It sounds like most of the folks in the forums already own(ed) a DS or a DSi before they bought their 3DS. For me, my 3DS is my first handheld gaming system: not only had I not owned a DS/i, but I'd never played one.

Has anybody else out there bought or is going to buy a 3DS without first owning a DS/i? If so, I'm curious what convinced you to buy a 3DS--why a portable gaming system, why now, and why the 3DS instead of something else?

Even though I owned a DS previously, I'm wondering why you didn't answer your own thread. I'm curious as to know why you made the 3DS your first handheld?

Hee hee, you caught me. It's a habit from RL: ask a question, give other people a chance to answer first, then answer myself.

I'm pretty new to console gaming--I'd never played a console until I got my Wii. So one reason I didn't get a DS is that I have a habit of thinking of books and computer games before I think about consoles and console games.

But it's mostly a timing thing, I think. I never had a need to game outside the house, and since I try not to spend money unless there's also a practical use for something, I never bothered. I'm spending a lot more time on the bus lately, so it seemed like a good time to try something new. And there were a few Wii sequels that are only on the DS (Okamiden), so I'd been thinking about it for a while.

Yup. Me...

I never had ANY other console (handheld or otherwise), before the 3DS - all my gaming was done on PC.
The reason is that I don't know of any games (on the consoles) that would interest me.

The 3DS convinced me because of 3D, and Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars.
After I bought the 3DS, I discovered more interesting stuff that interests me, even after I would have finished GR:SW (which will take some time yet), like the step counter and 3D camera (with room for nineTHOUSAND images on the stock SD card).

With regard to interesting games (or at least, games that I find interesting), I would go for "open" strategy games like the games by Paradox Interactive.

Ah, good answer! Are there any games specifically that you're looking forward to on the 3DS?

*scratches head* Hrm, apparently I hadn't gotten that far in thinking about/researching new games. (That's kinda embarrassing after my comment about not buying things without a practical reason.)

I'm just now trying Monster Hunter Tri, and I'd LOVE to see a sequel on the 3DS. Really, any kind of farming/collecting/crafting game.

I have become fond of economic/city building games (along the lines of Pharoah/Dawn of Discovery), and I'd get a kick out of seeing my tiny citizens working/walking around a 3D medieval city.

I'm definitely going to try Rabbids 3D when I get around to it. I'm not very skilled at platformers, but I loved Rabbids Go Home, so I'm hoping I'll like the 3DS one, too. If so, my husband will have to put up with another few months of me giggling about beer-bellied rabbids wearing lacy underwear, and suddenly shouting "BWAAAaaaa!" for no apparent reason.

When I eventually find people for StreetPass, I suspect that'll be my main enjoyment: any game where you get to trade/interact via StreetPass. Turning on my 3DS to find I've gathered that rare pineapple seedling that I've been looking for for months? Excellent!

^ Have you heard of the handheld exclusive Pokemon, sister