2DS - curious what others think about that

It's been a couple of weeks now, but my son was asking me what I thought about the 2DS last night, and I figured I'd pose the same question here. For me personally, I'm not even slightly interested. I am not a big fan of the tablet-like form factor, and I play my games with the 3D cranked up. My son also prefers the clam shell design currently employed, because he puts his 3DS in his pocket, though he doesn't use the 3D effect very often - he just got it because he wanted access to the games that his DSi couldn't play. Now for my youngest, this seems like it might be okay. She has had tablet-shaped devices before (like Leapfrog ones), and it's cheaper, and she doesn't care at all about 3D - she just wants to play games like Luigi's Mansion or Pokemon X & Y without needing to ask me for permission to use my 3DS. About the only advantage I would see for myself personally is you don't have to worry about the hinges of the current design eventually going bad, which DSs are fairly well-known for (though my 3DS's hinges are still rock solid after nearly 1 1/2 years of fairly heavy use)

On one hand I'm rather fond of the clam shell design so removing it is rather unfortunate, but I'm also not one to use the 3D feature. Even in games such as Super Mario 3D Land, I found myself only sliding it up during the rare parts with the isometric block exploration. If I didn't already own 3 or 4 3DS variations, I wouldn't be above purchasing this or recommending it to people who, like me, aren't huge on 3D and play most of their handheld games at home. That said, anyone who is remotely interested in the 3D feature and has proper eyesight shouldn't be bothering with this given that the regular 3DS often retails for about $20 more. Given all the bundles and discounts the original model gets too, it's hardly a better financial decision to go with the 2DS.

Regardless of all that, I'm probably going to pick one up when there's a nice limited edition bundle or something just because I appreciate having multiple handhelds for things like 8-person Bomberman sessions, easier Pokemon transportation, and letting people borrow systems without inhibiting my progress in a game.

I guess my great concern with the 2DS is that now developers will no longer be able to guarantee that the player has access to the 3D slider, they will no longer be able to make a game where the experience is fundamentally enhanced by 3D. There's only a couple of 3DS games that do "require" the 3D, of course, but those games are some of the finest games on the 3DS and legitimately experiences I can't get anywhere else.

As it stands the 2DS is, to me, nothing more than the least powerful current games console on the market, with no features whatsoever to make it worth the investment over a Vita or 3DS.

You Matt, just touched on one of my major concerns. I love the 3D functionality and I suspect it will wind up getting marginalized a bit due to this system. Midori - good thoughts on the waiting until the inevitable bundle deal at some point.

It's a great idea. Maybe us slightly more "hardcore" gamers won't go for it, but it's great for those low on money or for kids.

My only thing is: How the heck are you supposed to play Kid Icarus: Uprising on it without messing up your hand?

KiDasharus wrote:It's a great idea. Maybe us slightly more "hardcore" gamers won't go for it, but it's great for those low on money or for kids.

My only thing is: How the heck are you supposed to play Kid Icarus: Uprising on it without messing up your hand?

Rofl - good point, I hadn't even thought of that. Such a good game, such an odd control scheme.

KiDasharus wrote:It's a great idea. Maybe us slightly more "hardcore" gamers won't go for it, but it's great for those low on money or for kids.

My only thing is: How the heck are you supposed to play Kid Icarus: Uprising on it without messing up your hand?

I don't know if that product category exists any more. People who are low on money will still have a smart phone because it's essential in modern life, and they'll surely stick to gaming on that.

If they're looking for something for the kids I strongly suspect the million or so edutainment and kids games on iPads and such will be more attractive. For the REALLY young kids I hear Leapfrog is doing pretty well for itself.

So while there might be a few who buy this, I don't think there's a large enough market for it to see real market penetration.

I finally got to play around with one of these and I don't like it in the slightest. It feels big and ugly in the hands and while 3D might not be essential to many 3DS games, I do feel its absence.

I assume it's selling decently well, but I'll never be buying one.

Yeah, my youngest is talking about getting one. But she's damaged the hinges on her ds's several times over the years, and she doesn't use the 3D herself, but the lack of being able to play Pokemon on her DSi is really irritating her. :p I have zero interest in it myself - but it's interesting you finally got to try it, thanks for the impressions.