Nintendo Announces 2DS, Wii U Deluxe Price Cut

[AnthrSolidSnake]

How does anyone see anything wrong with this? It's a great decision.

1. Great for kids who could potentially break the clampshell design, and who couldn't use the 3D anyway
2. Do...do people REALLY carry their 3DS in their pockets? Really? THAT'S your complaint? Backpack pockets, maybe, but this can still fit in those.
3. Now I feel pretty good about buying one. I had zero interest in the 3D gimmick, and have held off buying a 3DS because of it. Now, it being a lot cheaper than a new 3DS, I won't feel like I payed extra for something I would never use.

I mean, refurbished 3DS systems are still $160. This is $130 new.

 

[WeepingAngels]

I guess the 3DS isn't doing as good as people believe. There is no reason for Nintendo to release a cheaper version to directly compete against the 3DS unless they felt they had to.

It needs the clamshell design but other than that, I kinda like it.

The 3DS is doing pretty darn well for itself.
This is presented as another alternative. Not a competitor.
It is not an upgrade, and it has no intention of impressing owners who currently own a 3DS or are planning to get one.
I mean, the things is even cheaper than the standard 3DS.

This particular device is specifically for an age group of kids.
A lot of kids can't really handle the 3D aspect. Yeah you can turn it off, but let's get real about kids here. Sometimes they do things that harm them anyway just because of the nicer visuals.
Also the launch date is pretty smart.
Pokemon X and Y comes on that date as well.
So parents whose kids don't have a 3DS but want the game are saving a bit more when it comes buying both the hardware and the software (and it's not like those cool Pokemon 3DS XL devices with the games already in it are coming to the US anyway.)

On that note, I do think the design is...urgh. But again, it's necessary for the demographic at hand.
You'd be amazed how many kids break the hinges on their DS anything within the first month of owning the system.
Like all devices like this, I expect that the screens are even more beefed up.

At $40 cheaper it will be competing against the 3DS sitting right beside it on the shelf. Nintendo already knows that this will directly compete against the 3DS both for shelf space and price but they must have thought it necessary. I find it hard to believe that the 3DS is flying off shelves if Nintendo released this.

Also, the no 3D for kids is simple to fix without designing a whole new handheld that would hurt 3DS sales, parental controls that totally disable 3D.

That's like saying the 3DS XL is competing with the regular 3DS.
This is still in the same branch as the 3DS. Whether people choose to buy a 3DS or a 2DS is irrelevant because at the end of the day, they are still getting the money anyway.
The total sales of 3DS's worldwide are around 342 million units. Even more to come when X and Y comes out. That is hardly a sign of a handheld in trouble.
They didn't find the new design necessary.
They were simply being considerate and decided to make a cheaper version of the 3DS excluding a few features. This isn't meant to lure a large demographic of people.
This is meant for those who can't see 3D due to being stereo blind, thus having no reason for purchasing the devices, and parents who are tight on money, but really want to get their kids a handheld that can play the current games.

No see, the 3DS XL is more expensive than the original 3DS so it isn't really going to cost Nintendo money if people buy the 3DS XL instead of the 3DS OG. However, it will cost Nintendo $40 for each 2DS sold that could have been a 3DS OG.

It's the difference of releasing a more expensive version or a cheaper version. They are shooting themselves in the foot with this and I don't think they would be doing this at all if 3DS were flying off shelves.

Also, 342 Millions 3DS's sold? I am going to need evidence of that.

 

[WeepingAngels]

2. Do...do people REALLY carry their 3DS in their pockets? Really? THAT'S your complaint? Backpack pockets, maybe, but this can still fit in those.

Yes, we carry our handhelds in our pockets. That is what they are designed for and the DS/3DS fit perfectly in my back pocket.

 

[VinLAURiA]

This was a major mistake. This just gives into all those "gimmick" criers out there. They should've have stood their ground and said, "No. This is a major part of our system. You can turn it off if you want, but we're not removing it."

