Well, at this point, it's slightly ridiculous. Allow me to explain.
I have noticed a trend on NeoGAF- every time there is a topic, thread or discussion involving the 3DS, most people inevitably come away impressed (since let's face it, the 3DS has been gaining a lot of momentum lately). However, they always append their statements with 'Okay, I'm buying the 3DS... when the redesign comes out.'
My reaction to this (or similar) statement(s) is always along the lines of 'if you like the games on the system, why not just buy the fucking system?'
There are usually three arguments I hear against buying a 3DS now (and waiting for a redesign). Here, I will address the most popular one, and if the other two are brought up in this thread a lot, I'll get down to tackling those as well.
* Most people are somehow convinced that a 3DS redesign with the second analog nub included is on the way.
This is usually the most popular argument. I'm going to examine this one from every angle.
First, let's actually consider what the Circle Pad Pro (the official name of the second analog attachment) really is- it is a peripheral sold to expand the control inputs on the 3DS. However, because of its nature as a peripheral, every game developer has to assume that not every 3DS owner owns the attachment, and therefore, has to design all its games based on the single analog control scheme, with support for the analog attachment only included as an option. Simply put, no game will require the second analog attachment. All games will be playable without the second analog stick.
But fine, I understand that many of you aren't exactly big on the idea of playing complex 3D games with just one analog stick. Even though the option for other kinds of analog inputs exists via the touch screen and the gyroscope, you either find their implementation patchy, or you just prefer the traditional setup. That makes sense. And in this scenario, you would rather play every 3DS game that supports dual analog controls with dual analog controls. That makes sense too. Finally, in this case, you would rather not carry around a handheld with an unwieldy attachment all over the place. I see your point.
But in this case, you might as well give up on the idea of a 3DS. There won't be a 3DS with the second analog included.
How do I know this? Glad you asked.
Here, let's take a look at the Circle Pad from an angle it's very rarely looked at:
Do you see that? Do you notice those?
The attachment is notable in that it adds not only a second analog stick, but also L2 and R2 buttons. What does this mean? This means that, any game that supports the Circle Pad Pro probably also supports the additional shoulder buttons as well.
And now you probably see where I am going with this.
If a 3DS redesign were to incorporate the Circle Pad Pro, it would need not only the second analog stick, but two additional shoulder buttons as well, which would collectively add to the bulk and size of the system immensely. In other words, they wouldn't be included. Which means that the second analog wouldn't be included either, because adding just a part of the attachment is too stupid, even for Nintendo.
But, you might ask, isn't the bulk a moot point since the attachment adds to the bulk of the handheld anyway? No, because the attachment is just that- an optional attachment that is not needed. Nintendo would never needlessly add to the bulk of their actual handheld itself. They're okay with accessories doing that. Just not the actual handheld itself.
And don't use the DSi XL as a counter argument to that point. Come on now, The XL was marketed as a lifestyle product, to be used at home by the elderly. It was never meant as a portable. The 3DS on the other hand, is a dynamic product that is always supposed to be on your person. Nintendo knows that it is fighting for pocket space against smartphones, and it is not about to make the battle any tougher for itself by making its flagship handheld so big that it won't fit into your pocket.
So folks, either you are interested in a 3DS or you're not. If you're planning on sitting out for the time being in wait of a myhtical revision that will incorporate dual analog, well, I hate to break it to you, it'll be a long wait. Like, forever. So if you like the games, pick the system up. If you're that big on dual analog, get the attachment. If you don't want the attachment, try to adjust to mono analog. If you don't want to do that, the system is not for you, and just give up on it. Just don't wait for a successor that will never materialize. That's really annoying.
(There are other, better reasons for waiting for a revision, btw, like the battery life. Those ones are fine, it's actually a good idea to wait for a successor with better battery life if you feel that the 3DS's short battery life will be a problem. That is a legitimate reason. The second analog pad, however, is not).
EDIT: And as it turns out, I may have been right all along.
Nintendo of America just announced that the Circle Pad Pro will be available in North America starting January for $19.99... as a Gamestop exclusive, thus further reinforcing its status as a niche controller expansion accessory that remains OPTIONAL. Anyone hoping that this will become standard in future 3DS models is holding out in vain. If you want dual analog that bad, get the system plus accessory. If you don't want dual analog, just get the system. But there will be no revision where dual analog is standard.
