Nintendo is set to release a special cradle for its Nintendo 3DS handheld console that will add an extra Circle Pad, allowing for dual-stick control.
Japanese games magazine Famitsu has pictures of the attachment, dubbed the 'Expansion Slide Pad', which fits around the original handheld and adds an extra control stick to the right of the regular A, B, X and Y buttons.
Nintendo confirmed that the device was first-party in a statement to news site Edge, explaining, "We can confirm that Nintendo does plan to release the attachment but that any further announcements on the attachment will be made at some later time by Nintendo."
Famitsu is also reporting that a Nintendo 3DS version of the latest Monster Hunter RPG title is on the way.
As translated by Andriasang, Monster Hunter 3G is an expanded version of Monster Hunter 3 for the Wii, and is set to be released in Japan by the end of the year.
Oh, good lord. So, now what? Will all the launch titles be reprogrammed to use that analog stick? Well, I guess playing a FPS or decent first-person RPG on the system will be a lot more fun. That and the mod is cheaper than Nintendo coming out with a new 3DS model with two sticks, right?
So this add-on would complete the first generation 3DS to be used as a Wii U controller? Would it also give insight to what the second generation 3DS will have added to it?
More listening to core gamers and their constant whining about a second analogue stick. Pointless to the vast majority of potential customers. Nintendo should stop trying to impress the hardcore and move on to continuing surprise the rest of us.
I'd argue that it's less about "core" whining and more about left handed people not being able to play games that use both the analog stick and the touch pad properly. I've been saying since day one that the 3DS not being symmetrical like the DS was a huge mistake.
Christian - be careful what you ask for. The main thing they've surprised people with is how badly they've handled the 3DS - do you really want that to continue?
;)
More seriously, I'm not sure this is aimed at core gamers, instead, I suspect it's more about trying to attract/retain third-party developers - it's notable that it was announced as part of a Capcom launch, rather than for a Nintendo product.
For a third-party developer, the lack of a second analog stick is a significant limitation when they consider writing games for the 3DS and/or porting existing titles to it. For new games, it means they've got to try and come up with something equivalent to a second stick - for instance, Metroid's thumb-stylus (though it never really caught on as a control method). For game ports, they've got to figure out some way of mapping their existing twin-stick controls to the touchscreen/face-buttons: this will either cost them a lot of time and money in tuning, or they run the risk of significant negative publicity (and low sales).
Hey! Look! Nintendo actually listened to Lefties? This was the #1 reason I wouldn't buy a 3DS. Guess I might be interested in the 3DS Lite (?) once they actually add that stick to the machine with the ABXY buttons underneath so it's symmetrical.
I am left handed myself and never had any of your problems. When I started gaming, Joysticks were strictly for right handed people, it worked fine for me as a left handed person. When gamepads emerged, the main interaction was suddenly done with the left thumb, instead of the right hand, it worked fine as well. And I never heard right-handed people complaining about this.
Controllers are fine. It's when you bring the "hands" into play not just the fingers & thumbs... Touch pads require you to hold a stylus in your hand... which you'll use with your dominant hand... but the 3DS is designed for right handed people because they didn't include a symmetrical design. Same with the Wiimote/Nunchuck and Move/Navi controllers... I'd need an analog stick on the Wiimote and an 'A' button on the Nunchuck to play properly. It's not the classic controller that is the issue for me. I imagine Jacob plays games like Halo with "Southpaw" enabled though, which I don't.
I completely agree with Ujn, I am left-handed as well and trying to relearn my stylus ability with my right hand is too much of a hassle. Dream Trigger is the first game for the 3DS that I have had this problem with, my right hand starts cramping up with only around 5 minutes of gameplay :(
I hope part of the Ambassador Program is that you can trade in your launch 3DS for the revised system with the second analog stick directly to Nintendo--
This contraption is not only ugly but it makes the system A LOT less portable. They should have just delayed 3DS release until they got it right...it seems like Nintendo is tripping on every little crack or twig on the floor--they need to just stick with the hardware rather than trying to change it after it is released---peripherals for handhelds are never a good thing.
The problem is that they jumped the gun with the 3DS in the first place... they didn't intend to release peripherals for the 3DS, trust me. They just didn't spend much time/thought on it originally and figured it would "print money" like the original DS did. I'm glad they were wrong and glad that they're trying to fix their mistakes.
