Nintendo In Scare Mode, 2DS, $50 off Wii U

[JakeM]

So basically Nintendo is releasing a non 3D 3DS, calling it the 2DS. Which I hated the 3D effect, so this is actually good news to me. Its of course cheaper than the 3DS, and will be released on October 12th.

Theyre also lowering the Wii U price on September 20th by $50.

Heres release dates for their up coming games.
http://kotaku.com/nintendo-doles-out-release-dates-changes-for-big-holid-1214883870

[Dr. BaconStein]

The internet is collectively throwing a hissy fit over this just like they did with the Micro and Wii Mini, but I think it's a pretty nice looking handheld. It's probably the first reasonably-priced one this generation, too. I don't have any form of 3DS (my only Nintendo handheld is the DS Phat I got at launch), so I might look into it.

Since it's not clamshell style, it really makes me wonder if they are finally phasing out the second screen for a bigger/higher-res single screen. I would like that.

[LaughingMAN.S9]

Just saw this 2 seconds ago on destructoid, shit looks like a thick cut slice of bread


Still i could see this selling to people who don't use the 3d feature and never plan on taking the handheld outside. I wonder how the battery life is on that thing

[davidbrit2]

Just look at this fucking thing.

http://i.imgur.com/XKdYynV.jpg

Nintendo is in "Old Man Yells At Cloud" mode.

[Tanooki]

Wow did not see the system happeing period, and it's crazy with the WiiU losses they'll do that drop now instead of next year on the WiiU but good for them. I saw the kotaku link and figured more of their stories, but I see it elsewhere so that's quite impressive. I think that 2DS will swing some SERIOUS systems out the door as for what the hardware does the price is stupid cheap, and a lot wanted nothing to do with the 3D end of gaming on the 3DS nor the hgher price and that cut both entirely.

[jonebone]

To those waiting on a price drop, hope you don't mind waiting a good stretch for it as they're not making money at $300/350 either and they'll not lower it unless all those games planned through Spring 2014 do nothing for them going into later through 2014.

From yesterday in another thread, haha.

But yes, the $50 price drop is long overdue and does make it a bit more attractive, but I'll still probably wait it out. Only Wii U game I really want to play is Pikmin 3, and this price drop coincides with the release of GTA V.

A smart move by Nintendo to try and steal some sales before the Xbox One and PS4 get here. I think they reacted to late though and I effect this price drop to have a minimal affect on sales.

[sfchakan]

... No clampshell? Yuck.

It also strikes me as looking like it'd be less comfortable to hold and play long-term, but I guess I'd have to try it.

[JakeM]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAExBTWIp3M

I like the look of it. And the price is really good.

[Aussie2B]

So... bulkier and can't even protect its own screens? Brilliant, Nintendo. I can't even fathom how they though a big, flat 3DS would be desirable. Are consumers really so stupid to think "Hey, it's shaped like a tablet and I like tablets, so let's buy it!" Tablets are big and flat because they have a single big screen taking up the whole space. It's completely illogical to keep that form factor for a device with two small screens.

[JakeM]

It's completely illogical to keep that form factor for a device with two small screens.

Except unlike a tablet this has buttons a dpad and and analog control on it. Id imagine these screens are thicker and tougher like tablet screens if it doesnt close up.

[MetalFRO]

I actually think the 2DS is attractive. I've not played a 3DS, but I know with my large hands, my GBA SP begins to hurt to play after a while, so I usually like playing on a PSP much more. And a $50 price drop on the WiiU is making it VERY hard for me to resist pulling the trigger on one. I have wanted one since before launch, and now that Wonderful 101 is on the horizon, I am salivating at the possibility. Of course, I'd need to scare up the cash somewhere, so I'll probably still have to hold off for a while :|

[TonyTheTiger]

It actually looks like something Ben Heck would put together, which isn't a bad thing. It's just an odd direction to go in for a dual screen device. I don't think protecting the screens will be much of an issue. We dealt with Game Boys for, what, 15 years before a clamshell version came around? I imagine that whatever next handheld Nintendo comes out with, it'll be something like the Wii U's tablet. This might just be an early example of that new direction.

It's funny, though. For a while handhelds were getting smaller and smaller. Now they're larger than ever.

[Bojay1997]

I actually think the 2DS is attractive. I've not played a 3DS, but I know with my large hands, my GBA SP begins to hurt to play after a while, so I usually like playing on a PSP much more. And a $50 price drop on the WiiU is making it VERY hard for me to resist pulling the trigger on one. I have wanted one since before launch, and now that Wonderful 101 is on the horizon, I am salivating at the possibility. Of course, I'd need to scare up the cash somewhere, so I'll probably still have to hold off for a while :|

I agree. At first I thought it was a joke, but the more I look at the 2DS, the more intrigued I am with the design. It's very simple but somehow stylish at the same time.

