Today has been a busy day for Nintendo, as the company announced release dates for several upcoming titles, a price drop for the Wii U, and the unveiling of a new handheld console.

Nintendo announced a new handheld console coming to retailers in October- the Nintendo 2DS. The 2DS is designed for younger children and those who would rather experience 3DS games without the stereoscopic glasses-free 3D; the 2DS includes the same interface and functionality of a 3DS, but it completely lacks the 3D function, and has a solid-body design instead of the traditional clam-shell model; it will have a slider-switch to activate Sleep Mode to conserve battery-life and for StreetPass data, however the internet connection switch has been removed, and must be activated through the console interface. The 2DS can also interact with AR Cards, but all 3D aspects will be removed. The Nintendo 2DS will be available starting Oct. 10 for $129.99:

Starting on Sept. 20, the Wii U Deluxe Set will receive a price drop of $50, bringing the console down to $299.99; a limited-edition bundle featuring The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will release on the same date. The digital version of The Wind Waker HD releases on Sept. 20, while physical copies will be available on Oct. 4; the physical version will feature gold wrapping, and GameStop purchases will come packaged with a Gannondorf figurine. The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD will sell for $49.99.

Several other Wii U and 3DS titles were given official release dates and prices, and are listed as follows:

Wii U:

• Wii Party U: Oct. 25, includes Wii Remote Plus and stand

• Super Mario 3D World: Nov. 22

• Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze: Dec. 6

• Wii Fit U: Holiday 2013

• Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games™: Holiday 2013

• Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure: Sept. 24

• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Fall 2013 

• Skylanders SWAP Force: Oct. 13

• Call of Duty: Ghosts: Nov. 5 

• Sonic Lost World: Oct. 22 

• Rayman Legends: Sept. 3 

• Just Dance 2014: Oct. 8

• Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag: Oct. 29 

• Watch_Dogs: Nov. 19

Nintendo 3DS:

• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds: Nov. 22

• Mario Party: Island Tour: Nov. 22

• Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure: Sept. 24

• LEGO Marvel Super Heroes: Universe in Peril: Fall 2013

• Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate: Oct. 25

• Skylanders SWAP Force: Oct. 13

• Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW!: Nov. 19

• Sonic Lost World: Oct. 22

Source: Nintendo
Image courtesy of Nintendo