Nintendo Announces 2DS and WiiU Price Drop… But Do We Care?

Nintendo released some pretty interesting news today. Let’s jump right in:

First, they announced a new handheld gaming system called the 2DS (pictured above). The 2DS itself looks very similar to the 3DS; the biggest change is the removal of the hinge in the middle (and obviously, its 3D capabilities). It will be backward compatible with current 3DS games (again, they won’t be in 3D) and the best part is; if you don’t like the 2DS after your purchase it, it doubles as a door stopper (’cause it looks like a door stopper! Right? Anyone?..). The 2DS will release in Red and Blue on October 12th with a price tag of $130.

The other big news is that Nintendo dropped the price of their next gen console the WiiU. The Deluxe WiiU console is now only $300 dollars. I haven’t found any news on a basic bundle as of yet but I have seen some internet speculation the basic bundles could be discontinued. If you we’re planning on picking up a WiiU be on the lookout for discounts!

My Take

The 2DS is a terrible name for the handheld. It already sounds outdated. Many have suggested the WiiU is far behind in the next gen console wars. Some even suggest it’s still part of prior-gen gaming. So this isn’t a good thing for people to be thinking about Nintendo. It sounds like a dumb thing to gripe about, but I really feel it’ll hinder marketing of the system. I already look at it as an inferior de-evolution of a system we already have and say: “Hey I have one of those! It’s called a Game Boy Advance!“

**Check it out guys, the ‘new’ 2DS**

Aside from the goofy name, it really isn’t a bad idea. I’ll admit I was interested in the 3DS and it’s games but the 3D made me dizzy and I never thought about picking it up. This is probably a great handheld for kids to get their hands on around the holidays. I just hope Nintendo markets it correctly.

As for the WiiU price drop; part of me thinks Nintendo sat back, watched Sony and Microsoft’s gaming conferences, and said: “Well we can’t compete with that so… lets at least be the cheapest system out there.” When the Wii was released (in 2006! How old does that make you feel?) it also had a $100 dollar price difference compared to the PS3 and 360 and look how well that strategy paid off. But…another part of me thinks:

NINTENDO IS CREATING A DIFFERENT SYSTEM!!! OK, total speculation… not even speculation really…pure hopefulness. I know it won’t happen but Nintendo appears to perpetually be the third wheel in gaming (usually they do it to themselves) and I’d like to see them do well. I grew up with Nintendo after all.

At this point; the WiiU isn’t up to next-gen standards. So Nintendo had to do something.

So what do you guys think? Nintendo announced some big things but do you care? Anyone thinking of getting a 2DS at all (or a discounted WiiU)?

*WRITERS NOTE* – Kotaku has been gauging peoples reactions to the announcement of the 2DS and apparently Americans aren’t the only ones confused by this big announcement.  Here is a collection of reactions from a Japanese gaming message board and some responses are hilarious.