As to why a system like the 2DS or 3DS or Vita is compelling when we all have iPhones or Android devices, for me it comes down to the control systems. Touchscr

As to why a system like the 2DS or 3DS or Vita is compelling when we all have iPhones or Android devices, for me it comes down to the control systems. Touchscreens are fine for a narrow band of game types, but I wouldn't want to play the latest Mario platformer or Little Big Planet or 3D FPS with one. For lots of games I'll take the physical d-pad and/or analog sticks and physical buttons any day. And while you technically can get such controllers to sync with touch-centric devices, it isn't quite the same if you have to carry around a separate controller. Even more importantly, it isn't the same if the controller type is not completely standardized so that games for the platform can expect it. External controllers are a fine solution for emulation on phones and tablets, but not for core games on the actual native platform.