[kupomogli]

Something tells me Nintendo planned the 2DS in advance just in case Sony finally got wise and dropped the price of the Vita. Smart move on Nintendo's part honestly. Sony should have dropped the Vita price a long time ago.

*edit*

Anyone interested should just wait for the 2DS XL.

This sucks also, because it tells developers to not bother with the 3D any longer. After Lords of Shadow Mirror of Fate I'm actually interested in playing games in the future that have 3D as good as it did. SMT4 had good 3D in its dungeons but the constant switching between battles, dungeons, and the world map you couldn't really play properly in 3D. I want to see more games take advantage of the 3D effect though because for a feature that was so bashed about, I actually liked it when it was used well.


I actually think the 2DS is attractive. I've not played a 3DS, but I know with my large hands, my GBA SP begins to hurt to play after a while, so I usually like playing on a PSP much more. And a $50 price drop on the WiiU is making it VERY hard for me to resist pulling the trigger on one. I have wanted one since before launch, and now that Wonderful 101 is on the horizon, I am salivating at the possibility. Of course, I'd need to scare up the cash somewhere, so I'll probably still have to hold off for a while :|

The GBA SP is just uncomfortable, as are most of the Nintendo portables after the original GBA. The original 3DS sucks because it's so uncomfortable. The 3DS XL on the other hand and maybe a DSi XL is a Nintendo portable done right. While I feel the analog and control pad should be switched the 3DS XL is comfortable to use. The portable itself is bigger, more room for your index fingers to rest on L and R, and they made the start and select buttons not suck like on the original 3DS(they were really bad.)

[Greg2600]

I see nothing wrong with this, it's Nintendo finding a way to make a less expensive console for those who don't need all the bells and whistles. This increases their market share. I don't like the non-hinged design though, but I guess that's what made it cheaper.

[Lady Jaye]

I'm clearly not the targeted market and would not go back, now that I've moved from a 3DS to a 3DS XL. On the upside, the new form factor logicially eliminates the hinge issue and hopefully reduces the shoulder button problem from the 3DS (I've replaced my 3DS under warranty twice due to a faulty shoulder button, even though I'm not nearly as rough as kids).

[goob47]

I think I might buy one, because the only reason I ever wanted a 3DS was for Monster Hunter Tri Ultimate, but I decided to get a PS Vita instead (better choice by the way). I think i'll buy this so that I can play some neat games I wasn't able to play before. :)

Now if only they'd come out with a Wii T or something that was cheaper... ROFL

[JSoup]

I've gotten used to the clamshell style of the DS, what with the screens being so sensitive and all. I'm happy with my 3DSXL.

[Tupin]

What's even weirder is that this thing actually only has one screen, just separated by the casing. Maybe Nintendo wants to wean developers off of using two screens so that they can go back to one screen handhelds eventually?

[Dashopepper]

This thing is so odd that I cannot help but like it. It makes perfect sense and zero sense at the same time.

http://i.imgur.com/iPM2IFl.jpg

[The 1 2 P]

I don't need this because my 3DS needs no replacement. But the story I read stated this was tailored to a younger demographic so I'm not the target audience. This will only further Nintendo's handheld lead over the Vita. As for the Wii U, this was step one of what Nintendo needed to start moving units. Step two is obviously releasing more of their first party software.

[Tanooki]

From yesterday in another thread, haha.

But yes, the $50 price drop is long overdue and does make it a bit more attractive, but I'll still probably wait it out. Only Wii U game I really want to play is Pikmin 3, and this price drop coincides with the release of GTA V.

A smart move by Nintendo to try and steal some sales before the Xbox One and PS4 get here. I think they reacted to late though and I effect this price drop to have a minimal affect on sales.

Yup oops on that, but I don't think I was entirely off in a roundabout way. They're not taking a larger loss on the system because they're swapping out a $60 retail clamshelled game for a download waiver so the loss is the same to them on the hardware, but they won't make money on Zelda in those bundles as the trade off which is fine given it's a remake.

I entirely disagree with the scare mode thing though. On the WiiU they're taking a tactical loss on Zelda sales yet not losing more on the hardware to drop the price $50 and make the margin $100-200 off the other guys. The system itself actually has a small but solid library now of exclusives worth having and going into the rest of the year to Christmas there's the Super Mario World 3D and then the DKC game at $50 no less too. WiiU has that SMB game, NintendoLand, Rabbids, Tank!, Zombi U, Lego City, Monster Hunter, Game & Wario, Pikmin 3, and Super Luigi U with Wonderful 101 in a week. Going forward there's that Sonic game, Mario, DKC, and Zelda WW HD this year alone. That's more than enough for a normal non-collector and non-need a new game every couple weeks type gaming addict to be happy with.

