Recommend me a handheld + games

[Rattja]

So I have been thinking about buying a handheld to pass the time while traveling, but I have never had one, and not sure "where it's at" these days.
Don't know anyone with one either, so have not seen what they are like.

Currently I am considering a DS, though I don't like the idea of 3D.

So what's good? Is it the DS? Is it Vita? Is it something else?
I would also appreciate game suggestions, as the only one I know at the top of my head is pokèmon.

 

[MysticSlayer]

I recently got a 3DS and have been enjoying it quite a bit. You can turn the 3D effects off, and the games don't suffer for it. Obviously the graphics will be a little behind console games, but they're still serviceable.

As for games, I've been enjoying Shin Megami Tensei IV quite a bit lately. Fire Emblem can always be relied on, and I've heard Awakening is no exception. There's plenty of other JRPGs on the system, including Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, so if you're into those games, there are plenty of good ones on the 3DS.

There's also your usual Mario games like New Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, etc. I'm not sure what your view is on Mario, but if you enjoy the games or want to try them, you should be able to find some. Also, the second Luigi's Mansion game is on the system.

Also, though they are re-releases, you can get Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64 on the systems.

That's really just the start of what I know of the games. There's quite a few also coming out like the new Pokemon games and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.

Finally, the 3DS has backwards compatibility with the DS, so if there are any games you find on that system that you are interested in, the 3DS should be able to run them.

 

[Tom_green_day]

You could go for a PSP, they're probably cheaper now. You could play the Monster Hunter series, Locoroco (don't ask) and other games.

 

[WeepingAngels]

So I have been thinking about buying a handheld to pass the time while traveling, but I have never had one, and not sure "where it's at" these days.
Don't know anyone with one either, so have not seen what they are like.

Currently I am considering a DS, though I don't like the idea of 3D.

So what's good? Is it the DS? Is it Vita? Is it something else?
I would also appreciate game suggestions, as the only one I know at the top of my head is pokèmon.

The bolded is evidence that people really do confuse the 3DS with the DS.

Anyway, the 3DS has more great games. Games like Fire Emblem, Pokemon coming soon, Paper Mario (I like it), Mario Kart, 3D Land, Luigi's Mansion and so on.

The Vita has Persona 4 Golden and a new Dragon Fantasy game came out this week on PSN. The Vita also has PS1 Classics and can play digital PSP games.

It really comes down to what games you want to play.

 

[Lilani]

So I have been thinking about buying a handheld to pass the time while traveling, but I have never had one, and not sure "where it's at" these days.
Don't know anyone with one either, so have not seen what they are like.

Currently I am considering a DS, though I don't like the idea of 3D.

So what's good? Is it the DS? Is it Vita? Is it something else?
I would also appreciate game suggestions, as the only one I know at the top of my head is pokèmon.

Get a 3DS. Actually, get a 3DS XL. The larger screen and longer battery life make well it worth the extra $20~$30, and you'll have both the DS and 3DS libraries of games to pull from. Since you never played the DS this is perfect for you, because it's what I did as well. I have never met anyone who regretted getting the XL instead of the regular 3DS (including me!).

I've spent most of my time on my 3DS at this point just catching up on all the DS games I missed. I've gone through most of the Professor Layton series. I believe the proper order of these games is Professor Layton and the Curious Village, the Diabolical Box, and the Unwound Future. And then the second trilogy is Professor Layton and the Last Specter, the Eternal Diva (this one is actually a movie), and the Miracle Mask which is on the 3DS. And the Azran Legacy is going to be the last game in the series, it released in Japan on the 3DS in February, in Europe it's going to release in November, and North America is slated for a 2014 release date.

Also, it's been recently found that they're going to port Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright in Europe and North America! And speaking of which, the Phoenix Wright series is another great series for DS. And Pokemon Mystery Dungeon, and all the standard Pokemon games you might have missed. At this point that's my experience with the 3DS. There are some great games for the PSP (Final Fantasy Dissidia/Dissidia 012 and Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep spring to mind), but if sheer volume of choice is what you're after the 3DS is definitely superior. However, with the price of the PSP still dropping, it might be worth picking up in the near future, just to catch up on the used games before retailers stop carrying them.

