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kitler53 on 23 August 2011
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Rainbird said:
sethnintendo said:
Xenostar said:
Hephaestos said:
I'm sorry but what besides FPS/TPS is the second stick used for? I'm trying to recall PS1 games using it effectively, but I just can't.

Why are you comparing a modern day console to a PS1 ???

Lots of games use it these days in all genres

Sure a lot of games use dual analog these days but does it really affect gameplay drastically.  I play MH3 with Wiimote/nunchuck (only 1 analog) and I do just fine.  I also play FPS on Wii (Goldeneye, BO, WaW) with Wiimote/nunchuck and I do just fine (actually better than almost anyone that uses CCP, especially in HCHQ which I am in the top 100 on BO).  I play TBS (turn based strategy) games and I see no use for even 1 analog stick (FE on Wii just uses just the Wiimote).  Basically for all the genres and games you can think of, I can counter with games that play just fine with either 1 or 0 analog sticks.

It's not so much that a second analogue stick is needed, it's more a case of a better control scheme being needed. You use many Wii games as examples of how a second analogue stick is not needed, but the Wii has IR pointing, a mechanism that is for the most part easier to use and more versatile than an analogue stick.

The 3DS however must rely on its touch screen for the level of control you get on other platforms, but it simply doesn't work as well. If the user is to have the same level of control with the touchscreen as at least a dual analogue setup, they must constantly have the stylus on the touchscreen while having a hand on the analogue stick. This presents a couple of issues:

1) You are only holding the 3DS with one hand, causing strain on your wrist.

2) Switching between the touchscreen and the facebuttons is not as fast a standard dual analogue setup (and not remotely as fast as the pointer setup of the Wii and Move where no change is required at all).

3) The touchscreen is now occupied with movement, even though it might be better suited for having an inventory system ready at a glance.

It's a matter of the 3DS needing better controls, and an extra analogue stick is simply the best solution in this case. That Nintendo didn't put in on there from the beginning is something I find rather baffling.

agree all @ rainbird.

@ seth - i'd argue that analog vs. dual analog affect gameplay just as much as d-pad to analog.  sure you can "get by" without it but it is horribly clumsy in comparsion.