Now the 2DS 3DS system makes perfect sense. Think about it from not a hardcore gamer or collector standpoint. Think of it from the point of view of a parent for a kid, or a teen or adult with eye issues (bad eye, blind in an eye, depth issues, other sight problems), and also just budget minded people or those not wanting to buy into a feature they hate. The system is $40 less than a 3DS but is otherwise the same thing minus the hinge. The system is designed for those groups, it also is a possible stop gap against frivolous lawsuits from parents who have no personal responsibility as taking the 3D out they can't blame NOA for blinding their kids. The day it comes out Pokemon X/Y pops up, and the #1 market on that is the 5-12 types who fall into the blindness zone. NOA will also release a $13 case to protect the system, and kids don't carry DS devices in pockets, they carry them, throw em around and toss them into backpacks, this would be sturdy in a backpack. It makes total sense to have this because it also cuts off Sony a bit even too with their Vita drop because DS is $170, Vita is $200 and $30 isn't much higher with the output it does, but a $70 price difference maintains some status quo too. It just fits totally doing this because it plugs up a lot of problems and opens the door to a lot more people who wouldn't or couldn't get the existing system.

[Mr Mort]

Call me crazy, but I actually like the design.

I've been on the fence about the 3DS for some time, but I couldn't care less about the 3D aspect of it much. My eyes start to ache pretty quickly. I may actually consider getting this, though a mere $40 price gap between the 2DS and the standard 3DS isn't very much. A $50-$60 price gap would have made it far more enticing.
Personally, if I get one of the models, it'd be this 2DS as I find the standard 3DS to be too small, and the 3DS XL to be too expensive. Though I'd love to play Shinobi and Super Mario 3D Land, I'm going to wait a bit more.

[Graham Mitchell]

I normally don't care about how consoles look, but i think this looks awful. It's gonna be huge, and won't fit in your pocket, thus making it not very portable. It seems like a desperate move, and I can't understand why they are releasing this thing. 3d on the 3ds can be turned off. This thing is irrelevant.

[SpaceHarrier]

I really like the 3D effect, and would miss it. But damn, is this thing ever so ugly that it's beautiful! Just like the Wii mini.

[Bojay1997]

I normally don't care about how consoles look, but i think this looks awful. It's gonna be huge, and won't fit in your pocket, thus making it not very portable. It seems like a desperate move, and I can't understand why they are releasing this thing. 3d on the 3ds can be turned off. This thing is irrelevant.

The component cost of the screen is substantially less than the screen on the 3DS. As such, it's relevant to Nintendo continuing to make a very substantial profit on every handheld sold while giving people more price options especially at the lower end where smartphones are taking a chunk out of handheld sales.

[Graham Mitchell]

The component cost of the screen is substantially less than the screen on the 3DS. As such, it's relevant to Nintendo continuing to make a very substantial profit on every handheld sold while giving people more price options especially at the lower end where smartphones are taking a chunk out of handheld sales.

Fair enough, but that doesn't benefit consumers in a substantial way. Unless it leads to a major price drop.

[PreZZ]

I expected the wii u price drop with the impending launch of ps4\xboxone, and the ps3\360 probably needs to be around 149 to 199 for basic and fully equipped bundles. But holy SHIT the 2ds design is so awful, its fugly. Really nintendo? you couldnt do a clamshell design just to save 50 cents for the price of 2 metal hinges?? I totally get the 2ds to save some cost on the 3d screens, but at the same time I believe a couple of games like mario 3d land NEEDS to be 3d, they are throwing the entire soul and design of the system out the door and I wonder if developpers will just make 2d versions in upcoming games to save a couple of bucks.

[Bojay1997]

Fair enough, but that doesn't benefit consumers in a substantial way. Unless it leads to a major price drop.

It's $40 cheaper than the 3DS at retail and presumably individual retailers will have sales or gift card or free game promos like they do with the 3DS now. As such, it benefits consumers by providing a significantly cheaper entry level option while maintaining the option of spending $40 more for a more capable and nicer system in the standard 3DS or $70 more for the 3DSXL.

[sfchakan]

Definitely agree that the Wii U doesn't have enough going for it that it will move a ton of consoles until the following happens:

-Much stronger software library.
-Basic system package is under $200.

I know I won't be buying it for the September 20th price either. It's just too much for too little.

[slip81]

While I'm not crazy about the design, I actually might buy one of these. The 3D always bothered my eyes and so I never got a 3Ds of my own as I couldn't really see paying for a feature that I wouldn't use.

[M.Buster2184]

So I'll admit on first impression I thought this was really stupid. But after looking at it for a while and reading different articles, I'll admit I don't think it's all that bad. I can see why they're doing it, plus I'm not the target demographic. I'm 29 and already have a 3DS XL(Pikachu edition ;p) With the lower price I could see it being more appealing to a parent wanting to get something for their child but not wanting to shell out 200 bucks or so. Even a friend of mine had admitted to being interested in it. I do still think it reminds me of a Fisher Price toy, but I don't think it's horrible anymore. I personally like the clamshell design, but let's not forget we had so many generations of non folding handhelds and we turned out alright.

