who lives in Wisconsin and loves video games. I'ma keep it real with you 100 percent. This is not fanboy talk, or blind fandom, or anything like that. This is the honest truth right here...

I own a PS4 and a Vita. I also own a Wii U and 3DS. If you asked me what the best system was that I owned, I would, without hesitation, say the Wii U. There IS alot of talk about is not selling or having games, but honestly, most of that is irrelevant or just wrong. Here's what's up- no, the Wii U isn't selling well. Neither did the Gamecube or N64 though. And no one freaked out over those consoles' sales numbers. Forget sales. It may pick up steam, but even if it doesn't, nothing will change. Regardless of whether it sells 20 million or 100 million, two things will remain true: Nintendo will fully support it with some of the finest games ever made, and 3rd parties will not support it regardless of how popular it becomes or doesn't become.

Here's the thing though. You have a PS4 and X1. You have more powerful systems to play 3rd party games on. There is no reason to buy a Wii U for those same, exact games. The Wii U, like all Nintendo hardware, is unique. It thrives off exclusives. Most Nintendo consoles do not get many ports. They haven't in decades. The main appeal of the Wii U is the first party exclusives, and the few 3rd party exclusives. Many will say the Wii U isn't getting many games. But here's the catch: it's not how many games you get, it's how many games WORTH BUYING you get. And the Wii U actually has MORE games worth buying coming this year than X1 or PS4. Fact.

For all the scores of games coming to PS4 this year, the next one actually WORTH BUYING is what, Destiny or Arkham Knight? And those both come in Sept or Oct, and that's if they don't get delayed (which they will). But on Wii U, the next game worth buying comes in May with Mario Kart 8. And that games is like GotY quality right there. Most of Nintendo's games are GotY quality. That's why we love the Wii U so much (and 3DS). New Super Mario Bros U was an amazing 2D platformer. Don't listen to that garbage about it not being a good game. There's a reason it's sold over 4 million copies. Pikmin 3, masterpiece. Wonderful 101, masterpiece. Zelda Windwaker HD, masterpiece. Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, masterpiece. Rayman Legends, masterpiece. Super Mario 3D World, that really WAS GotY. DKC Tropical Freeze, masterpiece. And forget GotY, DKC was Game of the GENERATION> It's that good, it really is. Wii Sports Club- I love that game. The golf you place the gamepad on the floor and can see the club and golf ball in the grass, and you use the Wiimote to hit the ball into the fairway on the TV. Just brilliant.

3DS no doubt has some amazing games, but I'd really have to recommend the Wii U. Some of the best games I've ever played are on 3DS, make no mistake. It's a fine system indeed. But every game on Wii U puts the 3DS to shame. You look at Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate- the game needs a second analogue, and only has online play on Wii U. Plus it's HD on Wii U. You look at Mario Kart 7, a great game, but then watch trailers for Mario Kart 8... to shame I say. You play New Super Mario Bros 2, it's decent. But you play New Super Mario Bros U... to shame I say. You play Super Mario 3D Land, a great game by all means. But you play Super Mario 3D World... to shame I say. DKC Returns 3D is fantastic. Timeless even. But you play DKC Tropical Freeze... to shame I say.

PS4 and X1 will surely see many games coming this year. But how many epic, timeless classics? While those systems will see 100 good games a year, less than 10 will actually be top-shelf games. The Wii U will see at least that many top-shelf games every year, it just won't have the other 90 mediocre ones. And the 10 that the Wii U gets, they'll most likely outclass everything on the other systems, at the VERY least go toe to toe with them. This year we still have Mario Kart 8 coming, Smash Bros 4 coming (looks SO much better on Wii U than 3DS), Bayonetta 2, Monolith Soft's X (sequel to the greatest RPG of the 7th gen), Hyrule Warriors, Fast Racing Neo (like F-Zero), Sonic Boom, and whatever else Nintendo announces at E3. All day one buy type of games. And every last one exclusive. Not to mention Wii U is shaping up to be a one-stop shop for retro games with VC. All VC games have customizable controls, virtual restore points, and off-TV play. And can be played with Gamepad, Pro Controller, Wiimote, or Wii Classic Controller Pro. And that goes for most retail releases too- you get multiple controller options for every game. Play the way YOU want to play. Like motion control for Call of Duty? Go for it. Like Traditional controls for your platformers? Go for it. Like dual screen gaming or off-TV play? Go for it.

