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    Nintendo 3DS

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    The Nintendo 3DS is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The handheld features stereoscopic 3D technology that doesn't require glasses. It was released in Japan on February 26, 2011 and in North America on March 27, 2011.

    Wii U Getting a Price Drop, Also There Is a Nintendo 2DS Now [UPDATE]

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    alex

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    Edited By alex
    This exists. HANDLE THAT.
    This exists. HANDLE THAT.

    Nintendo appears to be in problem solving mode today, including solving some problems we didn't even know existed. Aiming to simultaneously bolster sales of its flagging Wii U console and get more people to buy 3DS systems even though a lot of people have already bought 3DS systems, the company announced a pair of moves sure to get people talking, and maybe even buying more systems. Maybe.

    First up, the Wii U, which will see its deluxe model drop to a price point of $299.99, $50 less than its debut cost. Nothing too fancy about that news, though given the lack of consumer interest the Wii U has engendered thus far, it makes perfect sense, especially given the timing of the move. The price drop will officially take hold as of September 20, two months before Sony and Microsoft launch their new console platforms.

    On the 3DS side, Nintendo's latest announcement should be of great benefit to you if you haven't ever owned a 3DS and your barrier to entry for the system was $40 and one too many dimensions. Today, Nintendo announced a 2DS. Yes, it's just like the 3DS, but without the 3D functionality. It also retails for $129.99 ($40 cheaper than the standard 3DS model) and ditches the system's clamshell-style lid. It will support all 3DS titles and include backward compatibility for classic DS games.

    Again, the Wii U news is kind of a no-brainer, though the timing (and bizarre design) of the 2DS is a real head-scratcher. Like, sure, it's absolutely an entry-level device not aimed at the sort of people who would already own a 3DS, and the usefulness of the system's 3D capabilities has been debated pretty much since the system debuted, anyway. But when you consider that the 3DS is already the best-selling platform on the market as of right now, it seems maybe a bit...superfluous? I don't know. Maybe I'm wildly underestimating how cheap this thing is to produce, and the number of parents of Pokemon fans who will run out and grab this thing for the kids come this holiday season.

    You tell me. Is this a thing you, or someone you know would want? And while we're at it, is $50 off enough to get you on board with the Wii U?

    UPDATE: Amid the torrent of Nintendo news, I neglected to mention the also just announced Wind Waker HD Wii U bundle. The bundle, which will also launch on September 20, includes a special black Wii U console (with custom gold lettering and symbols on the GamePad), a free download code for the Hyrule Hystoria book, and a download code for the Wind Waker HD game from the Nintendo eShop. Interestingly, this bundle goes for the same $299.99 price point as the regular deluxe model, and comes ahead of Wind Waker HD's October 4 retail release.

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    shinjin977

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    Ugly as sin that is, at least compare to the zelda 3ds.

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    Spiritof

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    I'm officially announcing my retirement from the hobby of video gaming.

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    Ketchupp

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    Aren't there spots in Super Mario 3D Land that require 3D?

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    Dooley

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    What the shit.

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    fauen

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    #5  Edited By fauen

    I got my 3DS xl about a month ago. If this 2DS was listed for sale I would have bought that.

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    Spiritof

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    I'm officially announcing my retirement from the hobby of video gaming.

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    FCDRandy

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    #7  Edited By FCDRandy

    Oh man the 2DS is probably the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

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    afterland

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    I cannot believe how fucking stupid the design of that thing is.

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    ColonelT

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    We're all going to need much bigger pockets.

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    Dooley

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    Man the people at Nintendo are really weird.

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    joshwent

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    I want to put that thing in a toaster.

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    Nadril

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    #13  Edited By Nadril

    I could almost get behind that 2DS thing if it wasn't so fucking ugly. Why not just make it the same form as a 3DS?

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    bkbroiler

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    #14  Edited By bkbroiler

    That flat 2DS looks like it will be really uncomfortable to play on.

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    ninkendo

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    #15  Edited By ninkendo

    you forgot to mention the Wind Waker HD bundle launching September 20th. They're releasing the digital version sooner than the retail version. It'll also be $300

    http://i.imgur.com/5O9jaf6.jpg

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    John1912

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    Just got a used 3DS. Little more then I wanted to spend on a hand held, but ive enjoyed it a lot. The 3D is pretty decent all in all. Really impressed with some of the back drops in Castlevania. That actually has some great 3D for the backgrounds.

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    abendlaender

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    #17  Edited By abendlaender

    Wait is it April 1st already? What the....Nintendo 2DS? Wait? What? Who am I. What is going on.

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    nickux

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    #18  Edited By nickux

    I am confused by the 2DS. Was price hurting sales of 3DS? Didn't seem like it. To me, it always felt like a good price was one of its selling-points. Besides, the 2DS is only $40 less than a proper 3DS it's not like you're saving that much. Also, it bums me out to see Nintendo backing off 3D when games like Super Mario 3D Land were designed to take advantage of the feature. I wouldn't play that game without it now. I get that it's aimed at younger kids hence the horrible Fisher Price design.

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    JordanaRama

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    #19  Edited By JordanaRama

    I honestly sort of like it, and as someone who doesn't have a 3DS, i am more interested in this lower barrier to entry option. Hmmmm. It not closing is an interesting design choice.

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    jugglemank

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    That 2DS... man...

