What's New About The New Nintendo 2DS XL? Photos And 3DS XL Comparison

The latest revision in the line of Nintendo 2DS/3DS handhelds comes in the form of the New 2DS XL. It adopts the clamshell design of the 3DS, but ditches the 3D capabilities. Several changes were made to its design, many of which are solid improvements on an already-great handheld system.

As indicated by the "New" moniker, the New Nintendo 2DS XL features the c-stick, ZL and ZR buttons, and faster processor introduced in 2015's New Nintendo 3DS XL. These features are essential for playing certain games like Super Smash Bros for 3DS and Xenoblade Chronicles 3D, just to name a few. Note that 3D functions are not required for games.

The New Nintendo 2DS XL is set to release on July 28 in North America and will retail for $150 USD.

The packaging comes with the system itself, a 4GB micro SDHC memory card, an AR card pack, and an AC adapter to charge the battery. Yes, the New 2DS XL comes with an AC adapter!

Weighing in at 9.2 ounces (260 grams), the New 2DS XL is about 2.4 ounces lighter than the New 3DS XL and the same as the previous 2DS.

It's also a bit more compact with slightly smaller dimensions. When closed, the New 2DS XL measures in at 6.3 inches wide, 3.4 inches long, and 0.8 inches tall.

The front of the New 2DS XL sports a black textured chassis with diagonal ridges and teal trim.

The left and right triggers (L, ZL, R, ZR) atop the handheld are soft to the touch and tactile, and they also rock the teal accents. You'll notice that the charging port is off center on the new 2DS XL.

There's a lot going on at the bottom of the New 2DS XL. The small teal dot the right is the power button, and the stylus and 3.5mm audio jack is towards the center-right. A significant change in the New 2DS XL is the game cartridge and memory card slot enclosure, now on the left.

Here's a closer look at that enclosure. Instead of pulling the back end of handheld to insert the memory card (like the New 3DS XL), it simply goes into its slot on the left. Game cartridges are no longer exposed either, as you can see the game slot on the right.

The New 2DS XL sports screens the same size as the New 3DS XL: a 4.88 inch LCD screen for the top, and a 4.18-inch resistive touch screen below. It also has a built-in Amiibo/NFC reader within the bottom screen.

You can spot the front-facing camera which is now located in the center on hinge, as opposed to above the top screen like the 3DS XL.

All the face buttons have the teal accent and a tactile feel similar to previous 3DS systems. Since it's part of the "New" family of 2DS/3DS systems, it comes with the c-stick which works just the same as the New 3DS systems.

The analog stick--or circle pad--remains unchanged from previous models and functions just the same. The d-pad has the same tactile feel, but rocks the teal accent.

The top screen has a resolution of 400x240 and the bottom resistive touch screen is at 320x240. These resolutions are essentially the same as the New 3DS XL, except that it had 800 horizontal pixels (400 per eye) for 3D effects.

Although it's not that much slimmer than the New 3DS XL, it still has a thin profile. When it's open, the New 2DS XL extends to 6.4 inches in length.

It's a bit hard to find the stylus at first as it goes nearly unnoticed when tucked away right next to the audio jack. The stylus has a small notch to take out with ease.

The stylus is also shorter than in previous 2DS/3DS models, and here it is compared to the New 2DS XL's body.

The built-in speakers have been placed at the left and right ends of the New 2DS XL's bottom portion, as opposed to the 3DS XL's speakers that bookended the top screen. The teal-colored volume slider can also be seen on the left side of the system.

There's isn't really a reason to take out the backplate now that the memory stick inserts at the bottom of the New 2DS XL. But the back end has a sleek matte finish that helps you grip the system.

You'll also notice that the dual forward-facing cameras are now placed at the top-end of the handheld's body, rather than the top-end of the flip-up screen.

It's good to know that you'll get a charger for your New 2DS XL (unlike the New 3DS). AC adapters are compatible across the whole 2DS/3DS family of handhelds.

Be careful with micro SD cards, they're pretty easy to lose. Thankfully, this Toshiba 4GB micro SDHC card is already inserted in the New 2DS XL right out of the box.

Now for the size and weight comparison.

New 2DS XL: 6.3 in. width, 3.4 in. length (6.4 in. when open), 0.8 in. height, 9.2 ounces.

New 3DS XL: 6.3 in. width, 3.7 in. length (6.8 in. when open), 0.8 in. height, 11.6 ounces.

While any height difference is negligible, you'll notice that the 2DS XL has a slightly shorter length. The clamshell design of the New 2DS XL also creates a better seal when closed.

The difference in length is much more noticeable when literally stacked against each other.

All the triggers buttons are very much the same in terms of placements, shape, and feel. Again, you'll also notice the off-center charging port on the New 2DS XL

You can see the exposed game cartridge slot on the left of the New 3DS XL and how its changed on the New 2DS XL. Notice that the New 3DS XL also doesn't have a micro SD slot, you're required to take out the backplate to insert one.

A closer look highlights the better seal of the New 2DS XL's clamshell design.

The New 2DS XL stylus is shorter by about half an inch.

The screens themselves are identical, but the New 2DS XL has a sleek phone-like design to the top screen and a bottom screen that lays flat across the system's body. Button placement is the same, except the Home button is located below the d-pad on the New 2DS XL.

Will you be picking up the New Nintendo 2DS XL when it hits store shelves? Are you going to make the jump from the older 2DS or 3DS? Let us know in the comments!