My kids got the Skylanders game for the Wii and loved it. Like many others I searched for new Skylanders to add to their collection, but with so many shops sold out I looked to the 3DS starter pack as an option for getting some more Skylanders as well as getting a new game, which I was told has different levels than the Wii version.
Now, the levels are different, so is the whole concept of the game and the actions of the characters. In the 3DS version the characters can jump, which is not available in the Wii version. This, for me, is a great plus as is adds a lot to the game play. You don't collect money like in the Wii version, and you can't swap characters in the same manner you can in the Wii version, this unfortunately is a real negative in the game and restricts game play.
The concept behind the Skylanders figures is that they are compatible with all systems (3DS, Wii, xbox, Playstation) so I thought that if I upgraded the characters in the Wii, they would have upgrades in the 3DS. Not so. Also as you don't collect money on the Wii version, you can't transfer money between the consoles. Another down side, but it just makes you work harder and give you more of a challenge.
Portal of Power. The 3DS version comes with a battery powered portal which connects to the 3DS using infrared. This connectivity is only required when changing characters, so no need to have it connected all the time which is great. It also comes with a USB cable to allow you to connect your Skylanders to your PC for online play. Now, I read you can connect the portal to the Wii, which was another reason I wanted to buy the 3DS version. The Wii portal runs out of batteries and disconnects constantly! Costing a fortune in new batteries and frustrating the kids. You can connect the 3DS portal to the Wii (perhaps PS & xbox too) using the USB lead. This then doesn't require any batteries! Great! It is smaller, but you can still use two Skylanders on it at the same time.
The 3DS game is a great game in itself and a must for any Skylanders fan who would like to play the game on the go, although you do have to tag long the portal and figures. The figures you get with the game are great! Okay, Dark Spyro is identical to the regular Spyro so if you have both its not too interesting but it is rare.
I would recommend this game to a Skylanders fan, but they should be aware of the limitations with moving between console versions.