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    tofford

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    It looks like a very child friendly design but as someone who has been waiting for a price cut I won't be buying one of these. Much rather wait for a 3DSlite equivalent

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    Carac

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    #22  Edited By Carac

    Still $100 from an impulse buy and $50 too much without a "killer app" for me. The tablet controller is the WiiU's greatest differentiator and it's Achilles heel. It keeps the price up because they have to pack it in...and I couldn't care less about anything the tablet offers. They need to just offer a $199 pack sans tablet...but they never would.

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    MudMan

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    #23  Edited By MudMan

    That flat 2DS looks like it will be really uncomfortable to play on.

    Apparently it's not really flat. It seems to be wedge-shaped, so there is still some slant to it? I don't know, man, it's just too weird to know until you handle it.

    It can't possibly jab into your hands any worse than the original 3DS's square corners, right?

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    andmm

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    #24  Edited By andmm

    My god, what the fuck is Nintendo thinking these days.... holy fuck

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    churrific

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    #25  Edited By churrific

    2ds looks ugly to me, but to be fair, I'm guessing so many parents are going to buy that for their kids just because it's in a slate form.

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    crusader8463

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    So are the screens the size of a regular 3ds or the xl? With no bend in it that thing looks like it would be painful to hold for long stretches at a time as well.

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    Trondood

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    #27  Edited By Trondood

    It kind of makes sense if you think about it. Nintendo has a disclaimer on every 3ds box that says kids under 7 shouldn't use its 3d feature. Problem solved. Every mom will buy this for their child this Christmas.

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    casper_

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    wut

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    jimmyfenix

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    #29  Edited By jimmyfenix

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    John-Luke

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    #30  Edited By John-Luke

    I guess they've made a complete replacement for the Nintendo DS at that price instead of like, having the 3DS be a substantial upgrade. The 3DS is their foothold and they just want them everywhere now. The name, while accurate, might be confusing though, since it basically does other thing a 3DS does.

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    AlmightyBoob

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    #31  Edited By AlmightyBoob

    The 2DS is super ugly looking. It's a fucking door stop wedge. And without the 3D games like Super Mario 3D Land won't really be playable.

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    pocketroid

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    Can't wait for the 1DS, where you can only view it from one angle. Ultra portable!

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    johncallahan

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    Looking at the picture of the "2DS." First thought is that that is a HORRIBLE place for the face buttons.

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    baconandwaffles

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    #34  Edited By baconandwaffles

    I think the 2DS is aimed at the tablet market and younger kids. Would a parent rather buy a $200 (or more) tablet for gaming or $130 for the 2DS? Granted, you quickly lose the savings when buying games, but still...

    Also, the clam shell hinge has always been the weakest part of the DS, and that applies doubly with kids involved.

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    circlenine

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    If they had made a $40 cheaper clamshell design 2DS I would have gladly picked one up because I cannot for the life of me get the 3D focused on the 3DS but that that just looks big and ugly. Guess I'm still waiting for the 3DS to drop a little more.

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    insane_shadowblade85

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    2DS? What?

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    insane_shadowblade85

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    2DS? What?

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    Wraxend

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    #38  Edited By Wraxend

    Oh god! Imagine this with a Circle Pad Pro attached!

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    chilibean_3

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    #39  Edited By chilibean_3

    It's a big no to both questions, Alex. Even with it being targeted for kids I don't really understand it. It's not like kids were having trouble with the 3DS design. I guess the $40 is that significant for parents.

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    Rincewind

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    "I bought my kid a 2DS but I can't find any games for it. Only 3DS ones"

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    fistfulofmetal

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    The Wii U Basic was the only model I was interested in. Why would I need a 32gig hdd on a nintendo console? With their awful DRM? I'm certainly not buying 3rd party games digitally. I only want a handful of retail releases and a disc will work fine for that. Virtual Console doesn't need a big hdd. So the premium is useless. Now that they are dropping it, I don't see a scenario where I buy a Wii U any time soon.

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    vikingdeath1

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    #42  Edited By vikingdeath1

    I was all like; "Why is everybody freaking out? it doesn't look That bad"

    took another look at that design;

    "wait..... It doesn't FLIP?!?"

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    bkbroiler

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    @noelveiga said:

    @bkbroiler said:

    That flat 2DS looks like it will be really uncomfortable to play on.

    Apparently it's not really flat. It seems to be wedge-shaped, so there is still some slant to it? I don't know, man, it's just too weird to know until you handle it.

    It can't possibly jab into your hands any worse than the original 3DS's square corners, right?

    Ah, okay. God it looks crazy! And the name. Man-o-man. It seems like it should be a lot cheaper for what you're getting.

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    The_Nubster

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    @ketchupp: Not required, but there are secret areas where you'll royally fuck up the jumps if you don't have it on, or know what's coming before-hand. Not to mention that almost any side-scroller or 3D platformer is way better with 3D turned on.

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    iamjohn

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    Jesus Christ that thing is hideous looking.

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    Benmo316

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    @colonelt: now's a good time to bring back cargo pants

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    devilzrule27

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    Well it's cheap enough to where I may actually finally buy a 3DS/2DS/DS. Haven't bought a Nintendo handheld since the original GBA so I have a lot of games I can catch up on. I don't really care that it looks silly, I play most of my portable games at home anyway.

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    RudeCubes

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    @fistfulofmetal: wh... But there is 0 downside to this! It's both the same price the basic was and they're not forcing you to buy digital games!

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    devilzrule27

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    Well it's cheap enough to where I may actually finally buy a 3DS/2DS/DS. Haven't bought a Nintendo handheld since the original GBA so I have a lot of games I can catch up on. I don't really care that it looks silly, I play most of my portable games at home anyway.

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    Benmo316

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    @colonelt: now's a good time to bring back cargo pants

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