Gotta say i love this game and the controls aren't THAT bad. I switched from using the stylus to use the face buttons to aim and i like it much better, works well in multiplayer too. However, i'm not sure how well using the face buttons would work if you're left handed, but i'm guessing it would be better than use the stylus as a leftie.

Yeah it's a great game. I tried using the face buttons but aiming is too slow with them so I went back to the stylus and it tooks about 3 hours worth of online games to get used to it. >_< But now I've become an expert with the stylus and I hardly ever lose online. ^^

The face button option is quite a bit more comfortable as you are not having to support the whole system with 2 fingers, but they are just too slow and awkward to aim with, the stylus on the other hand is very uncomfortable (I'm a lefty) but offers faster more accurate aiming. I just cant win with this game... Maybe they will add controls for the slider pad pro thing, that would be wonderful! 

I have inarguably one of the best GameStops in the nation (US - and I can fairly say that, too, because I've been to probably upwards of 20 different stores all over the country) and possibly even in the world. Five of the employees - including two assistant managers - have 3DS's, and the general manager has been dancing on the edge of buying one for a couple months now.

They have zero bias against Nintendo as a store in general (though some of the "lesser" employees are the typical sort, but I only see them once every vaguely so often anyhow).

No wonder I'm on a first-name basis with most of them. =)

Anyways, more on-topic, I have Kid Icarus. The controls are, yes, a little daunting for when you're holding it AT FIRST, since it IS a little awkward, but that's why the game comes with that stand accessory. Yes, the stand is goofy, but it's an AMAZING little addition.

Aside from that, the controls aren't hard to adjust to at all. I had absolutely no problem getting used to it.

I also have toyed with changing the controls. I play with two control schemes now - the original, and a second where I look around with the four face buttons and move with the circle pad. Having a second circle pad would be most ideal and would give me Mass Effect-type controls, but I can't seem to find the circle pad attachment anywhere.

Well you're very lucky because we have niet.