I purchased the 3DS version of the game and here are my initial impressions.
1) Do have a + shaped screwdriver and 3x AAA batteries to be able to power up the base. There are no wires to connect to the console, and works via infrared. VERY troublesome to add new characters as you need to aim the back of the 3ds to the base and hit "Scan"
2) The base only has 2 slots. One for the playset piece (Transparent one), one for figures. However, once you successfully "scanned" one figure, its stored in the game. You dont have to have the base around anymore.
3) Multiplayer is through wireless. No turn by turn.
4) Gameplay: Very similar to mario party. You select your team, which will be Mr incredible, Sulley, and Capt. jack if you only bought the starter kit. You then play in a boardgame like map. There will be 3 opposing teams. Each team rolls a dice and moves the specified number of steps. You will land on spaces which will either allow you to compete in minigames and win emblems, or have some gold coins etc. There will be an objective for the map, and once completed, the team with the most emblems will win the map.
5)There are MANY minigames, and I have repeated only 2 minigames since starting 1 hour ago.
My overall opinion? I'm a little disappointed by the 3DS variant, most likely because it is VERY different from the other consoles. The starter kit on the 3ds version clearly states "Toy Box Challenge", which is a clear indication that its different from the others. However, my qualm is that the marketing team has made it seem that the 3ds version will not vary too much from the other versions. From my experience of looking at the Wii U in-game demo, the 3DS variant is almost a different game, apart from the fact that they use the same figurines.
I hope readers can take this as just an initial impression of an excited gamer. I am still stoked about the future releases of playsets. I only own a 3ds, which made my choice very clear. However, if given a choice, I would pick the ps3 xbox and wiiU version over this.
Feel free to ask me any questions if you are deciding to get the 3DS one. One reason for starting an account and posting this is because there is a severe lack of information about the 3DS gameplay, and I think this may be misleading to buyers.
**Update**
After 3 maps, I just wanna update that the game does have additional layers of game play, instead of just being a Mario Party copy. You have to level up your characters, thereby upgrading various stats. In your team of 3, you are bound to have characters that are strong in certain stats. For example, Jack Sparrow is a strong "Jumper". Thus, in jumping minigames, you get a significant advantage as compared to the AI characters. When you encounter a Jumping minigame, you can choose which character to use from your team of 3. Incredible and Sulley are "Strength" characters. I would assume that Dash and McQueen would be "Speed" based, while Tonto would be a "Shooter/Accuracy". Of cos, these are my guesses. Maybe someone else can shed some light on this.
**Update 2**
Here are some images. Hope they help.
http://imgur.com/a/UDkMp