Today's the day, folks. With the release of the brand new Pokémon X and Y, gamers have the option of getting their pocket monster fix on the go with a brand new handheld from Nintendo that goes on sale officially today.
While the Wii U has been suffering, the company's DS line has never been stronger, so much so that the company has introduced a cheaper version of its trademark 3DS, albeit without any of the device's three-dimensional graphics, hence the gizmo's namesake.
Dubbed the 2DS, it plays the entire original DS and 3DS's library, just without the foldup capability and trademark visuals. While it's not as portable, the cheaper price tag is a great means to for both gamers who could never concentrate or focus their eyesight enough to appreciate the 3D effect, as well as newcomers to the DS line. As Nintendo of America's COO, Reggie Fils-Aime described, the gadget is meant for "the entry-level consumer looking for lower-priced access to a fantastic library."
Physically, it resembles the tablet style gamepad for the Wii U, and at $129.99, it's not at all a bad price, especially considering the 3DS currently goes for $70 more (depending on the retailer), and that it has just about all the features of its more advanced counterpart: same amount of controls, screens (1 touch, 1 standard widescreen), plays all the DS and 3DS games, has motion and gyro sensors, cameras, etc.,
As for the differences? Let's get right into it.
Looking at the design, players might have to adjust to the analog stick and buttons being significantly closer to the game's top screen, but it should to keep players' thumbs from sliding onto the bottom touch screen during bouts of intense play. So there's that, but the most glaringly obvious feature is the handheld's SIZE...
For owners, the above image provides an accurate understanding of what the 2D is offering size wise, but for non-owners, let's check out the official spec sheet, shall we?
Both the 2DS's screens are the same size as the traditional 3DS at roughly 3.5 inches for the wide screen, and 3 inches for the touch screen. However, the 2DS screens are outsized by the XL, but that's to be expected, it IS XL after all. In terms of actual dimensions, the 2DS as is smaller than both the 3DS and 3DS XL when either are unfolded, measuring 5 inches high, and 5.7 inches wide. At .8 inches thick, it's the thinnest of the DS's, barely edging out 3DS by a smidge.
Portability? Well, there's the handheld's downfall. In terms of size, the biggest difference is that the 3DS and 3DS's height can be lopped in half because they fold (but that will obviously increase their thickness). The 2D doesn't, so even though it's thinner than the other two handhelds, there's not a chance in hell this thing will ever fit in your pocket. Maybe fanny packs will make a comeback...
Still, it'll fit easily into a backpack, briefcase, satchel, purse, or what-have-you if you want to get some gaming done on your morning commute.
With this design, the 2DS loses the simple "snap to sleep" mode, so to counteract this, Nintendo added a sleep switch. The remaining differences between the handhelds are minute. For example:
- the 2DS heavier than the 3DS, but lighter than the XL.
- in terms of battery life, the 2DS is said to play games a bit longer than the 3DS, but not quite as long as the XL
- like the 3DS, a power adapter is included with purchase of the 2DS, unlike the XL
- it has speakers chirping monaural sound, and stereo with headphones. The 3DS and XL both have stereo sound regardless.
With Nintendo continuing its launch event at its World Store into this evening, now's the best time to go and pick one up. Check out the trailer below for a closer look, and we'll have a review as soon as possible.
