Monster Hunter 3 G is also on the way and is the impetus for the new accessory.
Last night, scans from the new Famitsu magazine have confirmed the rumor that a second circle pad peripheral is coming to the 3DS. According to the article, the peripheral was spurred by a port of Monster Hunter Tri, Monster Hunter 3 G. In addition to adding a circle pad, the peripheral will bring a second R trigger button, adding further functionality to the system.
The images from the scans indicate a few details about how the peripheral will attach to the 3DS. Rather than sitting on top of the system, it will jut from the right side, cradling the entire 3DS unit from below. The second circle pad seems to be a bit smaller than the current circle pad, but no official confirmation has been made indicating its exact size. It will sit directly to the right of the current buttons, giving it a slightly unusual placement when compared to most dual analog controllers, which typically place the stick below and to the left of the buttons.
According to reports from Kotaku, the cradle will cover both the game cartridge slot and the wireless switch, forcing players to remove the system from the peripheral in order to switch games.
As of right now, nothing more is known about this upgrade, or if a system redesign is impending as suggested by 01.net. Nintendo is set to give a 3DS-centric press conference on September 13 that will likely offer more details about the future of Nintendo's latest handheld.
Part of me is relieved that Nintendo isn't already revealing a new version of the 3DS, but the other part of me is wishing that the peripheral wasn't so badly designed. I'm hoping that it also boosts battery life.
In either event, I think this gives way to what kind of redesign Nintendo will eventually unveil - my money is on E3.
That thing is super fugly. Just wanted to mention that. That being said, I kind of want one anyway, though I'm disappointed that Nintendo seems to be struggling so badly with this system. After the unbelievable success of the DS, I expected Nintendo to really hit the ground running with the 3DS and we've seen nothing of the sort. It's especially disappointing when you consider that they should've learned their lesson with the launch of the DS.
If anything is evident to me, it's that the 3DS wasn't ready for prime time when it launched. It probably should've stayed in R&D till holiday this year and came out strong with a healthy list of AAA Nintendo titles.
I have to wonder what's going through Nintendo's head if a redesign is announced at next week's press conference. At that point it's essentially a relaunch and twenty virtual console games isn't going to quell anyone's anger about having an inferior, gimped version of the hardware. If that is the destiny of the system, this peripheral better be sent to all current 3DS owners for free.
Calling it right now: this thing is only for Monster Hunter and should stay that way. Ocarina of Time didn't need a second analog pad, neither did the PSP Monster Hunter games. If this is what Nintendo has to do to appease Capcom in getting a Monster Hunter game (which is confirmed to be a slightly upgraded port) then it shows just how lazy developers are. THE 3DS HAS MOTION CONTROLS IDIOTS, USE THAT INSTEAD.
"If anything is evident to me, it's that the 3DS wasn't ready for prime time when it launched. It probably should've stayed in R&D till holiday this year and came out strong with a healthy list of AAA Nintendo titles."
I agree boss-man, but from what I gathered around the interwebs, the 3DS was launched with its former price point and software to appease investors, which horribly backfired. If the 01 Net rumor about Iwata being in some sort of ejection seat is true, then the next few months are going to be slightly interesting and painful for the 3DS.
Though, just saying, I love my 3DS to pieces.
It looks like a third-rate gaming accessory.
For the record, if you saw my tweet, you know I didn't post about this last night. Why not? Take a look a the picture there, and you'll see some digitization issues right around that new right circle pad that aren't anywhere else in the picture. Considering that there don't seem to be any other pictures of this page of Famitsu, considering the magazine isn't actually available at retail, and considering that the twitter account that leaked this didn't have past Famitsu pictures, I didn't (and still don't) see it as a credible source.
Anyway, I would have chosen to post the news story as a rumor, going so far as to show evidence it is a true story as well as whatever counter-evidence is out there, but I didn't want to have us, as PixlBit, report something as a rumor that so many other websites had chosen to report as solid fact, even when their own sources only suggested rumors and even provided inconsistent mock-up pictures as proof.
Anyway, I don't know how far along this story has progressed, I don't know if Famitsu is out now, and I don't know if there are other pictures of this available or not. I do know I'm not satisfied with what's here, in regard to whether this is an authentic peripheral. I'd like to see someone post some other picture of this magazine, at least, if not more. Right now, I think we've got a serious case of hundreds of websites reporting on one story based on a messy picture that's based on an iffy rumor, then all cross-referencing each other to add credibility.
The 3DS needs a killer app more than it needs a second analog nub.
Hopefully Miyamoto won't delay it and/or withhold it.
Bring on the 13th!
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