Nintendo New 2DS XL - Black + Turquoise

Product Information

Includes a white New Nintendo 3DS XL system with a unique, game-themed cover design, a pre-installed digital copy of Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer and one special amiibo card. Most importantly, I love having a single device that bridges the entire ecosystem of portable Nintendo games post Game Boy. As scary as that scenario is, you might be able to avoid it if you invest in a Nintendo Switch case. And, since it's a New 3DS system, it can play games from the full lifespans of the DS and 3DS, and there is a lot of pure gold in that decade-plus of handheld gaming.

As someone who is still using the original 3DS, this new system felt like a cheap build in comparison.This foldable design has been a mainstay of every DS and 3DS system that Nintendo has ever released, and we're glad to see it applied to the 2DS line for the very first time.

In terms of size, the New 2DS XL is only slightly smaller than its three-dimensional counterpart (the New 2DS XL is 6. Normally I wait a long while before picking up a new system, waiting for reviews, etc, to see if the platform has a future that excites me.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. Compared to the boxes in which the original 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS and New 3DS shipped, the packaging for the New 2DS XL is surprisingly compact.

As far as differences that may affect play quality, the New Nintendo 2DS XL’s shoulder buttons are just a bit curved, which makes them easier to press without discomfort. 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. As far as battery life goes, expect it to be in the same six- or seven-hour ballpark as the New 3DS XL. The front-facing camera is located in the middle of the hinge, while the dual rear cameras are on the bottom, below the hinge. As part of a promotional effort for Nintendo's late-2013 releases, the Nintendo 2DS was featured on The Nintendo Experience promotional tour at Simon Malls locations in the United States throughout October and into early November.

The lack of XL in the name also gives away the fact that this is a little system -- its screens are significantly smaller than the New models. The Nintendo 2DS only has an internal mono speaker, as opposed to the internal stereo speakers of the 3DS, although stereo sound can still be output through the headphone jack. The device comes with a 4GB microSDHC card for data storage and a built-in NFC reader for downloading games, apps, and content. It is able to play video games that only it and the New 3DS model and its variants are able to play, including Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, Fire Emblem Warriors, and Game Boy Advance digital re-releases. It was only available in North America in special bundles, and Nintendo ended production -- which limited availability.

Admittedly, the top screen doesn't feel as sturdy as it has on previous models, with a slight wobbliness to it when you shake the unit around.Even though it features backward compatibility with older Nintendo DS videogames, the console has an impressive library on its own, featuring over 1300 fun titles to play all day! The Nintendo 2DS is an entry-level version of the Nintendo 3DS which maintains otherwise identical hardware, similar functionality, and compatibility with software designed for the Nintendo DS and 3DS. When the 2DS came out I was interested – the form factor looked nice to play – despite loving the DS Lite I wasn’t 100% a fan of the clam shell design, but I also didn’t like that it wasn’t going to fit into my pockets. 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. Analyst Piers Harding-Rolls felt that the Nintendo 2DS would help Nintendo broaden its market, and believes that third-party publishers will have more commitment to the platform moving forward.