New Nintendo 2DS XL - Black + Turquoise With Mario Kart 7 Pre-installed - Nintendo 2DS

The Verdict

The last great budget handheld Nintendo ever made — and it’s still worth your money in 2026.

Here’s the thing about the New Nintendo 2DS XL: it’s the console Nintendo discontinued too early, and the aftermarket prices prove it. But this particular listing catches your eye for a different reason — $21.91 with Mario Kart 7 pre-installed. That price is almost certainly a mistake or a heavily discounted open-box unit, so if you’re seeing it at that number, act fast. If it’s back to the typical $129-$159 range, keep reading to see if it’s still worth it.

What You Actually Get

The box contains the console itself in the black-and-turquoise colorway (which looks genuinely sharp — the turquoise accents pop against the matte black), the included stylus, a 4GB SD card with Mario Kart 7 already installed, and the charging cable. Note: no AC adapter is included in most regions, so if you don’t already own a 3DS charger, budget an extra $10-15 for one.

The console weighs 9.7 ounces and measures 6.4 x 3.6 x 0.8 inches when closed. It’s lighter and thinner than the original 3DS XL, and the clamshell design means you can toss it in a bag without worrying about scratching the screens.

Real-World Performance

The New 2DS XL runs the same upgraded processor as the New 3DS XL, which means faster load times and access to the handful of games that require the “New” hardware — Xenoblade Chronicles and Minecraft, to name two. Mario Kart 7 runs at a rock-solid 60fps, and the pre-installed copy means you’re racing immediately after the initial setup.

The screen size is the same as the 3DS XL: 4.88 inches on top, 4.18 on the bottom. The resolution is 240p, which sounds ancient by Switch standards, but the games were designed for this screen, and the pixel density is perfectly acceptable. The bottom screen is resistive touch, which means you’ll need to use the stylus for precision — your fingers work for casual taps but get clumsy for rapid inputs.

Battery life runs 3.5 to 5.5 hours depending on brightness and audio settings. That’s fine for a portable, but the Switch OLED will outlast it by a couple of hours.

What Buyers Consistently Praise

The 4.6-star average across nearly 7,000 ratings is earned. Here’s what keeps coming up in reviews:

“Bought this for my 7-year-old and he hasn’t touched the iPad since. The clamshell design means I don’t worry about the screen getting smashed in his backpack.”

“If you’re on the fence about the 3D gimmick, don’t worry about it. I turned it off on my 3DS within a week and never turned it back on. This is the same experience for less money.”

The durability factor matters. The 2DS XL feels properly built — no creaking hinges, solid button actuation, and the matte finish resists fingerprints.

Where It Falls Short

Honest tradeoffs you need to know:

• No 3D, obviously. If you’re a collector or specifically want the 3D effect, this isn’t the console for you. That said, most players disable 3D anyway.
• The speakers are genuinely weak. At max volume, you’ll struggle to hear dialogue in quiet scenes. Use headphones — the headphone jack works fine.
• The eShop is dead. As of March 2023, you can’t buy new digital games. You can still download previously purchased titles, but this is now strictly a physical-cartridge console for new acquisitions.
• The included 4GB SD card is tiny. Mario Kart 7 eats about 1.5GB of it. If you plan to download any Virtual Console titles or DLC, upgrade to a 32GB card immediately.

Who Should Buy This

• Parents of kids aged 6-12: This is the perfect “first console.” It’s durable, has a massive library of kid-friendly games at bargain prices, and there’s no online subscription required.
• Budget gamers: If you want a massive backlog of fantastic JRPGs, platformers, and puzzle games without Switch prices, the DS/3DS library is unmatched. Used cartridges run $10-20.
• Collectors: The black-and-turquoise colorway is one of the rarer US releases.

Skip it if: You already own a Switch and aren’t interested in the DS/3DS exclusive library, or if you specifically want the 3D feature.

FAQ

Q: Does the New 2DS XL play all 3DS and DS games? A: Yes, it plays every DS and 3DS physical cartridge. The only exceptions are games that require the 3D effect, which is basically none — Nintendo never made a game that required 3D.

Q: Can I use a Switch charger to charge this? A: No. The 2DS XL uses a proprietary charging port, not USB-C. You need an official Nintendo 3DS AC adapter or a third-party equivalent.

Q: Is Mario Kart 7 really pre-installed, or is it a download code? A: It’s genuinely pre-installed on the included SD card. No code to redeem, no account needed. Turn it on and it’s there.

The Verdict

Buy it if: You want the largest, cheapest, most kid-friendly game library in handheld history and don’t care about 3D.

Skip it if: You need modern graphics, want to buy new digital games, or already own a 3DS.

Rating: 4.6/5 — The New 2DS XL remains the best-value handheld Nintendo ever released, and Mario Kart 7 pre-installed just sweetens the deal. Just remember to pick up a charger and a bigger SD card.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.