analog stick
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Nintendo president: 3DS XL isn't big enough for a second analog stick
We spent a good chunk of time getting to know Nintendo's 3DS XL, which sidesteps the notion of a second analog stick -- despite peripherals adding one to the older model. Now Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, has weighed in on the game maker's decision, saying that trade-offs were made for both battery life and the overall size of the unit. Iwata shrugged off those controller complaints, saying: "[The lack of a second stick] isn't my main focus when I look at the 3DS XL, it's one point we had to cover, but for me personally I'm quite happy with the product we're able to offer. " If you're serious about your strafing and shooting, at least there's the eventual super-sized add-on.
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.
Famitsu leaks circle pad attachment, Monster Hunter Tri G for 3DS [update: first picture]
Remember that weird analog stick attachment rumored to be coming for 3DS? Well, we have some more evidence of its existence. Japanese blogs including Hachima and Game no Hanashi are reporting that the latest issue of Famitsu confirms the attachment, which sticks onto the right side of the console somehow. These reports are unconfirmed, and there are no scans yet, but we hope you'll allow us a pre-emptive "whaaaaaaaaat?" Why would the 3DS need a second analog stick/circle pad? The same reason the Wii needed a new version of the Classic Controller: Monster Hunter. The same sources report that an updated version of Monster Hunter Tri will be released this year, called Monster Hunter Tri G. The 3DS version is said to feature, at least, local wireless play. The existence of this game is also unconfirmed, but these two rumors kind of lend credence to one another. We'll let you know when/if we hear something official, at which point we'll probably be flabbergasted again. Update: We've added a shot from Famitsu after the break. This thing is weird.
Sony's Monster Hunter PSP with modified analog stick hits Japan in January
In case you missed it during our liveblog, Sony announced a new special edition PSP-3000 at the Tokyo Game Show. What's special? Well, besides the Monster Hunter Portable 3rd graphics, the newly refined PSP also ships with a slightly enhanced analog stick and beefier 2200mAh capacity battery. Look for it to ship on January 12th for ¥19,800 (about $232).%Gallery-102425%
Monster Hunter Portable 3 gets updated PSP with improved analog stick
Sony has announced another special edition PSP to coincide with the upcoming release of Monster Hunter Portable 3rd. Like previous special edition PSP systems, it will come branded with art. The black and gold system will be available in Japan on December 1st, just in time for the Christmas rush, with a 19800 yen price tag. But, unlike other PSP bundles, this special edition will come with updated hardware. Unique to this iteration is an improved analog stick that should be more comfortable for extended Monster Hunter sessions. In addition, the hardware will come equipped with the (discontinued) Extended Life Battery. There will be a bulge in the system, but players will be able to game for hours longer than a standard PSP. Japanese gamers will be able to pre-order this system starting today.
