Err... this isn't 2012 anymore. Contrary to the bandwagon belief, Sony (SCEA) is still giving the Vita a bone every now and then. Japanese third-party support (and localization efforts), however, is great as always.

If you plan on a long-term investment for the portable, get at least a 32GB card. The slimmer Vita has a longer battery life + 1GB internal storage though you won't be able to use it together with a memory card.

Up to you if you want a New 3DS instead. The 3DS and PSV libraries are different and rarely overlap with the games. I think it all comes down to the genres you prefer to play. Can't go wrong with either of them anyway.

As you said, they're nothing more than labels. The distinction is there because it's very apparent (like many of the Japanese games have fantasy elements while big western devs focus on realism for their games), more especially when you compare them side by side. Of course, it doesn't mean that these traits are exclusive to just one group.

And a good game is a good game, regardless of its origins.

Neptunia Re;Birth 2.

Come on now. Let's not do generalizations like that. I agree that some of the stories can be silly and over-the-top, or it has chock-full of exposition at times, but these are part of the games' appeal. It's okay not to like them and I'm sure you'll find a game out there that will suit your taste.

I mean... you're talking about the same folks who are prominent in the visual novel genre.

It all comes down to the execution of these tropes.

1. Instead of a person, it could be a signboard instead. I think it's there for the convenience of what you should expect in this new town you've visited. Mostly flavor text, but hey, it's nice to know more about the world you are exploring.

2. Depends. The bad guy made the dungeon, or they used a broken (like teleportation) ability to get there first. You know, bad guys get to use the cool stuff. And just as you said, maybe the villain finds it more convenient to let the heroes do all the work.

3. More often that not, gameplay mechanics don't mesh with the story. If the plot demands a character to be killed at some point, then no amount of healing items and spells can bring them back.

4. Just like #3 + It makes things more dramatic. You get to learn more about villain in their final moments. Also, do they come to terms with the heroes? Will there be redemption? It gives a more definite closure to the story, especially if the villain in question is the one who kick-started the whole plot in the first place.

5. Villains are overpowered at first, backed up by an army of minions and strong bosses. There's no real threat if the villain is just around your level, right? Sometimes, a game will demonstrate that fact by putting you in a scripted fight or two with the villain. It also doubles as motivation for the player to get to that level (and to the player character, if a loved one is abducted for reasons). If the villain deems you as a worthy opponent, then they'll make sure that you'll survive until you can finally put up a good fight.

6. For the sake of convenience, I guess? Probably these characters won't find any use to these key items, so might as well give them to someone that could.

• Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (Action RPG)
• And while we're at it, God Eater Burst and Phantasy Star Portable.
• Corpse Party + Corpse Party: Book of Shadows (Both are mainly visual novels, but the first game has RPG-like exploration with sprites while the sequel uses a point-and-click style of navigation).
• Patapon series. (Rhythm-Strategy hybrid)
• Persona games.
• GTA games.
• Any game made by Sting. (Mostly RPGs with unique mechanics)
• Any game published by NISA and XSeed. (This includes Disgaea and Ys games)

Well, that should keep you busy! The PSP's library is awesome.

Disappointed that Freedom Wars didn't make it. But SAO getting the top spot (US PS Blog) is an amazing feat. I bet it would have sold more copies if it had a physical release as well.

More info @ PS Blog:

At this time last year, I blogged about Toukiden: The Age of Demons for PS Vita and we received a lot of positive feedback from many PlayStation fans here (that made us very happy)! Today we’re proud to be announcing that Toukiden: Kiwami is coming to PS4 and PS Vita on March 31, 2015 (both package and digital versions) in North America.

Toukiden: Kiwami has double the size and content of the original game, so you should expect new weapons, newly discovered Oni, new Mitama (over 100 new Mitama), new Slayers, new moves, and twice as many stages.

The PS4 version is definitely a surprise—Japan only has the PSP/PSV versions.

Makes sense because of the PS4's userbase. The online community will be much more livelier if it has cross-play too.

Thank you for the retail release, TK!

Edit:

Edit 2:Cross-play confirmed in the PS Blog comments.