...it's nice to have options.

I've been tossing between getting a Nintendo Switch or 2DS. Why the later, not the 3DS? Because I actually don't want an XL, thank you very much. Both are tempting and viable options, but it doesn't make sense to get both. I'm glad Ninty's producing quality games for its consoles, and making enough of them to keep us ravenous players sated.

The 2DS is a mature platform now, and has a vast library of games to choose from, whereas the Switch's online functionality has yet to manifest in any appreciable form. My bouts with the Wii's online entertainments lasted all of a week before they died out, whereas my 3DS was still getting hits from other local 3DS systems thanks to Streetpass.

In Canada it's harder to connect with other dedicated players unless you live in a major city like Vancouver. My nephew and I even had a brief conversation with a fella who we recognized from his Mii. That was pretty cool... being social as a gamer in the real world. Wow, the things technology makes possible.

That wasn't ironic at all, but the irony of it is that neither Sony nor Microsoft encourage that kind of interaction. We seem to be comfortable hurling noise at each other whilst we blast the pixels out of each others' hides. Not really my scene, and it improves my appreciation of games like Pokemon Go.

So... what would you do?

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	honestgamer - September 17, 2017 (11:36 AM) I would get both. Your statement that it doesn't make sense to get both doesn't resonate. The best (maybe even only) reasons I can think of to not get both are that you simply can't afford to, or you don't care for handheld/console gaming. The Switch and 3DS are very different platforms, and the 3DS line has dozens of thoroughly fantastic games that you won't see anywhere else (including on the Switch, in many cases). The Switch, though young, is already showing signs that it may someday have dozens itself. And even if it somehow doesn't, the lineup in the first year easily justifies a purchase. If you want to easily compare software libraries (and probably find a bunch of games you didn't realize existed for either 3DS or Switch), you can do that right on this site. Here is a list of most 3DS titles currently available in North America, whether on the eShop or in stores: http://www.honestgamers.com/chrono/79.html Here is a list for the Switch: http://www.honestgamers.com/chrono/88.html I try to keep both lists reasonably current. Either one lets you click through to view individual game profile pages, and a not insignificant number of the newer 3DS titles--and even a few older ones--have screenshots to peruse. Almost every currently available Switch title does, NBA 2K18 excepted. I hope that information will help you with your decision, whatever way you go. There has never been a better time to be a Nintendo fan, but if your aim is to get the most console and handheld gaming have to offer, owning both a Switch and a 3DS/2DS is mandatory.
	joseph_valencia - September 17, 2017 (04:09 PM) 2DS all the way. You can afford putting off the Switch until next year, maybe even 2019 depending on Nintendo's plans for the two platforms. In the meanwhile, there's about six years worth of great 3DS titles to catch up on and maybe more to come. The 3DS library is like Valhalla for Nintendo fans.
	Genj - September 18, 2017 (03:53 PM) I bought a Switch at launch and own 5 games for it. And only two of them are exclusives (Splatoon 2 & Kamiko). Do you have a Wii U? If the answer is yes, then you already can play the best 2 games on Switch (Breath of the Wild and Mario Kart 8). I agree with Joseph. Unless you HAVE to play Mario Odyssey or Xenoblade 2 at or near launch, the Switch isn't a must buy right away. Cool hardware though and it will definitely get better since it seems to be getting adopted by the general public. 3DS has plenty of great games across many genres. It's worth owning, but I question how much longer it'll be supported and whether Switch will cannibalize its software and sales. Historically new handhelds have quickly killed off their predecessors with Nintendo but the Switch is somewhere in between. So far it seems like Nintendo is trying to support both. Basically I'd say buy a Switch if you want to invest in a console for the future, buy a 3DS if you want access to a lot of good games immediately but don't anticipate much more in the future.
	honestgamer - September 18, 2017 (04:55 PM) 3DS support is definitely slowing, but the back catalog is outstanding. I think it will see support in the form of the occasional big title through pretty much the end of 2018, but after that I don't expect much at all. Switch has had more support in these first few months than pretty much any console in history, and things are picking up from week to week, so it's definitely the way to go if you want to invest in the future. But because the systems suit two very different purposes and will largely have separate libraries (unless Switch eventually gains support for 3DS software, which I consider doubtful but not impossible), I stand by my assertion that it makes complete sense to own both of them.
	hastypixels - September 19, 2017 (11:00 PM) @honestgamer - I agree, it does make sense to own both, when financially it makes sense. Right now it doesn't, and I'm truly pleased to see such a broad selection of games for the Switch so early in its life cycle, I can see putting it off for a while. As it turns out I was mistaken about the 2DS in one aspect: It's only available in XL version in North America. No complaints about that, really, I've got pretty big hands so a larger handheld just... makes sense. @joseph & Genj - So far almost nothing on the Switch has grabbed my attention. I'm still a retro hound, and I'm waiting for those throwbacks. The only one that interests me right off the bat is "I am Setsuna", and I can pick that up for half price for my PC. It's a risk Nintendo has to take in the era of digital downloads: Cross pollination of ports and titles. I have a need to be able to play "whenever/wherever", and my - now defunct - 3DS served me exceptionally well. I neglected to mention that I previously owned one. It's now in the hands of my nephew, and apparently the shoulder buttons have failed. I've written it off, even though I could technically repair it. As far as cost is concerned, I could order the parts and do the work personally - it would save me money. With the 3DS' lifespan reaching some sort of effective limit... or the possibility of replacement... it still strikes me as logical to invest in it again. I think, though, I'll be delaying that decision a little bit as Christmas approaches. New bundles could make it interesting, and I have to admit I really love the look of the new Metroid. I'd play it to death I'm sure, and kick out a review happily for that one. Thanks for your feedback, guys. :)