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Nintendo confirms 3DS analog pad accessory

Battery-powered add-on arrives in December in Japan; Resident Evil Revelations, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, Kingdom Hearts 3D among compatible titles.

383 Comments

TOKYO--Earlier today Nintendo Japan held a press conference outlining a product roadmap of new Nintendo 3DS and Wii titles. Strangely, though, there was no mention of the widely rumoured (and practically confirmed) right analog stick attachment for the stereoscopic console.

Say hello to the Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad.
Say hello to the Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad.

While the house of Mario is yet to officially confirm the existence of the add-on itself, a posting on the official Nintendo Japan website not only confirms it's real, but spills all of the details. According to the listing, the peripheral will be called the Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad and will be available on December 10, 2011, for ¥1,500 ($19.46).

The Nintendo Japan website also lists six games that will support the Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad: Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Resident Evil: Revelations, Ace Combat 3D: Cross Rumble, Dynasty Warriors VS, and Monster Hunter Tri G.

Exact specifics on how the Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad connects to the Nintendo 3DS are unknown at this stage. Interestingly, though, the Nintendo Japan website says that the peripheral will require one alkaline battery to operate, which suggests it will run off of its own power source.

For more information about the Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad, stay tuned to GameSpot.

Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com

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colonel_forte

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Nintendo did the same old "we're on the cutting edge" arrogant thing they always do and figured that by upgrading the processing power some, adding 1 analog stick ("'cause it worked for the N64") and added 3D without the need for glasses they could continue pushing the DS brand. They can try and spin it as a "new" idea all they want, the 3DS was just the next upgrade for the DS line and the price drop, plus this device, is just proof that their target market isn't as dumb as they hoped.

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Magic_Panda92

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I love the idea but I'm annoyed if it ony stays in Japan.

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Rovelius

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Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad ! Nintendo Expansion Slide Pad !

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AlexFili

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This is such a stupid idea. This is possibly the worst invention since the Virtual Boy. Who would honestly buy this? I just really don't get it at all. Either install it on the console or don't bother.

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Byaku524

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Man...why can't you make another version of the 3DS with the second slider installed? I'd be happy with that, not with this.

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digi-demon

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nooooooo :(

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Avatar image for RACiEP
RACiEP

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Oh God. And just HOW many bad business decisions have they made now?

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Avatar image for Flint247
Flint247

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I found this on a blog about the attachment: << LINK REMOVED >>

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CashPrizes

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Wow I am glad I didn't buy a 3DS lol. I wanted to, but there wasn't a single game I wanted to play. There still isn't a game I'd play on it! I would consider playing Zelda 64 again but I beat that game already you know, not really a deal maker for me. I hope Nintendo realizes anyone who knows about this peripheral, who doesn't own the system already, is NOT going to buy a 3DS until the next version of it comes out in a year or whatever. I am surprised they would announce this at all, better to sneak it onto shelves and sell some more systems for a few more months. Vita has an excellent launch line up, like there are 6 games announced for it already I would buy, probably at least 4 of them will make American launch.

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Richard841

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[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

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DKant

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Man how I wished this was just a rumor. How dumb is this? If they thought having one extra analog pad would help improve the games on the system, they should have had it in the first place. If they thought it wasn't necessary, they should have stuck to that conviction. Now how are games that are designed two use two analog pads/sticks whatever work on systems that DON'T have this extra accessory? Why do developers have to account for Nintendo's laziness and utter lack of conviction when making their games? This is just adding needless headache for developers who need to think about designing controls for a 3DS game/port.

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liquidbreaker

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Shame on you gamespot guys, u deleted my comment, without no apparent reason, it wasnt a bad comment, it was only a comment about how much money nintendo suck to his customers with an incomplete device, just to release a complement some months after, something that could easily been foreseen from factory during the console creation itself, just to make more money selling it separately. Ive read some really bothersome things here, probably written by flamers or fanboys, there are only a few interesting comments made by thinking people. Even tho u erased my message... Shame on you gamespot, u have just lose a year's follower. And credibility.

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Henninger

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The add-on makes it bulky. & unfornately i will have to buy it if Resident Evil: Revelations needs it. Im hoping it doesnt need it. & most likely i'll b able 2 play it without it. But if i do need it i'll b upset cuz i dont want it.

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dawnofhero

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I've seen pictures of the underside and it's in the shape of a console controller with two additional shoulder buttons, much similar to the Wii Classic Controller Pro. So in a way, it doubles as a controller attachment plus it has extra buttons. I'd buy it if any games came out that needed the extra slide pad.

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Avatar image for ZombiePhoenix72
ZombiePhoenix72

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I hate you nintendo. All you've done is screwed your loyal customers who bought this one day one.

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nintendoboy16

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@Zato_Hurricane You realize Nintendo has always done "gimmicks", right? R.O.B was a gimmick for example. Heck, the analog stick on the N64 was a "gimmick".

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Avatar image for Flint247
Flint247

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I do hope that this is optional, that it's just only another way to play the 3DS (Like the controller schemes on Wii). If it is, then there's nothing to worry about.

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shaunn191

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So when does the 3DS model with the built in 2nd analog stick release? (half rhetorical/half serious)

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superbuuman

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Really hope Nintendo will also use this as the Wii Ultra controller..with that attachment it looks like one. :) You don't have to buy it, if you don't want to :P ..it doesn't mean you can't play games without it..think of it like the classic/pro controller on Wii.

