In light of the 2DS and New 3DS XL in Japan, Nintendo has announced (translated by Siliconera) that it will be discontinuing the manufacture and sale of the 3DS XL in Japan. That’s the old one, for those who didn’t know, and does not include the 3DS at this time.

As of now, the New 3DS XL is available in Japan and Australia only so those in Europe or the United States who are worried about their older devices can relax. Speaking to GameSpot, Nintendo stated that the “Nintendo 3DS XL is still available in Europe and no announcements have been made.”

The New 3DS XL will be releasing in 2015 for the West though no details have been provided yet. Those who live in Japan who want to partake in Nintendo’s handheld offerings will need to pick up the new models though. What are your thoughts on the older 3DS XL model being discontinued? Let us know in the comments.

“Cheese on a hamburger.” Yep, someone actually said that in place of an expletive. That someone would be Tobias Palm, the new community executive who, alongside community manager Cat Karskens, takes part in a challenge that comes by way of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call.

The newest showcase trailer admirably demonstrates the games new versus mode which is sure to breath some more life and replay value into the game.

This little semi final vs challenge serves to both introduce the new community executive as well as show off the gameplay of the upcoming rhythm based combat game. In the end however, Cat came out on top, completely destroying Tobias’s score of 3612319 with her huge 5500299.

There are three challenges still to come though! Another semi final at some time today, then the third place decider match up on September 18th and the finals on September 19th, which just so happens to be the release date for the game. You can find and enjoy Theatrhythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call on Nintendo 3DS and 2DS. There’s even a demo at the minute in the online store. So go nuts!

But seriously, long story short, the 2DS hosts the exact same hardware as the 3DS. The only difference is that the stereoscopic 3D mode is absent (also, good luck folding it). Figuring that most users don’t rely on the 3D mode, Nintendo has released the 2DS at a budget price to appeal to new consumers.

Now if only they had given us this option at launch.

Have you gotten a hold of the 2DS or are you planning on buying one? Let us know in the comments below what you think of the device.

Earlier today, Nintendo announced the release of a new product: The 2DS. The 2DS will play all DS and 3DS in 2D and will be cheaper than the 3DS, providing, as they put it, an “entry-level portable gaming system.”

The system will release in conjunction with Pokemon X and Y on October 12th at a price of $129.99, and will be available in either red or blue.

Nintendo’s VP of sales, Scott Moffitt had this to say:

“Now we’re much closer to $100, which makes it much more affordable for them. I think that was probably the audience we expected or intended to design the unit for. The ($99) DS still exists, so it’s really four [items in the lineup]. Certainly our emphasis and our priority is on the 3DS platform. That’s where we’ve made our commitment. That’s our future. So we are not developing gaming content for DS at this point. Our resources are focused on 3DS.

But that’ll still be in the lineup. Clearly our development efforts all include 3D games. Our installed base, we have eight million units installed. If 3D wasn’t selling and wasn’t part of our future, we wouldn’t be seeing and enjoying the robust sales we have on 3DS right now. The 3DS is the number one gaming platform on the market. We’re having a very good year with 3DS. Our games continue to sell extremely well. Our forecast for pretty much everything we’ve launched this year has surprised us on the positive side. We’ve been very happy with the 3DS part of our business. This is really all about addressing that next opportunity in the US market.”

Moffit continued to say that games meant for 3D game play still play well in 2D. This has allowed Nintendo to create a cheaper system, which can still play advanced-graphics titles:

“If we can get to that in another way… get to a price point of $129 with 3D functionality, it didn’t look like it was possible,” he said. “That’s the reason. It’s less about wanting to have 3D in and it’s more about trying to get to the value price point that’s going to allow us to open up that next part of the market.”

Via: Gamesindustry

In what must be the most baffling move (and revision) by Nintendo yet, the gaming giant has announced today the Nintendo 2DS, the latest revision for the Nintendo 3DS line of systems which currently includes the original model as well as the XL.

The Nintendo 2DS is a version of the hardware that is shaped like the tablet and includes full feature parity with the other 3DS systems, except for the absence of stereoscopic 3D output, getting rid of the handheld’s signature feature; it also does not have a power saver mode.

The Nintendo 2DS retails for $129, which makes it $40 cheaper than the cheapest 3DS model, and $70 cheaper than the 3DS XL as well as the PS Vita, which just recently got a price cut. It hits stores on October 12, alongside Pokemon X and Y. Currently, only a release in North America and Europe has been announced- no Japanese release has been announced yet.

The Nintendo 2DS is aimed at the lower end of the market (effectively eliminating competition from Nintendo’s own DSi), as well as young kids, whose parents would not otherwise buy the handheld because of the health risks associated with 3D.

No news on a tablet-less Wii U Minus U yet.

[Gamespot]