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Reel in the Sea Green 2DS on June 6
As suspected, a new color variant of the 2DS is launching alongside Tomodachi Life in North America on June 6. The $130 "Sea Green" model should be a fashionable companion for any beach-goer this summer, or any virtual beach-goer in Nintendo's new sim game. The 2DS is the unhinged younger sibling of the 3DS, and plays all 3DS games but in 2D. If Sea Green makes you sea-sick, you can also grab currently available red and blue models for the same price. [Image: Nintendo]
Tomodachi Life site teases new Nintendo 2DS color variant
An image buried within the HTML source of the official Tomodachi Life website hints that Nintendo of America may be planning to launch a special edition 2DS variant to commemorate the game's upcoming launch stateside, Tiny Cartridge reports. The image, reprinted above, shows a Nintendo 2DS hardware color that is not currently available in North America. Tiny Cartridge notes that the portable's white-on-teal design resembles the Japan-exclusive Mint x White 3DS XL released alongside the Japanese version of Tomodachi Life last year, suggesting that a similar hardware tie-in could soon follow in North America. To date, Nintendo of America has not announced any plans to release Tomodachi Life-themed 3DS or 2DS hardware in the United States. Tomodachi Life will debut at retail in North America on June 6. [Image: Nintendo]
Nintendo posts $229M loss, Wii U estimates down by 60 percent
Nintendo fell slightly short of the reduced financial projections it set in January, with the Wii U reaching 2.72 million shipments for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2014. However, the system remains way off Nintendo's initial projection of 9 million, so it's no surprise to see more conservative estimates for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015 of 3.6 million units. That's 60 percent less than Nintendo originally projected for the previous year. Total Wii U shipments are now up to 6.17 million, nearly a year and a half after the console launched. On the software side, Nintendo revealed figures of 32.28 million units to date, with New Super Mario Bros. U (4.16 million), Nintendo Land (3.09 million) and Super Mario 3D World (2.17 million) leading the way.
Watch Nintendo execs vie for the love of Princess Zelda in its latest game
Nintendo's had some success with approximating the mundanity of real life in the past, but its latest attempt looks like it'll amp up the crazy rather dramatically. In Tomodachi Life you import a collection of Miis (Nintendo's avatar system) and watch as they interact with each other on an island. We know what you're thinking, but trust us, it's the opposite of boring. For example, one scene from its recent unveiling involves Nintendo's senior product marketing manager Bill Trinen professing his love for Samus Aran on a beach when a shirtless, musclebound president Reggie Fils-Aime runs down the shore to do the same. And then, CEO Satoru Iwata emerges from the water and joins in on the action. Yes, really.
Europe gets pink-and-white 2DS alongside Kirby: Triple Deluxe in May
Pink is clearly the color du jour for the 2DS, after Nintendo unveiled a new pink-and-white livery that's launching alongside Kirby: Triple Deluxe on May 16. Europe's pastel portable looks a bit like an inverted version of the peach-pink 2DS heading to North America. As the box art shows, the 2DS doesn't come with Kirby: Triple Deluxe included, even though the rosy-cheeked puffball is a color match - that means it's priced £110 in the UK. You can complete the look by getting a new £8 silver 2DS carrying case, also due on May 16. [Image: Nintendo of Europe]
GameStop's 'peach pink' 2DS comes with a Disney case that's bibbidy bobbidy boo
Unbelievable sights, indescribable feelings - don't you dare close your eyes! GameStop has an exclusive "peach pink" 2DS that comes with a Disney Magical World carry case, and it's launching alongside the 3DS game in North America on April 11. The carrying case is free with the $130 handheld, but you'll have to stump up the cash to buy the game on top because it's sold separately - the thought of getting that carrying case without the game is almost more tear-inducing than the ending to Toy Story 3. [Image: GameStop]
Rumor: Free Pokemon X/Y with purchase of 3DS XL or 2DS and a game
A supposed scan of a Toys R Us ad indicates a new Pokemon X and Y sale is on the horizon. The ad, courtesy of a GoNintendo tipster, states that new 3DS XL or 2DS buyers who additionally pick up one of six games and register their gear on Club Nintendo in March will receive a download code for Pokemon X or Y. The six eligible games buyers may be picking from are Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Yoshi's New Island, Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins, Super Mario 3D Land, Donkey Kong Country Returns 3D and Mario Kart 7. As it stands now, there's no confirmation of the deal on either Club Nintendo or Toys R Us' sites. We've reached out to Nintendo for more information and will update as we learn more. [Image: GoNintendo]
2DS sells 2.1 million, Animal Crossing: New Leaf gets 7.38 million
The Nintendo 2DS has made it into the tiny hands of 2.1 million customers worldwide since its launch on October 12, according to Nintendo's financial highlights (PDF link). The 3DS, which launched in February 2011, has shipped 42.7 million units, while the DS family has shipped 154 million units in total. Nintendo has sold 7.38 million copies of Animal Crossing: New Leaf worldwide since its initial Japan release in November 2012. New Leaf launched in North America, Europe and Australia in June 2013: From April 2013 to December 2013, the game sold 2.79 million units outside of Japan, and 730,000 copies in the country. Nintendo posted a year-over-year net profit decline of 30 percent in the nine months leading to December 2013, with numbers dragged down by weaker-than-expected Wii U sales and console price cuts. Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata and board members are taking smaller salaries for a temporary period, French news outlet AFP reported.
