When the 3DS was first unveiled in 2010, 3D was revolutionising the entertainment industry, and Nintendo 's console was the first major device to offer 3D games without the need for glasses.

There can be a lot of frustration in a lot of corners of the video game industry because we want different things. Companies target specific audiences with certain products. There has been hate out there by some concerning the Nintendo 2DS. Why?

The Nintendo 2DS isn't a replacement, nor a successor to the Nintendo 3DS, it is a new addition to the Nintendo 3DS family. It plays all Nintendo DS and 3DS games in 2D, omitting the 3D effect for those who simply wouldn't use it and offering a more affordable price-point for parents wanting to...

This system runs smoothly. Touch screen works great, sound is great and so is the display. Games run well, as well as all the apps included with the system. The non-folding trait of this system is something you should consider if you are concerned about the door breaking.

It's been a long time since I felt self-conscious gaming in public. Ever since Nintendo launched the clamshell GameBoy Advance SP in sleek, shiny silver, portable gaming hardware has felt like something meant for adults.

Surprisingly comfortable; Lack of hinges make it a bit more solid; Huge library of 3DS and DS games

Ugly design; Plastic body is prone to scratches; Exposed screens

The 2DS is clearly Nintendo's attempt to make a more accessible handheld for kids. It succeeds in putting parents at ease with its lower price and hinge-free design (and 2D screen, if the effects of 3D are a concern).

Inexpensive; Can do everything the 3DS does, except display 3D images; Hinge-free design is more friendly for small hands

A bit clunky compared with either version of the 3DS or the Sony PlayStation Vita

Great library of games and StreetPass software; The most ergonomic 3DS yet; Slightly improved battery life;

Feels cheap, plasticky and toy-like; Poor online and multiplayer features; Mono speaker and no second stick;

Just a couple of months ago Nintendo announced the 2DS out of the blue. With no 3D, a confusing name and missing the clamshell shape of the 3DS, no one really knew what Nintendo were thinking. Until we saw the price.

Nintendo has a rhythm that's predictable when it comes to product releases: Create a new console, then create different iterations of those consoles with upgrades aimed at expanding market share in clever ways.

The 2DS is a cheaper 3DS with one less dimension. That's not a major problem, but the 2DS design itself can be. Nintendo's latest console, the Nintendo 2DS exists basically to solve two problems.