[Flashback2012]

I have a 3-yr old who is constantly pining for "Mah own Dee-Ehss!" because her sister got a DSi XL for Christmas last year and this might be right up her alley. I had considered shopping for an older style DS to tide her over or even a cheap GBA SP but I might take the Nestea plunge and get one of these. Hell I want one for myself. :p

The only thing I don't like about the unit is the wedge shape with one side being fatter than the other.

[bigbacon]

what nintendo should have done is found a way to make it a DS AND a WiiU controller at the same time...

then released just a core Wii U so you could buy the DS/wiiU tablet system and then at some point get a WiiU and now you have the best of both worlds.

[sixwayshot]

Stop saying that Nintendo is in "scare mode."

The 3DS is still selling like crazy. The Wii U may not be doing so great (relatively speaking, of course), but Nintendo is actually making an effort to put games out on the market, unlike a lot of companies have done in the past.

Keep in mind that the 2DS isn't something that's intended for the people who already have a 3DS. It's an entry-level handheld for the parents who don't want to spend so much money on something that could seriously hurt their children or their kids could easily break. And believe it or not, some people are unable to see 3D images clearly and they wouldn't want to pay a ton of money for a feature that they will never use. You don't have to buy it, and Nintendo isn't discontinuing the regular 3DS handhelds any time soon.

People need to quit bitching.

[Bojay1997]

Stop saying that Nintendo is in "scare mode."

The 3DS is still selling like crazy. The Wii U may not be doing so great (relatively speaking, of course), but Nintendo is actually making an effort to put games out on the market, unlike a lot of companies have done in the past.

Keep in mind that the 2DS isn't something that's intended for the people who already have a 3DS. It's an entry-level handheld for the parents who don't want to spend so much money on something that could seriously hurt their children or their kids could easily break. And believe it or not, some people are unable to see 3D images clearly and they wouldn't want to pay a ton of money for a feature that they will never use. You don't have to buy it, and Nintendo isn't discontinuing the regular 3DS handhelds any time soon.

People need to quit bitching.

Actually, the problem from my perspective is that Nintendo is not making a good effort to put games out on the market, at least not in sufficient volume to keep the interest of someone who only owns a WiiU or even a 3DS. At the same time, they haven't come up with any significantly unique or new IP in a number of years and to many of us who have been playing and owning Nintendo systems since the NES, it's been pretty disappointing. The fact that Nintendo has now had to do price cuts on both of its platforms shortly after launch is just evidence that they don't have a good handle on what their audience is willing to spend for their products anymore. Hopefully this price cut and bundle sparks sales and gets third parties interested again. Unfortunately, I think it may be too little too late on the WiiU side.

[sixwayshot]

Everyone said the exact same thing when the 3DS did a price drop less than six months after it came out, but that really helped the console. The arrival of games like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart helped out, as well.

I think that a holiday season release list of Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Super Mario 3D World, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will do wonders for the Wii U. They're all recognizable brand names and they're associated with quality. The system will pick up sales like crazy.

It's also the cheapest entry in the next-gen market, which is a huge advantage in the market.

[Bojay1997]

Everyone said the exact same thing when the 3DS did a price drop less than six months after it came out, but that really helped the console. The arrival of games like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart helped out, as well.

I think that a holiday season release list of Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Super Mario 3D World, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will do wonders for the Wii U. They're all recognizable brand names and they're associated with quality. The system will pick up sales like crazy.

It's also the cheapest entry in the next-gen market, which is a huge advantage in the market.

While anything is possible, I think there are some flaws in your reasoning. First, the WiiU is not a next generation console by any stretch. It's a slight technological improvement over the PS3 and Xbox 360 (although frankly there are some multiplatform ports on the WiiU that are worse than their PS3 and 360 counterparts) saddled with a tablet controller that isn't ideally suited for many types of games requiring a supplemental controller purchase and both the PS3 and 360 are available in configurations starting as low as $200 and both have massive libraries at this point with many $20 and under games.

The WiiU will be competing head to head with two substantially more powerful systems in the PS4 and XboxOne, one of which is only $100 more expensive. While Zelda, Super Mario and Donkey Kong are indeed popular IPs, they aren't necessarily going to move $300 consoles and frankly, the lack of third party support for the WiiU shouldn't be underestimated. There are lots of families where one console is played by kids and teens alike and having a console that has very little in the way of games for more mature gamers is a huge disadvantage.

I would never count Nintendo out, but I still stand by my opinion that this price drop and the titles they announced for the next few months are too little too late.

[Koa Zo]

Since when is holiday marketing considered "scare mode"?

[Bojay1997]

Since when is holiday marketing considered "scare mode"?