Best of all, the Wii U is only $100 more than 3DS, and comes WITH a game, so it's really only $60 more. Yet look at what you're getting for that extra $60 (3DS with a game would be $240, compared to $300 for Wii U)... Gamepad, off-TV play, ultimate VC, full HD and online (like with MH3U), multiple controller options, Deluxe Digital Promotion (all digital purchases through eShop earn 10% back until the end of the year), unrestricted Miiverse, and superior games. I'm not saying don't buy a 3DS. I think you should. You'd LOVE games like Zelda Link Between Worlds, Fire Emblem Awakening and DKC Returns. I'm just saying the Wii U is better in every conceivable way. It's the most under-rated gem in gaming. Vita isn't selling well, but that's because it doesn't have many MUST PLAY games. With Wii U, almost every single 1st party release is a must play game. Don't let its' unpopularity fool you. I own PS4, Vita, Wii U and 3DS. And every console every generation prior. And the Wii U is the best console I've ever owned. Why? The games, and the 3 options to play them (dual screen with Gamepad, traditional with Pro Controller, or motion with Wiimote/Nunchuk).

Buy a Wii U. Then buy a 3DS, cause you won't wanna miss out on those games either.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with the 3DS XL, especially if you do travel or enjoy portables in general, the graphics are starting show their age compared to the newest titles on the IOS market, but the 3DS's library is generally superior to anything you'll find in a App Store,........also, not that the Wii U is a bad console (although I don't think it's great), but when it comes to value for your money and general fulfillment, the 3DS is the better option IMO.

The 3DS has a larger library of games.

The Wii U has a few great, solid titles.

Personally, I'd recommend the 3DS, but if you enjoy home console play more, get the Wii U. Backwards compatibility to the Wii and off-tv play are great.

As a fellow Wisconsinite, now living in Virginia, I have to disagree with your opinion of the Wii U's value compared to the PS4 or Xbone! As a launch customer of the U, I don't see it.

Have you tried non-shooter games on PS? Sony has a wide range of platformers and well, every genre in their first-party. Not to mention there is a lot more than shooters in third-party too. I'm just curious. And to answer the question, I would personally go with a 3DS.

@Sub12
I bought a wii u last november (ps4 release day to be exact) and tbh i've been bummed a couple of times with my wii u, but oh man after playing games like w101 or DK TF i cant play poopoodoodoocacapoopledoople like Thief or tomb raider.

After playing pc games since a while ago im done playing movies, and the best GAMES atm are made by nintento, imo.
_{Please watch the profanity — TBD}

Tomb Raider was one of the best games of 2013 IMO. Being a Wii U launch customer, and just given the lack of releases, it's a bit of a double punch to the stomach,.......as you never have that backlog of games that a late(er) adopter such as yourself has.

I got the system at launch and have a ton of backlog games. I guess I just don't have the free time you do.

I agree with pretty much everything @JaxonH said.

Since both systems are backwards-compatable, I would suggest you take a look at the Wii and DS libraries before you decided. There should be more than enough games to keep you occupied, and most can be found for a good price.

When the 3DS came out, I bought most of the DS games I wanted (since I skipped the DS), which gave me plenty of games to play early in the consoles life-cycle, when there weren't a lot of 3DS games I wanted.

Me personally, I would take Wii/Wii U games over DS/3DS games, but I would recommend getting both eventually.

Can't go wrong with Wii U. It's getting the best incarnations of Nintendo's franchises bar none.

I haven't got a 3DS yet but the Wii U is great and with the 50 unity games coming soon the library will get bigger!

If you're sick of shooters, play something that isn't a shooter. There are heaps on games that you can play on your dual XONEs and dual PS4s.

I wouldn't worry about getting a PSBOX4ONE until GTA 6 (being the only good game) is released because they will be alot cheaper then when all the overhype dies down... If you consider yourself a weeaboo then get a 3DS (only good games are the SEGA 3D classics) but I would go Wii U for the Advanced Ultimate Hardcore Gamer package

Re reading the OP.

Dang man SELL your XBOX ONE. If you can think of 5 games that you want for the console that wont come to PS4 then keep it. Because you CAN think of 5 Wii U exclusives you want. Plus there is always another XBOne in the house anyway.

Honestly that is my advice - sell it (Not to gamestop they will prob give you less, put it on Ebay/craigslist) And use the money to buy a Wii U AND a 3DS.
Pick your exclusives.

Since you often play more at home, then I highly recommend getting Wii U. It's a great underrated console with great first party games coming to it.

Well... this topic has gotten rather silly, hasn't it? Lemme be straightforward:

Here's the deal @OP

Much as I love to tote up the Wii U and how it's CLEARLY the better gaming machine between the two Nintendo systems, trying to compare them is not only pointless, it's hopeless. They exist for two completely separate purposes. The most obvious of which is that the 3DS is gaming on the go and the Wii U isn't. Now, I don't spend as much time at home as I'd like to. I love my Wii U, but I get so much more use out of my 3DS. There's just no denying that fact. HOWEVER, I spend 6 out of 7 days a week going to and from and back and forth. I'm busy. That's why the 3DS is so obvious for me. Given your aforementioned preferences, I'd argue that the Wii U may be more up your alley. BUT

That's not all of the argument, now is it? Games will always play a big part in this. But people are going about it all wrong. The numbers are pointless. You'll never play all the interesting titles on either system, anyways. What matters is direct comparison:

Super Mario 3D Land vs. World: The 3DS will offer a more single-player experience. World will often remind you that you could have more players without even meaning to. World is far more challenging, and looks and sounds far better, but the soundtracks are honestly the same.

Link Between Worlds vs. Zelda U: We don't know enough about Zelda U to say for certain, but this game is hardly one to ignore. If the graphics are anything like the Wii U Zelda demo from E3, and the sound is anywhere near as good as Skyward Sword, you can bet Zelda U will be the better experience, but which is the better game comes to personal preference. Top down or 3D? Take your pick.

Mario Kart 7 vs. Mario Kart 8: Are you seeing a pattern, yet? 3DS is always with you. Wii U is higher quality. 8 also has that nifty anti-gravity. Get them gears a-crankin'

DKCR3D vs. DKCTF: The refined versions of the original revival. TF tends to be more subtle in showing you how hard it can get while 3D tends to beat you over the head with it. TF has some online aspects with the leaderboard, while 3D has nada.

Super Smash Bros 4 3DS/Wii U: Well, isn't this just a big ol' classy metaphor for the whole dang conflict? It's pretty straightforward, really. The Wii U version is going to be better. There's no arguing it. There's no complaining. But the 3DS version will be cheaper. Yet the Wii U version ought to have more content! But the 3DS version can be with you wherever you go.

This entire question can be boiled down to two things: quality vs. convenience and size vs. price. The Wii U is bigger and better, but the 3DS is more affordable and you can always have it on you.

Good luck with your decision.

People suggesting to get 3DS over Wii U, and they come back complaining why Wii U isn't selling well.

To OP, it's up to you. If you like home consoles, go with Wii U. If you like to game outdoors, get a 3DS.

3....D....S. No contest.

If you'll go back and read @UGXwolf 's post, you'll see there's very much a contest depending on how the OP generally plays.