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Rumor: Nintendo Ponders 3DS Hardware Revision
It's no secret that Nintendo's 3DS has been a disappointment to the Japanese company, which recently reduced the price of the handheld in an attempt to bolster sales. If some online rumors are true, Nintendo could be taking even more drastic measures, preparing a hardware revision to the device that adds key functionality while toning down the 3DS' 3D effect.
According to French site 01Net, Nintendo realized all too late that a second analog pad is necessary for contemporary gaming. The site's sources say that Nintendo is scrambling to come up with a peripheral that would add the pad to the 3DS, which could sell for around $10. That could be a stopgap solution, if the more interesting rumor has any weight. The site says that Nintendo is working on a 3DS successor, which would have a new design, scale back the 3D effect, and possibly even have a new name.
Ordinarily, we'd treat something like this with extreme skepticism, but 01Net has a decent track record. The site accurately revealed early details about the PS Vita and Wii U hardware specs before they were announced.
Regardless of the veracity of these rumors, it's clear that it's not a great time to be Nintendo.
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