Several years into the lifetime of the Nintendo 3DS, they released a new version called the Nintendo 2DS. Apparently marketed at children (for whom the size of the 3DS was a liability) it was a lower cost and more robust version of the console that would play all games but lack the stereoscopic 3D feature. It also dropped the clamshell form-factor and became flat:
It launched (in the USA, Europe and Australia) in 2013 at $130, then the price was cut in 2015 to $100, then again the next year to only $80. I had multiple different 3DS versions during these years, and when the 2DS reached its lowest price the (exceptionally good) New 2DS XL was imminent. So I never purchased a 2DS, something I’d regretted for a decade.
About five years ago I wanted to remedy this situation, so kept my eyes peeled in retro game stores and during trips to Japan. I didn’t just want one, I wanted one in good condition. Even more so, I wanted one boxed, which proved to be a mighty challenge. And then during my trip this past summer, I purchased this:
The system wasn’t actually launched in Japan until 2016 – three years after the USA. The above is a boxed example of the final colour released in Japan – translucent black – which came out in 2018 at a price of ¥9980. I bought it at a Suruga-ya in Osaka for ¥39000 ($245), or 391% of the launch price!
I was apprehensive about this purchase not because of the price – it was the only boxed version I’d seen in five years – but because they wouldn’t let me inspect before buying. I had to do my very best to charm the manager into letting me check the quality of the screen before buying, and he only relented because I was ‘polite’ (he said so!) and the store wasn’t too busy!
I had nothing to worry about. Not only is the system pristine, but it may have also been brand new since the bag containing the system was still sealed when he opened it.
I had never held a 2DS, so I was surprised how comfortable and lightweight it is. I never used the 3D feature of the 3DS, so I don’t miss it at all, and looking back I think the only reason I never bought one of these was because I feared the screen would more easily be damaged. That was me being a fool!
The 3DS is infamously region-locked, and buying this now gives me the opportunity to purchase and play Japanese 3DS games. I didn’t find anything I wanted in the few remaining days after I purchased the system, but I’ll surely pick up a few on my next visit. The above is me using the system to play a Japanese DS game, which of course work on this system.
It has all the normal features of other 3DS systems, including two cameras, a microphone, internet support, backup memory etc. In short, it’s a fully functional 3DS albeit with a new form factor and no stereo screens.
I’m extremely happy I finally completed my DS collection (this is my sixth DS), and that I now have a way to play Japanese 3DS games. Another grail checked off the list 🙂
