Microsoft followed Nintendo into the realm of motion controls and now Nintendo is following Microsoft in naming new consoles with a lower number than the previous one. The difference is that Nintendo’s new console name makes sense.

Launching on October 12th (the same day as Pokemon X & Y) is a 2D-only entry-level version of their 3DS portable console called the Nintendo 2DS.

As you can tell by the image above, the new 2DS won’t have the clamshell design of the 3DS but what Nintendo and the press are calling a slate design. I prefer likening it to a dual screen tablet but that’s just me.

The 2DS, like the name implies, only plays games in 2D. That’s about the only difference from the 3DS apart from the slate design. It still has the ability to access the internet through WiFi, play multiplayer games and it still has a touchscreen.

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime said that the 2DS is designed for younger gamers as the 3DS has a recommended minimum playing age of 7-years-old. Getting them into gaming with Nintendo IPs while they’re young at an attractive price point for parents is a pretty smart idea. Nintendo was due for one of those.

The price drop with the new DS console model makes sense given that the next Pokemon game is out at the same time as the 2DS and that Sony just dropped the price of a Vita to $200. While I’m not a fan of the layout, I think turning the 3D off will help sell it to people who were turned off by the 3D functionality of the 3DS in the first place.

In addition to the announcement of the 2DS, Nintendo also took the opportunity yesterday to announce a price drop for the Wii U. The Wii U deluxe model will now cost only $300. The price drop isn’t that surprising with Sony and Microsoft getting their next-gen consoles out this fall.