The announcement of a certain Nintendo 2DS came as a completely unexpected one, when the company revealed the entry-level gaming device yesterday at an event in Las Vegas. It is essentially a handheld which is capable of playing 3DS as well as DS titles, albeit in 2D; hence the name. Nintendo has priced this machine at a modest 129.99 USD (approx. Rs 8,800), and has revealed that it will be made available for purchase from October 12 onward. Apart from this, the company has even gone on to grant a price cut for the Wii U which will be getting a Zelda bundle this September.
Red or blue will be the two colors in which you’ll be able to buy the 2DS when it’s released in October, on the same date which is to see the launch of Pokemon X and Y. Its slate-type form factor doesn’t feature any hinges for closing the device which is why a special optional carrying case has also been announced for it, priced at 12.99 USD (approx. Rs 880). However, main hardware features of the 2DS remain in line with those of the 3DS, as dual screens, buttons and touchscreen features have been kept unchanged.
The long awaited Wii U price drop is finally a reality, and it has taken a 50 USD (approx. Rs 3,385) chunk off the retail value of its Deluxe version, thus bringing it down to 299.99 USD (approx. Rs 20,300). Although The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD is slated for an October 4 release, as announced yesterday, its digital version will be pushed out way earlier, on September 20 which is also the day on which a special limited edition Wii U bundle containing a download code for the game, a black Deluxe Wii U set featuring original artwork and a few other goodies will be brought out. This bundle too will be priced at 299.99 USD (approx. Rs 20,300).
Nintendo’s new announcements speak a lot about the hurry the company is in so as to stay relevant during this fall’s expected dominance of the market by Sony and Microsoft, who each have their next-gen beasts ready to be launched.