 

[WeepingAngels]

This was a major mistake. This just gives into all those "gimmick" criers out there. They should've have stood their ground.

Next up, Wii U without the pad.

 

[VinLAURiA]

Next up, Wii U without the pad.

Good lord, I hope not. Worst-case scenario right there.

Wii U with a Pro Controller instead of the GamePad and we'll have Gen6 all over again.

 

[Costia]

I will be waiting for the Nintendo 2DS XL edition.
What I don't understand is: if the 2DS is a single flat surface, why are the screens still split? To me it would make much more sense to have a single large display.

 

[WeepingAngels]

Next up, Wii U without the pad.

Good lord, I hope not. Worst-case scenario right there.

Wii U with a Pro Controller instead of the GamePad and we'll have Gen6 all over again.

If Wii U doesn't start selling better, that is what we are likely to see. After all, if Nintendo is willing to strip the 3DS of it's main feature then it is probably willing to the same for the less successful Wii U.

 

[WeepingAngels]

I will be waiting for the Nintendo 2DS XL edition.
What I don't understand is: if the 2DS is a single flat surface, why are the screens still split? To me it would make much more sense to have a single large display.

Because of the retarded decision by Nintendo to make two different sized screens on the 3DS (which led to screen scratching).

 

[subtlefuge]

I guess the 3DS isn't doing as good as people believe. There is no reason for Nintendo to release a cheaper version to directly compete against the 3DS unless they felt they had to.

It needs the clamshell design but other than that, I kinda like it.

The 3DS is doing really well, but based on the kinds of games that are coming out for it (almost entirely good ones), I would assume that maybe it isn't hitting the kiddie market as well as its predecessors. If you make it all one piece, you can make it cheaper and more durable. Removing the 3D effect also makes it cheaper, and Nintendo has already warned that children should not be using the 3D to begin with.

I think the only real problem is educating the consumers. Speaking from unfortunate prior retail experience, a huge percent of parents buying for kids have no clue if a certain system will play a certain game, and now when the kids want a 3DS and Pokemon, maybe the parents won't know that a 2DS can actually play 3DS games.

That and saying 2 Dual Screen is redundant. It should just be a DS2, or maybe that would be confusinger. Forget this.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Sure I admit I had never turn the 3D on properly on my 3DS but what is up with the design on that image? It look like you can't even fold it like the past DS console which is a fail in my view (why get rid of it as it still used dual screens.

 

[Dragonbums]

No see, the 3DS XL is more expensive than the original 3DS so it isn't really going to cost Nintendo money if people buy the 3DS XL instead of the 3DS OG. However, it will cost Nintendo $40 for each 2DS sold that could have been a 3DS OG.

It's the difference of releasing a more expensive version or a cheaper version. They are shooting themselves in the foot with this and I don't think they would be doing this at all if 3DS were flying off shelves.

Also, 342 Millions 3DS's sold? I am going to need evidence of that.

It's not shooting themselves in the foot.
They are simply targeting a small yet viable demographic of people who weren't interested in the current models, but would be in this one.
Kids can't play the games because of the 3D aspect? Remove the 3D aspect.
People who are stereo blind and see no point in buying a 3DS? Get rid of the 3D aspect. Now not only do they feel not left out because they are unable to view a feature due to disabilities, but they can get the console at a cheaper price.
Have a kid in the family that always breaks the damn device? Well now that the clamps are gone then it's no problem.
Again, this is simply a product targeted for kids in the Kindergarten 1st grade range.
I guess Nintendo should apologize for being considerate.

I mean whatever. You have a 3DS, and I have a 3DS. This will not affect me anymore then it will affect you. If someone comes walking down with a 2DS we would still be able to do all the things we can together minus the 3D part. That's pretty much it.
I really don't see what's to kick all this fuss around about.

Seemed to have read the graph wrong. Whoops. Anyway here is the link: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/en/sales/hard_soft/index.html straight from the site itself.