PSP hack allows for DualShock 2 control
Has your PSP's weary nubbin got you feeling down in the dumps? A new day -- nay, a better day approaches. A French console modder by the name of Flasheur managed to hook a DualShock 2 up to his PSP, allowing for the use of the controller's more responsive (and elevated) analog stick. It'd be a great solution for the handheld's non-ideal control interface -- if only it were a bit more portable, and easier for non-modding experts to attach.Of course, this isn't the first time we've seen such a mod -- last year, someone managed to hook an original DualShock up to sony's portable console. However, this mod uses a DualShock 2, which is obviously far superior, because ... it has a "2" on the end of its name, we guess.Check out the painfully long video demo of the mod after the jump.[Via Engadget]
Sony said to have seriously considered second analog nub for PSP Go
It's no secret that a second analog nub was one of the biggest demands for what's now known as the PSP Go and, according to Sony exec Shuhei Yoshida, those requests were heard loud and clear during the Go's development. Speaking with Game Informer, Yoshida said that Sony had some "very serious discussion" about adding a second analog nub to the PSP Go, but ultimately decided against it to avoid splitting the PSP market in two. He further elaborated that the PSP Go is "designed to be perfectly compatible with the PSP-3000 and all the games that released before that," adding that "we are talking about the mid-life cycle of this platform" (referring to Sony's ten-year life cycle plan for all of its consoles). In other words, don't bet on one showing up on the inevitable PSP Go Slim 6000 either.[Via Joystiq]
Designer analog sticks
Do you look at your PSP's analog stick nub thing with disdain? Do you dream up elaborate Road Runneresque schemes to destroy it and eat it for dinner? Well luckily for you, Divineo.com has replacement analog stick nub things for you to put in your PSP if you have some amount of modding skills or friends with modding skills. The pink one looks sorta dirty to me for some reason. If anyone actually has a modded PSP, you should post a link to an image of it in chat so we can all check out your pimped out handheld. [DCEmu]
Today's hottest game video: PSP 'dual-analog' mod
Today's most-watched YouTube game video shows the result of a slick dual-analog mod for the PSP. Well, sort of ...We can't tell if the right analog-style stick is inputing variable speeds, or if it's just mirroring the digital face buttons. (We're leaning towards digital input through the analog-type stick.) Still, it's a cool hack, and your right thumb won't be jealous of the already-mentioned left-stick hack.See the video after the break.
Benheck turns beef jerky into a PSP mod
Engadget columnist, and console hacking guru, Ben Heckendorn has returned to the PSP thumb nub hack that he started two weeks back. Not to be outdone by others, Ben built his hack with IC sockets, an analog thumb stick, some hot glue (lots of hot glue) and ... some shredded beef jerky chew?Yup, the not always so pragmatic Heckendorn went with the jerky's plastic tin because it was both cheap (good for us) and readily available to the novice hacker (that's good for us too). Ben's made a detailed guide, with plenty of pictures for the instruction-impaired. Watch as everyday household ingredients (like solder and beef jerky cans) coalesce into an easily detachable analog thumb stick, ready to go wherever you and your PSP do.
Analog stick from the "ghetto"
About a week ago, Engadget posted a brilliantly detailed write-up on how to add an analog stick to your PSP. It wasn't attractive, so DCemu forum member Joe Stranger made a better mod. This version of the analog stick modification allows you to plug in the device through a new mini-USB slot he's created, so there's no messy wires hanging out of your system. Another bonus: you'll be able to freely add/remove the hack any time you want, so your PSP doesn't have to look like some weird Frankenstein. Color me impressed. Mr. Stranger talks about the potential for other peripherals to use the mini-USB slot, like a steering wheel... or better yet, a Steel Batallion controller.[Via Joystiq]
How-To: Add an analog stick to your PSP
If you're sick of using that analog nub, the fine folks at our sister site Engadget has an incredibly detailed write-up on how to take the analog stick from a PS2/Xbox and graft it into your portable device. It won't be easy, but if you take the challenge, you'll see that your system will become stronger, faster... BETTER!
How-To: Analog control stick for your Sony PSP
Every so often, that console-modding Benjamin Heckendorn wanders away from his lair at benheck.com to share some interesting projects with Engadget. History is littered with game systems using far-too-stubby of controller sticks. From the Intellivision's "disc of doom," to Coleco's "shaft of stiffness" (quiet, you!), and even now, in this high-tech age, the Sony PSP's "sliding nub of death." It's unfortunate that the PSP is saddled with that thing -- it's a pretty slick system otherwise, with a library of almost 5 games! (Please don't key our cars.) Well what if you could augment that sliding nub with something more useful, like an actual analog control stick? Well now you can!In part 1 of this article we'll show you how to wire up an analog stick (from a PS1 / PS2 Dual Shock controller or an original Xbox controller) to your PSP. It's a lot easier than you might think. In part 2 (coming soon) we'll walk you through making a swell "clip on" joystick enclosure for the stick (or you can simply roll your own in the mean time). Ready to do this thing? Get in there!
