New 2DS XL

Released June 2017

Nintendo's folding 2D handheld with large screens, New 3DS game support and built-in amiibo NFC, for collectors comparing the final DS-family designs.

Type: Handheld
Output: –
Memory: 256 MB
Storage: –
Weight: 260 g

Plays handheld

What reviewers say

Reviewers welcome the lighter folding design, large game library and easier microSD access as a good entry point to the 3DS family. The short stylus and downward-facing speakers draw criticism; Nintendo Life and TechRadar also find the screens dated. TechRadar questions the top screen's sturdiness, while Nintendo Life finds the body robust.

From nintendolife.com, techradar.com, techradar.com, techradar.com and techspot.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Performance

Type: Handheld
Memory: 256 MB
Disc drive: No
Memory detail: 256 MB RAM (Nintendo Life's exact New 2DS XL review); Nintendo's public specification does not identify the memory capacity
Storage detail: UK standard bundle includes a removable 4 GB microSDHC card; Nintendo's public specifications do not state the internal capacity
Storage expansion: microSD cards up to 2 GB and microSDHC cards from 4–32 GB; card slot under a flap beside the game card slot, without removing the rear cover (Nintendo UK manual)

Display and video

Built-in screen: 4.88″ LCD, 400 × 240
Built-in screen: Upper 4.88-inch LCD, 400 × 240; lower 4.18-inch touch LCD, 320 × 240; approximately 16.7 million colours each. All visuals display in 2D; no automatic brightness adjustment (Nintendo Japan support)
Audio: Stereo speakers with pseudo-surround support beneath the lower screen, built-in microphone and stereo headphone output

Design and power

Battery life (maker's claim): Up to 9 hours
Weight: 260 g
Battery life detail: Built-in lithium-ion battery, 5 Wh; Nintendo says replacement must be performed by a qualified professional. Approximately 3.5–6.5 hours with 3DS games or 5–9 hours with DS games, depending on brightness, software, wireless activity and temperature; full charge approximately 3.5 hours
Power use: Approximately 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo UK manual)
Size: UK manual gives 159 × 86.4 × 20.8 mm folded (width × depth × thickness); Japanese page gives 159.36 × 86.36 × 20.8 mm. Approximately 260 g including battery, stylus and microSD card
Colours: Black + Turquoise and White + Orange at the European launch; later regional colours and bundles differ
In the box: New 2DS XL, stylus, 4 GB microSDHC card, six AR cards, operations manual and AC adapter (UK); Japanese standard bundle has no AC adapter

Connections

Ports: Game card slot, microSD card slot, AC adapter connector and headphone connector; infrared transceiver with recommended distance within 20 cm
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz; NFC at 13.56 MHz; recommended wireless communication distance within 30 m
Controller: Circle Pad, C Stick, D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, ZL/ZR, Start/Select, HOME and touch screen; motion and gyro sensors. One inner and two outer fixed-focus CMOS cameras, 640 × 480 (0.3 megapixels) each; JAN-004 stylus approximately 69 mm long
Backward compatibility: Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS games in 2D, plus DS/DSi game cards; games from other regions and DS accessories requiring the GBA slot are not supported. eShop purchases and new free downloads ended on 27 March 2023; most internet services ended on 8 April 2024, while redownloads and updates remain available (Nintendo)