Nintendo have just announced the 2DS. At first I thought April had come early but, no, they really have announced a cheaper, 2D-only version of their 3DS console without hosting a Nintendo Direct and having a lot of fuss about it.
It actually looks quite decent, despite the L and R buttons being quite high. While you’re no longer able to close the system, it still features the same two screens and plays the same games, only without the 3D. It still features everything else, including WiFi and multiplayer capabilities, as to not repeat the Wii Mini. It does only include one speaker, however.
Releasing in blue/black and red/white models, the console will be available cheaper than the 3DS at $129.99. It releases on the same day as Pokémon X & Y in the US – October 12th – which is a great move on their part.
Nintendo seem to be marketing it as the “budget” version of the 3DS family, so expect a price around £100. I’m still very happy with my 3DS XL, which I recently bought for £120; I don’t think I’ll be switching to a 2DS system any time soon.
KeRaSh
Wow, sorry but that’s just stupid. The 3D feature was their main selling point and now they drop it for a not so budget version? They have other things to focus on instead of coming up with an unnecessary SKU…
Airiaen
its rly for dem kids tbh, it kind of makes sense
KeRaSh
The 3DS has always been for the kids. (I own one…)
darknightgotham
Seems like a great thing for the kiddos, but I can’t see myself getting one, I’d rather get the original design instead, but that’s just a matter of personal opinion. One negative I can say is that it still doesn’t have a second circle pad, which is kind of lame because I can already imagine them selling yet another circle pad pro for it, which will just make it a lot bulkier and ruin the main point of it.
Airiaen
you don’t even need it really but meh i’ve played PsP games for ages so its least understandable.
Airiaen
Nintendo may as well just make the wii u gamepad into a true handheld now for next gen portables. “wtf ninty.. the size… the name.. confusion?! source: aging gamer from 2015.
hazelam
actually, i quite like the design, mostly.
it looks pretty sturdy, i’ve seen a few DSs where the hinge for the top screen has become loose so the screen won’t stay in one place.
that won’t be a problem here.
and i like that the controls are higher up on the machine, i think i’ve mentioned my issues with handhelds where the controls are right at the bottom.
but seriously?
no second analog control?
they go for a major redesign of the hardware like this and don’t include that?
if it had a bigger screen, like the XL and a second stick/nub/whatever they call that thing, or if it was significantly cheaper instead of just slightly cheaper, it would be a much more attractive prospect.
but as it is, if i did want to upgrade from my old ds, i’d want the 3DS XL.
it has a bigger screen and i could still use the 3d when i wanted to, wouldn’t be all the time, but i’d get some use out of it.
still, if i find one of these uber cheap one day, i might just buy it.
Kennykazey
Next they’ll release the Nintendo Wii SD U, featuring max 480p output.
hazelam
as if they’d do that. >_>
leeroye
That is one of the ugliest hand helds i ever seen. What are they thinking. I cant imagine that thing will be very comfy to hold.
Dar-Kaus
DS-WIIU-2D-FFS
Dar-Kaus
It appears the 2DS has just a singe screen.
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/2ds-twin-screens-are-actually-a-single-screen/0120556
hazelam
i saw that, explains why it doesn’t fold up.
but i have to wonder, why is the bottom screen so small then?
they have plenty of screen space covered up around the touch screen.
is a resistive touch screen so expensive they have to make it that small when they have so much more of the actual screen they could be using?