First and foremost, I just want to say I'd much rather be able to purchase both the 3DS and Vita, but that is simply an unreasonable or wasteful expedition I'm not willing to take. But I love the handheld scene, and I have found 100x more enjoyment in the more hybrid and "take a chance" titles offered on the handhelds rather then the console. And while I bought both the DS and PSP on release, this time around that is just not possible.
So I've chosen to buy a 3DS, and to stand by that choice for this year. And while a lot of gamers have already made up their mind as to which portable they'll be sticking it out with, I figure I'll share my reasons as to my choice, and maybe it'll help create a deciding factor either way for the still-hesitant gamer.
1: The Memory Cards are Far Too Expensive
As a gamer who isn't made of money, choosing either the 3DS or Vita has been an astronomically tough choice for me. But this isn't to say the software difference; while $80 is a lot of money, I was not concerned about it. Overall, a system's actual value comes down to how much fun you have with it, and so $170 or $250 wasn't a concern I held. I know that I am going to love either system, so the cost of entry at either pricepoint, or at the 3DS' initial price, wasn't the conundrum.
But the memory cards for the Vita are a concern, and extremely so. And while I've been shrugging off this concern for quite some time now, I've finally realized that the cost is unreasonable. The 32gb costs $100.00, and that is an additional $100.00 that I neither have nor am willing to spend. And I will need the 32 Gb.
This reason is particular to my past purchases, and that is to say the PSPGo. I know that I am in the minority for PSP Go consumers, but I have to say that I absolutely love the thing. From the device itself to it's stylistic apparel, to this day each time I slide that sucker up I feel "cool," but most appealing is it's (mandatory) digital storage of games.
I am not trying to create an argumental stance for Digital Distribution, but I do absolutely love having all of my games readily available on my PSP, and I have a lot. And I'm not even an "On-the-go" gamer, as I play videogames strictly when I'm at home. I'm simply fond of having all of my games readily present on the device, and that is a feature I am in no way ready to let go of, especially for Sony devices. While I recognize that the 3DS doesn't have this feature (until an R4 comes out, at least), I also don't expect it from Nintendo. But with Sony--- I am in no way interested in going back to physical media, and I find it incredibly shocking how blatantly Sony has chosen to ignore the PSP Go as a whole. Even though the product itself was a financial disaster, it's attributes of built-in 16gb and digital-favor are really solid features of where the portable scene can go, for both gamers and developers, and so I truly am shocked to find the costs of memory cards so high.
And the idea of getting a shorter card is literally nonsense. I intend to continue purchasing all of my (Sony) games digitally, and with Vita games being even more bulky in size--- there's no way. On my PSP Go I filled up both the 16gb built-in and my 16gb card I bought. With the Vita, the 32gb card is an absolute nessecity, and that's in the idea that I will be transferring an incredibly few of my PSP games over to it.
2. Developers are More Experienced with the "Clamshell" now
I'll be honest; I don't like the Clamshell design. In particular, I've found that my hands would grow cramped after an hour or so with the DS (Phat and Lite, at least), and the barrier between top and bottom screens has always been a strange pet-peeve of mine.
Except, some games have arrived that are literally only possible with the Clamshell design, and because of them I've really begun to foster a budding sense of wonder at what will come next. In particular, it was The World Ends with You that really turned me on to the Clamshell design, and, with it's marvelous use of both touch and physical controls, I have really become eager to be around when the next great title comes that utilizes two very different controls and mannerisms so expertly.
The 3D part of the 3DS is nothing to me. I've played around with it, and just don't care for it, to be perfectly honest. But I do believe that there is still a ton to be uncovered with how variable the (3)DS design really is, and I am really hoping that this time around developers create much more clear and imaginative uses for the design. The initial DS games are excused; a first in touch gaming (mostly), and so it makes sense why developers focused on a single component of the device rather then its entirity. But now, there is no excuse for them to do so, nor is there reason. If anything, it is the games that have really expressed the DS design ingenuity and ability that have really become standout titles, and so it only makes more sense for developers to focus on creating more complete titles that truly utilize what makes the DS design unique.
It's a faith-based reason, certainly, but it is one to consider. And if that isn't enough, at least TWEWY characters are in KH:DDD. Faith in TWEWY2 isn't unreasonable at least, is it?
3: Getting back into that Nintendo Fun
This is not a reason so much as opinion, but I absolutely love Luigi's Mansion on the Gamecube. Don't ask me why, because I don't have a clue. As a mostly JRPG gamer whom adamanetly attacks Internet forums with "Story First! Gameplay Second!" it really doesn't make sense why I like Luigi's Mansion, well, period.
But I do. And I also love Super Mario Sunshine, and Donkey Kong Country, and Super Smash Bros, and Metroid:Fusion. And the only actual reason why is because Nintendo can create games that are so uniquely Nintendo that, well, there's just nothing like them.
I've been mostly a PSP gamer for the past two years, and I've really attacked the most complex, obscure, and hardcore titles around. And I love them, certainly. But I have felt a strange lack-of "entertainment" in my gaming lately, and am tackling it more like studies, intricately analyzing and really absorbing plots and character, complex gameplay elements and political structures.
To be blunt--- I think I need a break.
Nintendo titles are just strictly entertainment, and they are brilliant for it, as there is little that can match the sheer enjoyment of whirling around as Mario or Konging your way through a jungle. And with Luigi's Mansion as a further example, and my most prominent; all you do is suck ghosts--- yes, please!
I've always wondered that, as I've "matured" as a gamer, if I would ever no longer enjoy Nintendo titles. But the answer is a concrete "No," as even just watching videos of them makes me rekindle memories of being young and getting off the bus from school, sprinting home and slamming in that "Donkey Kong Country" cart in the SNES, and just enjoying every single second of being an ape rolling my way through the jungle.
I don't think Nintendo titles are the sole titles to play, but I certainly do miss them. As somebody who has only owned a Wii for a couple of months (ex-girlfriend snatched it away from me), I am really looking forward to experiencing some solid, strong roots games.
(And just want to re-iterate; I am in no way bashing or "dissing" the Vita. These are just the three reasons as to which I made up my mind on my choice of purchase, and this has really been a tough call for me. And for those who are also in that same boat, I hope this helps. Either will be awesome, but choices must be made!)