Nintendo 2DS LL: First Thoughts

I was originally going to buy a Nintendo Switch, but I’m broke, and there were games like Mario 3D Land I’d never played, so I figured I’d just get a 2DS LL first.

There isn’t really much to say about this thing. I never owned a 3DS before, so I went straight for the new 2DS LL. Lots of people complain that the screen is TN, that it doesn’t have 3D, that the build quality is mediocre — I think it’s OK. It beats the GPD Win anyway.

Except this unit — the first one I received had a broken left circle pad…

I contacted the eBay seller and got a replacement, then found the L and R buttons were super stiff. I opened up the back cover myself and filed the buttons down, and that fixed it. Then I noticed the rear hinge wouldn’t lock shut, so I filed that too before it was right.

So yeah, the build quality really isn’t great. But the feel in the hands is surprisingly good, better than the PSP.

First thing I did on arrival was mod it. I played through nostalgic Rayman 3D (which is just Rayman 2: The Great Escape) and Mario 3D Land.

Rayman was fine. This game wrecked me back in elementary school; now I can breeze through everything except the last level.

Mario 3D Land was a bit awkward though. The game’s difficulty basically comes from “you can’t see the perspective half the time.” It seems built for the 3DS, where the glasses-free 3D helps you judge position — and I’ve got a 2DS, so no 3D for me. Took some effort, but I finished it.

All in all I’m pretty happy with it. At least the games are better than the PSP’s. Next up is Donkey Kong, and once I’m done with that I can buy a Switch with a clear conscience.