PixlBit

I have a 3DS and a Vita, and if I had to pick one to play forever it would be the Vita.  It's just a shame that it doesn't get much love from Sony anymore.  Not sure if you're a PS+ subscriber, but you should look into subscribing because you'll get at least 2 free games every month, plus they do a lot of really good deals as well.  I just picked up the Tales of Hearts game for $5.99 last week, which is a great price.  

There's some games you haven't mentioned that I think you'd like based on the games you talked about above.

Tales From Space - Mutant Blobs Attack.  It was a digital launch game I believe, and it was definitely one of the best games to get early on.  It's made by Drinkbox Studios, and I'll be listing some of their other games here as well.  The reason I think you might like it is because it's a platformer kind of similar to Loco Roco.  Charming from beginning to end.

Severed - Another Drinkbox Studios game.  It's a first person dungeon crawler, where you you use the touch screen to swipe and sever enemy parts that you use to upgrade your character.  Came out a few months ago, and was one of the best games I played in an already fantastic video game year.

Guacamelee - The second Drinkbox made game.  It's a Metroid style game that has a visual style I find similar to Samurai Jack.  You can get this on the 360 or PS3 as well. I know soon Drinkbox is coming out with a Drinkbox Collection soon for the Vita, so if you're interested (which you really should be, their games are great), that might be the cheapest way to get all of the games.

LittleBigPlanet - Some of the touch features make this game more enjoyable than the PS3/4 versions.  I had fun from beginning to end.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD remaster - You seem to like RPG's, so I'm sure you've played this.  Playing this on the Vita at work/school/toilet is awesome!

Killzone, Uncharted, Hot Shots Golf, Freedom Wars, Persona, and not to mention a vast collection of old PSP and PS1 games make the Vita an awesome system to own.  I bought it for $250 when it released and I'm still happy with my decision, I just wish they'd make more games for the thing.

Dragon Quest VIII was my first and still by far the best Dragon Quest game I've played.  I wish they were doing an HD remaster for the Vita or PS4 instead of the 3DS, but I guess I'll take what I can get.  Excited to play VII though, because I never played it and it's the only one besides X which never released here that I haven't played.

If you have an iPhone or an Android phone you can get I-VI on them, but I'd recommend getting IV-VI on the DS.  If you get I-III make sure you play those in order, because the stories do have some similarities and actually kind of go together if you really pay attention.  Here's a list of my favorites...

VIII, IX (might not have had a story, but Level-5 makes addicting level grinding games), V, IV, I, II, III, VI.  I enjoyed them all, but VI was the only one I was excited to finish.  Technically it has a lot of gameplay to it because you can change your character classes and it really opens up a lot, but there's a world switching aspect that I didn't really like.  Still a fun game, just my least favorite for sure.

I know someone recommended Rocket Slime, I never finished it but it was a really fun game.  If you have a PS4 I highly recommend Dragon Quest Heroes, I enjoyed that game more than I ever thought I would.

Yeah the fusing is what I remember not understanding. It made no sense. Also, the amount of times my characters missed attacks in combat was infuriating. 

Is there a turn based tactical RPG like Final Fantasy Tactics that is player vs. player, like chess?  I've always wanted to play Final Fantasy VII vs. someone, but it's hard to do a game like that and do it fair.  

How is Persona 4 overall?  I bought it and played for a while, but couldn't grasp the game. People say the combat is easy, I found it to be very hard.  I liked the story and I know that's the main draw to the game, but I couldn't see why it was so praised by so many people.  I'm gonna give it another try and try to maybe blog about it and go to sites to be better at it, because the first time I was just awful.  I like to level grind in JRPGs, didn't seem to work in that game.  

I'd say give it a play, it's so much fun. It's addicting like an rpg with the level up system. 

I think it would be either theirs or Naughty Dog for me.  It used to be Square, but they went to shit.

If it ever does or if you get a PS4 I say definitely get it, it's a great game.

Yeah it is a fantastic game.  I really wish I had that strategy guide, I bet it makes for a fun read.  How about you be a peach and send that to me free of charge!

Never played a Ys game, but I'd like to give them a try at some poin.  Despite your thoughts I'd probably start with the Vita game since getting trophies are great.  I see that you mentioned Gurumin, is that the game that is really similar to Brave Fencer Musashi?  I played and liked that game a lot.