What Are The Different Nintendo 2DS/3DS Models?

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The Nintendo 3DS family has dominated the handheld console space since it launched in 2011. With glasses-free 3D in most models, 3DS has a huge library of games including Pokémon Sun and Moon, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Mario Kart 7, Yokai Watch, and many others. 3DS family has also sold 60 million consoles worldwide, way ahead of its portable rival the PlayStation Vita.

If you’re looking for a handheld console, 3DS or 2DS is therefore an easy choice. But as for which specific model to buy? That’s a much more difficult question!

Timeline of 3DS and 2DS versions

There are five main versions of the 3DS and 2DS. Here’s a timeline of all the models versions that have been released in the UK (not including colour options or limited editions).

Nintendo 3DS (original version) – March 2011
Nintendo 3DS XL (bigger screen) – July 2012
Nintendo 2DS (no 3D, slate form factor, cheaper) – October 2013
New Nintendo 3DS (better 3D, more buttons, more powerful, NFC) – February 2015
New Nintendo 3DS XL (big-screen version of New 3DS) – February 2015
New Nintendo 2DS XL (no 3D, clamshell form factor, bigger screen) - July 2017

3DS and 2DS feature comparison table

Model	Screen size	3D	System power	Controls	Custom face plates?	Main selling point
New 3DS	3.88” (upper) 3.33” (lower)	Enhanced with face-tracking	Enhanced	Extra C-stick and shoulder buttons	Yes	Faster, better 3D, custom face plates
New 3DS XL	4.88” (upper) 4.18” (lower)	Enhanced with face-tracking	Enhanced	Extra C-stick and shoulder buttons	No	Bigger screen, faster, better 3D
New 2DS XL	4.88” (upper) 4.18” (lower)	No	Enhanced	Extra C-stick and shoulder buttons	No	Cheaper, faster, no 3D (suitable for under 7s)
2DS	3.53” (upper) 2.02” (lower)	None	Standard	Standard	No	Cheaper, no 3D (suitable for under 7s)
3DS (original)	3.53” (upper) 2.02” (lower)	Standard	Standard	Standard	No	Original version
3DS XL	4.88” (upper) 4.18” (lower)	Standard	Standard	Standard	No	Bigger screen

Current models: New 3DS, New 3DS XL and New 2DS XL

The original 2DS, 3DS and 3DS XL have been superseded by the New 2DS XL, New 3DS and New 3DS XL. The New 2DS XL also remains current as the only system in the family designed for under-7s. Here’s what you should know about the most current system line-up.

New 3DS: faster, better 3D, custom face plates and new design

nintendo-3ds

If you want the most portable (i.e. smallest), up-to-date version of the 3DS, New 3DS is the one to go for. New 3DS offers:

A faster, quad-core CPU, 256MB RAM (twice what’s in original 3DS and 2DS) and more VRAM
Extra controls including a second analogue ‘C-stick’ and two extra shoulder buttons
Better 3D, which uses face tracking for more stability
Custom face plates to change the look of your console
A new design with coloured A/B/X/Y buttons like the SNES

New 3DS XL: A bigger New 3DS with no custom face plates

nintendo-3ds-xl

If you prefer a bigger screen and you aren’t bothered about customising your console with face plates, New 3DS XL may be your best bet. It also has:

Better battery life than the smaller New 3DS
An arguably more-grown-up, less colourful design

Exclusive games: New 3DS (and New 3DS XL) also has some exclusive games, although not many. Xenoblade Chronicles 3D and Runbow will only play on ‘New’ systems. Many SNES Virtual Console games will also only play on New 3DS and New 3DS XL.

New Nintendo 2DS XL: cheaper and suitable for under-7s

Nintendo New 2DS XL - white and orange

One of the great drawbacks of the original 2DS was its slate form factor, which some felt made it difficult to hold for extended periods and left the screens exposed at all times. The New 2DS XL introduces the iconic clamshell design that's been common in Nintendo's handhelds for years in order to keep the screens scratch-free and make the unit more comfortable to play on.

As the name suggests, the New 2DS XL once again lacks 3D capability, which makes it cheaper and suitable for children under 7.

If you’re buying a handheld console for a small child, or just want the cheapest version available, the New 2DS XL is the best current option.

Lots of 3DS and 2DS colour options

Each 3DS and 2DS version has also offered a range of colour options. There are too many to list here, but colour options available in the UK in 2016 included:

New 3DS – white or black (also customisable with cover plates)
New 3DS XL – metallic black, metallic blue, orange and black, pearl white
New 2DS XL - black and turquoise, white and orange
2DS – black/blue, transparent blue, transparent red, white/pink, white/red
3DS (original) – aqua blue, coral pink, cosmos black, ice white, metallic red
3DS XL – white, pink, blue, black, black/silver, black/blue, black/red

Special and limited edition 3DS and 2DS consoles

3ds-limited-edition

Finally, the 3DS family is made even more diverse by the huge number of special edition consoles that have been released.

Special edition consoles available in 2016 included:

New Nintendo 3DS XL Majora’s Mask Edition
New Nintendo 3DS XL Monster Hunter: Generations Edition
New Nintendo 3DS XL Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer Edition
Nintendo 2DS Pokémon Sun and Moon Editions
Nintendo 2DS Pokémon Transparent Yellow Edition

Over 40 different limited edition 3DS and 2DS systems have been released, many of which were only available in Japan and most of which sold out long ago.

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