Nintendo 2DS Does Not Mean Nintendo Will Abandon 3D Says Iwata

Last month, Nintendo released the Nintendo 2DS in the U.S. and Europe, alongside the launch of Pokémon X and Pokémon Y. The 2DS is a lower priced variant of the Nintendo 3DS, sans the stereoscopic 3D visuals and clamshell design, and is an attempt on Nintendo’s part to reach out to younger consumers with a cheap portable system.

Naturally, the launch of the Nintendo 2DS raised some questions regarding Nintendo’s plans for stereoscopic 3D, with some wondering if 3D is no longer considered an important part of the company’s strategy for its portables. However, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata says that this isn’t the case.

Speaking to investors and analysts, Iwata recently clarified, “Nintendo 2DS is, however, simply one of the options for consumers and we will continue to offer the existing Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL platforms in the overseas markets, and we are not saying that we will abandon 3D or cease to make new propositions in 3D.”

“The Legend of Zelda [A Link Between Worlds] title that we are going to release toward the end of the year is a superb showcase of the 3D effect, featuring a top-down style and offering a new form of gameplay by taking advantage of the 3D effect vertically.”