3DS XL Circle Pad Pro Gets a Release Date for Japan

One of the chief complaints about the 3DS has been its lack of a second analog stick. To solve this issue, Nintendo issued the 3DS Circle Pad Pro, a bulky, not-quite-aesthetically pleasing attachment to the 3DS as an impromptu second stick.

When Nintendo announced the 3DS XL, rumors circulated that the newer version of 3DS would include a second analog stick. However, these rumors proved false when Nintendo unveiled the handheld console at E3 2012.

Instead, Nintendo is going back down the unattractive attachment route with the XL version of the Circle Pad Pro. The company recently announced the XL Circle Pad Pro's release date for Japan as November 15. It's to be priced at around 1,500 yen (~$19). Nintendo hasn't confirmed any release of the XL Circle Pad Pro for any other regions as of yet, but hopefully, the Japanese announcement is a sign for what's to come for North America and Europe.

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  • Pennanen
    What do you need 2nd dpad for?
    Reply
  • samwelaye
    PennanenWhat do you need 2nd dpad for?
    a few games offer support for a 2nd analog stick such as for controlling camera
    Reply
  • Cheeba Hawk
    It's a lost cause. It should have been built in with the system. I don't know why Nintendo always makes the same mistakes over and over. They never learn.
    Reply
  • ricardok
    cheeba hawkIt's a lost cause. It should have been built in with the system. I don't know why Nintendo always makes the same mistakes over and over. They never learn.But they sell a lot more than the Vita with each iteration of the NDS.. So, they do learn. A lot.. And it prints cash also.. ;)
    Reply
  • Cheeba Hawk
    They only sell because its priced cheaper than the competition and it has to be or else no one would buy their products.
    Reply
  • neon871
    PennanenWhat do you need 2nd dpad for?Dubble DD's are good :P
    Reply
  • neon871: Especially on women! :)
    Reply
  • hixbot
    This should have been integrated. Game developers tend to ignore add-on peripherals as they can't be sure the user has it in the first place.
    Reply
  • pliskin1
    And no photo of the said attachment? C'mon now I had to spend 10 seconds and look it up myself.
    Reply