3-D-YES

I love my 3DS. Handheld gaming never really did anything for me in terms of longevity because I got bored too easily. The same games, overplayed until I get them to the point that they don't become interesting anymore. However, once I got my 3DS as a gift for Christmas, I haven't been more than 10 feet from it since I first charged it up.

The user functionality is what really stands out for me. Streetpass is revolutionary; and for those of you that don't know what Streetpass is, it allows all 3DS users in a certain range to connect with each other, swapping profiles and game data to collect Mii items, puzzle pieces and various game collectibles for use in your retail purchased titles. The addition, you can collect game coins for use in Nintendo built-in titles by taking advantage of the pedometer - it's not going to get people off their sofas to make some fictional money, but it does aid in getting the StreetPasses.The more you walk with it, the more coins you earn and if you are out in public, you find more people; a genius cycle.

The glasses-free 3D is genuinely revolutionary and in no way a gimmick. You do need to be at an optimal distance away from the screen to really appreciate it but after I found my sweet-spot I had no issues trying to repeatedly adjust to viewing perspective. Games feel polished too, they aren't hashed, rush-out 3D versions of previous console/handheld titles, they are single entities themselves and many stand-out on the market, especially the Mario games, naturally.

The Vita has just been released but there isn't a whole-lot on or in it that really catches my attention, nothing that really screams "Buy me!" except for it being the newest, shiniest thing on the gaming market.. I'd rather hold-off a few more months to see how the retail releases go before making a serious thought about it.

Don't get me wrong, I like how there's a 3G version, it has dual analogue sticks and the graphics look incredible but at present, it's not even something I would consider asking someone for as a gift, purely due to them possibly wasting money if the overall sales go down the pooper. I'm not saying it's going to be another Gizmodo in comparison to the 3DS but Sony will have to make something decent of it before it tingles my personal taste buds.

Before the 3DS, I used to think pure hand-held gaming consoles were on a steep decline but that was before I got to experience all the features the product had to offer. If the hand-held market continues to evolve in the direction similar to multi-user, voluntary communication as well as the addition of 3G in the Vita, then there will always be a place in the market for the on-the-go gamer, not just iGames, diluted to a bland touchscreen experience.