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That Horrible 3DS Analog Stick Rumor Is Coming True

Bizarre, awkward looking add-on being developed in conjunction with Monster Hunter 3G.

I didn't report on the rumors Nintendo would be releasing an add-on for the 3DS that would provide the handheld with a second analog stick for two reasons. One, I couldn't verify them. In almost every case, if I'm unable to come up with secondary confirmation of a rumor, you won't read about it here. It's not my style. Two, it sounded ridiculous, a move that would make more sense--if any at all--for a re-design. Even if you entertained the idea of it coming prior to a re-design, why split users?

Turns out, it's looking to be true.

The add-on, which reportedly acts as a cradle for the handheld and simultaneously adds several shoulder buttons (there are conflicting reports on this specific fact, hope to have clarity in the morning), has appeared in the newest issue of Famitsu. It's being released in conjunction with Monster Hunter 3G, apparently scheduled before the end of the year, at least in Japan.

What's this monstrosity look like? Your wish is my command, courtesy of Twitter user @south1996.

No Caption Provided

No, you haven't lost your mind! This isn't some crazy dream!

Granted, much could change; we're getting the very first details on this translated from a magazine reveal. Nintendo has a press conference ahead of the Tokyo Game Show this month, currently scheduled for September 13. We should see more about this add-on there. I'm especially interested in finding out whether Nintendo has the balls to charge for this.

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373 Comments

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ProfessorEss

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Edited By ProfessorEss

Luckily for Nintendo it doesn't seem to matter how bad they screw something up they can just re-release a few games and be back on top.

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generic_username

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Edited By generic_username

Okay. Fuck it. That's it. I just can't do it anymore. I paid for your fucking 3DS that you have completely failed to make worth the money I paid so far, and now you're expecting me to buy an add-on for it. If you plan on making this dumb-ass, uncomfortable-looking thing a requirement for more games, or release a new system with it built in, and make my 3DS completely obsolete before you've even released any fucking games for it, then I'm done. I've let you kick me while I'm down over and over again, and told myself it's okay because you make great games, but this is too much. I can't be a Nintendo fanboy anymore. I'm hanging up my Mario hat. (Note that this is only the case if my current expensive-as-hell piece of hardware becomes obsolete. And releasing this awful add-on isn't going to mean my 3DS won't be made obsolete. Look at that thing. I'm supposed to hold that? Or carry it around with me? Or use something that rediculous on a bus? Here's hoping I can still play the games I want to without the stick.)
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Tophat666

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Edited By Tophat666

If it's so big it should give me extra battery life, but it probably won't. Also so what you're saying is my case won't fit anymore? Just………………

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spilledmilkfactory

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@Jensonb said:

If this is real, it demonstrates Nintendo have spent the last year going from being visionaries to idiots, and pretty much deposits all the faith I had in them.

I actually feel that they'd already been at that point for a while. Ever since the SNES, they've been screwing up, first with the decision to go with carts instead of disks on the N64, then with the abortion that was the Gamecube's online suite, then with the Wii's total failure to do anything interesting beyond the novelty of waggle, then with the 3DS's abysmal launch lineup and poor post-launch support, then with the reveal of the Wii U (although some would argue, correctly, that it has potential, it's hard not to see it going the way of the Wii) and now finally with this absurd add-on. I've realized that lately, Nintendo has just been throwing ideas at a wall and seeing what sticks. It's great that they're willing to go out and try unique things, but it just doesn't work out when they have essentially no business acumen

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Tacoboy1986

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Edited By Tacoboy1986
@InsidiousTuna: Holy Shit! I remember this thing! I had it when I was five or six. The damn thing was heavier than I was!
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dalkalopagus

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Edited By dalkalopagus

It's dumb as hell, but as long as it isn't too expensive... I can't complain about more shoulder buttons and a second stick Hopefuly it will be implimented in more then just monster hunter.

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Frenden

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Edited By Frenden

Desperation is a stinky cologne.

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lumberingjackal

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Edited By lumberingjackal

Oh my

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pandashake

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Edited By pandashake

If only this was revealed sooner, I would've love to hear their thoughts about this on the barncast

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the_dudefather

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Edited By the_dudefather
No Caption Provided
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ltcoljaxson

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Edited By ltcoljaxson

Do I get a brick as a carrying case as well? It'd be about just as practical.

