The New Nintendo 2DS XL is a handheld game console produced by Nintendo. It is the sixth system in the Nintendo 3DS family of handheld consoles, and was released in Australia and New Zealand on 15 June 2017, in Japan and South Korea on 13 July 2017, and in North America and Europe on 28 July 2017. Serving as a companion to the Nintendo 2DS, the New 2DS XL uses the same clamshell form factor of other 3DS models. It carries over hardware improvements from the New Nintendo 3DS, but with no autostereoscopic3D display, a thinner form factor, the microphone and camera moved to the hinge, and speakers moved to the lower half of the device. The New 2DS XL received positive reviews, with critics noting that it combined traits of the 2DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL into a more ergonomic and aesthetically-pleasing device over the slate-shaped 2DS, but noting slight regressions in display and speaker quality. As of 2020, the New 2DS XL is the only model of the 3DS family still in production.
History
Nintendo has presented versions of the console in black with blue accents for the North American market, and white with orange-gold accents for the Japanese, South Korean and PAL region market, as well as a Japan-exclusive Dragon Quest XI limited edition. Later, the White + Orange variant came to North America, as well as Lavender + White, Black + Green as well as Poké Ball and Pikachu variants to coincide with the launch of Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. In July 2018, a "Hylian Shield" variant was released as a GameStop exclusive in North America, bundled with a pre-installed copy of '. This came alongside an ' variant for Europe and Japan, and red/black Mario Kart 7 and Minecraft Creeper styles exclusive to Japan. A month later, in August, Nintendo announced a new version of the console in purple with silver accents, which would release in September 2018. Additionally, Nintendo confirmed that all future shipments of the Black + Blue, White + Orange and Purple + Silver models would come with a pre-installed copy of Mario Kart 7.
IGN considered the New 2DS XL to be an improvement over the "ugly doorstop-like" 2DS, praising its incorporation of features from the New 3DS XL into a device with a thinner and more "comfortable" form factor. Other changes were noted, such as using flaps to protect the game and SD card slots, and better-feeling shoulder buttons than the New 3DS XL. Regressions were also noted, however, such as its screens having a "washed out" appearance and lacking contrast, the top screen having a mirror-like coat that diminished viewing angles, the speakers sounding "muffled", and the short length of the included stylus. The New 2DS XL was recommended for users who did not need 3D but still wanted to play the platform's exclusives. TechRadar was similarly positive, but also noting that the hinge now protruded from the back of the device, its battery life was "underwhelming", and the timing of its launch was at odds with the release of Nintendo Switch.
