Nintendo has announced a new iteration of their handheld, the New Nintendo 2DS XL, which will be arriving on July 28, 2017 according to a press release.
The New Nintendo 2DS XL mixes features from the 3DS line of handhelds and the Nintendo 2DS, a sturdier version of the handheld that lacked the 3D feature. The 2DS XL follows suit, presenting essentially the same features as the New Nintendo 3DS XL save for the ability to view games and videos in 3D. The lack of the 3D feature results in lighter weight, a slightly smaller size, and a cheaper price—$149.99 compared to $199.99 for the New Nintendo 3DS XL. Another core difference between the two versions of the handheld is that the 2DS XL will include an AC power adapter whereas it must be purchased separately for the 3D-capable version of the handheld.
This particular handheld will be available in a turquoise and black clamshell design and will feature the same size screen as the 3DS XL. The addition of the C-Stick, ZL, and ZR buttons will give compatible games more tools to work with. Additionally, the New Nintendo 2DS XL (and its sister 3DS product) will be featuring amiibo support for the first time; players can use the collectible figurines on the bottom screen to unlock in-game features where supported.
As one would expect, the New Nintendo 2DS XL will be able to play games from the ever-growing library of 3DS titles; over 1,000 compatible games will be available at launch, owing to the long history and backward compatibility of this latest offering from Nintendo.
Quick Take
Fifty bucks cheaper, no 3D feature, and the power cord actually comes in the box instead of having to be purchased separately. What's not to like? I think this might be the first time that we'll see the non-3D version of the handheld prove to be a stronger competitor to the 3D version. I do have to wonder how many adjectives & letters Nintendo is going to be adding to their handhelds before they decide to dial it back a bit.What do you think of the New Nintendo 2DS XL? Do you think the additions added in this latest iteration of the handheld will make it a worthwhile purchase or will you be holding onto the one you already own? What would you like to see in a future Nintendo handheld? Let us know in the comments below!