Nintendo boasts 'record-setting' 16 million 3DS game sales in 2013
Nintendo's handheld business is booming right now, and the company has the stats to prove it. In its annual overview released today, the company says it sold a record-breaking 16 million 3DS games in 2013, which translates to a 45 percent increase over last year. US consumers played a big part in Nintendo's bumper year, accounting for 11.5 million of Nintendo's 35 million 2DS and 3DS lifetime sales. Despite its precarious financial situation and a recent ruling requiring it to share some of its 3DS sales revenue, Nintendo reckons it has plenty more left in the tank: "We're not slowing down in 2014," says Scott Moffitt, Nintendo's EVP of Sales, "the best days of Nintendo 3DS are still to come."
Nintendo 3DS software sales increased in 2013, sold 11.5 million hardware units in US
Avoiding a conversation about its other child, Nintendo announced this morning that the lifetime hardware sales for the 3DS have surpassed 11.5 million units in the US. The 3DS family includes the original system, along with 3DS XL and 2DS. The company plans to announce its third quarter earnings on January 29, which should help bring global context to the hardware sales number. Nintendo also stated this morning it had more than 16 million software sales (both retail and digital) in 2013 for 3DS, which is a 45 percent increase from 2012. It also pointed out that two of its Nintendo 3DS games in 2013 had over a 90+ Metacrtic. Coincidentally, both of those games made our Joystiq Best of 2013: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Fire Emblem Awakening.
Nintendo's first 2DS bundles include Pokemon, arrive December 6th for $150
Nintendo is fond of including games with its handhelds, and it's keeping up that habit by launching its first 2DS bundles. As of December 6th, Target will carry a red 2DS with Pokemon X pre-installed for $150; stop by Toys R Us the same day and you'll get a blue 2DS with Pokemon Y for the same price. While neither bundle is particularly special, they'll both save a cool $20 (and a few minutes of effort) over buying the separate hardware and software. We'd say that's a good deal for both gift-shopping parents and frugal Pokemon players.
Pokemon X/Y 2DS $150 bundles announced, available later this week
Nintendo is kicking up its drive behind the 2DS with two Pokemon X/Y bundles priced at $150, coming to Target and Toys R Us on Friday, December 6. Target will offer a red 2DS system with Pokemon X pre-installed, while the Toys R Us bundle features a blue system with Pokemon Y pre-loaded on a SD card. Nintendo released the 2DS as an alternative to the 3DS earlier this year, with a standalone price set at $130. The hinge-less hardware's lower price comes at the expense of 3D tech, and with backwards compatibility for 2000+ DS games. With 4 million copies of Pokemon X/Y flying off shelves within 48 hours of release, and 2 million sold in North America to date, Nintendo seems to be hoping the game's prolific performance will boost that of the 2DS' across the holiday season.
Custom Luigi 2DS up for auction, 25% of proceeds to Child's Play
Remember Rose Colored Gaming's Luigi 2DS, the modified handheld that looks good enough to be a real Nintendo product? Now that it's up for auction, you can celebrate the Year of Luigi in style by establishing yourself as the bro's biggest fan. The bidding period will conclude on November 17 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern, with 25 percent of the proceeds going to the Child's Play Charity. Despite the interest the singular unit has drawn, the auction page explains that the unit was built under the vision of a "one-of-a-kind item, and as such, there will not be a run of more than one." The green and white color scheme is complimented with an indentation of Luigi on the back of the device. [Thanks, Wes!]
