This morning, gamers woke up to a collective head scratching. Nintendo has announced a redesign of their popular 3DS handheld, complete with a price drop and the removal of the clam shell design. Did we mention that it’s no longer 3D?
Removing the feature that the handheld was named after, this “2DS” will launch day and date with Pokemon X and Y on October 12th for $129. Serving as an entry level system, Nintendo is hoping to reach that five and six year old market, since the 3DS blinded anyone not over seven.
Aside from the loss of the 3D function and the ability to keep your screens from getting mauled in your pockets, the system will retain all of its other features. This includes, front and back cameras, (the latter which will still take 3D pictures,) DS backwards compatibility, Wi-Fi and Wireless access, a 4GB SD card and stereo output through headphones. All in all, a cheaper solution for those who have yet to buy what is the best gaming machine on the market right now if you were to ask me.
Can I just say that I’m happy to see the 3D go? Sure, some games like Kid Icarus Uprising looked great with the effect, but most games ignore it or treat it as an afterthought. It drains battery and is VERY unfriendly to portable gaming. For a system meant to play on the go, I can’t stand using 3D for more than a minute when in a moving vehicle that bounces my hands around, causing double vision better than a night of boozing ever could. While glasses free 3D is kind of cool, there’s a reason that 3D was a failed experiment of the 80’s. Welcome to the 21st Century, DS!
Do you think the 2DS will push sales through the roof this holiday? Will you be getting one? What do you think of the new design? Sound off in the comments and let us know.
Source: IGN.com