R4 3DS .org

No, it's not a joke.  It really is the Nintendo 2DS. While the name (and design) of the console might look like just a fan made mock up, Nintendo's newest hand held game system to be released in October 12, 2013.

The biggest feature difference (and the reason for the 2DS name) is as a result of this new version having the 3D feature cut out of the system.  What this means is that it will play all 3DS and DS games, gamers won't have the ability to turn on the 3D screen, because it will use just a regular 2D Screen… Hence the name.

The other very noticeable difference is of course the single slate style molded body.  It's not a clamshell design and had monaural sound.  While some may argue that this pretty much gets rid of the feature set of the 3DS, with the big selling point being glasses free 3D, we think it's a smart (though strange looking) move by Nintendo to get the hand held system in to more hands, at a price that more families can afford.

The biggest benefit of the 2DS is of course the lower price point.  At only $130.00 for the new Nintendo 2DS system, I think we'll see a whole lot of new gamers come to Nintendo's hand held offerings.

The graphics on the 3DS are amazing for a hand held games console.  And the 2DS will NOT reduce the quality of the game visuals at all.  In fact, the 3D slider on the 3DS only adjusts or turns on the 3D viewing, but doesn't actually enhance the graphics in any way at all.  This way, you can play all of the great 3DS games with the same high quality graphics as 3DS owners would - except you'll be doing it a whole lot cheaper.

Nintendo has a vision for the 2DS.  They are calling it an entry level gaming system, and I think it's priced at just the right price point.  If history is any indication, we may soon find ourselves with a $99.00 Nintendo 2DS sometime in the next 12 months after it's release, putting it squarely on impulse buy lists world wide.  Will the R4 3DS card work with it?  We're guessing yes, but can't confirm until the 2DS is released.

With the Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo will also gain a new generation of gamers that will now have access to all of their franchise game properties.  For larger families where you have several kids that want a game system, this price point may be just right.  It would allow parents to buy 2 game systems for slightly more than a single 3DS or 3DS XL costs today.