I have noticed a trend on NeoGAF- every time there is a topic, thread or discussion involving the 3DS, most people inevitably come away impressed (since let's face it, the 3DS has been gaining a lot of momentum lately). However, they always append their statements with 'Okay, I'm buying the 3DS... when the redesign comes out.'
My reaction to this (or similar) statement(s) is always along the lines of 'if you like the games on the system, why not just buy the fucking system?'
There are usually three arguments I hear against buying a 3DS now (and waiting for a redesign). Here, I will address the most popular one, and if the other two are brought up in this thread a lot, I'll get down to tackling those as well.
* Most people are somehow convinced that a 3DS redesign with the second analog nub included is on the way.
This is usually the most popular argument. I'm going to examine this one from every angle.
First, let's actually consider what the Circle Pad Pro (the official name of the second analog attachment) really is- it is a peripheral sold to expand the control inputs on the 3DS. However, because of its nature as a peripheral, every game developer has to assume that not every 3DS owner owns the attachment, and therefore, has to design all its games based on the single analog control scheme, with support for the analog attachment only included as an option. Simply put, no game will require the second analog attachment. All games will be playable without the second analog stick.
But fine, I understand that many of you aren't exactly big on the idea of playing complex 3D games with just one analog stick. Even though the option for other kinds of analog inputs exists via the touch screen and the gyroscope, you either find their implementation patchy, or you just prefer the traditional setup. That makes sense. And in this scenario, you would rather play every 3DS game that supports dual analog controls with dual analog controls. That makes sense too. Finally, in this case, you would rather not carry around a handheld with an unwieldy attachment all over the place. I see your point.
But in this case, you might as well give up on the idea of a 3DS. There won't be a 3DS with the second analog included.
How do I know this? Glad you asked.
Here, let's take a look at the Circle Pad from an angle it's very rarely looked at:
Do you see that? Do you notice those?
The attachment is notable in that it adds not only a second analog stick, but also L2 and R2 buttons. What does this mean? This means that, any game that supports the Circle Pad Pro probably also supports the additional shoulder buttons as well.
And now you probably see where I am going with this.
If a 3DS redesign were to incorporate the Circle Pad Pro, it would need not only the second analog stick, but two additional shoulder buttons as well, which would collectively add to the bulk and size of the system immensely. In other words, they wouldn't be included. Which means that the second analog wouldn't be included either, because adding just a part of the attachment is too stupid, even for Nintendo.
But, you might ask, isn't the bulk a moot point since the attachment adds to the bulk of the handheld anyway? No, because the attachment is just that- an optional attachment that is not needed. Nintendo would never needlessly add to the bulk of their actual handheld itself. They're okay with accessories doing that. Just not the actual handheld itself.
And don't use the DSi XL as a counter argument to that point. Come on now, The XL was marketed as a lifestyle product, to be used at home by the elderly. It was never meant as a portable. The 3DS on the other hand, is a dynamic product that is always supposed to be on your person. Nintendo knows that it is fighting for pocket space against smartphones, and it is not about to make the battle any tougher for itself by making its flagship handheld so big that it won't fit into your pocket.
So folks, either you are interested in a 3DS or you're not. If you're planning on sitting out for the time being in wait of a myhtical revision that will incorporate dual analog, well, I hate to break it to you, it'll be a long wait. Like, forever. So if you like the games, pick the system up. If you're that big on dual analog, get the attachment. If you don't want the attachment, try to adjust to mono analog. If you don't want to do that, the system is not for you, and just give up on it. Just don't wait for a successor that will never materialize. That's really annoying.
(There are other, better reasons for waiting for a revision, btw, like the battery life. Those ones are fine, it's actually a good idea to wait for a successor with better battery life if you feel that the 3DS's short battery life will be a problem. That is a legitimate reason. The second analog pad, however, is not).
EDIT: And as it turns out, I may have been right all along.
Nintendo of America just announced that the Circle Pad Pro will be available in North America starting January for $19.99... as a Gamestop exclusive, thus further reinforcing its status as a niche controller expansion accessory that remains OPTIONAL. Anyone hoping that this will become standard in future 3DS models is holding out in vain. If you want dual analog that bad, get the system plus accessory. If you don't want dual analog, just get the system. But there will be no revision where dual analog is standard.