Mario Party: Island Tour brochure trailer
Here's a look at the sun-drenched game boards and a few minigames for the upcoming Mario Party: Island Tour, welcoming tourists from North America on November 22. Europe will be invited to join the Koopa games early next year.
Rose Colored Gaming craftsman claims ownership of Luigi 2DS
Anyone getting their hopes up for the rumored Luigi 2DS might want to mail their heartbreak directly to Matt (also known as wiggy) of Rose Colored Gaming. In a video interview with Second Opinion Games' Wes De, Matt explained how he modified a standard blue 2DS into a Luigified version of the handheld, complete with a Luigi-shaped indentation on the back of the device. Matt explained that he sent pictures of the device to "quite a few people" and assumes they made their way to blogs from there. The hardware has yet to be posted to RCG, but Matt laughed that he "would have sent them some better pictures" had he known it would gain traction as a rumored impending version of the 2DS. Matt said he's "beyond flattered" by the excitement his mod has generated, but also that he hopes no one hates him for it not being official hardware. You hear that, internet? No pitchforking! Given Nintendo's fondness for releasing special editions of hardware, however, future special 2DS bundles aren't out of the question. [Thanks, Wes!]
This week on gdgt: Surface Pro 2, Nintendo 2DS, and software updates
Each week, our friends at gdgt go through the latest gadgets and score them to help you decide which ones to buy. Here are some of their most recent picks. Want more? Visit gdgt anytime to catch up on the latest, and subscribe to gdgt's newsletter to get a weekly roundup in your inbox.
2DS down to £99 at some UK retailers
Nintendo's brand-new 2DS handheld, which launched alongside Pokemon X/Y earlier this month, is already about £10 cheaper at certain retailers in the United Kingdom. Originally priced at £109.99, the svelte little device can now be had online for £99 from Amazon UK and Tesco Direct. A couple of brick and mortar installations are also on the discount train, with Sainsbury's matching Amazon's price drop and Argos running its own £99 bundle promotion from tomorrow through October 26, MCVUK reports. It's important to note that this is not an official price drop from Nintendo, but rather a bunch of British retailers taking a proactive stance on pricing ahead of the imminent holiday shopping season. Regardless, £10 works out to about $400,000 at today's imaginary exchange rates, so it's still worth doing.
Zelda: A Link Between Worlds to have unlockable difficulty mode, puzzles 'clearer' in 3D
The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds will etch an additional difficulty option onto its walls for players taking a second pass through its non-linear quest. Siliconera's translation of series producer Eiji Aonuma's interview with Gameswelt revealed that an additional difficulty mode will be unlocked after players complete the main game. Aonuma did not clarify what similarities it will share with Wind Waker's Hero Mode, which doubled the damage dealt to players and removed heart pieces from the game's pots and blades of grass. In a separate interview with Gamespot, Aonuma noted that the team "made some changes" to the game after Nintendo announced the 2DS to ensure it was fully playable in 2D. "We found out about the 2DS during development ... It's not that you can't play it with 2D, it's just that it becomes clearer when you have the 3D effect on." A Link Between Worlds is set to venture across the walls of North American and European homes on November 22. Europeans in need of a 3DS XL may want to consider the special edition bundle that's planned for release at the game's launch. North Americans might have the same option, but Nintendo has yet to confirm the bundle's release across the pond.
Now you can watch Miley Cyrus ruin SNL on your Nintendo 3DS with Hulu Plus
Care to see a former Disney star shuck her wholesome image through the wonders of improv (and sheer tops) from the comfort of your 3DS or 2DS? Today, that questionable privilege is entirely possible, as Nintendo's made Hulu Plus available for download from the eShop, along with a one-week free trial lure for new subs. A subscription to the streaming service's $7.99/mo premium tier will let gamers enjoy the same level of access they'd get elsewhere -- which just means Hulu Plus on a wider selection of screens, not ad-free primetime content. That said, "commercial-free kids programming" does exist on the service, which is where you'll want to direct the kiddos that form the bulk of the 3DS' user base. Alternatively, you can also fire up past episodes of SNL to shatter any illusions they (and you) may have of wholesome, tweener idols. Go ahead... we're silently judging you anyway.
Nintendo 2DS ad shows little hands playing big games
The Nintendo 2DS has officially been out for two days now, but for those who haven't heard about it (or who might still think it's a really late April Fool's joke), Nintendo's new ad breaks down its best features. Namely, Pokemon X and Y, and Animal Crossing.
