Nintendo 3DS vs. PS Vita: The Portable Gaming Device Battle Royale

JBH looks at the Nintendo 3DS and the PS Vita in an attempt to decide which is better.

[KentBlake]

I own and love both. The Vita is definitely the best system, and it has PS+. That said, the 3DS library is excellent.

But in the end, I use the Vita a lot more. Maybe because I like the Nintendo franchises, but I don't LOVE them like most people.

[MightyNoX]

Props to you for owning both. Both are excellent and both excel in their individual strengths.

Barring that, the 3DS had a legendary year in 2013 and 2014 looks to be the year of Vita.

I wish them both the best and hope they're not the last dedicated handhelds.

[PrinceOfAllSaiyans]

"2014 looks to be the year of Vita".

I highly doubt that, what does the Vita have coming besides ports from old games like God Of War, Sly Collection, and Borderlands 2 ? I'm trying to find a reason why to buy a vita but clearly Sony puts no love into this thing at all. Except for a gazillion indie games. Enlighten me on games coming for Vita besides ports. You can't play Persona 4 Golden forever.

[Gooch_suplex_Hold]

@Prince I like how you missed some games like Danganronpa, Freedom Wars,Ys, Arkita's trip 2,Project Diva F 2nd, Persona 4: Dancing All-Night,Hotaro No Nikki,Conception II, Soul Sacrifice Delta, Gravity Rush 2, Blazblue CP.

[MightyNoX]

@gooch: not to mention Super Danganronpa 2, Neptunia: PP, Minecraft, Deception IV and other recent releases like Toukiden and Ys.

[3-4-5]

I've had the 3DS since 2012 and a Vita for about a month now.

I've had more time to play more games on my 3DS, and thus I've had a much better time and experience with it because of GAMES.

* Once I play more games on the Vita I'll be able to evaluate it better, but I definitely like it so far.

* 3DS Offers more games, and a much better variety

* Vita has better Quality Visuals

* 3DS has IMO, games that are more fun and offer more replay value, but that is only from my personal experience and most likely you won't feel the same, because everybody feels different about each game.

* Vita & Wii U are kind of in the same boat in that that will have more games and are starting to release more, but it's going to be another year before a TON of games are on them.

3DS had a nice push around the end of year 2 so look for the same for the Vita & Wii U.

* You can't go wrong with either one as both offer great games.

[Venoxn4g]

Both handhelds are amazing, I love both and I recommend 3DS XL version

[knifefight]

They both have so many great games. Both very impressive systems.

3DS you got Shin Megami Tensei, Fire Emblem, Mario 3D Land, Bravely Default, Etrian Odyssey, Animal Crossing, Link Between Worlds....

Vita's packing Gravity Rush, Soul Sacrifice, Persona 4, Hatsune Miku, Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD, Uncharted, Unit 13, Wipeout, Tearaway, Katamari....

So good.

[slivery]

Why choose which is better when you should just get both? I play both everyday.

I mean if you want to get real technical though both systems have their ups and downs. I could never say which is honestly better as they balance out pretty evenly in my opinion. I could only comment on what each system could improve on but really no sense as most my improvements are all hardware based so not much you can do about that besides wait for the new handhelds to come along.

The next handhelds by Playstation and Nintendo are going to be awesome. These are awesome enough as it is.

I'll be real mad if Nintendo removes 3D from their next portable though, real mad. I can't play my 3DS without the 3D on, no, I can but I prefer not to. I love glasses free the 3D, every screen in the future will use this, you watch.

[nameen]

Stupid comparisons, each system are good and unique on their own way.

[Team_Litt]

More like beat down.

[Summons75]

3ds has many games plus backward compatibility and is in-expensive for the hardware and software. Vita has very few worth buying games and is very expensive to buy after memory card and game with no backward compatibility besides what's on PS n.

Both are great systems but Sony fumbled the vita, people say the wiiu has no games but the vita has less.

(Own both and play both on occasion)

[lemoncake]

If I could only get one then the 3ds xl would be my choice. Nintendo have put a lot more love into supporting the device and providing it with its own identity compared to sony.

[nope111]

The Vita is better imo. The library of games is much more vast and appealing than the 3DS, also things like sleek UI and party-chat really hits the sweet spot.

[Summons75]

You're kidding right?

Sure, the UI on the vita is a lot smoother and a lot more customizable and party chat is a nice perk to have as an option. However, the amount of great/worth buying is vastly outnumber by the amount of great/worth buying games on the DS.

[nope111]

"However, the amount of great/worth buying is vastly outnumber by the amount of great/worth buying games on the DS"

In YOUR opinion.

I find the 3DS library incredibly weak compared to the Vita. There are literally only 2 games i find appealing on 3DS, Project X Zone and Code of Princess, that's it. 2 games doesn't justify a 3DS purchase for me.

[Drithe]

Toukiden for Vita rocks. I have put hundreds of hours in to it already. Best system goes to Vita. Not even close here.

But the 3ds has TONS of great games for it. I don't think you can go wrong with either one, but I prefer Vita.

[AlexFili]

The 3DS has a stronger library. The Vita has the edge with power and indie ports but has notably less must-have titles

[DCfan]

I got a 3DS last week, so far, its ok. the only game i like is Pheonix Wright.

[seraphym88]

I owned a vita....traded it in for 3ds....all bout them games. And lets be real.....the library comparison is ridiculous at best.

[DualWielding]

The 3DS has a much better library now, but the Upcoming Vita's lineup is better than the 3DS (still it won't be enough to surpass what the 3DS already have but it'll get much closer)

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

your choice
Vita original games or exclusive games(not ports) are very small. 3DS library consist of originals and exclusives. Owning both I can see that Vita is more indie and ports friendly. Which isn't good for it if you see Japan sales of Vita when it gets original or exclusives.

[TheGrimReaper0011]

Wow, I clicked this article and expected a lot of vita vs 3ds fanboys, but barely see any. That's awesome!

I had a 3ds for KH 3D and fire emblem
Great games, great system (though wish longer battery for both systems)
Have a vita.
Great games, great system. Wish for a bit more games though.

[DualWielding]

the article miss the main negatives of each side:

3DS biggest negatives:

1. Region Locked
2. Digital Games tied to the console

Vita Biggest Negative

1. Requires hyperexpensive propietary memory cards.....

I do love both but it annoys me to no end that no company could make handhelds that's both region free and have an account system for digital games and have access to affordable storage options...... what is so hard about that?

[Inception]

Own and love both. Still busy with bravely default and deception 4.

[SweetDangos]

Both are good in their own rights. If you want a system for multimedia purposes then get a Vita. If you want a system for the best handheld experiences around get a 3DS.
Or do the logical thing and get both.

[OtakuDJK1NG-Rory]

I have 18 games on 3DS siince xmas eve 2011. Top First and Third Party hands down:
Fire Emblem Awakening and Senran Kagura Burst

As for Vita 3 games I kept.
Gravity Rush
FFX HD
Ragnarok Odyssey

Deleted Games from (PS+)
Wipeout
Unit 13 - to see how the online was
Uncharted GA - couldn't play it for 30 min sorry
MHFU
Street Fighter x Tekken

Retail:Now longer play after getting bored
Unit 13
Killzone Mercenaries

[TongkatAli]

YS Memories Of Celceta is good, just saying.

[Sheed]

Super.Smash.Bros.on.the.go.

/thread

[Geobros]

I own both but I am playing more with my 3DS, it has better games for my taste.