The Nintendo 2DS was a handheld console released in 2013 as an entry-level, more affordable alternative to the Nintendo 3DS. It retained most of the functionality of the 3DS but removed the stereoscopic 3D feature and adopted a distinctive, non-folding “slate” design.
Key features and design
- Affordability: The 2DS launched at a significantly lower price point than the 3DS, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers and families.
- No 3D Display: The 2DS was named for its inability to display games in 3D. The removal of the 3D effect was marketed as a feature, as Nintendo had previously advised children under seven not to use the 3D functionality on the 3DS.
- Slate design: Unlike the clamshell design of the DS and 3DS families, the 2DS is a single, non-folding unit. This made it more durable, particularly for its target market of younger players, but also less portable.
- Hardware layout: The 2DS featured a single top LCD screen, but the casing gave the illusion of two screens. The buttons were positioned around the screen, similar to the Wii U’s GamePad controller.
- Backwards compatibility: The 2DS could play the entire library of Nintendo 3DS games (in 2D only), as well as almost all original Nintendo DS games.
- Connectivity: It included Wi-Fi for online multiplayer and downloading content from the Nintendo eShop, along with StreetPass and SpotPass functionality.
- Cameras: Despite its lack of a 3D screen, the 2DS retained the two outer cameras, which allowed users to take 3D photos. These photos could then be viewed in 3D on a standard 3DS.
Legacy and discontinuation
The 2DS was a commercially successful product that expanded the 3DS family’s reach to a new demographic.
- Final models: The 2DS line was updated with the “New Nintendo 2DS XL” in 2017, which brought back the clamshell design and included a faster processor.
- Discontinuation: Nintendo officially discontinued the original 2DS in Japan in 2019 and worldwide in 2020, along with the rest of the 3DS family, as the company shifted its focus to the Nintendo Switch.