Holiday marketing usually involves a bundle or a temporary price cut. This is a $50 permanent price cut and the bundling of a crown jewel of Nintendo's IP in an attempt to recover from a quarter where Nintendo only moved a little over 160,000 units. That's cause for alarm when a seven and a half year old system like the Xbox 360 moved 1 million units in that same quarter.

[eskobar]

The curious thing is that every alternative model of a nintendo console, home or portable, is said to be destined to failure ...

I remember that many people hated the idea of a DSi LL or XL ..... but when they had the chance to feel and play on the system, they changed their mind, and it was a very nice idea and found itself a place among gamers and actual DS and DSi users. The Gameboy Micro failed because it had an important detail, the smaller screen made if difficult to read text ... and proved that "bigger is better", hahaha.

I think there are several errors in the design concept:

1. If the console is marketed for smaller children, the non-fold design will increase the potential damage to the screen. Kids are very tough with their toys and the fold design was a great design to avoid damage to the screens.

2. The price ... yep, it is cheaper than the 3DS, but aren't nintendo offering refurbished 3ds with 1 year warranty for 119.usd ? https://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&categoryId=70706 ... as a parent and uncle, when you buy gifts for your kids or nephews, you actually want MORE for your money ... so, a refurbished 3DS is actually cheaper and has more features !!

3. The nintendo 2ds could have been designed as a full tactile-screen console compatible with ds and 3ds ... and the possibility to have some interesting exclusive features or digital games that took advantage of its design.



Hope Nintendo sells millions of 2DS, but they could have invested that time in better support to the Wii U :onfire:

[bigbacon]

the downfall will be one of two things.

the loss of third party support and continuing the heavy reliance on their older IPs.

they can't survive on those alone which is sort of where they are heading in a way.

it is sad because Nintendo has been around forever but they never got out of thier old ways.

I still feel they get out of the home console side of things, stick to the hand helds where they have excelled since the original gameboy and start selling their IPs on other systems. I'm not saying let everyone or anyone use their IPs but get them out on the popular consoles. i think they'd make a killing.

[Dashopepper]

the downfall will be one of two things.

the loss of third party support and continuing the heavy reliance on their older IPs.

they can't survive on those alone which is sort of where they are heading in a way.

it is sad because Nintendo has been around forever but they never got out of thier old ways.

I still feel they get out of the home console side of things, stick to the hand helds where they have excelled since the original gameboy and start selling their IPs on other systems. I'm not saying let everyone or anyone use their IPs but get them out on the popular consoles. i think they'd make a killing.

Was the Wii not a popular console? I never bought one but I think it did a lot better then the Gamecube, a console I loved. I think people are getting confused and thinking Nintendo should make systems that cater to 30 year old dudes when that is obviously not what they think they should do.

[Bojay1997]

Was the Wii not a popular console? I never bought one but I think it did a lot better then the Gamecube, a console I loved. I think people are getting confused and thinking Nintendo should make systems that cater to 30 year old dudes when that is obviously not what they think they should do.

But they aren't catering to the audience that scooped up the Wii either. A lot of those purchases were based on curiosity and interest in the motion control aspect and those people ended up using the Wii for a while, maybe buying a few games and then boxing it up like a piece of old exercise equipment.

[rlemmon]

If it had the larger screens like the 3ds xl and they left the 3d in and did away with the camera's I would really like it. All it's going to do is confuse the shit out of people. Just like the way alot of people think the wii u is just a different version of the wii and not a new system. I think if they had gone with a cool and different name like the nintendo revolution or what ever it was the wii u would have sold alot more units. They should just call this the nintendo pad or something and then write "plays all 3ds and ds games in 2d" on the damn box but they wont.
I'm convinced that someone at nintendo is eating Marios shrooms.

[jonebone]

Everyone said the exact same thing when the 3DS did a price drop less than six months after it came out, but that really helped the console. The arrival of games like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart helped out, as well.

I think that a holiday season release list of Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Super Mario 3D World, and Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze will do wonders for the Wii U. They're all recognizable brand names and they're associated with quality. The system will pick up sales like crazy.

It's also the cheapest entry in the next-gen market, which is a huge advantage in the market.

The 3DS wasn't selling much at all out the gate, and the price drop was much more substantial than here. It was $250 to $170 if I recall, and it was about 3-4 months later. A roughly 33% drop very close to initial release is HUGE, so of course it will boost sales.

Here, we're talking a $350 to $300 drop (14%), about 10 months later, right before the release of $400 and $500 powerhouse consoles. Not to mention a price drop that coincides with perhaps the most anticipated release of the year GTA V. And furthermore, there was a bare bones Wii U system at $300 anyways... dropping the deluxe system from $350 to $300 still means that it will cost you $300 to get a new Wii U. So in reality, the price hasn't dropped at all, just more functionality and a free game built into the same price.

