Surprised?

While it wasn't necessarily available for public play, Nintendo did bring a couple of their newly announced 2DS game systems to PAX Prime this week to show off to media.

I was totally surprised at just how small and light the 2DS is. It weighs a fair bit less than the 3DS XL, and is quite a bit smaller in size. The initial images we saw made it seem huge, but it's about as tall as an iPhone 5, and about as wide as the phone in landscape mode. It looked to be a natural fit in Spencer's big assed hands, but also sat nicely in my smaller hands, so I think this will work for everyone from kids to titans.

So the size is fine. But how does it feel?

I didn't expect the 2DS to feel as nice in the hands, but it won me over instantly. Again, it's light, but it also feels solid -- definitely more solid than my hollow feeling, creaky 3DS XL. It seems rugged without being bulky. The buttons and controls are great, and the huge L and R buttons are a nice step up from the little ones on the standard 3DS. I played a bit of New Super Mario Bros. 2 and was surprised at how natural it felt. I know this thing looks crazy, but it's not so crazy in person.

There's something about the 2DS that gives me a nice Game Boy Advance vibe. Again, I was surprised at how much I liked it. Holding my 3DS XL next to it in comparison, I was ready for a trade in. I'll have no problem springing for a 2DS when they are released this October.

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