Cubed Table | Nintendo 2DS: Effective Strategy or Simply Confusing? Our Reaction

Jorge Ba-oh, Editor/Founder

 
There have been a few odd decisions, namely the bizarrely timed launch and gimped hardware of the Wii Mini, but most revisions have added comfort and further portability. Now with the Nintendo 2DS, the timing couldn't be sweeter for Nintendo. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are primed to obliterate the video game charts on a global scale and despite the ever-increasing volume of Nintendo 3DS owners; there are likely a large number of players who have yet to purchase one.
 
The Nintendo 2DS now gives players three choices when it comes to playing the latest games - either a simpler, cheaper experience that still retains core functionality, to one that's slightly bigger and potentially more immersive; the XL.
 
The console certainly isn't for everyone - it's not exactly pocket friendly and the larger surface area to hold it could put off some consumers, but the fact of the matter is that there are multiple options for those wanting to leap into the experience, but retaining their existing Nintendo DS collection as well.
 

In terms of design, the hardware does look odd when contrasted directly to the long line of past DS consoles, but from a cost-cutting and demographic perspective, makes sense in its execution. Perhaps this may have been what the original Nintendo DS would have looked like if Nintendo didn't progress down the clamshell route; harkening back slightly to a more Game Boy Advance-esque design. Hands-on reports have already suggested that it's far more comfortable than it looks.
 
The drawback of the Nintendo 2DS release could come in the marketing messages - the use of the 2D within the name could, for some, alleviate some confusion, but could also further berate clueless consumers into complaining. Nintendo will need to be very clear when it comes to pushing both the 2DS and 3DS this holiday season. By placing both of the console varieties, or all three in-fact, together on the same page, it should help make deciding easier - 2DS should not be seen alone in the wild, or consumers could very well assume it's a successor to the 3DS.
 
At £109 in the UK and $129.99, it's a steal.
 

Adam Riley, Operations Director

Mono speaker, lack of Wi-Fi switch, no inclusion of a second analogue stick, back to the smaller screens that younger children will struggle with, increased chances of scratching the system due to its open, tablet form, removes the impressive 3D features of games that make great use of it, takes 3D photos that can only be seen on a 3DS system...
 
All that can be thought is that Nintendo is hoping to draw in the younger market by selling to parents by saying "now let your kids play all the great games without blinding them!" Perhaps?
 

There was no sign of the new Brain Training on the release list update, so perhaps a 2DS XL will also come out eventually to confuse matters even more by aiming at the ageing population.
 
Nintendo Wii, Wii U, DS, 3DS, 3DS XL, 2DS - nobody will be confused, obviously!
 
 

Javier Jimenez, Feature Writer

 
Ultimately, it's price (and software) that moves the market. PS3 at $599 didn't sell. PS3 at $299 did. Nintendo 3DS at $250 didn't sell. 3DS at $170 did. The new 2DS at $130 will sell even more, even without a clamshell design. From a pure business standpoint, that's all that really matters and, of course, gamers can always buy the XL with its big screens.
 
That's the why of the 2DS. That's the point of its existence. Preliminary adverts show it positioned as the "value" entry in the Nintendo 3DS line. So, if you hate it, just remember it's not for you. It's for skinflints and poor souls who can't afford the XL, with its honking huge screens. It's for kids who absolutely must play the "Pogeymanz". It's for Christmas presents. It's not for the core gamer, other than the collector, that's why.
 

And if it sells well this holiday, message board posters can heap all the scorn they want on it. It will have fulfilled its purpose.