Still far from bad. And keep in mind that with the previous DS family tree they are including all the DS's. All the way from the first fat one which was around a decade ago. So yeah, I'd say the 3DS is doing pretty darn well.

 

[WeepingAngels]

I guess the 3DS isn't doing as good as people believe. There is no reason for Nintendo to release a cheaper version to directly compete against the 3DS unless they felt they had to.

It needs the clamshell design but other than that, I kinda like it.

The 3DS is doing really well, but based on the kinds of games that are coming out for it (almost entirely good ones), I would assume that maybe it isn't hitting the kiddie market as well as its predecessors. If you make it all one piece, you can make it cheaper and more durable. Removing the 3D effect also makes it cheaper, and Nintendo has already warned that children should not be using the 3D to begin with.

I think the only real problem is educating the consumers. Speaking from unfortunate prior retail experience, a huge percent of parents buying for kids have no clue if a certain system will play a certain game, and now when the kids want a 3DS and Pokemon, maybe the parents won't know that a 2DS can actually play 3DS games.

That and saying 2 Dual Screen is redundant. It should just be a DS2, or maybe that would be confusinger. Forget this.

The 2DS creates a few problems.

- It creates the possibility for more confusion. We now have the DS, 3DS and 2DS (and that isn't even counting the revisions). When parents buy a 2DS (why not, it's $40 cheaper) and then they go looking for 2DS games.....see the problem.

- Nintendo loses $40 for every purchase that could have been a 3DS but the 2DS was instead bought because it was there and cheaper. In other words, the parent who would have paid $170 but now doesn't have to.

- It devalues the 3D feature. It is now, no longer standard for all devices that play 3DS games.

If the 3DS is doing well, then why would Nintendo release a cheaper version? That's like a price drop when it isn't needed. Parental controls can solve the kids and 3D problem.

Let me put it this way, a cheaper Wii while the Wii was flying off the shelves would have been unheard of and it also didn't happen.

 

[kgagne]

Is it me, or did Nintendo just gut all sales of the Wii U between now and September 20?

 

[Voxgizer]

How I imagine holding a 2DS feels like:-

Spoiler

(Yes I still own a Neo Geo Pocket Colour)

Hey, so do I! Turf Masters is still awesome.

As for the 2DS, well, no. I think I'll pass. If it closed like every other DS ever made, it might be a different story.

 

[Draconalis]

2. Do...do people REALLY carry their 3DS in their pockets? Really? THAT'S your complaint? Backpack pockets, maybe, but this can still fit in those.

Honestly... did you really just ask that?

I haven't had a backpack in ten years. Where else am I supposed to put my portable gaming device?

That's a hypothetical situation... I know where I keep mine. On the desk collecting dust.

 

[WeepingAngels]

2. Do...do people REALLY carry their 3DS in their pockets? Really? THAT'S your complaint? Backpack pockets, maybe, but this can still fit in those.

Honestly... did you really just ask that?

I haven't had a backpack in ten years. Where else am I supposed to put my portable gaming device?

That's a hypothetical situation... I know where I keep mine. On the desk collecting dust.

We are talking about the 3DS (should we now call it the 2/3DS) here, not the Vita.

 

[Weaver]

IMO, the 2DS is one of the ugliest, cheapest looking things things Nintendo has ever produced, barring the virtual boy.
The WiiU price cut and windwaker bundle, on the other hand, is much more welcome.

 

[suitepee7]

The 2DS is also thicker at the top than at the bottom, making the screens angled for better visibility when placed on a flat surface.

2 issues with this:
1) who the hell lays the console down on a flat surface to play? it's not going to be angled enough to see it properly regardless, and wouldn't this impact the ability to press the shoulder buttons too?
2) obviously they don't expect you to do this all the time, but it kinda destroys portability if it's designed to lay on a flat surface.

personally since the advance SP i've been converted to having the fold out version instead of a tablet style, i just find it more comfortable on the hands. the 2d option at a lower price point is pretty neat though, i just wish they put that in a fold out model instead