Most handheld gamer consoles look like iPods nowadays, so I was a wee bit baffled and discombobulated when Nintendo‘s new toy was pressed into my hot little hands. So much so, I think I made an involuntary squeaking noise. Indeed, carrying this neat wee toy has them staring. While rivals like the WiiU and the Nintendo 3DS are slim, minimalist and usually metallic, Nintendo’s 2DS could just as well be owned by a toddler than a middle-aged geezer like me.

These days, gaming is all a-go-go. Sneak a Letterpress match in after lunch, growl and snort as you toss Angry Birds instead of paying attention to where your bus stops. You know, even those dedicated brightly-coloreNid devices that could be sitting in a sandbox like the PS Vita, look more like gadgets for wealthy toddlers than goofs like yours truly.

Retailing at US$129.99, it’s $70 less than the 3DS XL and $40 less than a base, off-the-shelf 3DS, the Nintendo 2DS fits in your hands just right, back-to-the future-ing memories of a ‘sci-fi’ toy good-to-go in 1984.  With a durable black-and-red or black-and-blue color scheme, its matte plastic finish comes in a skim-able triangular shape. Nintendo‘s designers finally wised up to the fact that minimalism is best, because there are no breakable wings, hinges or screw to snap off in moments of boredom. It doesn’t fold at all, so your dual screens won’t be exposed to the elements. Of course, screens are bound to be scratched by little ones. So, either ban access or buy a case!

Solid. Top-heavy. Nintendo 2DS owns an identical right-sided diamond formation to the 3DS, along with an analog nub and a directional pad. Additionally, you get a home button at the lower screen base, a power button and, most welcomingly, warning lights to advise players as to their power retention at battery and Wi-Fi connections. There’s also a volume slider along the left side and a switch on the bottom to put the device to sleep.

You also get a nice extra feature in front-and-rear-facing cameras, which are backwards, compatible with both DS cartridges, and a 4GB SD card for downloading games. Juice-wise, it’s okay, but not great. Batteries only give you three to five hours of gaming time, although, if you like to keep your screen bright, you can count on the juice being cut down by half again. Nevertheless, its sleep mode does a super job of conserving battery life, so you can play stop-start games all day. In my house, where everybody plays games or is constantly running the iPod or laptop, battery chargers are de rigeur.

So, really, playing a 2DS is pretty much the same as playing a 3DS. It looks like a toy, but once you’re accustomed to its use, it won’t feel like a toy. I played ‘21′ day and night till the battery quit. Nintendo 2DS is the ultimate 2D gaming experience. You will find included: Nintendo 2DS, AC Adapter, Stylus, 4GB SDHC Memory Card, 6 AR Cards. Nintendo 2DS is a 2D system that plays all Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS games. Now remember, Nintendo 2DS is only capable of 2D display. One Lithium-ion Battery is included. The only real loss you’ll get from stepping down from the 3DS is if you have a fanatic heart for 3D. Otherwise, it’s the same, only $40 cheaper. And don’t forget to invest in a case!