Portable gaming

[LimeMaster]

So, what do you prefer, 3DS or Vita?  Personally, I prefer the 3DS as Nintendo has always known how to create portables with great games. :)

[LittleNeutrino Veteran]

i prefer the Vita, even though i own both. I find the games i have on the Vita to be more fun (mostly TearAway and Ys) however, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds for the 3DS is probably the best Zelda game i have ever played. but sadly it is the only game i have enjoyed for the 3DS so far. My wife plays games on it every day though.

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Where's the 'I use my smartphone/tablet for portable gaming' option?

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

Added smartphone and tablet answer.

[Brian M. Veteran]

I prefer the Vita. The 3DS is great fun, but most games on it tend to dry up pretty quickly.

The Vita, when combined with PS Plus and PS3/4 remote play is a no brainer IMO.

[LimeMaster]

Where's the 'I use my smartphone/tablet for portable gaming' option?

Out of curiosity, do you play games on your smartphone a lot?

[+Frank B. Subscriber²]

Added smartphone and tablet answer.

Thanks.

 

I find enough games to choose from on Android; the same goes for iOS and Windows Phone to my knowledge. The days of needing a dedicated portable gaming device are - in my opinion - over.

Out of curiosity, do you play games on your smartphone a lot?

Actually yes. It helps to make long train commutes pass by quicker.

[DrunknMunky Veteran]

I'm a 3DS fan, purely because of the first party support. It's 2nd to none IMO.

 

Initially I have had a cold response to the Vita for the opposite reason. Sony's strategy of releasing games too similar to the PS3 equivalent leaves me thinking why I'd need both. In the last few months though I've thought about buying one, purely for the indie support the console has been receiving. Anyone who knows me around here knows I'm a sucker for good indie games and it'd be awesome to have access to them on the go. The ideal solution would be some sort of cross-buy with Steam as that is usually where I buy them :p

[Louisifer]

I prefer Nintendo but I don't own a 3DS yet so my tablet gets a lot more use these days, especially with Humble Bundle throwing in android versions of games when available :)

[LimeMaster]

Actually yes. It helps to make long train commutes pass by quicker.

That seems sensible. :) Better than sitting doing nothing and almost falling to sleep. 

[Mystic Mungis]

I bought a 3DS for Pokemon X & Y and Bravely Default but I now own Fire Emblem Awakening, Sonic Generations, Sonic & All Stars Racing Transformed and Zelda: A Link Between Worlds as well and I've got to say that I'd be lost without it. I do use my smartphone a lot for games but in terms of quality I've got to say that I much prefer the 3DS. I can't really say much for the Vita though, played my friends a couple of times and quite liked, when I get a PS4 I'll most likely buy one because of PS Plus and Now.

[Phouchg]

I've a tablet and sometimes play games on it, but it's not at all serious. While there are some fun casual time-wasters and board games, much more complex stuff seems highly unwieldy. Even arcade racing pretty much sucks. I've no preference or good opinion on other devices, but physical buttons is a must.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I now own both, just recently picked up a 3DS, and that was only because I sold my WiiU awhile back.
If I only had to pick one, it would be the Vita hands down.
But right now, I am really digging having my fix of Nintendo games on the go.

[Lingwo]

I own both (PSP owner too) but i've always preferred the DS. The games released on it suit themselves more for handheld gaming.

PSP/Vita are good but some of the games are bit much for such a small device. If i wanted to play a full blown Uncharted/Killzone title, i'll buy them for the PS3/4

 

The Vita though is a massive improvement (Dual analogue!). It just needs a few more AAA titles for it.

Tearaway was excellent. We need some more unique games like that, that take advantage of the Vita's functionality.

By AAA titles i mean big titles from the big developers. Not "short inidie game that has been available for PC/Mobile for 6 months".

 

The 3D on the 3DS is a gimmick which shows with the 2DS release.

[+InsaneNutter MVC]

It's a tough one, all the above options have been my favourite at some point.

 

I loved my PSP for the PS2 quality games and the ability to play video on the go, after a few years i no longer had the need to watch videos on the go and the PSP lacked any major games.

I got a DS and loved having touch in games, the Brain Training game was a lot of fun, i then re found my love for Pokemon.

Since getting my first Android in 2010 its been about touch screen mobile gaming for me, however this Christmas i got a 3DS and again have re found my love for Pokemon.

 

I have enjoyed the quality of games on the 3DS, along with having proper controls so i've voted 3DS (which i play in 2D as 3D is horrible to me)

[Slammers]

As an owner of both the 3ds definately has the quality games advantage.

As a console, the vita is hugely better than than the 3ds though. The few really good games that vita has are true console experiences on a hendheld.

If I could only choose one system it would definately be the 3ds, link between worlds is soooo damn good. But the, Personna 4g is bliss!

[satysin]

The Vita is the better machine without a doubt but Mario Kart 3DS, all the Zelda games (DS as well!!) and Pokemon are just fantastic. The problem with the Vita is that it mostly just feels like all devs do is take a console game and port it to the Vita with a few tweaks. The 3DS games are designed from the ground up to be handheld games and that makes a big difference to me. The Vita has some good games which have been designed from the ground up to be Vita games and they are pretty good. Not Nintendo quality though sadly.

[Polonium]

Vita for me hands down. Love the console.

Games are quality and it has a great mix of console quality games along with the more portable 'I'll just have a 10 minute blast' games.

Then of course remote play and full access to the psn.

No brainer.

[Chasethebase Reporter]

It depends what you're after, both the Vita and 3DS offer very different experiences to mobile phones, which are more suited to 5 minute breaks rather than a good long journey's worth of gaming.

 

My pick goes to the 3DS as I prefer playing on that system over my phone, and I don't have or have used a Vita, but I know it has some great games (Persona 4 Golden anyone?)

[MFH]

I prefer a GCW Zero :D