Nintendo Reveals 2DS Handheld, Cuts Wii U Deluxe Price to $299

Nintendo has today announced the upcoming release of their new handheld, the Nintendo 2DS. The 2DS, priced at $129.99 in comparison to the pricier standard 3DS ($169.99) and 3DS XL ($199.99), is set to release October 12th, and is aimed towards younger consumers. An "entry-level" handheld device, the 2DS operates in all respects exactly like the 3DS consoles: the sole difference is that it lacks the depth slider and, thus, 3D functionality. This "slate" design is reminiscent of classic Game Boy designs and is clearly constructed to present a simpler, friendlier device for younger gamers.

We're all quite familiar with Nintendo's infatuation with tweaking their handheld consoles and releasing incremental updates for some time instead of working up to an entirely new device, but the 2DS truly comes out of left field. The Nintendo 3DS is selling incredibly well and doesn't appear to need much tweaking in order to be successful, but trying to make their device even friendlier for a younger audience isn't a bad move.

In the realm of consoles which do need some work done, Nintendo has also announced that the deluxe edition of the Wii U will soon be priced at $299.99 as opposed to its original price of $349.99, and is now the same price as the original 8GB counterpart, for which there was no price cut announced. It's worthy to note that this does come on the heels of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata declaring that, on the matter of price, "the issue is not there."

For those without Wii U consoles who are eyeing the upcoming The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, Nintendo has confirmed the rumors: there will be a $299.99 Wind Waker HD deluxe edition of the console, which comes with a Zelda-branded Wii U, a digital download of the game, and the Hyrule Historia book (an encyclopedia of sorts for the Legend of Zelda universe). This releases on October 20th, the same day as when Wind Waker HD will be available for digital download and two weeks before its October 4th retail release date.

Nintendo is certainly managing to get by despite some blows, so it will be interesting to see how the market responds to these announcements. I, for one, can state that man do I want that Wind Waker HD deluxe edition.