Nintendo is going to need a brand new Zelda (not an HD re-release) or another price drop for this to make a huge impact IMO. Sure it'll boost sales a little bit through Xmas, but Wii U is going to be selling horribly again some January 2014.

[Cornelius]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAExBTWIp3M

I like the look of it. And the price is really good.

I'm sorry, but the first bit of this commercial sounds and comes off exactly like a SNL commercial.

[Gameguy]

1. If the console is marketed for smaller children, the non-fold design will increase the potential damage to the screen. Kids are very tough with their toys and the fold design was a great design to avoid damage to the screens.
Because no kids ever broke the hinge on previous DS consoles, this never happened and damaged consoles are difficult to find.

[Ponyone]

While anything is possible, I think there are some flaws in your reasoning. First, the WiiU is not a next generation console by any stretch. It's a slight technological improvement over the PS3 and Xbox 360 (although frankly there are some multiplatform ports on the WiiU that are worse than their PS3 and 360 counterparts) saddled with a tablet controller that isn't ideally suited for many types of games requiring a supplemental controller purchase and both the PS3 and 360 are available in configurations starting as low as $200 and both have massive libraries at this point with many $20 and under games.

The WiiU will be competing head to head with two substantially more powerful systems in the PS4 and XboxOne, one of which is only $100 more expensive. While Zelda, Super Mario and Donkey Kong are indeed popular IPs, they aren't necessarily going to move $300 consoles and frankly, the lack of third party support for the WiiU shouldn't be underestimated. There are lots of families where one console is played by kids and teens alike and having a console that has very little in the way of games for more mature gamers is a huge disadvantage.

I would never count Nintendo out, but I still stand by my opinion that this price drop and the titles they announced for the next few months are too little too late.

What games is the controller not ideal for? I have most of the wii u games, and the controller is one of the most comfortable controllers ive ever used, and works wonders for all genres (including fps which I figured it might not be but again its way more comfortable than a regular controller gets after prolonged use). Do you have a wiiu or is this just from store use/magical friend has one you tried/someone on otaku talk? I only purchased the pro controller for second player because of the brilliant use of second screen. Its pretty much a lan party without having to get another system and tv.

And didnt the wii go head to head with two substantially more powerful systems and win out mostly or is history being rewritten again?

[Bojay1997]

What games is the controller not ideal for? I have most of the wii u games, and the controller is one of the most comfortable controllers ive ever used, and works wonders for all genres (including fps which I figured it might not be but again its way more comfortable than a regular controller gets after prolonged use). Do you have a wiiu or is this just from store use/magical friend has one you tried/someone on otaku talk? I only purchased the pro controller for second player because of the brilliant use of second screen. Its pretty much a lan party without having to get another system and tv.

And didnt the wii go head to head with two substantially more powerful systems and win out mostly or is history being rewritten again?

I have had a WiiU since launch and thanks to Best Buy and other retailer sales, I actually have almost the entire library of WiiU games to date. As for the controller, it's not ideal for multiplatform games such as Black Ops II, Batman Arkham or even sports games like Madden or Fifa, all of which I own and have played extensively on both Xbox 360 and WiiU. To me it's just not comfortable and frankly, it takes me longer to react using it. The screen is interesting at first, but it quickly becomes a burdensome gimmick IMHO. I also think it's terrible for fighting games like Tekken Tag. For first party Nintendo stuff designed to maximize its features, I think the tablet is ok, but not what I would prefer.

The Wii did extremely well in hardware sales. It did not, however, move the volume of software that the PS3 or the Xbox 360 did which became a huge problem and a big reason that third parties have all but abandoned the WiiU. Indeed, as early as 2007 the Wii was outselling the 360 but falling well short of 360 software sales.

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/126018/Analysis_Xbox_360_Software_Sales_Overtake_Wiis_In_ FirstHalf.php

In addition, the Wii started to fade from the market well before the WiiU was launched and the number of new game releases became a mere trickle. Winning is always relative and just because you have the most units in homes doesn't mean you are selling the most games or even that those units are being used. I know our Wii sat unused for literally years at a stretch.

[PreZZ]

What games is the controller not ideal for? I have most of the wii u games, and the controller is one of the most comfortable controllers ive ever used, and works wonders for all genres (including fps which I figured it might not be but again its way more comfortable than a regular controller gets after prolonged use). Do you have a wiiu or is this just from store use/magical friend has one you tried/someone on otaku talk? I only purchased the pro controller for second player because of the brilliant use of second screen. Its pretty much a lan party without having to get another system and tv.

And didnt the wii go head to head with two substantially more powerful systems and win out mostly or is history being rewritten again?

