When Nintendo announced its decidedly ugly 2DS, the world – for the most part – replied with collective sense of disdain. Why on earth would a company so renowned for design release half-baked iteration of its 3DS that dispensed with its biggest selling point; that glasses-free 3D. It might not have been such a stupid move.
I had the fortune of going hands on with the newest product in the 3DS family today, and it left me surprised. The first, most immediately noticeable thing about the new 2DS is the omission of the famous Clamshell design; the thing is a wedge; larger at the top and tapering down towards the bottom. The second striking thing is that it’s much smaller than initial pictures would suggest; it’s actually smaller than the original 3DS when open.
And it’s surprisingly comfortable. your hands naturally gravitate towards the middle of the unit, with all the buttons and keys comfortably within reach. The home button is now a proper button, more prominently placed in the centre at the bottom, with the start and select buttons placed below the face buttons.
. It’s more like a double-storied gameboy advance, really. The twin displays are the size of the ones found on the original 3DS an not of the larger XL, and they’re covered with a thick, solid plastic to prevent then from getting damaged – though I can see this becoming scratched quite easily, and as with all 3DS; a screen protector is recommended. The device still has the twin camera set-up, so it’s capable of taking 3D pictures, just not of displaying them.
Game cartridges are loaded in an off-centre slot at the top of the device, with the SD card and stylus housed on the right. The headphone jack is on the front left of the handheld, accompanied on the right by a new Sleep Mode slider that makes up for the fact that you can’t close the lid on the thing (and putting paid to rumours that certain games utilising that motion might not work on the system)
Mostly, the only real difference is the lack of 3DS options; it’s effectively an open 3DS with the slider all the way down. It’s also missing a second speaker, s only does monaural audio (stereo through headphones). While dispensing with that extra dimension, the 2DS also dispenses with any sort of feeling of luxury; it feels like it looks; like a cheaper device manufactured by Fisher Price.
That, however, is really quite the point, giving the 2DS a reason to exist in the 3DS ecosystem. It’s not being released to replace the current 3DS or the 3DS XL, but rather a cheap handheld for the kids, that’ll probably be used for Pokémon; which makes its October release date, just days before Pokemon X & Y quite fortuitous.
Last Updated: September 16, 2013
Hammersteyn
September 16, 2013 at 15:15
Depending on the price I might get one. I miss Mario and Pokemon okay!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
September 16, 2013 at 15:24
Yeah, unfortunately we don’t know local pricing yet. May the exchange rate look favourably upon us.
Admiral Chief of Rivia
September 16, 2013 at 15:29
Rate is starting to look better now.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 16, 2013 at 15:40
Check at CNA, they’re selling the old 3DS for about R1400.
Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew
September 16, 2013 at 18:37
Yeah saw that the weekend. I was so close to buying one. Seriously close
ElimiNathan
January 7, 2014 at 11:54
Did you end up getting one ?
Hammersteyn
January 7, 2014 at 12:14
Got a Vita instead :/
ElimiNathan
January 7, 2014 at 13:01
Regret it ? I’ve also got one.. Pitty about the lack of games hey..
Hammersteyn
January 7, 2014 at 13:06
Nope, love the hell out off it. What lack of games?
ElimiNathan
January 7, 2014 at 13:07
I dunno, what’s good ? I have a couple games but nothing keeps me going back
Hammersteyn
January 7, 2014 at 13:24
Well I got Batman with mine. Uncharted is free on PS+. Any PS1 games you bought can be played on VITA. Then there’s Persona which a lot of people like.
ElimiNathan
January 7, 2014 at 13:43
Meh meh and meh 🙂
Hammersteyn
January 7, 2014 at 14:04
LOL
Grant Hancock
September 16, 2013 at 15:30
I think it’s gonna be a winner … I might buy one. At home I jam on my PS3.. but when away for work or whatever I could use a handheld… don’t know why I should get a 3DS when this is cheaper and plays same games
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 16, 2013 at 15:40
I spotted a cool sale at CNA this weekend, bought a 3DS for R1400 for the missus.
So yes… we now have a 3DS, and (I have to admit) it’s a damn awesome little device. It actually feels sturdier than my old 5 year old DS, and while it’s not as impressive as the 3DS XL, I’m content.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
September 16, 2013 at 15:45
It’s a winner of a machine. Ton of great, great games. Grab Luigi’s mansion and fire emblem. NOW.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 16, 2013 at 15:46
I can now add 3DS to my list of consoles I can review on… 😛 hehehehe
Martin du preez
September 16, 2013 at 15:46
SHUT UP Vita hating Nintenbot!
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
September 16, 2013 at 15:52
Sony makes KAK handhelds. Nintendon’t.
Also, Killzone on the Vita is pretty damned ace.
Martin du preez
September 16, 2013 at 15:54
I want Killzone Mercenaries inside me..Uhm I mean inside mah Vita. But GTA5
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 16, 2013 at 16:00
I want Killzone on vita… I want it so bad!
jGLZA
September 16, 2013 at 15:52
You reckon that sale is still on at CNA? Pretty sexy price that is.
Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)
September 16, 2013 at 16:01
I’m sure it is, there was still stock at Canal Walk yesterday, but I think it’s more a stock clearance sale than anything else. So you might actually be lucky and find some games too.
jGLZA
September 16, 2013 at 16:03
Alrighty then… leaving work early. Bye!
p.s. thanks 😀