Will the Expansion Slide Pad affect 3DS sales?

[retroking1981]

Immortal said:
How exactly does this amusing peripheral suggest that they'll be redesigning the 3DS? It rather suggests the opposite. That they're willing to do ridiculous stuff like this if it can save them a redesign, meaning they're against the idea of creating a new 3DS.
I don't think this will make even the tiniest of differences. I don't know what Nintendo is thinking making silly stuff like a second slide pad attached in such a ridiculous fashion. They don't need two of those things for pretty much any popular handheld game.
I expect this to be complete and utter non-factor.

Nintendo have always redesigned their handhelds, 3DS will be no different. Inevitably it'll be redesigned somewhere down the line and when they do it'll either:

1. Have a second slide pad
2. Have to be the same shape as the original model so people can use this peripheral
3. Not have a second slide pad and be a different shape meaning they'll have to redeign this peripheral also

 

Out of those 3 options surely the 1st is more likely? And if its does happen and Ubisoft decide to release an Assassins Creed and Activision a CoD to utilise the 2 slide pads what happens to those who own the original model without the add on?

Also there's already a few 3DS games that could benefit from dual analogue control. Ace Combat and Resident Evil spring to mind.

It could turn into a Wii situation where you can have multiple options to play ala smash bros. Either way I think this is quite a big deal.