In a move none of us saw coming, Nintendo has announced the Nintendo 2DS.

The new console, due out October 12th in North America and Europe, is compatible with all 3DS and DS games and displays images in 2D rather than 3D.

With a £109.99 price (EU price currently not available), the console is meant to act as an entry system.  With Pokémon X and Y launching the same day, we suspect that the lower price point will help a lot of kids to convince their parents to buy it.

The official press release announcing the console provides some further information:

The Nintendo 2DS retains many of the same hardware features as the Nintendo 3DS including the same Nintendo 3DS gameplay controls, backwards compatibility with the vast existing library of Nintendo DS games, as well as wireless connectivity features such as access to Nintendo eShop as well as StreetPass and SpotPass functionality. However the console takes on a new distinctive fixed, slate form design, and will play all packaged and download Nintendo 3DS games in 2D. The new console is designed as an entry point into, or a new way to enjoy the Nintendo handheld experience and will be available at launch  in two colour combinations, White + Red and Black +Blue, with a Nintendo 2DS Carrying Case (in either Red or Blue) that can be purchased separately.

N-Europe will have hands-on impressions of the console in the coming days, but let us know what you think using the comments section below.