Nintendo details 3DS circle pad add on, faces get palmed

Nintendo’s recently unveiled and officially announced circle pad add-on for the increasingly troubled 3DS does exactly what its name suggests; it adds on another analogue circle pad allowing for more traditional console games to be played – something that was possibly added because Nintendo sees Sony’s PlayStation Vita as a threat. While a little bulk (and ugly as sin) the one thing that could have made the peripheral a genuine boon would be if it doubled as a battery pack, giving the 3DS an extra shot of juice where it needed it.

It doesn’t.

No, instead it requires power of its own, running off of a single AAA battery. As if to make up for it, the unit will include a AAA battery. This is just the latest misstep in a series of serious design errors the company has made of late. As the resident lazygamer Nintendo fan, it’s more than a little disheartening seeing Nintendo, usually renowned for its hardware design and build quality, lose the plot like this. I think it’s pretty much a sure thing that we’ll be seeing a redesigned 3DS in the near future that’ll include the 2nd circle pad and probably have better battery life to boot. It’s a kick in the face to early adopters – and would be an embarrassing admission of poor design and planning.

It wouldn’t be so bad – if the games that utilised the add-on weren’t so compelling.

– Monster Hunter Tri G
– Resident Evil: Revelations
– Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
– Ace Combat 3D: Cross Rumble
– Dynasty Warriors Versus
– Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

The above have all been confirmed to use the new peripheral, making them imminently more playable. Nintendo’s also confirmed that Kid Icarus: Uprising has been delayed to next year – so it’s likely it’ll have support for the 2nd circle pad by the time it launches. Probably a good thing, because it contrls rather awkwardly at the moment.

The circle pad add on goes on sale in Japan on December 10, at a price of 1500 Yen, roughly $19. We’ve contacted Nintendo for information on local pricing and release and will update when we have information.

Source : Joystiq

Last Updated: September 13, 2011