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donutfever

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Edited By donutfever

I got a 3DS day one. Nintendo seems determined to prove to me that was a mistake.

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durden77

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Edited By durden77
@DonutFever said:
I got a 3DS day one. Nintendo seems determined to prove to me that was a mistake.
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paisan13

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Edited By paisan13

Seams like I'm in minority here, but I think this is good. Why they didn't think of a second analog and a bunch of shoulder buttons before (PSV) is kinda strange, but I'll buy it, cause I guess it will be like $10-15, and you'll probably get one for free with some games. But they should strive towards getting it a bit smaller, it really looks big and bulky, and I don't know if you after this one can call the 3DS a portable system if they don't find a way to shrink it down a bit, cause my pockets isn't that big ^_^

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Sevan

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Edited By Sevan
@the_dudefather said:
No Caption Provided
LOZ!
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Creme

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Edited By Creme

I think this is just for that game, like the N64 and Saturn RAM expansion, the FFXI HDD, the DS rumble... 
 
I do want a 3DS XL with a better battery life, bigger screen with 640x360 rez at least and OLED type. A second analog stick seems unnecessary I think, unless ports are involved, I always saw the touch screen as the second analog stick.

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marcusofadown

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Edited By marcusofadown

With this and the Wii U, Nintendo looks more and more desperate. Jesus christ, people, what the hell were you thinking?!  It looks like... well, a piece of plastic shit to be frank.

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ryanwho

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Edited By ryanwho
@TheChadster789 said:

Typical Nintendo behavior.

Typical gamer reaction. Especially considering this is probably a Capcom peripheral. 
But hey guys, keep at it. Nintendo being dumb again, like they were when they dominated the market and forced your "real console" to copycat. 
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JJOR64

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Edited By JJOR64
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ryanwho

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Edited By ryanwho
@LtColJaxson said:
Do I get a brick as a carrying case as well? It'd be about just as practical.
Do you ever leave your house? Then you're fine.
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eroticfishcake

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Edited By eroticfishcake

Yeah I'm not gonna lie this is pretty damn weird. Then again, it's more of a niche product and I'll doubt it'll make every developer go "HEY GUYS WE SHOULD TOTALLY MAKE GAMES FOR THAT PERIPHERAL ONLY!". No biggie.

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byterunner

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Edited By byterunner

@Cyrisaurus: Don't act like you know me. I don't have a problem with this right now. We know very little about the damn thing, I've heard rumors that it extends battery life, and I haven't even heard a price point yet. And yes it does look like it would be easier to hold. I have big fat hands, and the 3DS is not the most comfortable handheld ever for me, so the extra bulk can help me with holding it. So stop your damn preaching.

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beargirl1

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Edited By beargirl1

this is the best thing that i have ever seen 

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Tumbler

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Edited By Tumbler

This would be a smart move by nintendo if it's true. I think the Vita has more chance at being successful in the market and by not having a dual stick the 3DS is possibly losing games that a 3rd party would publish cross platform.

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koobz

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Edited By koobz

@the_dudefather said:

No Caption Provided
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LemonJoose

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Edited By LemonJoose

This would have made more sense if doing this as an add-on instead of including these things as standard features of the base 3DS unit had allowed Nintendo to debut the 3DS with a much lower price than they did.  But somehow they still charged $249 for the base 3DS at launch, even without these things that one would think ought to be standard on a dedicated handheld platform.

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Benzedrine

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Edited By Benzedrine

It kind of makes you wonder why they didn't include a second analog stick in the first place anyway. Fair enough, most of the target audience is part of the casual crowd so most games will be simple enough to not use a second stick. But at least put one on the thing just incase. Plus it would have given developers more options when designing games too.

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Chris2KLee

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Edited By Chris2KLee

I think I'll just wait for the obvious update now. As much as I love MH, I can't see myself playing the game with this weird add-on. Although I guess it's better than the crab claw technique...

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BestUsernameEver

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Edited By BestUsernameEver
@the_dudefather said:
No Caption Provided
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coakroach

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Edited By coakroach

Wow, they've really lost it havent they?

