I've been constantly swaying back and forth between the two, to the point where I think mental whiplash may actually be possible.
The 2DS is the logical and more responsible choice, because I already have a DS Lite and DS XL, and I'd only be buying one of the two poll choices just so I can play the new Pokémon games... But it's hard to resist the allure of that shiny new 3DS. I do have a few valid reasons why I actually want the 3DS though.
A few questions first before I list my own pros and cons. If anyone who knows could answer in the comments, that would be greatly appreciated;
1. Does the 3DS play normal DS Games?
2. Does the 2DS and 3DS have the same Nintendo eShop? (For buying Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow)
3. Does the 3DS XL pixilate Pokémon's graphics at all?
4. Does the 2DS have access to PokéBank?
[b][i]Nintendo 2DS[/i][/b]
Pros:
[spoiler]1. Cheaper price ($124.99 CAD)
2. Does not fold, so no hinges to break (may not purchase a warranty because of this)
3. Plays both normal DS games and 3DS in 2D[/spoiler]
Cons:
[spoiler]1. Smaller screen, not as easy on the eyes (tried going back to my DS Lite after normally playing the DS XL, felt strange to look at)
2. Plastic and casing feels cheaper made(obviously), might still break in another way[/spoiler]
[b][i]New Nintendo 3DS XL[/i][/b]
Pros:
[spoiler]1. Bigger screen, easier to see
2. Shiny, new, and better potential performance than a 2DS
3. 3D graphics improved with face tracking, might be better if I can get used to having the feature on without any headaches[/spoiler]
Cons:
[spoiler]1. Quite expensive for a handheld device ($234.99 CAD)
2. Display model in store defocused and blurred my vision while in 3D mode, unsettling to watch. Slider may spend no time in 3D mode thereby wasting a big feature (keep in mind I was moving around a bit, so the face tracking may have kept altering the angle of the graphics. Sometimes is looked less overwhelming.)
3. Chance that the larger screen could pixilate game graphics, making them appear blurry at times (Pokémon won't look as crisp around the edges)
4. Hinges = risk of breaking down the road (warranty will need a purchase for safely's sake)[/spoiler]
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I own a 2DS because it was much cheaper when I got it with Pokemon Y. There are obviously cons but it works fine for me and the purposes that I need it for. It played XY/ORAS the same as the 3DS