What the h*ll is happening today that I'm missing?!?!

All this news coming from everywhere. Now this thing. I thought it was a joke, but it's not. Personally I think the 3D effect of the 3DS is awesome and wouldn't want to miss it, but this is actually a good idea. It's a bit the same as the GameBoy Micro. There's people that refrained from buying the 3DS because of the 3D effect. I also don't see how it's uncomfortable. If it's like the WiiU Gamepad, it's more comfortable than the current 3DS. The shoulder buttons look better as well. With the lowered price, I see those people getting this. Also, being aimed at a younger audience, this could be Nintendo's answer to tablets. They're trying to keep the young audience that's switching to smart devices.

Lastly, this is a new blow to the Vita. It should've had it's own re-design already.

Nintendo got scared of the Vita price drop taking over 3DS sales so they scrapped this together in 2 weeks :^)

Correct.

The 2DS is a slate design (flat surface) as opposed to the clamshell design.

3D gimmick didn't work now they are going for the tablet gimmick, Imo they should have design it like the 3ds but make it clear it was a 2ds

What on Earth Nintendo!

Why not just bundle Pokemon with the standard 3DS instead of wasting R&D on what looks like something that was made from leftover parts? Since 3D was the most advertised feature of the device and what sets it apart from other handheld devices in the first place.

Nintendo has figured out that it's main market for the DS outside Japan is children, and the best way to get them is to cut cost so they can save up or beg their parents to buy one.

There is something to be said for the slate form factor, too. It's better balanced, which makes it more comfortable to hold and improves tilt control. Unfortunately, there still isn't much point in designing a 3DS game for tilt control when most 3DS units are still ungainly clamshells. Also, the dual screens just seem kinda silly now when you could put one big portrait display in there.

Did he seriously say that? 

2DS is set to bomb hard then :P

tablet gimmick?

i would buy this if there was an XL model size. sure its huge to have an always open 3DS XL but my handhelds never leave my room. it would still be smaller than the WiiU Gamepad i love so dearly though

I think that it's a good idea because most don't really care about the 3D, but the design looks ugly and it doesn't look very comfortable to the hands.