Nintendo 2DS
Developer | Nintendo |
---|---|
Product family | Nintendo 3DS family |
Type | Handheld game console |
Generation | Eighth |
Release date | |
Lifespan | 2013–2020 |
Introductory price | AU$149.95[3] |
Discontinued |
|
Units shipped | Combined (worldwide): 14.43 million (As of March 31, 2019) 2DS: 10.29 million (As of March 31, 2019)[4] New 2DS XL: 4.14 million (As of March 31, 2019)[5] |
Media | Physical and digital
|
VGA cameras. | |
Connectivity | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Infrared |
Power | 1300 mAh lithium-ion battery
|
Current firmware | 11.17.0-50, as of May 22, 2023 |
Online services |
|
Dimensions | Width: 14.4 cm (5.7 in) New Nintendo 2DS XL |
Related | Nintendo 3DS |
Website | www |
The Nintendo 2DS
Reception to the Nintendo 2DS was mixed; while Nintendo was praised for how it priced and positioned the 2DS alongside its higher-end counterparts, much of its criticism was directed towards its regressions in comparison to the 3DS, such as a design that some considered less appealing than that of the 3DS, its lower sound quality, and its battery life. However, the 2DS's design was praised by some critics for being more robust and comfortable to hold than the 3DS, especially for its target market. Some critics also felt that the lack of 3D support was an admission by Nintendo that the concept was a
History
Nintendo officially unveiled the 2DS on August 28, 2013 via a press release; members of the press were given a chance to demo the device in private prior to the announcement.
With the 2DS, the company aimed to produce a device that would be "new, unique, different, and [bring] more people into this category that we love." Part of this goal was achieved by positioning the device at a lower price point than the 3DS; in the United States, the system retailed at
As part of a promotional effort for Nintendo's late-2013 releases, the Nintendo 2DS was featured on The Nintendo Experience promotional tour at
Launch
The Nintendo 2DS was released in North America, Europe and Australia on October 12, 2013, the same day as
On December 7, 2013, the Nintendo 2DS launched in South Korea, in white/red and black/blue models that respectively included a digital copy of Pokémon X or Y.[1]
A Sea Green variant, with a white body and mint green accents, color was released in North America on June 6, 2014 to coincide with the North American release of Tomodachi Life.[17] Crystal Red and Crystal Blue versions, which feature a translucent front cover, were released in Europe and North America in November 2014 as a tie-in for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire. In North America, the translucent models were also sold at a lower retail price of US$100 as opposed to the base US$129.99 price of the normal 2DS.[18][19] On August 20, 2015, the U.S. price was permanently lowered to $100, and units began to be bundled with coupons for a digital copy of Mario Kart 7.[20]
In December 2015, it was announced that the 2DS would be released in Japan on February 27, 2016 to coincide with the Virtual Console release of the original Game Boy Pokémon games. They were made available in translucent
On May 11, 2016, Nintendo announced that the U.S. price would be lowered to $79.99 effective May 20, 2016.[12] On September 15, 2016, the 2DS was released in standalone bundles in Japan, in blue, black, red, lavender, and pink color options.[21] On October 5, 2016, Nintendo announced refreshed versions of the stock Mario Kart 7 2DS bundles for the U.S. market (Crimson Red 2 and Electric Blue 2, based on the new Japanese variants), with "swapped" color schemes featuring red or blue bodies and black bezels.[22]
New Nintendo 2DS XL launch
A new model of the 2DS, titled the New Nintendo 2DS XL (branded as New Nintendo 2DS LL[b] in Japan), was released in Japan and Korea on July 13, 2017,[23] Australia and New Zealand on July 15, 2017,[24] and in North America and Europe on July 28, 2017.[25]
Nintendo has presented versions of the console in black with blue accents for the North American market, and white with orange-gold accents for the Japanese, South Korean and PAL region market,[26][27][23] as well as a Japan-exclusive Dragon Quest XI limited edition.[28] Later, the White + Orange variant came to North America, as well as Lavender + White, Black + Green (both Japan-exclusive) as well as Poké Ball and Pikachu variants to coincide with the launch of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (the former also coming to that region).
