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Redesigned 3DS Circle Pad puts an analog stick under your index finger
Dual-analog controls are pretty standard these days -- two analog sticks on either end of a control pad designed to fall directly under the user's thumbs. Hori's new 3DS slide pad accessory throws this notion out the window: it installs a second control pad on the same side as the handhelds primary input, putting the slider directly behind the console's L button. The accessory is built specifically to accommodate Monster Hunter diehards, but it's not as odd as it sounds: Japanese gamers have made a habit of modifying Nintendo's analog accessory into obtuse and unexpected configurations. Hori's layout is designed to allow players to move their character and manipulate the camera with just one hand, freeing up their right thumb for attacks and in-game actions. The accessory (available in both 3DS and 3DS XL variants) is available in Japan only, for now, to the tune of 2,980 yen.
Circle Pad Pro accessory will ruin your Nintendo 3DS XL's silhouette for $20
Is it worth adding a lop-sided $20 piece of plastic to your already-substantial 3DS XL in order to gain a second analog thumb stick? It's a good question and finally one worth asking now that Nintendo has announced that the currently Japan-only Circle Pad Pro for the XL will start shipping in the States tomorrow. When we went hands-on last year, we found that it added predictable amounts of girth and also blocked the cartridge port, but compensated by making the handheld more comfortable to use, not least by adding larger shoulder buttons as well as the thumb stick. It's also worth pointing out that the smaller 3DS version of the accessory enabled better controls for left-handed players in Kid Icarus, so there could be some subtler benefits too. We've embedded our hands-on video after the break, so you just need to hold a $20 bill up against your screen and decide which looks better.
3DS XL to get Circle Pad Pro treatment, become that much larger
Nintendo's latest oversized handheld not big enough for you? Maybe another Circle Pad Pro will help. According to Japanese gaming publication Famitsu, the Big N is poised to give the freshly announced 3DS XL a second analog slider. Pricing wasn't covered in the magazine's Nintendo Q&A session, but gamers in the Land of the Rising Sun should have their thumbs on it later this year. Oh, and in case you didn't hear, the colossal clamshell is getting its very own charging cradle too, sold separately for 1,200 yen ($15). Mum's the word on stateside details for the secondary slide pad, but we wouldn't be surprised to see it show up on foreign shores.
Nintendo Slide Pad for 3DS review
First impressions stay with you. Take our first look at the Nintendo 3DS, for example. Our first thought? "Hey, where's the second analog stick?" Given all the gaming genres that benefit from it, it's almost unthinkable for a major portable console to launch without an extra analog stick. It's like Mario without the mustache, Charlie Sheen without the tiger blood or Donald Trump without the dead marsupial or whatever the heck that thing is on top of his head. Unfortunately, Nintendo decided to release the 3DS without that second analog. So folks who want to get their dual stick groove on right out of the box can only hope the Big N has a change of heart when it eventually releases the 3DSi Lite XL Advance. (We're just kidding about the name, of course, but you never know...) In the meantime, Nintendo's got a peace offering of sorts to tide by 3DS owners: the Circle Pad Pro. Slated for a February 2012 release in the US, we got our grubby hands on its Japanese equivalent, the "Slide Pad" during a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun. So is it worth the $20 price of admission? Read on to find out.
Nintendo to release Circle Pad Pro to US through Gamestop: February 7th for $20
That extra analog stick and three shoulder buttons -- they make all the difference and net you additional street cred in the process. Following up on its Japanese release of the Circle Pad Pro over the weekend, Nintendo has stated that it will release the accessory to the US exclusively through Gamestop on February 7th with a retail price of $20. Though still relatively unknown in American gaming circles, the Circle Pad Pro is cited as running for 480 hours on one AAA battery, which is nothing to sneeze at. Nintendo has stated that upcoming games will need to be optimized for the device but suggest that it can bring tighter controls to titles such as Resident Evil: Revelations and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. Also, it makes your 3DS mildly huge. Click the break for the full PR and a quick video guide of the Circle Pad Pro's features.
Nintendo's 3DS slide pad gets unboxed in Japan, reveals massive 480 hour battery life
Now that Nintendo's 3DS slide pad is hitting shelves in Japan, it appears that Mr. Blurrycam managed to get in on one owner's early unboxing. Glance at the contents strewn about above and you'll notice what looks to be a copy of Monster Hunter, the secondary joystick-adding peripheral itself and an included wrist strap. According to Andriasang, the owner reports that the add-on is stated to last a whopping 480 hours on its single AAA battery (for the unit itself), which makes the thought of dealing with its screw-secured compartment sting a bit less. Folks in the US will still have to wait until February 7th to experience the slide pad for themselves, but in the meantime, you can hit the source links below for more insight.
Nintendo 3DS SlidePad coming to the US under the name Circle Pad Pro?
