Product Comparison: Nintendo 3DS XL vs Sony PlayStation Vita


General Specifications
Brand
Nintendo
Sony
Model
3DS XL
PlayStation Vita
Origin
China
China
About the Product
The Nintendo 3DS XL system combines next-generation portable gaming with eye-popping 3D visuals. Take 3D photos, connect to friends, other players, or wireless hotspots with the wireless StreetPass and SpotPass communication modes. With 90 percent larger screens than the 3DS, 3DS XL is the ultimate 3D entertainment system.
Take the greatness of PlayStation® on the go with the ultimate gamer’s companion. This slim and sleek device also features high-precision dual analog controls for a more immersive gaming experience away from your console and TV.
Key Specs
Screen Resolution
240 p
544 p
Game Sources
Nintendo eShop, Nintendo DS cartridge
PlayStation®Vita card, PlayStation Store
Internal Memory
1.5 GB
0.5 GB
What customers say about "Key Specs"
Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld Console
  • The screen has a nice resolution. Very well built. Much better than the ds lite!
  • It's perfect! I absolutely love it. It also came with a 4GB Memory Card, so I was so relieved I didn't have to buy my own.
  • The 3DSXL comes with a 4 GB SD card, making for a much bigger space for storage than the 2 GB SD card included with the first models.
  • i was nervous it wont work but after i started it it was very good and good going, it also had a 4 Giga memory card
  • The game collection is super small. You can download a number of games off the store but proprietary memory cards make this expensive.
Sony PlayStation Vita Handheld Game Console
  • Superior resolution and screen. Lively colors and fluidity.
  • Screen resolution and quality is amazing and sound is great.
  • Amazing console. Great resolution.
  • Once memory card is inserted, it switches and prevents access to internal memory.
  • Thanks to the small internal memory and the high price of memory cards, it will be difficult to download many games from the PSN Store.
Size & Weight
Color
Black
Black
Height
3.7 in.
3.4 in.
Width
6.1 in.
7.2 in.
Depth
0.9 in.
0.6 in.
Weight
0.74 lbs.
0.5 lbs.
What customers say about "Size & Weight"
Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld Console
  • It doesn't look ergonomic, but its actually quite comfortable to play with.
  • Perfect for my boyfriends birthday, affordable, compact, from what he says better than the original. Easy gift for a gamer.
  • The buttons all work well, the weight is nice, for being fairly large in screen size, the overall unit is pretty compact.
  • The buttons are placed horribly and the device does not feel good while in your hand.
  • The ergonomic design of the console could use a good bit of work, though. It's very uncomfortable to play for more than a few minutes at a time.
Screen
Screen Type
LCD (3D)
LCD
Screen Size
4.88 in.
5 in.
What customers say about "Screen"
Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld Console
  • The touch screen is really nicely made
  • The screen is large, and the 3D effect really does work (but it's a strain on my eyes, and is easily turned off.)
  • The screen size is great, the touch screen is very responsive.
  • The screen is SOOO much larger and definitely makes any game you play with it that much more immersive..
  • My Son likes it but the 3D is the down side, because if you move your head away and look back at the screen you need to find the right place to see the 3D
Sony PlayStation Vita Handheld Game Console
  • The touch screen is super responsive.
  • The screen is amazing - large and clear.
  • The touch screen and "back touch screen" plays a great role on some games.
  • The new model has an LCD screen, still sharp picture but maybe a little less contrast, but much improved battery life.
  • The only bad part is that the screen is LCD and its a little dimmer than the last version of the ps vita. A great buy and its good for everyone!
Multimedia
Front Camera
0.3 MP
0.3 MP
Rear Camera
0.3 MP
0.3 MP
Multimedia Features
Music, Photo, StreetPass, SpotPass, Multiplayer, Mii Maker, Internet browser, Nintendo eShop, YouTube, Activity Log
PlayStation Store, Internet browser, Photo, Video, Music, Calendar, Multiplayer, Parental controls
Expansion Card
32 GB
64 GB
What customers say about "Multimedia"
Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld Console
  • The 3DS also comes with a front and rear cameras so you can take pictures and edit them however you like.
  • Web browsing is alright. You can go on Facebook and such. Websites load reasonably fast.
  • The resolution is very low quality so don't expect HD pictures.
  • Expected better quality from the two cameras but it's not really an annoyance.
  • My only complaint is that the eshop is not as fleshed out as it is on the Wii.
Sony PlayStation Vita Handheld Game Console
  • Good for trips or travelling! Plus there is a lot of master piece games you can download or purchase through PSN.
  • It has excellent graphics, but also it has an excellent camera so we used it to take photos.
  • Also it has wi-fi so we used it while overseas to get onto the internet- so very useful for our trip when I did not want to be bringing my laptop!
  • Some of games on psn don't even have descriptions & or pictures to explain the games purpose.
  • The system it self is also disappointing , with certain features missing like battery percentage, skipping music with L& R.
Power
Battery
1750 mAh
2210 mAh
What customers say about "Power"
Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld Console
  • This is such a fun console. Battery lasts a long time. And it goes everywhere w us.
  • Battery hold life fairly long.
  • Really a fantastic system and the battery life is fantastic.
  • Good system with good battery life
Sony PlayStation Vita Handheld Game Console
  • The battery lasts a long time, and you can play for hours on end. It also charges rather quickly.
  • The battery life continues to impress and the games themselves are unique.
  • The battery does last much longer than the older version, so that is a plus.
  • Great system and excellent battery life! I'm amazed at the power the console has.
Other Information
Date First Available
July 28, 2012
Details
Controls
D-pad, L/R sticks, Home button, Select button, Start button, Volume buttons, A/B/X/Y buttons, Analog stick
Interfaces
Audio jack 3.5mm, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1, MicroSD card slot, USB
Warranty / Certifications
Manufacturer warranty
1
Certifications
CE, FCC
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