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New 3DS Model: The 2DS (No 3D, Slate Design, $130, Oct 12)
News reported by 
(Editor)
August 28, 2013, 18:25
 


IGN said:
Nintendo announced the 2DS today, a new entry-level handheld system. The 2DS will be available for $129.99 on October 12th (the same day as Pokemon X and Y) and features a slate-like design rather than the clamshell seen on DS and 3DS models.

The 2DS is fully compatible with all 3DS and DS games but does not include the ability to display games in 3D. It still features all the functionality of 3DS (WiFi, local multiplayer, etc.) and can be put to sleep using a slider that replicates closing the clamshell on a standard 3DS. WiFi can still be turned off, though it’s done via controls in the software rather than with a physical switch.


“Imagine a standard 3DS laid all the way flat, and with the depth slider all the way down,” Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime explained to IGN. “Everything else is there in the system.”

The 2DS will launch in red and blue models to start and will be sold alongside the standard 3DS (still available for $169.99) and 3DS XL ($199.99). It will include a 4GB SD card and uses the same power source as 3DS and DSi. It also includes two cameras on the back side, so AR games still function and players can still take 3D photos -- they simply can’t be displayed on the 2DS, but are still viewable in full 3D if transferred to 3DS. The 2DS only includes one speaker, which plays mono sound, but features full stereo via its headphone jack.

According to Fils-Aime, the idea for the 2DS came from wanting to appeal to younger consumers, as the standard 3DS is aimed at players age seven and up.

“Imagine a standard 3DS laid all the way flat, and with the depth slider all the way down. Everything else is there in the system.

“We’re always thinking about what we can do that’s new, unique, different, and brings more people into this category that we love,” Fils-Aime said. “And so with the Nintendo 3DS, we were clear to parents that, ‘hey, we recommend that your children be seven and older to utilize this device.’ So clearly that creates an opportunity for five-year-olds, six-year-olds, that first-time handheld gaming consumer."

"We’ve always been thinking about, 'how do we approach that as one target?'" he continued. "And that certainly helped spur the idea of the Nintendo 2DS. Let’s have the consumer have access to all of these great games – Mario Kart 7, Animal Crossing – but do it in a 2D capability with a device that has a dramatically lower price point. That’s just an example of how we’re always thinking about, ‘how do we get more people playing games? How do we get more people playing Nintendo games?’”

Keep checking back to IGN for more on the 2DS as we approach its October launch.
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08/28/13, 18:25   Edited:  08/28/13, 20:41
 
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Going for the Vita kill?

Oh...God...image just loaded.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:26   Edited:  08/28/13, 18:26
Thought this was a joke at first, but then saw the source link. After that I saw the pictures, and now I'm convinced it's a joke.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:27
You and I posted the same thing (basically, but yours is more fleshed out) at the same time. I look at this and say...ick. Looks like it came from the same design team that brought us the Wii Mini.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:27   Edited:  08/28/13, 18:28
wtf

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:28
Why get rid of the clam shell design?

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:29
Could be good for families who want a cheap gaming device for their kids. People who don't care about stereo sound, and for kids where the 3D is not recommended for their still developing eyes.

Also, sometimes I feel like the gaming industry has completely lost their ability to name things. What a confusing name.

edit: @chris I imagine it's to simply keep costs down. No 3D, less moving parts, mono sound, etc. This is definitely a budget, entry level gaming device.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:29   Edited:  08/28/13, 18:31
What a weird looking device.

I'd like to know how big it is.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:29   Edited:  08/28/13, 18:31
@ludist210

The weirdest thing to me about the design is steering away from the clamshell to this weird slanted slab. Shoulder buttons would be nice on it I bet.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:30
I'm baffled! Oh Nintendo u crazy!

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:36
@canonj I believe it's probably around the same size as a regular 3DS if it were laid flat.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:37
I like my screens covered and protected when i carry my 3DS around. WTF is this?!?

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:38
Jeeze... I think... I think I really like it.

Those shoulder buttons look great and I guess younger kids can't snap that precious hinge anymore. The screens are exposed though.

Clamshell still wins... but I'm intrigued.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:44   Edited:  08/28/13, 18:45
April 1st already?

*shakes head*

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:45
My dream of a 3DS Lite will have to wait another year. Sigh.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:45
I... I don't...

What is happening?

Is this some sort of insane dream or something?

I don't even... know...

What is happening?

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:45
It's a very smart move in theory. This should almost obliterate the suggestion that families should get a DS over a 3DS.

Still...what a dumb name. It's XBox One-ish in concept. We had a 2DS already. It was called the DS. Why not call it the 3DS [insert adjective here]. If you have to do that much explaining to people, it can't be good for your product. There's already enough confusion amongst Nintendo platforms as of late.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:49
I like the concept but damn that design is ugly.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:49
@PogueSquadron

The naming for this thing is going to be a nightmare no matter what. You can't really call it a 3DS when the namesake isn't even there. The way the went though people are going to buy 3DS games to play on their 2DS systems. That's going to get confusing for people not in the know.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:52
This looks terrible. The positioning of the buttons is so awkward. My fat palms would most likely get in the way of the bottom screen. Doesn't look like it would fit in your pockets either.

And I echo someone else's concern about protecting the screen! Laaaaaame.

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:55
Yeah, agreed that the naming of this could make things messy. It's like they've been going out of their way to confuse people these past few years with names.

This video shows off the design a bit more. And I wonder if it'll come bundled with the case they show (it's in pictures, too). I thought the design was pretty weird but cool at first, but after seeing the video it really does look like a child's toy... not a fan of the textured plastic and the way it looks from behind. Ah well, it's not intended to interest me so no worries there, but I expect there will be confusion.

edit: Bleh, video is in the first post now

Posted by 
 on: 08/28/13, 18:58   Edited:  08/28/13, 18:59
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