Topic: Wii U or the 3DS family, if you could only choose one?

3DS for obvious reasons.

Too easy. I'd go with the 3DS. To start, it's b/c with the best software library Nintendo has created in my opinion: the Nintendo DS's. Most of the games on the Wii U for me really haven't hooked me in like 3DS games have either. Super Mario 3D Land in particular I think is possibly the best designed game Nintendo has made since Xenoblade Chronicles, only really contested by A Link Between Worlds also a 3DS exclusive. Hardware-wise, I'm not quite sure what the Wii U is trying to be. I personally play the Wii U mostly like a handheld, and as a handheld, I think it's inferior to the 3DS and especially the 2DS. Graphics for the Wii U has so far been a non-factor outside of Mario Kart 8, where the enhanced detail made a significant difference on my impression of the experience. On the other hand, the 3DS has been impressive and has exceeded my expectations. Super Mario 3D Land, Kid Icarus Uprising, A Link Between Worlds, Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon, Pokémon X, Mario Kart 7 and Dead or Alive Dimensions have met or exceeded my expectations for the system's output. With Smash Brothers 4 coming soon to the 3DS, it's just going to add to the great experience I've had with the 3DS/2DS and will only make me look to handheld gaming more. If that version leaves me satisfied enough, I'm considering saving $60 later this year.

3DS due to the sheer quantity of great games and even with having owned it for over 3 years now there's still games already released I'm only just coming across now like Kid Icarus Uprising. The Wii U will likely be in a similar position by the end of next year but right now, games I've played on other platforms like Splinter Cell Blacklist and really special tournaments like Nintendo Life's Mario Kart 8 one with 2015's Wii U games as top prize has been the only things keeping me playing Wii U at current (and my 3DS running out of battery life every day but that's my fault for not owning a 3DS XL yet).

This comparison doesn't really make sense, while both systems share some types of games they are vastly different and this is reflected in their library. The main reason the Vita is in fail state right now despite its superior hardware is attributed to it being a mini PS3 with the exact same experiences on offer.

I need both in my life, anyone who only has access to one is missing something truly wonderful.

I guess 3DS at the moment but that could always change

Totally agree

If you can literally only afford one then it depends on when you can game the most, at home or on the go. Wii U is a great offer with some of the best games of this generation (so far)

I'd go with Wii U. Most of the games I've really enjoyed on 3DS like 3D Land, Mario Kart and Animal Crossing I can or am likely to enjoy equivalents on Wii U. Then there are games like Luigi's Mansion and Kid Icarus which I could see working on the Wii U just as well or would be ok with not having given I can get games like Pikmin, The Wonderful 101, Bayonetta etc. The only thing I'd be missing out on was Pokemon which is a pretty huge loss but... that's one loss...

More to the point as of right now the two games I'm most interested in are Bayonetta 2 and Smash Bros. I'll be getting Smash on 3DS and that's maybe the only 3DS game I'll get this year. But even then Smash on 3DS is more about getting a little bit of Smash in while I'm not at home. I think overall I'll still enjoy Smash on the Wii U more.

I own a Wii U and not a 3DS. So there's my answer (I will buy a new 3DS once it's out though).

Well using your family word in the topic title. I think of it this way.

The 3DS is like a nice lush family tree, very healthy, lots of leaves and branches, it's a hybrid tree too which has lots of things on those branches too.
The WiiU is like the Charlie Brown Christmas Tree, a few nice ornaments, a few pretty needles, but overall stunted, short, limp, and sagging to the side. To buy it like he did you got to love an underdog that'll just be rooted as it is and ever will be.

Sub12 put it best, a great combo is PS4 and 3DS. You get the best of both worlds, scratch any kind of gaming itch really, and no reason to feel short changed.

If you held a gun to my head, I'd say 3DS, but I do enjoy having both...