While a great many gamers may have written off the 3DS now the Switch is here, it's vital to remember that it's still very much a part of Nintendo's plans - and the company has reinforced this by announcing a trio of New 2DS XL (or LL as they're known over there) consoles for release in Japan.
Launching in the summer, we've got the Minecraft New 2DS XL Creeper Edition (16,980 yen), New 2DS XL Animal Crossing Edition (15,980 yen) and New 2DS XL Mario Kart 7 Pack (15,980 yen). These come pre-loaded with Minecraft, Animal Crossing New Leaf: Welcome amiibo and Mario Kart 7 respectively.
While the Animal Crossing console isn't entirely fresh - it was announced for Europe a short time ago - the other two are brand new. Are you tempted to import the Minecraft of Mario Kart 7 consoles, or are you hopeful that we'll see them in the west sometime soon? Let us know with a comment.
[source nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 57
Why are they giving up on the 3D aspect? That was the main selling point, wasn't it?
OMG that black and red MK7 2DS is absolutely gorgeous!!! I would totally buy a 2nd console if that one came to NA.
@Bunkerneath I imagine it's more cost effective to ship without the autostereoscopic screen, and a lot of recent 3DS games don't use 3D anyway. Plus, these are aimed at younger kids and if you're under 7 you're not supposed to use the 3D effect.
That Minecraft one looks pretty neat and I'm not really into Minecraft. I'm still considering importing a Japanese Dragon Quest-themed one but have resisted so far.
Does anyone know if the new 2DS solves that issue of marking the screen? Both my original 3DS and N3DS have vertical lines on the screen that are really annoying! I should have installed a screen protector but didn't think I'd need one.
@Bunkerneath Maybe in the beginning, now the immense library of amazing games is the selling point (though I still use the 3D all the time so these certainly aren't for me).
@Bunkerneath Seems crazy to me too, but guess they are going for a younger market for these. 3D effect is great on some games, I never get bored of it.
I really want that minecraft one. Like really. Maybe I’ll import it down the line.
@heathenmagic still play it with amazement when I switch on the 3d. Great handheld with a massive library
Do these consoles fold? I thought the 2ds ones I have seen stay open, partially because it uses one larger screen as a cost saving...
If it's 2 screens, it's much closer to a real 3ds...
@Cathousemaster The New 2DS (which these are) folds and has two screens. The original 2DS had two screens but didn't have a folding design.
@Cathousemaster All the new 2ds XL fold. The old 2ds does not fold. It is the same as a new 3ds XL except that it does not have the ability to show 3d, and a few design differences.
I take 3D photos with my digital camera then look at them using the 3DS it's great.
Thanks all. One of these sucker's would make for a great Xmas present my kids. My eldest has my old small 3ds, but my younger is on a DS XL. It's looking a little dated...
Those're really dang sleek.
That Minecraft one is rather nice. I bought one of all main variants of the 3DS but no 2DS. Would have liked the Samus N3DS XL but it was that or the SNES one; which was nicer.
Also glad the 3DS is still being supported. Some companies are too quick to drop support for successful systems just cos something new has come along. I feel Nintendo is doing the right thing by putting the majority if its support towards Switch but keeping the 3DS healthy considering its large set market. Also there remains a market for more affordable game machines. Not every parent can afford to buy a £280 console that is also less rugged.
@admwllms What N3DS do you have, the big or the small? I have the small one and mine doesn't have the vertical lines but I don't know if I am just lucky.
@heathenmagic The 3D makes some 3DS great absolutely better, for me it's still its best feature.
@BlueOcean Mine's the small one too, with the removable faceplates, and I try to look after my gear so can't understand why it happened. My old white DS is still pristine.
They are all so gorgeous!! Why dont we have special edition Nintendo Switches like this?!
@FX102A "Some companies are too quick to drop support for successful systems just cos something new has come along"
Like Nintendo did with Wii U when it would be so easy to port Arms and Super Mario Odyssey to Wii U or release the Mario Kart battle mode as DLC. I love 3DS but the reason while Nintendo still supports it is because it has a massive install base of 72 million units (almost as much as PS4) and there are no other handhelds around, Vita being officially dropped by Sony.
I wish they'd re-release the standard white New 3DS
@admwllms OK, so close the console very slowly and check if the two nubs physically separate both screens. Look from one of the sides while it is closed using a strong light or a torch. It looks a bit cheap as design but in my unit the two screens stay apart. I don't use screen protectors either.
The small New 3DS is the best 3DS model in my opinion because it has the perfect size for a handheld, slightly bigger screens than the original 3DS but with better 3D and brightness, while the XL models make more evident the low resolution and have fewer pixels per inch.
@BlueOcean
"The small New 3DS is the best 3DS model in my opinion because it has the perfect size for a handheld, slightly bigger screens than the original 3DS but with better 3D and brightness, while the XL models make more evident the low resolution and have fewer pixels per inch."
I had ever compared New 3DS with 3DS XL.
Still.... too small for me despite has colorful buttons.
My fingers are long, so XL size is fit to me.
