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Nintendo Launching New 2DS XL Model This Summer

In what can only be described as a totally spontaneous announcement, Nintendo has revealed that a new batch of hardware is due to join the DS family this summer. The New Nintendo 2DS XL is due to arrive July 28 in both Europe and North America for the suggested retail price of $150 or whatever your own regional equivalent is. Assuming conversion rates don't get out of control, that makes this newest iteration of the handheld console cheaper than its current 3DS counterpart.

In what can only be described as a totally spontaneous announcement, Nintendo has revealed that a new batch of hardware is due to join the DS family this summer. The New Nintendo 2DS XL will arrive July 28 in both Europe and North America for the suggested retail price of $149.99 USD/$199.99 CAD. Assuming conversion rates don’t get out of control in other regions, that makes this newest iteration of the handheld console universally cheaper than its existing 3DS counterpart.

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Those picking up the sleek new device will, of course, be forfeiting the ability to play games in 3D, but if you’re not interested in a feature that arguably borders on gimmicky, this newest bit of kit is likely to be the definitive version. Unlike the existing 2DS range, which has traditionally been marketed as an entry-level budget option for those not willing to fork out $200+ for a 3DS XL, the non-3D version does away with the rigid shape and adopts instead the standard clamshell design of the former.

In a statement (via GameSpot), Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said the following:

“This new addition to Nintendo’s portable hardware line demonstrates our commitment to the hand-held market. New Nintendo 2DS XL sports a beautiful clamshell design and offers a great balance between price and performance.”

Hard to argue with that, Reggie. Lighter than its 3D-enabled sibling, the New 2DS XL features the exact same screen sizes and comes in two distinct new color schemes: White/Orange and Black/Turquoise. You can catch a glimpse of both via the announcement video above.

It may have come out of nowhere, but this newest addition to the DS family represents a strong statement of intent from Nintendo that the device isn’t going anywhere, at least for the foreseeable future. Many had suspected that support would drop off following the Nintendo Switch‘s launch – itself having the ability to be used as a handheld device – but that clearly couldn’t be further from the truth.

What are your thoughts, Ninty fans? Interested in picking up a New 2DS XL? Let us know down below.