Nintendo has just announced that a new model will be joining their line of Nintendo 3DS handheld consoles: the New Nintendo 2DS XL. It will be available in the US on July 28 with an affordable price of $149.99. For comparison, the New Nintendo 3DS XL, which launched in February 2015, is priced at $199.99, while the standard 2DS is available for $79.99.
The New 2DS XL has a clamshell design similar to the standard 3DS (both old and new). This should be good news to those who didn't like the original 2DS's exposed screens and controls. It has a thinner build compared to the New 3DS XL but offers the same screen size. It's also compatible with Nintendo's Amiibo products.
Like the standard 2DS, the New 2DS XL doesn't have 3D functionality, making it the cheaper option for people who never really cared about the whole 3D thing that the 3DS models offer. It has the same power as its 3DS counterpart, according to Nintendo, so you won't be missing out on hardware power.
Sadly, the New 2DS XL is only available in black-and-turquoise colors in the US. But if it sells really well, you can expect Nintendo to put out more options.
The original 2DS model launched in 2013 as an "entry-level" version of the original 3DS model. It originally launched with a price of $129.99. Nintendo cut the price twice since then: first to $100 and then to its current price. Many praised the original 2DS for its affordability and more-comfortable-to-hold design. However, many also pointed out that its overall look is less than desirable compared to the 3DS. Its battery life also wasn't well-received. The New 3DS XL should address both issues.
The New 2DS XL announcement comes less than two months after the worldwide launch of the Switch, Nintendo's newest home console that also functions as a handheld console. Looks like Nintendo isn't quite done yet with their traditional line of handheld consoles.