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Plan On Buying The Second Circle Pad For 3DS? Better Break Out Your Cargo Shorts
While Nintendo's presence at TGS was mostly relegated to their pre-show press conference, some signs of the company are on the show floor via third-party booths. Capcom's booth features several models with display 3DS units equipped with the circle pad add-on. Curious as to how it felt in the hands, I checked it out for some hands-on impressions.
Before I even touched the new circle pad, I noticed the significant size increase this add-on causes. It looks clunky and awkward in pictures, but it adds quite a bit of space to the 3DS that will definitely impact portability. Size may be an issue here, but weight isn't. The plastic is lightweight and doesn't make the system feel significantly heavier.
We wouldn't be seeing this add-on if it weren't for the need for a second circle pad, so I'm glad it feels as solid as the built-in version. The pad feels indistinguishable from the left circle pad, and it should be great for maneuvering the camera in compatible games like Monster Hunter and Snake Eater 3D.
Considering we're used to the face buttons being above the right analog stick, it did feel a little odd to reach across and to the left to access them. It shouldn't be a huge issue however, since gamers are accustomed to using either the right stick or the face buttons exclusively (not simultaneously).
The second circle pad is obviously the most notable feature of the unit, but it also adds Zr and Zl trigger buttons behind the standard L and R. It's an odd naming structure for the triggers, but not unprecedented since Nintendo used them for their Wii classic controllers as well.
Functionally, this add-on seems to be a useful tool for the games that will support it. However, it comes at the cost of aesthetics and portability. If you'd rather not wait for the inevitable 3DS reboot that incorporates the pad from the beginning, you'll have to throw down approximately $20 if it's priced similarly to the Japanese version. No US release date has been announced for the peripheral yet.
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