Topic: Should I... should I not...?

I know this has been asked many times, but please hear me out.
I've never owned any gaming console before. I only have my phone and laptop to play games on. So you can say that I am just a casual gamer. I thought of buying Nintendo Wii U and Just Dance 2014 for the family this holiday and they approved. Now, I also thought of buying Nintendo 3DS XL (bundled with Mario & Luigi Dream Team) and Super Smash Bros. for 3DS. Maybe even Pokémon X. But it got me thinking, I only play games on my phone whenever I'm waiting for something. Cut the Rope/Angry Birds/Zombie Tsunami have always been fun playing while waiting. So is a 3DS worth it for just that? Should I buy one for only that reason?
Thank you for replies.

They're both worth getting. Very good systems.

P.S I recommend getting the Wii U version of Smash Bros. because it has better controls and more content.

More fun playing with a 3DS then a phone really...well from what I played, many fun games on and coming to the 3DS and Wii U, and if that wasn't enough, the more games you buy, the more you are rewarded with coins/stars from Club Nintendo which is a reward system that benefits you! something phone games does not offer.

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is the ultimate time sink for casual gamers. A friend of mine is similar to you, only played games on her computer, but she bought a 3DS last year and racked up like 400 hours on New Leaf...

Wow such quick replies! Much like! Hehe
Okay but I'll probably buy the Wii U first. I can't afford to buy em both at the same time. >.<
What games do you recommend from 3DS aside from Animal Crossing?

Depends on how much you care about playing proper games. I'm not saying mobile titles are worthless, mind you. They're time-wasters that generally serve their purpose well. But the level of quality and attention to detail you'll find in a Nintendo handheld game is worlds beyond almost anything available in mobile markets.

If you're mainly getting it to play during down periods, I'd recommend a game like Smash, Mario Kart 7, or Animal Crossing: New Leaf. All of those are excellent in short bursts. Mario and Luigi: Dream Team is fun, but it's also an RPG, so it requires a bit more of one's time to really sink one's teeth into it. Same with Pokemon. Whichever way you go, you'll still end up with significantly more meaty experiences that you would with an Angry Birds-type mobile game.

I really love the community here!
Thanks so much for the recommendations!
I just realized there is a new 3DS XL which may come out in 2015. I think I'ma wait for that one instead.
Whatya think?

Would be the best thing to do.

Super Mario 3D Land might be good for casual gaming.

If you plan on buying both, buying the Wii U this holiday would be a good idea, then wait for the New 3DS to come out. Then you'll have games to play while you wait for the New 3DS.

So yeah I agree, getting the Wii U for the family this holiday is a great entry, Just Dance 2015 just came out BTW, so you can look into the most recent version, I have yet to play it, so not sure if its worth getting the latest game. Waiting for the New 3DS is worth it, or if you don't care infinitely about the newest hardware (which for your needs might be a reasonable assumption) than waiting for the new 3DS to release should save you tons on the older model. In terms of 3DS games, since you mentioned Animal Crossing, I'm inclined to suggest Fantasy Life, it adds basic RPG elements and storyline to the game as well as choosing your profession, so its an expanded Animal Crossing++ and well worth it.

It'll be an improvement over the older model, and the price will be similar to the older model, so waiting is probably your best play.

We bought the Wii U and one 3DS last year and shortly after, purchased a second 3DS. Someone in my house play all three daily. I think there's honestly something for everyone except for maybe sports titles and simulation racers. Other then those, they both have something for everyone.

My recommendations for casual play are:
Wii U: Super Mario 3D World, Mario Kart 8, Game & Wario, Rayman & Nintendo Land; for something a little more challenging: Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze
3DS: Tomodachi Life, Super Mario 3D Land, & Professor Layton

Absolutely! Big difference and improvement over mobile gaming. With Nintendo especially, there are quite a lot of pick-up-and-play games that you can play for the odd 5 minutes here or there. 4 3DS games for example. Each of which are worth about 20 mobile games in terms of how much entertainment they'll provide:

-Super Mario 3D Land
-Mario Kart 7
-Fire Emblem Awakening.
-New Super Mario Bros 2.

I suppose it depends on what you're looking for. If the only time you'll ever use it is when you're, say, waiting in line for something you'll probably be disappointed. If you're looking for something to spend 10-20 minutes at a time doing, it's might be worth the investment.