Verified answer

Honestly, I don't see much difference between the portable systems (Sony vs. Nintendo), outside of the overall appearance/design. I'm sure there are differences. They just don't seem to make a huge impact for me, as a general and/or casual gamer.

Honestly, I would research what games are currently available for either system (DS vs PSP), and base your decision based on how many games you'll want and be able to play. That's always been what I base my decisions on - which system had the most games that I actually wanted to play. Pokemon, Golden Sun, Harvest Moon and Rune Factory, Mario Kart. And Final Fantasy. (80% to Nintendo. Guess which system I have.) So yeah. Research the games available and make a decision from there. After all, a system is no good if you don't have any games you want to play on it.

As for newer vs older...

Well, the newest version of the DS is the 3DS XL. The 3DS came out... two years ago, now? And the 3DS XL came out about half a year ago. I imagine, it'll be at least 6 to 12 months before any newer system or system upgrade is put out for sale. That's my guess, anyway. But I doubt it'll be an all new System. Probably just an upgrade to the 3DS. Like... the DSi was to the DS. That sort of thing. (I'd get a 3DS XL, if I could. You see the screen on those? I love actually being able to see what I'm playing.)

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And as far as I can tell, the main thing for Vita is that it's better than the PSP for 'Remote Play' - being able to start a console game on your PS3 and then accessing it and playing it on your PSP/Vita on the go, as well. So long as the game is made to use the Remote Play feature. But at any rate, the Vita is much newer than the PSP, so I'm assuming it has better graphics and technical specs than the older PSP. And a second analog stick.

Both the 3DS and PS Vita seem backwards compatible, as well. So if you got a 3DS, you'd be able to play DS and 3DS games. And on the Vita, you'd be able to play PSP and Vita games. So... don't forget to check out those games, too.

Nintendo is honestly really behind in terms of tech and yeah Mario and Pokemon only reason to get a DS. Newest DS is the 3DS. I would get a Vita as it's the most tech heavy handheld and can handle awesome graphics. I have a 3DS, Vita, PS3, Wii and WiiU. I honestly play my Sony's way more. Nothing really came out on 3DS that interested me. But Sony is really trying on cross platforming with the Vita and PS3. Get PlayStation AllStars Battle Royale if u choose to get a Vita. Buy it for PS3 and it should come with a free download copy of the game for vita. Basically u can fight players online from ur vita who are on ps3 or vice versa and all progress made on either ps3 or vita is transferred between ur systems. (Except trophies) In short I love my vita for all the free games that are fun and for the beautiful OLED screen and the proposed full support for being able to play all PS4 games on ur Vita like a wireless mini screen. Yes PS4 was announced on the 20th.

I have a 3DS and I primarily grew up on nintendo consoles. I love my 3DS mostly because I can play zelda ocarina of time in 3D which is pretty trippy. I like pokemon to but I love zelda and it sounds kinda like a game you might enjoy. I had some final fantasy games for the gameboy SP and the older ds versions. I loved them to and you might like them. It seems like the PSP, Vita etc seem to have just disappeared. I know when you buy nintendo consoles they change slowly so that the slots only allow certain games such as the 3DS can no longer accept the cartridges the ds lite use to. So I guess it depends on whether you need it compatible with older games, what types of games you like to play and what's available.

In my situation I would choose a nintendo console just because I have older games that I'd want to play. In your situation maybe a DS lite or XL for the pokemon/mario/ff/zelda games that are out there but Sony is typically consitent with their design so it would probably be more compatible than nintendo's consoles which are always changing.

Nintendo tend to have a new console idea every 12 - 18 months or so. I personally prefer my computer for gaming but that's me. Though the one hang up with the 3DS is that the battery goes very quickly. You'll get maybe 2 - 3 hours of playing and then if you turned it off to charge it would take about another 3 hours to fully charge. The DS lites and XL's would hold more of charge but I also believe the graphics card in the 3DS is the reason the battery drains so quickly. I remember on older consoles you could play for 5 - 6 hours before needing to plug in.

Sorry this was so long and I might have rambled a bit but you said opinion so I gave you my opinion.

Also you might find this helpful: http://handheld-game-console-review.toptenreviews....

But I'd stick by, if you can answer my questions then you'll have your answer. I'm a believer in the amount of use something gets as well as the amount of enjoyment I get should equal or go beyond the sale price of the item. Hopefully some of this helps.

Pokemon and Mario are practically the only reasons people buy the DS, I mean, what else is there? But if you are a hardcore handheld gamer, go with the PSP or PS Vita, bro. The graphics are almost as good as the xbox, and you get awesome games like COD and Battlefront StarWars.

So yeah, PSP or PS Vita (unless you need pokemon )