What Nintendo no love at all for the 3DS XL ?, Nintendo keeps pushing these 2DS models with some nice variations but I would like a new 3DS XL variation as someone who still enjoys playing games in 3D . I really hope Nintendo is not done with the stereoscopic 3D but all signs point to the exit for the 3DS and stereoscopic 3D.
Pretty disappointed in the MK7 one. It's basically the current version but red. No special graphics or art design to differentiate it as a limited edition.
@Romeo-75
Most Nintendo first party games don't come with 3d anymore. I also think they are focusing on the 2ds because they are trying to segregate the 3ds and switch markets by showing a sizable price difference without actually dropping the 3ds price.
@Bunkerneath So many people vastly play the game 2d from feedback they heard I guess... Plus, removing the 3D makes it cheaper!
@Anti-Matter I see. I have normal hands and for me the size is fine but after a while it's the sliding stick what starts feeling uncomfortable, that's why sticks are always high I guess. I love the 3DS but I need to have breaks. Also the D-pad should be higher up, there's a lot of space in between it and the sliding stick. So yeah, none of them are perfect. I also like the clamshell design for whatever reason.
@Killak-00 True but playing Ocarina of Time and Majora's Mask with nicer visuals and 3D is priceless!
Those are looking really snazzy. Convincing myself I don’t need a new 2DS XL in 3, 2, 1....must....resist...
@BlueOcean Good idea, thanks for the advice. I didn't think of using a torch for some reason. So, I'd love to say it didn't shut properly and thus isn't my fault but no, you're right, the screen is kept just about apart with the little nubs. I even tried squeezing it gently and couldn't get them to touch.
That really implies that it's my fault. I keep it in a case and goes in a small bag with nothing else pressing on it but maybe my little boy dropped it or something.
@Bunkerneath Sure, 7 years ago. Nowadays nobody cares that much, and leaving it out makes the system cheaper to produce.
@admwllms You are welcome. Hopefully the lines are not too bad.
@BlueOcean Thought someone would bring up the Wii U, but it was anything but successful and trying to keep that thing going or developing ports or DLC which the majority had already pronounced as dead or dying, would be like throwing money into the ocean. It served its purpose, kept the Nintendo brand visible in the home console sphere (just barely) until the Switch came along.
Now what would really be a great deal is those three games, all bundled together on purchase.
That red/black 2DS XL might still tempt me if it comes to North America....
@Damo Yeah, and despite implementing it for years after release, I suspect Nintendo internally quickly realized how insignificant the 3D aspect of the 3DS was to consumers.
That reminds me, I really need to get a new 3DS before Nintendo eventually stops making them. My original model has served me well, but after 6+ years, it's kind of falling apart.
Well I'd definitely get the minecraft one and/or the animal crossing one if it was released in the states. We will see! I won't import though.
All 3 are pretty sexy. I'd seriously consider that Minecraft (despite not being big into the game) and Animal Crossing one if they come to the U.S.
@Bunkerneath 3D was a sellling point for me, but in this market the lowest price point possible is a much bigger selling point for late adopters who just want the quickest/cheapest access to the 3DS library.
i hope for a 3DS 2 with 3D capability.
hard to ignore, they are all pretty good.
@ReaderRagfish
"Anybody else miss how portable systems used to actually fit in our pockets?"
Not anymore for me, because since i got some skin irritation on my upper thigh by putting my smartphone in my pocket oftenly, i don't think i will put my New 3DS XL inside my pocket anymore.
I felt very Uncomfort by putting something big inside my pocket, so that's why i have a handbag to bring my Switch & 3DS XL together.
....Seriously? No Creeper jokes on here?
Ahhh the Creeper one is just too good! Still I love my black/blue new 2ds xl.
@Bunkerneath because it flatlined. the need isn't there so why stick to it? 2D all the way
Keep beating that dead horse.
@admwllms yep, same here. I do not even own Minecraft. But that console looks really good.
Not importing but if it comes to NA i might pick one of them to keep it as a spare unit.
I was about to get really mad since I bought the Pokeball Edition two days ago and Animal Crossing New Leaf is my favorite 3DS game. After seeing the Animal Crossing 2DS’s design I’m not annoyed anymore ☺️ I like the one I have much better.
I sold my New 3DS xl about a month ago and thought I was completely done with all the games on the system but nope! The 3DS will always be very near and dear to my heart.
@Damo
The Animal Crossing beauty is not really a design aimed at kids, imo. I'd bag that in a heartbeat. Nintendo rarely does green right, but that's lovely.
Kind of want the Minecraft one.....Might get the Animal Crossing one for my daughter if they release it here...
According to Play-Asia the Minecraft one comes with Minecraft preinstalled. Same with AC one coming with AC and Mario one coming with Mario Kart.
But the real question...is if Nintendo could have been any lazier with that Mario Kart 7 one? 🤔
@Bunkerneath 3D is but a gimmick. Not the main selling point of the portable
@Willuigi I love the 3D effect and a lot of the games look like garbage in 2D. I seem to be in the minority on this, but I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want the real 3DS.
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