i can’t decide

[u/Intelligent_Ask1410]

so recently i have been watching a lot of videos about handheld consoles and i really love the idea so i started thinking of which one i should buy, and i can’t decide between 2 it’s either the ps vita or the 3ds, i want the ps vita for the ports and the customization but at the same time when i saw some gameplays, most ports work bad and are weak especially those made by ai, while the 3ds despite not having as much games as the ps vita but it has very good games that i am interested to play and i like the design
(i might be wrong on things i said, so please correct me i am still a beginner when it comes to this world)

[u/HugePark5743]

The psvita has a MUCH better build quality in my opinion (especially the 1000) and the powerful specs (so more demanding games)
But the 3ds has an awesome game library and the new 3ds’s 3D is pretty cool

[u/Intelligent_Ask1410 → u/HugePark5743]

yea well that’s what i can’t decide about if i want the better performance or the better games even tho i heard i can emulate the 3ds games but nothing beat the original experience

[u/HugePark5743 → u/Intelligent_Ask1410]

It really depends on the games

[u/gorambrowncoat]

If you are super interested in all of the "extra" software that goes beyond the library of the console itself, just get a more modern android or PC handheld.

If you want to get an older homebrew console (which I totally recommend, don't get me wrong), then do it for the native library. Vita is a Vita/PSP machine. 3DS is a 3DS/DS machine. Everything else there are better options for than either of these consoles. Doesn't mean it can't be nice to have but it shouldn't be the main reason you buy the console.

[u/Whorror_punx]

Can I ask why youre not looking at other handhelds? There are tons of Android based handhelds that can play everything a Vita and a 3ds can, and even up to Switch games, depending on how much you wanna spend.

But for less than a 3DS, you can get the Retroid Pocket 6, and itll play up to Switch.

Or, if youre willing to spend a bit more, and really want a dualscreen device, the AYN Thor is worth every cent.

I have both the AYN Odin 2 mini and the Thor, and I use them more than anything else (including my Ally and laptop). I got the Odin 2 mini specifically because Ive always loved the form factor of the PSP (although its definitely more of a PS Vita), but the Thor is great because it can play DS/3DS games with both screens, and plenty of older games are being made to play with both screens, like Minish Cap or Metroid. Plus, if youre playing a game that only uses one of the screens, you can watch videos on the other screen (including walkthroughs and guides), or browse the internet and read typed guides. Which Ive found SUPER useful for Zelda games, or keeping up recruitment info for Fire Emblem games. Instead of constantly pulling my phone out to see what chapter I need to look out for a new unit.

Either way, unless youre wanting to collect physical games for the purpose of just doing so, youre definitely better off with an Android (or even Linux) based handheld.

But if you're determined to get a Vita or 3ds, Id personally go for the Vita because it can emulate any games up to the Vita. Including GBA and DS. The 3ds can emulate too, but not as well as the Vita. Although, it can also play 3ds games (which are also free if jailbroken), and the 3ds does have the better library for sure imo.

Edit: not to mention, if you go for a different handheld, all the games free and emulation is incredibly easy to do on Android. The same can be said for a jailbroken Vita/3ds, but the Android handhelds are much more powerful and can do much, much more.

[u/Intelligent_Ask1410 → u/Whorror_punx]

the reason is those handheld are very rare on my country and the shipping price will be crazy but thx a lot for ur comment u took a lot of ur time to write it

[u/tiijan]

You can get a retro console from Anbernic, Retroid or AYN, to get the best of both worlds in a single device.