Nintendo surprised everyone with the unveiling of the sixth member of its 3DS family - the New Nintendo 2DS XL. It follows the footsteps of the New Nintendo 3DS XL which was released back in February 2015 as well as the Nintendo 2DS which came exactly a year later. If you're having a hard time keeping up with the names, you're not alone. Aside from those mentioned, there's also the New Nintendo 3DS (September 2015), the Nintendo 3DS XL (August 2012), and then discontinued Nintendo 3DS (March 2011).
The latest DS incarnation is arguably the best. The New Nintendo 2DS XL sports the popular clamshell design which was dropped by Nintendo when it released the 2DS, which many considers an unpopular move. Polygon also pointed out that the New Nintendo 2DS XL has similar features with the New Nintendo 3DS XL. Both consoles are of the same dimensions and have the same screen sizes. However, the New Nintendo 2DS XL is lighter by 26 percent and is thinner by a quarter of an inch. Aside from the size, weight and heft, the New Nintendo 2DS XL sports a black and turquoise matte finish that looks and feels better than the glossy finish of the 3DS consoles. In other words, playing with the new handheld console is an unexpectedly great experience.
Another main difference is that one has 3D functionality and the other does not. Despite "going back a step" by returning to 2D, Nintendo actually made a better handheld console than its 3D counterpart. As The Verge pointed out, the "lesser" graphics made the $149.99 New Nintendo 2DS XL cheaper than the $199.99 New 3DS XL by $50. It actually does not matter that the NEW Nintendo 2DS XL reverted to 2D gaming. 3D gaming did not prosper despite its popularity at one time.
The Nintendo 2DS XL will be released in North America and Europe on July 28. Australia will get to test the console hands-on starting June 15 while it will become available in Japan on July 13.