Oh, and don't worry about the 3D. You can turn it off. I usually only turn it on during cutscenes and such, and mostly just when I'm playing Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance.

 

[Rattja]

I recently got a 3DS and have been enjoying it quite a bit. You can turn the 3D effects off, and the games don't suffer for it. Obviously the graphics will be a little behind console games, but they're still serviceable.

As for games, I've been enjoying Shin Megami Tensei IV quite a bit lately. Fire Emblem can always be relied on, and I've heard Awakening is no exception. There's plenty of other JRPGs on the system, including Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, so if you're into those games, there are plenty of good ones on the 3DS.

There's also your usual Mario games like New Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, etc. I'm not sure what your view is on Mario, but if you enjoy the games or want to try them, you should be able to find some. Also, the second Luigi's Mansion game is on the system.

Also, though they are re-releases, you can get Ocarina of Time and Star Fox 64 on the systems. .

Well I do like JRPGs, so this might be the way to go. Also as I had tons of fun with the 64 growing up, it could be fun, depending on how many games that are re-released.

Snip

Thanks for clearing that up, as I were wondering if the Xl would be worth it.

So if I got this right the DS/3DS has more games? How is the quality difference compared to others, if any? I mean the actual device, not the graphics.
Like the first gameboy, it played games and never died. That is quality in my book.

Also, how does the battery hold up?

 

[Chimpzy_v1legacy]

So if I got this right the DS/3DS has more games? How is the quality difference compared to others, if any? I mean the actual device, not the graphics.
Like the first gameboy, it played games and never died. That is quality in my book.

Also, how does the battery hold up?

The 3DS(XL) is a Nintendo product and they're known for making sturdy hardware. While I do think the 3DSXL does not have as high build quality as my DSi[footnote]It's mainly the hinges. They feel a little wobbly, though not annoyingly so.[/footnote], it does feel more solidly built than either the PSP or PSVita. The touch-screen will probably get scratched over time with continued use, so a screen protector is a must-have.

Battery life is decent, ranging from roughly 3.5 hours to a little over 6 hours, depending on screen brightness, using 3D or not, wifi on or not and such.

Also, use some headphones, since the built-in speakers deliver some poor audio quality, but then, so does about every other handheld.

 

[Rattja]

So 3DS XL it is then.
The problem now becomes to choose some games for it. Thinking Fire Emblem, Pokemon and Zelda for starters.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

So 3DS XL it is then.
The problem now becomes to choose some games for it. Thinking Fire Emblem, Pokemon and Zelda for starters.

3DSXL is excellent. I don't have one because I have a regular 3DS(actually it's Zelda special edition but that's beside the point) and I don't find it worth upgrading. Keep in mind that 3DS and DS games use up the battery at different paces. My 3DS lasts around ~5-6 hours with a DS title, about ~3-4 with a 3DS title. And since I've got a regular one, a 3DSXL should last longer than that. Now, on to the recommendations!

Fire Emblem: Awakening is an amazing choice. I'm not really a fan of TBS games at all and I greatly enjoyed Fire Emblem.

If you're into action-rhythm, you can't go wrong with Theaterhythm Final Fantasy. Excellent, easy to learn mechanics combined with some RPG elements and a great selection of music. Highly recommend.

If you're into JRPGs, I highly recommend Shin Megami Tensei IV and Tales of the Abyss.

SMTIV is a great starting place for anyone remotely interested in the core Shin Megami Tensei series. Negotiate with and befriend demons, fuse them together and all around kick demon ass. It's a great game.

Tales of the Abyss is just that. It's a straight port of the original PS2 version with minor adjustments, such as using the touchscreen for combat shortcuts instead of the second stick(since there isn't one). It's a great JRPG and has a LOT to see and do with a great story, great characters and a beautiful world.

I lost interest in Pokemon right around Diamond and Pearl. But I'm intrigued with the way X/Y is shaping up.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team also looks exceptional. If you enjoy any of the Mario & Luigi RPG titles, I'd definitely recommend giving this a look.

