Nintendo has taken the wraps off a new portable gaming device. And it's not exactly cheap.
The iconic game company on Friday (Apr. 28) announced that it will launch the 2DS XL on July 28. The handheld will hit the market for $150, making it nearly twice the price of the current Nintendo 2DS ($80), but cheaper than the Nintendo 3DS XL ($199).
Nintendo's 2DS XL will come with a black clamshell case and turquoise accents on the outside. Inside, the 2DS XL will deliver the familiar two-screen Nintendo DS design and carry the turquoise accents to the D-Pad and action buttons on the right.
The 2DS XL's 4.9-inch top screen and 4.2-inch lower screen matches the screen size in the 3DS XL. It can also play 3DS-exclusive games and features C stick and ZL/ZR buttons like the 3DS XL.
However, there are some differences that Nintendo is using to justify the higher price for the 3DS XL.
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For one, the 2DS XL will only allow you to play 2D videos. The 3DS XL comes with support for 3D video playback. And although both handhelds feature widescreen LCDs, the 3DS XL's display is a 3D-enabled screen that comes with 3D face-tracking. The 2DS XL does trump the 3DS XL in one respect: it comes with an AC adapter included.
In a statement on Friday, Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aime said that Nintendo's 2DS XL illustrates the company's "commitment to the hand-held market."
Nintendo, which has been enjoying better-than-expected success with its Switch console, will launch the 2DS XL while the other Nintendo handhelds remain on store shelves. It appears Nintendo wants to offer all three devices to give users options on features and price.
The 2DS XL will work out of the box with any Nintendo 3DS game, as well as 2DS titles. It'll also launch alongside Hey! Pikmin and Miitopia, two new games Nintendo plans to launch on July 28.
Hey! Pikmin is a 2D side-scrolling Pikmin game. Miitopia will let you create a Mii and "band together" with your friends' Miis to explore the world of Miitopia.
