Nintendo – I love you. Have done since I was a child. But you’re seriously in risk of totally screwing up the 3DS.
Any new hardware addition always splinters the market – look at Move, Kinect, the N64 Expansion Pak. But a second analog stick that, from the description in this week’s Famitsu magazine appears to bolt onto the portable in as retrofit a manner as possible, seems utterly absurd.
[drop2]The ‘Kakuchou Slide Pad’ (Expansion Slide Pad) is actually more like a cradle – Microsoft Paint version here and another sketch here – that fits around the front of the device and thus provides a second stick just off the right hand side of the 3DS. Yes, really.It’s a first party product, produced by Nintendo, and it’s made – at least at first – for Monster Hunter. The expansion is likely to be built into a future 3DS hardware redesign, at which point it hopefully won’t look like Frankenstein was involved.
According to reports this morning, the expansion also adds two more shoulder buttons (and replaces the right shoulder) and an earphone port, and could possibly house another battery.
Monster Hunter series supervisor Ryozo Tsujimoto said that the device “provides a good grip on the system” and will allow players to play the game with a similar feel to Monster Hunter 3 on Wii.
This face? It’s one of shock.
Update: thanks to people photographing the Famitsu page (and Klart for directing us to one), here’s an actual photograph of the abomination addition.
Via AndriaSang.
posem
i bet the monster hunter on 3DS will probably be as crap as the iOS game… >_>’
im still on holiday, im off downstairs to play Tri. Ciao x
Sympozium
Pfft, it won’t this is like a Wii port
posem
i really, REALLY want to believe that, but i just dont think the 3DS has the power to do that =/
Dan Lee
The 3DS is in no way lacking power, however the size limit on the SD cards might be a problem.
Sympozium
Well I’m sure the disc was around 4GB? not sure though
Dan Lee
LOL APRIL FOO…oh.
Youles
My initial thought was to check the date, especially given the picture/drawing. Oh dear.
shields_t
Maybe the Japanese have September fools day?
bacon_nuts
Surprised? I’m not, they should have done this from the start, and it’s the exact same model as the Wiimote plus, started off as an attachment, and now built in…
matthangzhou
So people complained that the 3DS didn’t have an analogue stick and they make one and this is somehow bad news? If it does have an additional battery too it could address the 2 biggest complaints about the system. Yes it’s a bit of an eye-sore but I’d much rather have a bolt on than having to buy another system.
Youles
Really? I would be quite annoyed now if I’d bought one at release, then the price dropped, then they’ll make newer ones with this included. So you’re punished for buying at release…this is similar to how I felt with my launch PSP. They constantly improved the PSP by adding a better screen and a built-in mic. Or like buying an album then it gets re-released a month later with bonus tracks! Major changes so soon after release suggests bad design in the first instance.
I’m not denying it’s a good work-around, but certainly not ideal.
masoke
I did get a 3DS at launch. This is *exactly* how I feel, although throw in the fact that in the six months I’ve owned the system there’s been exactly one game I want to play on it.
Frankly, I’ve gone from buying a (expensive) Nintendo console at launch to thinking that I can’t imagine buying another piece of Ninty hardware again. Such a shame.
jcor
I actually agree completely with Youles & masoke.
Crocadillian
I feel exactly the same way. Unless Nintendo suddenly undergo a transformation I won’t be buying another new console of theirs.
Sympozium
“Monster Hunter series supervisor Ryozo Tsujimoto said that the device “provides a good grip on the system” and will allow players to play the game with a similar feel to Monster Hunter 3 on Wii.”
What? doesn’t sound so bad (maybe its the picture?)…but anyway thats another rumour bound to be true Monhan Tri G! *preorders 3DS
MegaBonez
Wow. I mean, seriously. Wow. Dear me!
Jaffa-the-Cake
RIP Nintendo, seriously what are they thinking?! What happened to the genius’ that designed the snes and N64!!!!
Mason_Mk
Yeah, i wouldn’t wanna be seen with one of them.
I was think along the lines of a small circle pad that clips on to the console under the symbol pad.
Sympozium
Imo, portable gaming it not exclusive to the outside realms so I don’t see how having this attached would be embarassing.
colmshan1990
It’s not exclusive to outside, but one thing portable gaming has to be is portable.
And I wonder what that does to the balance? How does it feel in our hands?
Sympozium
Well the guy did say that it provides good grip, although I wouldn’t use it in a journey, just tea breaks or when I have time.
colmshan1990
My PSP/ DS travel in my pocket, and I just couldn’t envisage that thing in mine- I’d have to put it in a bag.
I hate carrying bags… :(
matthangzhou
That will depend on the individual. I think we can all appreciate that anything technology related will always have upgrades in the future and it’s not just Nintendo. Apple releasing updated things every year, Sony with the PSP’s like you mentioned, PC gaming etc. It’s a shame it’s so soon since the launch but I still think some people will have had a lot of pleasure from their launch models and wouldn’t have wanted to wait anyway.
Youles
Yeah I suppose, and this is only a drawing so will probably be a lot better. I guess if it improves the gameplay then it’s a good thing!
Sympozium
true I love the MOnster Hunter series so I wouldn’t be surprised if I bought this to try. (likely bundle)
Porcupine_I
i shall quote Al Bundy:
“OMG! I’m blind Peg….I’m blind!”
yogdog
Married with Children! Love that show :D
justboy
That looks seriously ugly, I would be peeved if I had bought a 3ds only for Nintendo just to make it obsolete with new games without an add on.
Klart
Nintendo stocks take another dive.