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deactivated-5d056614f191a

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This is the "Kakuchou Slide Pad" from Capcom made for Monster Hunter.

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MeatSim

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Edited By MeatSim

Let's see how many more pieces of plastic they can strap on to the 3DS.

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BestUsernameEver

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Edited By BestUsernameEver
Nintendo: Sometime in the year 2013.... 
Nintendo: Sometime in the year 2013.... 
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musubi

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Edited By musubi

@BestUsernameEver as funny as that is it wouldn't be that far fetched for Nintendo sadly

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phantomzxro

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Edited By phantomzxro

this thing is just really for that monster hunter game and any game like it having you use the claw formation. It would be cool and worth it if they could  throw a battery in there to add some gameplay time to the 3ds. 

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unsolvedparadox

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Edited By unsolvedparadox

Good Grief that looks terrible, I'd prefer a Nintendo 3DS Lite with better integration of the 2nd stick...

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ShadowDoGG

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Edited By ShadowDoGG

This is not confirmed as being an official Nintendo product. Maybe just an addon for MH

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Icemael

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Edited By Icemael

Yeah... I think I'll just wait for the next 3DS model, which I'm sure will include it in a more natural way (and bring a number of other improvements).

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deactivated-5d73e7a19677b

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might just a be a monster hunter specific peripheal. Not being pushed by nintendo, at least i hope this isnt nintendos solution. selling us some weird shit handle bar

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Trebz

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Edited By Trebz

For once, I hope it's another e-Reader or GBA connectivity cable.

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loopy_101

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Edited By loopy_101

Jesus christ that thing is bulky. 

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Roomrunner

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Edited By Roomrunner
@BestUsernameEver said:
@the_dudefather said:
No Caption Provided
Fuckin' took the words (or image) out of my mouth!
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advocatefish

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Edited By advocatefish

There are no words that could explain how upset i am with nintendo, so i won't try.

But one thing i will ask: Why was a second analog stick not put in the original design of the system?

I didn't buy a Wii, I won't buy a Wii U and I already regret buying the 3DS. Their games just aren't worth this.

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leejunfan83

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Edited By leejunfan83

Seems that Nintendo overestimated it's importance just like Sony did after the PS2's success the game industry is a fickle bitch treat her like such and the Wii-U is the second coming of the Dreamcast

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prestonhedges

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Edited By prestonhedges
@viiral said:

This is the "Kakuchou Slide Pad" from Capcom made for Monster Hunter.

so all these fanboys should be crying about Capcom, not Nintendo? fuck.
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endless_void

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Edited By endless_void

lol

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endless_void

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Edited By endless_void
@Dalkalopagus said:

It's dumb as hell, but as long as it isn't too expensive... I can't complain about more shoulder buttons and a second stick Hopefuly it will be implimented in more then just monster hunter.

Lol, enjoy that while i use a vita
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jasondesante

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Edited By jasondesante

am I the only one that likes this?
 
So what if Nintendo decided to beef up the 3ds when they saw it was the best decision.  
Its gonna be like 20 bucks big whoop, I'm gonna buy it for my 3ds, and then probably buy the newer more awesome 3ds as well.  I'm a Nintendo fan, sorrryyyyyyy.
 
3ds is a great system and its getting upgraded.  how can that be a bad thing.

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ichthy

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Edited By ichthy

I like Monster Hunter, but if I have to carry around a thing that looks like it'll be even LARGER than a Vita and hella ugly to boot to play it probably? Count me out.

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BestUsernameEver

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Edited By BestUsernameEver
@Demoskinos said:
@BestUsernameEver as funny as that is it wouldn't be that far fetched for Nintendo sadly
well look at the gameboy color. Of course most of the add ons were strictly a bonus, but still, people would be walking around with a GBC connected to a third party rumble, with a light dongle and a magnify glass screen cover, that system got so ridiculous by all the little add ons you could get. But again, all of that wasn't integral to the gameplay, but yeah, same, i can see Nintendo launching something, or a couple things after a system release and expecting people to buy it with no question or regrets. I kinda doubt they would go as far as not include a DPad, but I think that illustrates Nintendos crazy business style right now.