Here's the reason, SMARTPHONES.
Those small portable games like Pokemon just aren't worth the $40-$50 price attack anymore. Dedicated handhelds need to become more console-like but at the same time keep their portability and unique experiences not possible on a console or smartphones.(Although in Japan, portables could totally replace home consoles.)

But you can't have console-like experience with only 1 analog stick. Actually you can but it will be inferior to the Vita.

If you ever played a Monster Hunter game or Peace Walker on the PSP you would know how important a second analog is.

Boy I hope you're trolling with that Pokemon comment.

Pokemon games are pretty small aren't they? So size isn't an issue.
Graphics aren't an issue either. There's phones more powerful than a DS right now.
They can easily be ported to a smartphone and playable with touch controls.(Or with regular buttons on the Xperia Play)
Even 3D is possible on smartphones.

So yeah, 3DS needs to have games that aren't possible on smartphones. Current Pokemon games are possible on phones. