In a completely weird announcement that has me scratching my dome in bewilderment, Nintendo has announced a new version of the Nintendo 3DS… called the Nintendo 2DS.

This new system has a markedly different look compared to any other DS system, as it is not hinged and has more of a tablet look to it. It still has two screens and has all of the bells and whistles of the current 3DS system, except that it won’t be in 3D. DUH.

Nintendo 2DS will launch on October 12 and retail for $130, whereas the 3Ds is currently priced at $170.

Nintendo marketing executive Scott Moffitt had this to say about the new system while speaking with GameSpot:

It doesn’t mean that we are not committed at all to 3D and that we don’t think that’s a really valuable, unique eye-popping feature for a lot of gamers, we just wanted to continue growing the installed base and needed to find a way to get to a price point that was more accessible for a broad swath of consumers. As we surveyed the marketplace, it seemed to us that there was an opportunity for something at that lower, entry level price point.”

This is pretty weird news, as the the fact that they are dropping what makes the 3DS unique in the first place is strange and really just makes this new system a glorified DS. The layout is also kind of odd, as I’m not sure how that will feel while playing it. I’m intrigued, but cautious.

Check out the pics below!

As for my judgment on the fact that Nintendo has taken their latest handheld and just made it a more powerful version of an older one?