In July 2018, a "Hylian Shield" variant was released as a GameStop exclusive in North America, bundled with a pre-installed copy of The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.[29] This came alongside an Animal Crossing: New Leaf variant for Europe and Japan, a red/black Mario Kart 7 variant in Japan, and the Minecraft Creeper variant exclusive to Japan.[30] The Minecraft Creeper variant was also sold in Australia and Europe.[citation needed]
A month later, in August, Nintendo announced a new version of the console in purple with silver accents, which would release in September 2018. Additionally, Nintendo confirmed that all future shipments of the Black + Blue, White + Orange and Purple + Silver models would come with a pre-installed copy of Mario Kart 7.[31]
As of 17 September 2020, the New 2DS XL and all other remaining models in the 3DS family have been discontinued by Nintendo.[32]
Hardware
The Nintendo 2DS's hardware specifications are almost identical to those of the
The Nintendo 2DS's design is a significant departure from that of its precursors; while it is roughly the same size as its counterpart, the 2DS uses a "slate-like" form factor instead of the
The Nintendo 2DS contains the same 1300mAh battery present on regular Nintendo 3DS systems. Despite not supporting the 3DS's automatic brightness setting ("Power Save Mode"), the 2DS was rated by Nintendo as having slightly longer battery life than the 3DS; Nintendo rated the 2DS as being able to play from 3 to 5.5 hours of 3DS games or 5 to 9 hours of DS games on a single charge.[6][38][39]
New Nintendo 2DS XL
Like the 2DS, the New 2DS XL lacks 3D functionality but otherwise has similar hardware to the
Software and services
Aside from minor adjustments to reflect its hardware design differences, the
Reception
Pre-release
The Nintendo 2DS received mixed reception upon its announcement.
Some technology writers have expressed concern with the physical appearance of the 2DS: CNET considered the console to be significantly less aesthetically pleasing than its
In response to the 2DS using one physical display divided to emulate two, Kyle Orland of Ars Technica believed that Nintendo had missed an opportunity to produce a full-screen gaming tablet using the 2DS's form factor; which would have enabled future games and apps to use the entire screen area (which he estimated to be around the 5-inch range used by phablets), still allow backward compatibility with games designed for the folding 3DS and DS, and enhance the ability to port existing smartphone games to the platform. However, Orland also noted that introducing such a product could fragment Nintendo's portable gaming ecosystem for existing 3DS users—and that it was too early in the 3DS's life for Nintendo to introduce a successor.[34] Nearly 3 years after the release of the 2DS, Nintendo would ultimately announce the Nintendo Switch—a "hybrid" gaming tablet with detachable wireless controllers, and support of a docking station for use with a television.[45]
Calling it a "smart move" to redesign the Nintendo 3DS so as to lower costs, Wired felt that the 2DS might enable Nintendo to sell the console at a significantly lower price with a significantly higher profit margin.[46]
Post-release
The Nintendo 2DS has received mixed reviews. While pricing and form-factor were generally considered ideal, the console's aesthetics and battery life were widely criticized. The Telegraph noted that the lack of hinges in the console improved its robustness, and that rounding out the footprint makes it an ideal handheld for children. However, the publication criticized the console's mono speaker, which offered a lower sound quality than its predecessors. It also criticized the battery life, which it described as being the same as the original 3DS model. On the other hand, it praised the screens' brighter display and wider viewing angle, despite their not being as large as those of the 3DS XL.
Following the system's launch, Nintendo stated that the release of Sonic Lost World would boost Nintendo 2DS sales, labeling it as a "must play" title.[49] On October 31, 2013, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata admitted that the Nintendo 2DS lacked awareness among prospective purchasers. Additionally, he went on to say that some potential consumers believed that the product was too large and heavy to carry. However, Iwata stated that the system was well received among those who had purchased it.[50] Despite the 2DS's lack of 3D support, Satoru Iwata insisted, during Nintendo's 2013 third quarter investors Q&A, that the company "will [not] abandon 3D or cease to make new propositions in 3D", as it will continue to sell the existing Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL platforms.[51] However, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds producer Eiji Aonuma revealed in an interview that the game had minor changes in development due to the lack of 3D on the 2DS.[52]
New Nintendo 2DS XL
IGN considered the New 2DS XL to be an improvement over the "ugly doorstop-like" 2DS, praising its incorporation of features from the New 3DS XL into a device with a thinner and more "comfortable" form factor. Other changes were noted, such as using flaps to protect the game and SD card slots (the latter also removing the need to use tools to access it), and better-feeling shoulder buttons than the New 3DS XL. Regressions were also noted, however, such as its screens having a "washed out" appearance and lacking contrast, the top screen having a mirror-like coat that diminished viewing angles, the speakers sounding "muffled", and the short length of the included stylus. The New 2DS XL was recommended for users who did not need 3D but still wanted to play the platform's exclusive titles.[40] TechRadar was similarly positive, but also noting that the hinge now protruded from the back of the device (thus making it look less streamlined when closed), its battery life was "underwhelming", and the timing of its launch was at odds with the release of Nintendo Switch.[41]
Sales
Sales of the Nintendo 2DS surged three weeks after launching in the
Notes
References
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