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2DS

When Nintendo unveiled the 3DS, the system’s stereoscopic 3D feature was one of its standout qualities. The functionality has seen a lesser emphasis as of late though, culminating with the launch of the 2DS last month – a system which ditches 3D entirely.

During Nintendo’s investor Q&A last week, an attendee asked if the handheld’s arrival means “Nintendo is perhaps wavering a bit on its initial plans.” The person also questioned whether the 2DS was a part of president Satoru Iwata’s original vision.

Iwata responded by mentioning that development of the 2DS “began a long time ago.” Nintendo “realized beforehand that it would be difficult to maximize the sales potential of Nintendo 3DS without an entry-level product ready in time for the release of a new Pokémon title.” Given the different price options for the 3DS, the yen’s value at the time, and ability to offer another option for the 3DS platform, Nintendo believed the 2DS was a smart move to make.

Iwata also confirmed that the 3DS and 3DS XL will stil be sold, and Nintendo is “not saying that we will abandon 3D or cease to make new propositions in 3D.”

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Care to liven up your 2DS system with a little Zelda flair? If so, you may be interested in a new decal from Skinhub. You can nab a Zelda: Ocarina of Time skin for $9 and shipping.

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2DS sales have risen 64 percent week-on-week in the UK. The boost, in part, is due to a price cut initiated by retailers. Argos, Amazon and Tesco, and others have been offering the 2DS for just under £100. The 2DS alone was the best-selling console in the UK last week, and that’s without counting 3DS/3DS XL sales.

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Update: Now over. Transcript complete.

Nintendo’s latest financial results briefing is about to begin. As usual, analyst David Gibson is in attendance, and will be tweeting live. We’ll round up any details that come in from the briefing below.

– Sales: Animal Crossing: New Leaf – 2.49 million, Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon – 1.91 million, Tomodachi Collection – 1.37 million, Mario & Luigi: Dream Team – 1.37 million, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D – 1.19 million
– Nintendo said the company took inventory write down to account for price reduction
– Nintendo saying 3DS share has increased in Japan, Europe, and the US; it’s a growing market, you down in USA and Europe as last year launched XL
– Pokemon X/Y: European shares grew from 18% to 38%; Nintendo believes there is/will be a similar uptick in the US
– In the US, 3DS has already passed last year’s total
– Nintendo expects to sell over 5 million 3DS units this year in the US with a strong holiday season
– Nintendo says the 2DS’ awareness is still too low, but is designed to appeal to lower-priced users
– Survey indicates 2DS buyers were new users
– Wii Sports Club will be download only and free-to-play for 24 hours
– Will then be 200 yen per day or 1,000 yen for the entire game
– Wii Fit U is also free for 1 month for users who have the Balance Board
– In Japan, a survey showed 500,000 people still use the Balance Board
– Fit Meter also has a baramoeter so it can measure if you’re going uphill or downhill
– Because of Pokemon X/Y’s launch, Nintendo hadn’t been doing much Wii U marketing
– This has changed and sales have already improved
– Nintendo did 11.4 billion of digital sales, 50% of which was for complete game downloads (retail?)
– Nintendo believes new bundles in Japan (Family Pack) and USA (Mario & Luigi) will boost sales
– The StreetPass DLC games have been purchased for a value of 1.1 billion yen
– 35% of the DLC sales have come from Japan
– Nintendo expects Pokemon to help boost in the future
– Nintendo, whether digital or packaged, believes price should be the same
– Nintendo claims once a consumer buys a game digitally, they’re more likely to buy again digital
– Nintendo understands free-to-play market, etc.
– Users feel packaged seems more expensive, Nintendo is trying new models as a result like Wii Sports Club
– Pokemon X/Y shipped over 1 million units in September ahead of October launch
– Nintendo argues 3DS sold 5.5 million units last year and over 5 million units in Japan this year
– These are record levels for a handheld, happening at the same time as the smartphone expansion
– In handheld market, hardware plus software design combined benefit in games and Ames experience different versus smartphones
– Nintendo will use smartphones to promote its own games
– Hardware takes 1.5 years to design, and entry-level 2DS well planned ahead
– Weaker yen made the 2DS possible
– This holiday, games are targeted more for family
– Next year, advanced players will be targeted
– Nintendo says next-gen consoles aren’t targeted at the family audience this year
– Nintendo also admits competition is increasing
– Nintendo is targeting US, Europe, Japan, and perhaps Australia for growth
– Nintendo will explain Emerging Country strategy in January for its next results
– Iwata’s commitment to 100 billion operating profit this year: “make best effort to achieve target” and not going to quit
– Iwata is focused on creating long-term value for Nintendo
– Iwata remembers Yamauchi’s advice: “don’t copy other entertainment companies”
– Nintendo intends to boost VC and library; it’s not fully utilized
– Nintendo thinks it can do more with its digital offerings
– No plans to release games on smartphones
– Nintendo won’t cut people to cut costs, not pessimistic on the future of the company
– On Yamauchi shareholding said it’s not 49 days since his passing and no concrete plans or discussion before 49 days with them
– Plan to cooperate with family as much as possible and don’t want burden on the market (at 49 days, traditional ceremony conducted in Japan)

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So much for Nintendo releasing that Luigi-themed 2DS. Rose Colored Gaming’s Matthew Wiggins has come forward and confirmed that the device is nothing more than a mod – not an official product.

Wiggins shared photos of the modded 2DS with “quite a few people”, and they somehow made their way to various blogs (including this one!). Wiggins also said he “would have sent them some better pictures” if he anticipated it being picked up as a rumored new 2DS design. He’s “beyond flattered” by the interest his mod has generated, though at the same time, hopes no one is upset that it’s not the real deal.

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Nintendo may very well be preparing the first specially-designed 2DS system. Kotaku has obtained several images showing what appears to be a Year of Luigi-themed handheld.

Nintendo hasn’t made any announcement, but perhaps the unique 2DS will be out in time for the holidays.

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Several UK retailers have slashed the 2DS’ price just below £100.

Sainsbury has the device going for £99.99 in-store. Tesco Direct has stock available for around the same price, as does Amazon.

Argos also intends to offer the 2DS for £99 along with LEGO The Lord of the Rings and Moshi Monsters: Katsuma Unleashed. The special offer lasts through October 26.

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