Nintendo 2DS

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-08-29-nintendo-announces-nintendo-2ds-handheld-console

This looks really ugly. I like the idea though. I just wish it folded up. I'd also like to know the screen size compared to the 3DS XL.

I'd honestly consider getting one if it didn't look like crap.

@outrager: The screens are the same size as the original 3DS.

@outrager: Screens are the same size as the original 3DS, per Kotaku.

Kind of goofy looking, but I really like it. I would imagine it's physically much smaller than even a normal 3DS in order to make it portable.

Edit: Just watched the video, either that child is tiny, or this thing is gargantuan.

On the one hand, this seems absurd. On the other, I have a niece who I wouldn't trust with something quite as expensive as a 3DS just yet, and when I think of it that way this doesn't seem like a terrible idea.

You know... I could see the appeal of a cheaper 3DS without the 3D but why the hell didn't they make it fold up? How is anyone going to carry that in their back pocket?

With something like this you really have to hit that magic, hundred dollar price point. There's just not enough difference in price to justify buying this over a regular ass 3DS.

It looks like a monstrosity!

what

God, this is dumb.

What the fuck?

It's all a cost cutting measure: single PCB instead of two, fewer injection molds, and far simpler assembly.

what

For $130 this is just smart. I will probably consider buying one.

@demoskinos said:

But now its form factor is...like a tablet...or something?

That thing looks weird. Though props to Nintendo for kind of acknowledging that no one REALLY cares that much about the 3D. 3DS-without-the-3D and passing savings on to the consumer is kind of like offering a Xbox-One-without-Kinect and passing savings on to the consumer, so that's nice of Nintendo I guess.

I.... think I kind of would rather have this than my original 3ds. Especially if it has better battery life.

I'm certainly a fan of the concept of a cheaper 3DS without 3D, but this thing seems to have a really odd form factor (not just in terms of portability, it looks straight up uncomfortable to hold) and a name that'll be even more confusing to consumers than "Wii U".

This is perfect for the young kid who you dont want to snap a clamshell model in half. This is truly the child proof version of the DS.

If this thing has way better battery life i would consider it pretty cool, the design looks like it could be comfortable like the wii u gamepad but i'm on the fence about the overall design. Just sucks that it lost the 3d functionality even though i'm sure not a ton of people will miss it. I feel like it's hitting the right notes in certain ways but we'll see if it pans out.

But at least if you buy the 2DS you can play the same games as the 3DS that's fine. Parents just have to know it costs less. With the Wii U you had to explain to people that it's a whole new system that played new games that you couldn't play on your older system.

Backwards compatible

Man that thing is fugly as hell. It's a smart idea from Nintendo but the aesthetics are terrible.

I was really hoping this was going to be a 3DS that didn't do 3D but was cheaper (can't really see 3D in the ways movies/TVs/the 3DS present it). $130 is a great price point, and while I get that it looks really weird in the pictures (better sense of scale in the videos, looks tiny in the pictures), I could see it working well when you're actually holding it up in your hands. Maybe I'll finally get to play Fire Emblem.

Edit: Wait, mono audio only? I know it's only got one speaker, but I would hope that it would still support stereo for headphones. I guess at that point I'd rather hold off for a regular XL. I still think it's a smart move for marketing to parents of small children though, they won't care.

@outrager said:

True. That means that at least it won't be possible for a parent to accidentally buy a game that won't work, but there's still going to be a lot of retail workers having to explain that a 2DS can play 3DS games.

What a pointless machine and the analogue stick placement is atrotious. And every other button and the d-pad. God what a waste of time for them. It's like micro all over again.

What the F is happening at Nintendo?

(DS stands for Door Stop)

I wouldn't care if they somehow patched the 3D out of my XL, but if I didn't have a 3DS I'd still buy either of the 2 3D supporting models over that abomination haha

Some stupid shit right there, it looks ridiculous.

Nintendo really know how to blow their money on stupid ideas, don't they.

God, i do love Nintendo on their ability to milk out everything they have with the smallest effort.

Wow that is ugly!

For some reason this move reminds me of the GameBoy Micro. It's a smart move for Nintendo to put this out well ahead of the holiday season so that parents who can't afford to buy a next-gen system for their children can buy one of these instead. And I bet that cutting out the 3D screen and hinges has drastically cut down on the manufacturing costs.

What is this? xD

What is this? xD

I like the idea of it, hate how it looks. To me that looks like a children's toy.

Nintendo and Leap Frog are working together?

@theveej: Which is exactly what it's supposed to be. I mean, I agree it's ugly but I doubt its target demographic cares all that much.

I am glad I'm not the only who thought the thing looked like a Leap Frog "educational tablet".

This looks dumb super dumb. Whatever. If it provides a more accessible way for people to enjoy the system, then sure. It seriously looks like a fisher price toy though.

@isomeri said:

For some reason this move reminds me of the GameBoy Micro. It's a smart move for Nintendo to put this out well ahead of the holiday season so that parents who can't afford to buy a next-gen system for their children can buy one of these instead. And I bet that cutting out the 3D screen and hinges has drastically cut down on the manufacturing costs.

I had one of those in green, and I loved it. I still regret the day I sold it :(

What would you say if I told you I still kinda want a micro?

I don't, however, want this thing. For one, I've got a 3DS XL and its form factor is perfect. I played SMTIV while listening to the Bombcast yesterday for two hours and felt no hand cramps or wrist pain or fingers falling asleep, none of that. This thing looks extremely uncomfortable to hold. Even if it were comfortable to hold, it looks ugly.

But, hey, for a ten year old who wants to play Mario Kart at Grandma's on Christmas day, this would be perfect. It's likely more sturdy than the 3DSXL's hinged clamshell, which I imagine can't be too hard to break.

@believer258:

My ten year old self would make fun of this too. Maybe at 5-6 or under I could see a kid not caring.

GUYS DON'T YOU GET IT?!?

The 3DS is BAD for kids! Nintendo is full of geniuses, and should all be lauded. I mean, peep this new unofficial commercial, YO!

...jokes aside this thing is fucking dumb, but will probably sell decently.

BIG EDITS: Why does this thing still have the 3D Camera on the back if it can't display 3D?

Looks ridiculous. With that much space you'd think they could toss in the 2nd analog stick. You can't even slap the circle pad pro onto it.