This past weekend, we did the unthinkable.

With the news that GameStop was running a limited-time sale on the Nintendo 2DS for $100, the idea of becoming owners of the unit became more realistic by the minute.

Sure, it looks like a toy. The design is perhaps more reminiscent of Fisher Price than it is Nintendo, but after a weekend of owning it, we agree that the 2DS might just be the best way to play 3DS games.

The first determining factor for us was the price. We both used to own 3DS units and have since traded them in for consoles and games. Rather than dropping more than $150 on a 3DS, we decided $100 sounded a lot better.

Secondly, (and honestly the best part) we now have access to playing the entire massive DS library in addition to the slate of 3DS games that will release in the coming months.

We may look odd playing it, but we don’t really care.

Third, in the grand scheme of things, how cool was the 3D effect of the 3DS, anyway?

When I first got my 3DS a few years ago, I turned it on and experienced the 3D effect.

It was cool enough. It added a different effect that hasn’t been seen since the Virtual Boy attempted “real” 3D back in the 90s.

But, it wasn’t the greatest and the novelty shortly wore off after an hour of use.

Not to mention it wasn’t easy on the eyes.

I played through Ocarina of Time with the 3D enabled for most of the game, and 25 hours later, I emerged satisfied, albeit cross-eyed.

The 3DS was a nice idea. However, rather than relying on the 3D effect to please gamers, the real strength of the console lies in its ability to display pleasant-looking games on slightly newer hardware.

We wanted to get a fuller picture of that, so the 2DS called our name.

Fourth, after a weekend of use we have been more than surprised on how much we loved the 2DS design.

The ugly tablet-esc, wedged shape fits perfectly in your hands, the buttons have been raised to be placed right where your thumbs rest, and the buttons themselves have changed to the rubber membrane style found on the DS Lite both providing comfort and longevity to button’s life span.

The 2DS is also made with a tougher plastic reminiscent of a Gameboy Color instead of the fingerprint magnet that was used on the regular 3DS.

Not only does this look better and beckons back to classic Nintendo but it makes the 2DS feel stronger and sturdier.

But sadly, even after all of these pros to the 2DS, the marketing for the unit seems to be misleading and causes it to get so much negative attention.

It’s billed as a toy – as a way that kids can play the library of 3DS game without the 3D effect that is thought to have negative effects on optical development all while not breaking the bank.

That’s fine, but that marketing leaves out a segment of the target audience.

That segment is those like us who, for whatever reason, missed the boat on the 3DS. Those who never known the experiences it brings to the table.

With the new Pokemon and Super Smash Brothers games on the horizon, it’s a good time to have a system to play them on.

For $100 we left the store, unsure of what we had purchased.

But for $100, we’ve been granted a new lease on Nintendo handheld life.

It doesn’t matter what dimension you’re caught in – that’s a pretty sweet deal.

Cory Spiers and Malik Rahili write The Daily Gamer blog.