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Nintendo chief: 3DS will have a 2D switch

Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's CEO, tells AP that his company's upcoming handheld gaming device will include 2D functionality, even though its real focus is 3D.

Don Reisinger
CNET contributor Don Reisinger is a technology columnist who has covered everything from HDTVs to computers to Flowbee Haircut Systems. Besides his work with CNET, Don's work has been featured in a variety of other publications including PC World and a host of Ziff-Davis publications.
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Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's president and CEO James Martin/CNET

Details about Nintendo's 3D handheld gaming device have been scarce since it was announced in late March. But the company's president says it will have a feature that lets gamers turn off 3D functionality and play in standard 2D.

CEO Satoru Iwata didn't elaborate on how the option on the 3DS will work, the Associated Press reported Friday, but he did say that health concerns related to "children's eyesight" are a key factor in why the company decided to include 2D functionality in the device.

The 3DS, which will replace the DS, is set to be unveiled at next month's E3 Expo in Los Angeles.

In the same interview, Iwata said that Nintendo will also add new "anti-piracy measures" to limit game theft. He wouldn't discuss the details out of concern for giving "hints" to hackers.