Nintendo 2DS

Lore & Background

The Nintendo 2DS was unveiled via a press release on August 28, 2013, with private demos for the press beforehand. Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé stated that the 2DS was primarily targeted towards younger players, particularly those under seven, whom Nintendo had previously advised not to use the 3D functionality on the 3DS due to potential eye health concerns. The company aimed to produce a model that would be 'new, unique, different, and bring more people into this category.' The device was positioned at a lower price point than the 3DS, retailing at US$129.99 at launch in the United States, later lowered to $79.99 by May 2016.

The 2DS uses a slate-like form factor instead of the clamshell design of the DS and 3DS. Its hardware is almost identical to the 3DS, retaining the GPU, CPU, memory, and compatibility with DS and 3DS games, but uses a single non-stereoscopic LCD touchscreen and an internal mono speaker instead of stereo speakers. It retains the 3DS's dual cameras for 3D photographs. The device uses a switch for sleep mode instead of closing a shell, and the wireless switch is replaced by a software toggle. The battery is the same 1300mAh as the 3DS, with Nintendo rating it for 3 to 5.5 hours of 3DS games or 5 to 9 hours of DS games.

Reception to the Nintendo 2DS was mixed. Nintendo was praised for its pricing and positioning alongside higher-end counterparts, but criticism was directed at its regressions, such as a design some considered less appealing, lower sound quality, and poorer battery life. Some critics praised the design as more robust and comfortable to hold, especially for its target market. Some felt the lack of 3D support was an admission that the concept was a gimmick, though Nintendo stated that autostereoscopic 3D would remain part of their future plans. The 2DS was discontinued in Japan after 2018 and in the rest of the world after 2020, soon followed by the New Nintendo 2DS XL, the last console in the 3DS family in production.

Reader's Guide

The Nintendo 2DS holds significance as Nintendo's attempt to broaden the market for its 3DS platform by offering a lower-cost, simplified model that removed the signature 3D feature. This move was directly tied to health concerns for younger children, whom Nintendo had previously advised against using the 3D function. The device's slate design, while a departure from the clamshell form, was praised by some for its robustness and comfort, particularly for its intended younger audience. However, the mixed reception highlighted a tension: while the lower price point and positioning were seen as strategic, the removal of 3D and other hardware compromises (mono speaker, different form factor) drew criticism. The 2DS's legacy is intertwined with the broader 3DS family; it was eventually succeeded by the New Nintendo 2DS XL, and all models in the 3DS family were discontinued by September 2020. The device's existence also sparked debate about whether the lack of 3D was an implicit acknowledgment of the feature's limited appeal, though Nintendo maintained that autostereoscopic 3D remained part of its future plans. Ultimately, the 2DS served as a budget entry point that extended the life of the 3DS ecosystem, particularly for younger players and cost-conscious consumers.

Did You Know?

• The Nintendo 2DS was released on the same day as Pokémon X and Y.
• Former Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé stated the 2DS was primarily targeted at players under seven.
• The 2DS uses a single non-stereoscopic LCD touchscreen instead of the 3DS's dual-layered 3D screen.