Last month, Nintendo quietly unveiled the SlidePad -- a battery-powered "extended slide pad" for the 3DS, slated to hit the Japanese market on December 10th. At the time, there was no indication that the add-on would be coming to North America anytime soon, but according to Capcom, it's on its way. Speaking at New York Comic Con last week, Capcom's Ryan McDougall confirmed that the attachment will indeed arrive Stateside by February 7th, alongside the company's new 3DS game, "Resident Evil: Revelations." It's not clear whether the add-on will arrive for other games released before February, but it may very well have a different name by the time it does. According to Siliconera, Nintendo has already filed a Japanese trademark for the name Circle Pad Pro, which could be the moniker we'll be seeing in the West. Nintendo, it should be noted, has yet to confirm any of this, nor has it mentioned anything about US pricing, but we'll let you know as soon as we hear more.
Trademark for 'Circle Pad Pro' suggests new 3DS Expansion Slide Pad name
A Japanese trademark uncovered by Siliconera offers a clue as to what Nintendo may call the 3DS Expansion Slide Pad outside of Japan -- even though the peripheral has yet to be announced for release outside of Japan. The fact that there even is such a name suggests that a western release is likely (and unsurprising). The trademark refers to the "Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro," a name reminiscent of the "Classic Controller Pro." That makes sense, as the peripherals are similar: they're both controllers with comfortable grips, and designed almost exclusively for use with a Monster Hunter game.
Pre-order a 3DS Expansion Slide Pad in Japan, if you're into that kinda thing
We are so, so not into ordering a Nintendo 3DS Expansion Slide Pad, but you may very well be. Here's hoping you also live in Japan, as the device is currently available for pre-order on Amazon in its country of origin. As previously revealed, the Slide Pad launches in Japan on December 10 for just ¥1,500 ($19.50) and works with several 3DS titles. Oh, and if you really wanna grab one and you live somewhere outside of Japan, Play-Asia's got you covered. Of course, if you're the kind of person who's counting the days until Monster Hunter Tri-G launches, you've already pre-ordered the bizarre attachment, haven't you? You can tell us, it's okay.
We get up close and personal with the Nintendo 3DS Slidepad attachment
As per usual, Nintendo's skipping out on the Tokyo Game Show, despite being kind of a big deal in Japan. But that doesn't mean that the Slidepad -- the 3DS' bizarro circle pad attachment -- is skipping the show as well. Capcom had Slidepads equipped on two Nintendo 3DS units at its TGS booth, and we headed over promptly this afternoon to check it out. Here's the skinny: it's another circle pad on a 3DS. Shocking? Not exactly, but the circle pad attachment feels fine, if a bit bulky. For reasons unknown, Capcom wasn't allowing TGS attendees to use the Slidepad with any games, so we can't say for sure how it'll change gameplay. That said, the circle pad itself is identical to the already existing circle pad on the left side of the 3DS. More interestingly, the attachment also adds triggers and bolsters already existing shoulder buttons, giving the entire console more of an actual controller feel. No doubt about it, the Slidepad is bulky and, for sure, kind of silly looking, but it also makes the portable feel more substantial in terms of control. We'll reserve our final judgment until we can spend some real time with the attachment in the coming months. That is, if it even heads to North American markets -- the Slidepad is currently slated for a December 10 launch in Japan.%Gallery-133856%
Nintendo 3DS slide pad add-on is official, ships December 10th in Japan
Nintendo didn't say so on stage during the pre-Tokyo Game Show 3DS press conference tonight, but it really is shipping that odd-looking circle pad add-on. The "extended slide pad" is up on the gaming company's Japanese home page right now, with a shipping date of December 10th and a price of ¥1500 ($19.50). There's also a list of supported games available, including Monster Hunter Tri G, BioHazard Revelations, Snake Eater 3D and more. It's powered by a single AAA battery, which our country cousins at Joystiq note probably indicates you won't be getting any extra playtime added to your 3DS by slapping this "boat" on the bottom. Check the source link below for the official info -- we'll keep our eyes peeled in Tokyo for North American release info and of course, the color matched Misty Pink edition you're already looking for.
Nintendo 3DS circle pad attachment coming to Japan on Dec. 10
In the midst of revealing a new color for its latest handheld, the 3DS, Nintendo also let slip some other interesting information during its pre-Tokyo Game Show presser this afternoon in Japan. For one, the bizarro second analog nub will be arriving at Japanese retailers starting this December 10, and it'll run customers ¥1500 ($19.50). Moreover, the Japenese console manufacturer revealed several titles that'll support the attachment, kicking off with Monster Hunter Tri G on Dec. 10th. Following Monster Hunter comes Biohazard Revelations (Resident Evil: Revelations outside of Japan), Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Ace Combat 3D: Cross Rumble, Dynasty Warriors VS, and Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. And finally, the "Slidepad" will require a single AAA battery for use, which indicates to us that it won't bolster the battery of the 3DS it's attached to. We're making sad faces as hard as we can right now.