I own the Wii U, I bought it day one and was hyped about it. I like being able to play while watching TV, or in my bedroom, its a cool feature. But im sorry, the tablet is OK to play most games, but most comfortable controller ever? You're just trolling, fanboy! Playing FPS is a little awkward with it, you need to get used to it the analog sticks are a little stiff while holding the large tablet and clicking them is a little bit hard, when I play COD I still use my old classic controller pro, which I even prefer to my ps3 controller for black ops. I bought NFS most wanted, and the controls are horrible Im having a hard time not to crash, thanks to Nintendo for cutting out analog triggers. When you press on the gas, its always full trigger sensitivity, so you dont have control on the speed your car goes, you need to press the trigger little bits at a time, and release it, and press again. ITS F***** ANNOYING and to me the biggest flaw that nobody talks about on WiiU. At least they should have put analog triggers on the pro controller.

[Ponyone]

I own the Wii U, I bought it day one and was hyped about it. I like being able to play while watching TV, or in my bedroom, its a cool feature. But im sorry, the tablet is OK to play most games, but most comfortable controller ever? You're just trolling, fanboy! Playing FPS is a little awkward with it, you need to get used to it the analog sticks are a little stiff while holding the large tablet and clicking them is a little bit hard, when I play COD I still use my old classic controller pro, which I even prefer to my ps3 controller for black ops. I bought NFS most wanted, and the controls are horrible Im having a hard time not to crash, thanks to Nintendo for cutting out analog triggers. When you press on the gas, its always full trigger sensitivity, so you dont have control on the speed your car goes, you need to press the trigger little bits at a time, and release it, and press again. ITS F***** ANNOYING and to me the biggest flaw that nobody talks about on WiiU. At least they should have put analog triggers on the pro controller.

Trolling? Fanboy? I have all three systems. Im sorry, but do you have my hands? No?.. I didnt think so. According to my hands (the ones I use for gaming, not the other ones) the gamepad feels really comfortable, especially cus i can sit it on my lap. When I'm playing online with an fps, my hands start sweating and aching with using a 360 or ps3 after awhile. This does not. I'm 33, I'd have to shoot myself in the face but not before shooting the faces of each and every loved one I know before devoting love for one gaming company over another. I only read the top of your post. 2hot2handle2cold2hold

If anything, mr bojangles was trolling when he said the gamepad is not well suited for certain genres of games.

[eskobar]

Because no kids ever broke the hinge on previous DS consoles, this never happened and damaged consoles are difficult to find.

I didn't say they were unbreakable, obviously kids will eventually damage the system one way or another, but too many screens were saved from premature death with the fold design :roll:

[Gameguy]

I didn't say they were unbreakable, obviously kids will eventually damage the system one way or another, but too many screens were saved from premature death with the fold design :roll:
I've come across so many DS systems with broken hinges, or even broken screens from being dropped and having the ribbon cable damaged. And these kid owned systems still have scratched up screens for some reason.

I like the folding screens for myself but it's obvious why they're getting rid of that feature for kids, it'll make the systems more durable overall. They're almost like Leapster systems now.

[Bojay1997]

Trolling? Fanboy? I have all three systems. Im sorry, but do you have my hands? No?.. I didnt think so. According to my hands (the ones I use for gaming, not the other ones) the gamepad feels really comfortable, especially cus i can sit it on my lap. When I'm playing online with an fps, my hands start sweating and aching with using a 360 or ps3 after awhile. This does not. I'm 33, I'd have to shoot myself in the face but not before shooting the faces of each and every loved one I know before devoting love for one gaming company over another. I only read the top of your post. 2hot2handle2cold2hold

If anything, mr bojangles was trolling when he said the gamepad is not well suited for certain genres of games.

Trolling? Not at all. I'm certainly not the only WiiU owner to feel that way. PreZZ just said the exact same thing. Heck, even Nintendo is bundling a WiiMote Plus with Wii Party U, so they know it's not the right controller for certain games as well. If you love it for everything you've played with it, that's great. Personally, it doesn't feel good when I'm playing the games I listed and even with the Nintendo games designed for it I don't love it. It's just too wide for me. Luckily Nintendo recognizes this as well and has released some other controller options like the Pro Controller.

[PreZZ]

Trolling? Fanboy? I have all three systems. Im sorry, but do you have my hands? No?.. I didnt think so. According to my hands (the ones I use for gaming, not the other ones) the gamepad feels really comfortable, especially cus i can sit it on my lap. When I'm playing online with an fps, my hands start sweating and aching with using a 360 or ps3 after awhile. This does not. I'm 33, I'd have to shoot myself in the face but not before shooting the faces of each and every loved one I know before devoting love for one gaming company over another. I only read the top of your post. 2hot2handle2cold2hold

If anything, mr bojangles was trolling when he said the gamepad is not well suited for certain genres of games.

Well if you like it that much, good for you! You and Edward Scisorhands were probably the 2 guys Nintendo designed it for. Just kidding! Maybe you dont agree, but at least I had valid points about analog triggers.