If you don't want to get the console version, there's also Resident Evil: Revelations on the 3DS you can get. Standard Resident Evil fare with the over-the-shoulder camera featured in Resi 4/5/6.

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is pretty much a carbon copy of the Wii U version and it's such an excellent game to play. There isn't much in the way of story but there's so much to do, it's insane. You get awesome and epic battles with bigass creatures one after another and none of the bullshit in-between. I've got the Wii U version, but I've played the 3DS version and it looks absolutely stunning on the 3DS.

For regular DS titles, my recommendations would be thus:

Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Justice for All
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Trials and Tribulations
Apollo Justice Ace Attorney
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth
Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies(not yet released)
999: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors
Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward

All of those are pretty much point-and-click adventures, for the most part. The Ace Attorney series involves several investigations which are the standard point-and-click fare, along with trial sessions in court that involve a lot of people reading and presenting evidence to expose lies and unravel the mysteries of the case. 999 and Zero Escape are point and click adventures that involve a lot of game changing choices made by the player and a lot of problem solving. They're all excellent titles and I wholly recommend them all.

Then there's the Megaman Zero Collection. All four Megaman Zero titles conveniently placed on a single cartridge. If you're at all familiar with Megaman then you know exactly how these games side-scrolling action games play.

On the 3DS eShop are several oldschool titles and even some modern titles. Zelda, Metroid, Mario, Megaman, you name it. They've got Oracle of Ages/Seasons, Link's Awakening DX, the original Zelda and even Zelda II. Four Swords Anniversary and Minish Cap were also available to select people but to spare you from searching and failing to find them, they're no longer available to the general public.

There are so many games you can get your hands on, I can practically guarantee that you can't go wrong with a 3DS.

 

[Rattja]

Snip

That's a good list of games, I'll check them out to see if they are something I could like, thanks.

So there is a digital store for this thing as well? My next concern was where to get all these games, as the selection is not that great where I usually buy things.

 

[Loop Stricken]

Recommend me a handheld + games

3DS and Fire Emblem: Eugenics Awakening. I was not expecting it to be as fun as it is.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

Snip

That's a good list of games, I'll check them out to see if they are something I could like, thanks.

So there is a digital store for this thing as well? My next concern was where to get all these games, as the selection is not that great where I usually buy things.

A lot of 3DS games also have digital versions on the 3DS that can be bought from the eShop. I'm not a user of digital copies unless I absolutely have to, so I'm afraid I couldn't say exactly what is and is not on the eShop.

 

[ZZoMBiE13]

So I have been thinking about buying a handheld to pass the time while traveling, but I have never had one, and not sure "where it's at" these days.
Don't know anyone with one either, so have not seen what they are like.

Currently I am considering a DS, though I don't like the idea of 3D.

So what's good? Is it the DS? Is it Vita? Is it something else?
I would also appreciate game suggestions, as the only one I know at the top of my head is pokèmon.

I can't tell you where anything "is at" these days. I'm tragically "too old" to be hip in any relevant way according to the media.

But if you wanna have some fun with a hand held portable video game device, I'd recommend a 3DS. I've never been accused of being Nintendo's biggest fan, but their games have undeniable charm. And more than that, the library is super extensive.

I am fortunate enough to have a Vita and a 3DS, but if I could only have one I wouldn't need to flip my Batman: The Dark Knight 2-face collectible coin to tell you which one I would pick. It would be the 3DS every time. It's the only place I can play my DS copy of Elite Beat Agents and the new Animal Crossing. So it wins. And it will always win.

As for games, I think the posters above me have covered you quite well in recommendations and that part really comes down more to your tastes anyway. But if all you wanted was to know which machine is preferable, then the 3DS is my recommendation. Vita is a great device and it's lower price makes it more appealing, but it's still growing and becoming whatever it's going to be while the 3DS is mostly already there if you take my meaning.

Either way good luck!

 

[TrevHead]

I would suggest you also get a PSP as now is the time to buy the dirt cheap UMD games before collectors and flippers snap them all up.

The PSP's controls do suck though, so generally avoid twitch based action games, I'll get the digital versions later when I pick up a Vita TV.