Also, there is no way Nintendo would except a "trade-in upgrade", why do you think they lowered the price of the 3DS? To clear out stock of the systems before they release what should have been the original 3DS w/ dual analogs (one can also hope for region locking removal?) to the gaming public.
Nintendo was on cruise control coasting on its success much like RIM, just more of the same + one extra "must buy" feature which they banked upon, in this case 3D but it didn't materialize. Mobile devices (phones, pads, etc..) have eclipsed the 3DS capability in almost all categories, social, connectivity, portability, software selection, 3D performance, interface, etc.. Nintendo is pretty much in damage control mode now, drastic price cuts, peripherals, vouchers, etc.. to salvage the 3DS and buy time for their next generation..
Realistically I don't see Nintendo having a viable competitor to the Vita or next generation mobile devices until 2013..
They just killed Holiday sales of the 3DS. This was just dumb dumb dumb. I know there will be always be better revisions, but you don't revision in something as fundamental as this. It will fragment the user base, confuse consumers and basically steer everyone towards their phone for their mobile gaming fix (at least outside of Japan).
"It will fragment the user base, confuse consumers and basically steer everyone towards their phone for their mobile gaming fix (at least outside of Japan). "
To play what? For sure not Super Mario Kart or Super Mario Bros., for both games you need a 3DS to play the latest incarnations and after all, it's software that's selling hardware, nothing else.
I doubt, that many people will take notice of this expansion, it seems to be developed for the latest Monster Hunter installment and nothing else so far. Most people outside Japan won't even know this thing exists. And in Japan, I highly doubt that a Monster Hunter on the 3DS will kill holiday sales.
I hope they make MH3G playable with or without the this monstrosity of a peripheral--I learned how to play quite well on PSP and can likely do the same for the 3DS--I just don't see the need to create this cradle when it is supposed to be used for a handheld--also know as a pocket game. That thing is NOT fitting in anyones pocket.
Also, I think you are right--this will probably only be used for MH to start off with--but it's unlikely that it will take off as a main accessory necessary for many games.
I don't really get all the garment-rending going on over this. It's just a peripheral for Monster Hunter. Does anyone remember the DS release of Guitar Hero, that came with that crazy fret board peripheral? http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2008/03/nintendo-ds-joi/
Also, can you charge the 3DS when it's in this cradle, or will you have to remove the cradle to dock the 3DS?
(and if anyone's interested, the scan from the original article shows the front and back of the cradle without the 3DS attached to it...)
;)
More seriously, I'm not sure this is aimed at core gamers, instead, I suspect it's more about trying to attract/retain third-party developers - it's notable that it was announced as part of a Capcom launch, rather than for a Nintendo product.
For a third-party developer, the lack of a second analog stick is a significant limitation when they consider writing games for the 3DS and/or porting existing titles to it. For new games, it means they've got to try and come up with something equivalent to a second stick - for instance, Metroid's thumb-stylus (though it never really caught on as a control method). For game ports, they've got to figure out some way of mapping their existing twin-stick controls to the touchscreen/face-buttons: this will either cost them a lot of time and money in tuning, or they run the risk of significant negative publicity (and low sales).
I finally just gave up and made my own lefty controller for the 360.
This contraption is not only ugly but it makes the system A LOT less portable. They should have just delayed 3DS release until they got it right...it seems like Nintendo is tripping on every little crack or twig on the floor--they need to just stick with the hardware rather than trying to change it after it is released---peripherals for handhelds are never a good thing.
Also, there is no way Nintendo would except a "trade-in upgrade", why do you think they lowered the price of the 3DS? To clear out stock of the systems before they release what should have been the original 3DS w/ dual analogs (one can also hope for region locking removal?) to the gaming public.
Realistically I don't see Nintendo having a viable competitor to the Vita or next generation mobile devices until 2013..
To play what? For sure not Super Mario Kart or Super Mario Bros., for both games you need a 3DS to play the latest incarnations and after all, it's software that's selling hardware, nothing else.
I doubt, that many people will take notice of this expansion, it seems to be developed for the latest Monster Hunter installment and nothing else so far. Most people outside Japan won't even know this thing exists. And in Japan, I highly doubt that a Monster Hunter on the 3DS will kill holiday sales.
Also, I think you are right--this will probably only be used for MH to start off with--but it's unlikely that it will take off as a main accessory necessary for many games.