3DS is intended for ages 7+ only. Any younger and the "3D" is illegal to market towards. This product is meant to target 5 & 6 year olds legally so that they can market games towards them.

As a device it's also cheaper. But you're right I too thought it was a joke. The thing does not look ergonomic and is hideous. I feel like 0 time was spent in the design.

What is appealing to a 5 or 6 year old is very different to what's appealing to well, anyone else. I'm sure they tested it on them, and I think slab like devices are easier for kids. It's no coincidence that this release coincides with the release of the new pokemon. They want to make sure they get that demographic which probably treats nintendo handhelds as a pokemon machine. Also, a great way to get young gamers on nintendo products.

I wonder if this is mostly meant to get consumers' attention and gently nudge them towards paying $40 extra for the 3DS. i.e. "$130 for a Gameboy? That's not bad. well if I pay $40 extra I can get a much nicer one..."

I had the same reaction. I'm pretty put off by the form factor, it's shaped like a slice of Wonderbread.

It looks awful, badly designed, and not practical to carry around. Seriously, Nintendo did this? Even the name makes it sound backward. I already thought the wiiU was awkward but this beats everything. Kids buying this are going to get stoned in school.

So, when are Iwata and Reggie going to be fired?

My 2 cents, I was considering a 3DS but was put off by the 3D not the price. I'll be buying this.

Just buy the 3DS and never turn on the 3D. I've got a 3DS XL and aside from the initial config where it asks you to calibrate the 3D I've never turned it back on as it gives me a headache (and makes the screen look fuzzy to boot). It's really easy to disable, just adjust a slider on the side to the minimal position (it locks in that position as well) and you no longer need to worry about the gimmicky 3D effect.

This thing is a failure, it's just a less portable, and less capable version of the 3DS XL. If you buy this thing I'll guarantee you'll kick yourself down the line for either not buying the 3DS (or 3DS XL) or else not waiting for the next proper DS I'm sure Nintendo will be releasing.

afaik you can turn off the 3DS 3D effect. Then you'll have the system with the proper clamshell hinge.

You can, there's a slider that controls the degree of 3D effect, which can go to zero.

same here! (and I really want to play shin megami tense I 4!)

It's the price point, entirely. 3ds is pretty expensive.

I'd say mostly age group and "health" (with a good chunk of price point). Specifically, for the under-7 crowd. It doesn't have hinges, so fewer parts for small children to break. It doesn't have 3D, so the possible vision damage stops being an issue[1]. It's cheaper, so parents are more likely to purchase it. Oh, and it's coming out on the same date as Pokemon X and Y.

[1] http://games.yahoo.com/blogs/plugged-in/nintendo-3ds-young-e...

Yeah, that is a pretty substantial discount. I guess plenty of parents will take advantage of that for their kids.

This quote just seems to revoke the whole idea of making a 3D capable console in the first place:

    "The new Nintendo 2DS system gives you all the features of
     the Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL, minus 3D viewing"

What a clumsy way to phase 3D games out of their product line.

My understanding is that the 3D has always been optional, and that a slider on the 3DS allowed you to change the level of "3Dness" with some number of levels between off and on.

Then again, I haven't actually used one really, so I'm not sure.

No, you are correct, which makes it confusing that so many people in these comments are saying the 3D screen was the reason they didn't buy the 3DS...

Yup, I keep mine off almost all the time.

I keep mine off all of the time. Hurts my eyes almost instantly.

What I forsee is some developers wanting to ignore the 3D capabilities. "I have two sets of consoles, one with 3D and the other without. Ditch the 3D!"

I probably won't happen because Nintendo is known to force the developers to use their gimmicks, but most of them are probably thinking about it.

I would also like some information about the hardware. Will it have the same processor and/or GPU? The 3d effect spends some resources, so will there be games that run better in the 2DS than on the 3DS?

I want to quash this rumor: Nintendo does not require 3rd parties to use particular features (3D screen, waggle, etc.)