if you don't bother with flashy 3D effects, get the 2DS, which will be released around the same time.
it's cheaper and it has been said, that it's power level is similiar to that of a old nokia cellphone.
i own a 3DS (standart...bought it not even 24 hours before nintendo had announced a major pricedrop lol) and it's the best handheld i've used so far. decent camera, nice and fitting selection of games, that do not solely depend on the 3DS's 3D feature and of course the e-shop (nintendo's steam) which is filled with alot nice games, tools and retro games, that you already bought 20+ years ago and you're now paying for again.
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I almost never use the stylus/touch screen (except when necessary) for the first games I've played - Ocarina of Time 3D, Super Mario 3D Land, and Fire Emblem. From what I've seen of the 2DS, if you can deal with how ridiculous it looks, everything else - button placement included - seems fine. And for saving $40, that's a full game for free, if you want to look at it that way. The only impressive 3D effects I've witnessed were the cutscenes in Fire Emblem, and I wouldn't say those are worth the more expensive handheld.
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Skip the 3DS and get the 3DS XL. It's seriously just more worth it plus the 3D effect looks better on it (Despite the mindless hipster hate on 3D, in certain games it really, really adds a little extra. Other games, yeah pointless or distracting but I found very few of those).
Above all else, just wait for a deal. If you're in the States the XL goes on sale a fair bit and sometimes even bundled with Mario Kart 7. Usually for $179. With autumn around the corner, I can bet on everything gaming that it will indeed go on sale yet again, and with B1G1 deals on the games no less.
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that depends on the game that you're playing...most games let you choose your preferred way of controlling. (D-Pad+pen or without pen)
trust me, to me it looks like the 2DS is lighter than the 3DS or the 3DS-XL and that's what matters more, if you're playing with the pen most of the time.
on my 3DS, i can't play Kid icarus for longer than 20 minutes, before my left hand (the one holding the console) starting to cramp. (that's why that game actually included a useless piece of plastic, that claims to make any 3DS game playable, while the 3DS sits on that plastic thingy firmly on a table...oh nintendo, you're the number one in making useless plastic-peripherals.)
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You can get an aqua blue or midnight purple refurbished 3DS straight from Nintendo for $119.99 or wait for the 2DS to come out.
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If you have the cash, the XL is well worth it. Bigger screen, better ergonomics, better 3D effect, better battery life, comes with a bigger memory card... the only thing that's not very good about it are the speakers, but if you use earbuds or a headphone that's not an issue. I bought an XL myself a few months ago, and I haven't regretted it one moment.
If you're strapped for cash I guess the 2DS is an option, since it launches at the same time as Pokemon X&Y, but personally I'm not sold on the design at all. It's basically a regular 3DS without 3D and without a hinge. Whether the lack of 3D is a problem is up to personal preference (I like it in some games, but in other games I usually turn it off), but the lack of hinges means it will not fit in your pocket and it looks a lot less comfortable to hold with the new button layout, especially if you're using the stylus. And of course the screens are 'only' regular 3DS sized. Most people (myself included) prefer the much bigger screen of the XL, though I've heard from people who prefer the smaller screen as well (it gives slightly sharper images thanks to smaller pixels). Personally I prefer the XL, but if money is really an issue I'd honestly rather get a (second hand or refurbished) 3DS than a new 2DS.
As for games, right now I have Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Fire Emblem Awakening, Devil Survivor Overclocked, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and Crimson Shroud (from the eShop). Of course it depends a lot on what games you like to play, but I had fun with all of these and I'd recommend giving them a try if they seem interesting to you.
[EDIT] I just thought of this. I'm only speculating, but since the 2DS is coming out at the same time as Pokemon, and the thing is obviously designed to get more nintendo handhelds into the hands of children (no hinges means they won't wreck it easily) and people with less money to spend, I'd bet there's a good chance they'll launch a Pokemon+2DS bundle. Might be worth keeping your eyes open for something like that if you want a 2DS and Pokemon anyway.
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I have the money, but I don't want to spend $200 on the console and 1 game (maybe more games later) and then don't touch it again for months/years.
Sadly, I read an interview saying they won't have a Pokemon + 2DS bundle.
http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-08-28-nintendo-we-dont-want-to-walk-away-from-3d-gaming
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Well, that's a choice you have to make. For me, the extra money was worth it, but obviously I can't judge your financial situation and preferences. Though as ladynadiad pointed out before, you can get an official refurbished (which is as good as new) 3DS for $120. Just as cheap, same screen size as the 2DS, it actually fits in your pocket and it has the 3D effect.
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I'm mainly interested in Pokemon X or Y that's coming out in October. I'm not a Pokemon hard-core fan, but I loved it when I was a child playing Pokemon Red and Gold on my gameboy color. Is it worth spending $200 for the handheld console? What other good games are there for 3DS?
Also, what can you do on the 3DS? I've never really paid attention to the DS line and always thought you can "only" play games on it just like what it used to on the gameboy.
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