[PreZZ]

And I believe Nintendo made a mistake with the bulky controller because a big part of their market is kids, and the controller is just too big for their hands compared to a wiimote. My nephew tried it at home and he couldnt play well, his hands were aching and buttons hard to reach. I got used to it and as I said its OK for most games, but not great.

[theclaw]

Us with the opposite problem more tend to dislike GBA SP or its kind.

[M.Buster2184]

I've come across so many DS systems with broken hinges, or even broken screens from being dropped and having the ribbon cable damaged. And these kid owned systems still have scratched up screens for some reason.

I like the folding screens for myself but it's obvious why they're getting rid of that feature for kids, it'll make the systems more durable overall. They're almost like Leapster systems now.

I really don't understand why people think the non folding design is just waiting for the children of the world to destroy it. I remember playing Gameboy as a young kid, and guess what? I never broke the screen, never damaged anything. 20+ years later I still own it and it still works.

[davidbrit2]

I really don't understand why people think the non folding design is just waiting for the children of the world to destroy it. I remember playing Gameboy as a young kid, and guess what? I never broke the screen, never damaged anything. 20+ years later I still own it and it still works.

The Gameboy had a pretty substantial air gap between the (much smaller )LCD and plastic lens. The 2DS likely won't have that, as it's problematic for accurate touch screen use.

Have you noticed how it's nearly impossible to find a used GBC that doesn't have a badly scratched lens? This will be the same deal (if they aren't outright broken).

[bigbacon]

the odd thing is, now that I look at it more, I may get one. My wife wants to play some 3DS games and this would work. Honestly though it sucks that it isn't as portable as the clamshells.

[Damaramu]

I kind of like this.

Lack of portability is no problem for me. I've never felt the need to game outside my home and if I'm absolutely bored while out and about, well that's what my phone is for. No hinges? No problem! More moving parts means a higher chance of something going wrong in my book. Additionally, I never liked the 3D gimmick. Every time I've tried playing with it on, it just made my eyes bug out and gave me a headache. Glad to see it gone. And I'm not concerned about the screens getting damaged. I'm an adult that takes care of his stuff and to be honest, I would probably play the 2DS while sitting on the couch, in my recliner, or in bed.

$129? I'm pretty much sold. I'll probably get two, one for me and one for the Mrs.

[Atarileaf]

stop saying that nintendo is in "scare mode."

the 3ds is still selling like crazy. The wii u may not be doing so great (relatively speaking, of course), but nintendo is actually making an effort to put games out on the market, unlike a lot of companies have done in the past.

Keep in mind that the 2ds isn't something that's intended for the people who already have a 3ds. It's an entry-level handheld for the parents who don't want to spend so much money on something that could seriously hurt their children or their kids could easily break. And believe it or not, some people are unable to see 3d images clearly and they wouldn't want to pay a ton of money for a feature that they will never use. You don't have to buy it, and nintendo isn't discontinuing the regular 3ds handhelds any time soon.

People need to quit bitching.

leave nintendo alone!!!

7057

[Tanooki]

Damaramu -- Exactly! You have an open mind and as such are one of the target audiences of this device. You're not the kid who could easily wreck a hinge or their eyes on 3D, you're an adult who doesn't like the 3D and it causes you problems, and you are personally responsible for your property so damage isn't a concern. It's made for you. Hell I like the 3D, I'm immune, but I could live just happily without too, and the price cut would be nice if I ever needed to replace my XL. I don't take it around much with me, I do at times to wiggle up some coins for animal crossing or other titles that cash in from walking, but I just use it at home or at someone elses, not in public.

[otaku]

Glad to see the price drop in time for xmas makes me want a wii u a bit more than I did before sure it will help sales somewhat-games is the big thing though!
the 2ds I think is a fine idea though I would prefer clamshell and the thing is a used 3DS cost the same even through nintendo with a 1 year warranty so unless you really don't want the 2D I don't know why you'd want this unless you insist on new hardware and the savings

[geneshifter]

I own the Wii U, I bought it day one and was hyped about it. I like being able to play while watching TV, or in my bedroom, its a cool feature. But im sorry, the tablet is OK to play most games, but most comfortable controller ever? You're just trolling, fanboy! Playing FPS is a little awkward with it, you need to get used to it the analog sticks are a little stiff while holding the large tablet and clicking them is a little bit hard, when I play COD I still use my old classic controller pro, which I even prefer to my ps3 controller for black ops. I bought NFS most wanted, and the controls are horrible Im having a hard time not to crash, thanks to Nintendo for cutting out analog triggers. When you press on the gas, its always full trigger sensitivity, so you dont have control on the speed your car goes, you need to press the trigger little bits at a time, and release it, and press again. ITS F***** ANNOYING and to me the biggest flaw that nobody talks about on WiiU. At least they should have put analog triggers on the pro controller.

Yes, exactly! The digital triggers are atrocious. Good point.