Nintendo announces new Zelda Hylian Shield-themed 2DS XL

Nintendo has announced a new The Legend of Zelda-themed new Nintendo 2DS XL is coming to Canada this summer.

The handheld features the design of the iconic Hylian Shield used by protagonist Link in the Legend of Zelda franchise. It will also come pre-installed with 2013’s hit The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, the successor to SNES classic A Link to the Past. 

With a new 2DS XL, users will be able to play any Nintendo 3DS game and most Nintendo DS games — just not in autostereoscopic 3D like the 3DS.

Nintendo says the Zelda 2DS XL will be available exclusively at EB Games in Canada on July 2nd, although pre-orders are not yet available.

Become the hero you’ve always wanted to be with the New Nintendo #2DSXL Hylian Shield Edition, pre-installed with The Legend of #Zelda: A Link Between Worlds! Get it exclusively @EBGamesCanada on July 2nd! pic.twitter.com/oEIQjndyiM

— Nintendo of Canada (@NintendoCanada) May 29, 2018

It’s worth noting that EB Games typically announces when pre-orders go live on its Twitter account, so stay tuned to that channel if you’re interested.

Nintendo also hasn’t yet confirmed a price for the new 2DS XL. Previous special edition systems themed around a Pokéball and Pikachu from Pokémon have each cost $209.99 CAD, but those didn’t include a pre-installed game.

While Nintendo has diverted most of its handheld-related efforts to its ever-popular Switch system — particularly when it comes to Pokémon and Fire Emblem — the Japanese gaming giant is still continuing to support its 3DS family of devices.

The company released Kirby Battle Royale and Detective Pikachu in the first three months of 2018, while Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker, WarioWare Gold and the Luigi’s Mansion remake are slated for later this year.

Nintendo will also hold a major presentation at the Electronics Entertainment Expo on June 11th where it will likely reveal new Switch and 3DS games, in addition to fully unveiling the next Super Smash Bros.