Even the 3DS suffered from low sales, price cut, and no games. It's still a lovable system.
So let's categorize and see how the system itself works out.
Built Quality:
I have a DS Lite, and it's very light "LOL". When I first unboxed the 3DS, I was kind of shocked how much heavier the system was, but not disappointed. I've never seen Nintendo making a heavy handheld. With time you'd be accustomed to it. Plus, it's very durable and don't worry if it fells because like I said, it's very durable and you will have peace of mind with it.
The Menu:
Well, for starters, it's easy to use. I've never had a Wii, but I saw its menu before and I can say the 3DS is very similar to its cousin home console system. It's also customizable, but limited in use. You can use either your index finger or the metal pen that comes with the 3DS to roam around the menu. There's not anything interesting here. You can record sound, take HORRIBLE 3D pictures and try face raider for one and last time. Face raiders is a mini game that lets take your picture and translates your face into some kind of fly and you use your 3DS to… shoot yourself…. -__-
Online Functionality:
Ok, here's the biggest flaw of the system, I mean it's 2011 and we can't watch youtube in the 3DS, we can't communicate with friends.. why ?? I have friends who play Resident Evil Mercenaries and I can't play with because there's no way of instant messaging. I wanna ask someone about Street Fight 4 or Dead or Alive. I can't because I can't send them private messages. It's just sad to see this kind of laziness in a big company that bothered themselves making a so-called a successor to DS. A successor system means a better one, not one with the same features with only better hardware specs.
Fortunately, there's the Store that you can browse freely and download games. It's like any other store out there. Nothing different.
Sound Quality:
The system has 3D in IT!!! Why does it have a crappy sound? It should've been at least HQ sound. Hell, even MP3 format sounds sound like WAV format.
Games:
Everyone talks how the 3DS is suffering from the lack of games recently, but hey, if you're buying it for future titles. That's great, because there are games that you won't play on any other system than the 3DS, games like; Resident Evil Revelation and Kingdom Hearts. Also many titles are coming out from behind the curtain.
But right now, if there was person asking me which game I should get for the 3DS, it would be The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D, if you can bear the crazy puzzles then you're better than me. "I'm at the Shadow Temple stuck with the boss right now"
It's been getting ports and remakes out of nowhere but for me, it's good. Because there's new generation of gamers who haven't even heard what Zelda is or missed Splinter Cell.
The Overall Package:
I think the system is great and I hope Nintendo doesn't screw it up because they have built their real system, that should've been the DS. I know the PlayStation Vita is coming out soon and the hype is amazing, but let's not talk about other systems here.
My bottom line is:
If you wanna buy it for future investments, I'd suggest you go ahead, not to mention the price cut is very intriguing and it couldn't be missed.
If you want it right now for its games. DON'T GET IT, because you will only find The Legend of Zelda and if you're fan of RE, you'd most likely to get it as well.
Built Quality: 8.5/10
Menu: 7/10
Online Functionality: 4/10
Sound: 3/10
Games: 6.5/10
Overall Score: 7/10