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hatieshorrer

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@Son_of_Bmore You do need an X360 wireless router to play some X360 games that are online only You do need an X360 with hard drive to play some games that load gigs of data You dont need the second circle pad to play a 3DS just some of the games. You dont need the expansion pack to play an N64 just some of the games. You dont need Motion plus to play a Wii just some of the games. Its no different from Nintendo.

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guitardeth3

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What has happened to gamers?Half of the complaints are about looks.Who cares how it looks when it enhances the gaming experience?

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Zato_Hurricane

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Nintendo has officially lost this Loyal fan of 15+ years. I've hoped for this system to improve, but with that giant price cut, and 20 games I wouldn't take for free; I'm done with the company that shoves their middle finger in the fan's faces. This is Goodbye Nintendo, you were a great company before Gimmicks made money for you.

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lock445

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Nintendo would've had a chance at establishing an effective market with the 3DS if they would've just announced a new version of the device with the 2nd analog pad at the same price... instead they're making consumers fall for the same dam tricks with each and every single miniscule enhancement leading to maybe 10 Nintendo DS iterations...

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Ravenlore_basic

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Just another reason why I wait for the second Gen of ANY game machine!! Now it seems like the third revision is the best... =^( to bad it takes so long to get it right.

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Ravenlore_basic

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Thanks Nintendo. Show SONY how its done. After how many years, Sony has to launch a new console instead of adding a second analog stick or nub to the PSP. WHY? WHY did they not do it.... Sony sticks too hard to something that should be fixed!!!

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ar2_arr

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that looks ridiculous, it actualy looks like an accesory a 3rd party company would come up with, not an official thing, if they really wanted to put another analog to it, they should have waited till the next 3ds iteration, they are gonna make one anyway, they made 4 for the ds so theyll clearly would make one for the 3ds

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FLEEBS

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This is lame. Absolutely lame.

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Thomas2003

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The stupid thing is if you have to use this, then the screens aren’t in the middle for your eyes. Plus with 3ds being so sensitive in term of angles this will be rubbish. I seriously regret buying a 3ds and will be the last time I buy a Nintendo console. I hope Sony kick the crap out Nintendo this generation. Nintendo gave the middle finger to all early 3ds owners twice over. Never again

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pokemonblackftw

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well now i know im waiting for the new version of the 3DS

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Caybrown

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What the hell is that? It kinda looks like the original DS. It looks too clunky and wide.:/

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Paulf001

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This thing looks ridiculous. Luckily I didn't buy a 3ds yet. So now I will just wait till for the inevitable redesign that actually includes both sticks on the actual system. Seriously Nintendo couldn't of thought of this beforehand when they were designing the system.

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Hillsy_

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This is to combat the PSVita dual analog stick. It means Nintendo could get some or all of the PSVita dual analog stick games too. It looks abit whacky, but it may prove useful for later and give an extra incentive for developers to feature the 3DS in there dual analog stick games.

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vallan2

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I see alot of people say "If you don't like it, don't buy it" "It's optional"...but for how long? Things like this always become necessary, if game devs find it will make the game exp. better. Guaranteed it'll be on the next iteration of the 3DS, then "optional" is not longer an option, then all the early adopters can finally bend over and take it in the tailpipe, figuratively speaking, one way or another.

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Chico_Azteca

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it is OPTIONAL guys and it's not like it will be needed for anything other than generic FPS mainly

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mariobro9999

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wow all these years of watching the DS grow. I got to say this is the most funniest thing I have seen that they have added especially the people commenting about this I cant stop laughing. Anyways I will keep waiting and see how this turns out. Maybe they will fuse it later on but dosent seem like it will happen. lol

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Avatar image for MERGATROYDER
MERGATROYDER

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It looks stupid.

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Branmuffin316

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@Nilbogssa Someone's been watching AVGN. You're right nevertheless.

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Nilbogssa

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A clunky, ugly add-on that needs its own power source and looks like a tumor? Did Sega secretly take over decision making at Nintendo?

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moviequest14

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Am I the only one that finds it funny how people are SSSSOOOOOOO convinced this is an awful peripheral when they haven't even laid one finger on it yet? In my book when you judge something before you even use it it is considered prejudice and you actually WANT it to be bad...

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technimyoko

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It connects via the ir port

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jellyman68

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@rasterror Kinect.

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Gh05t_

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Well... I REALLY want a 3ds... But this is why I am waiting for the second gen. Oh nintendo... I pray that one day you regain you fire. (although the new zelda is really gonna get me back into the wii.

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Son_of_Bmore

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@Pr0ving4Gr0undz that's the question r u? r u?

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Son_of_Bmore

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@hatieshorrer I guess u didn't read my comment right I said need...NEED!...all the things u named u don't need 2 play Xbox Nintendo makes u need these thing like wit the N64 expansion pak 2 play Donkey Kong 64 & the Wii Motion Plus & now the second pad thingy this is y I never buy anything nintendo when it first comes out

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Avatar image for deactivated-5893d0a8c8591
deactivated-5893d0a8c8591

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Looks Awkward.

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rasterror

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Have video game companies realized that addons don't work? Name one addon that has been a succes.

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userzero

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It will feel as big as the Vita!

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areszues92

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fugly!!

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Bubbagum_Bish

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:O That is perhaps the ugliest accessory I have ever seen.

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marvel456

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I can't imagine how I will hold that!

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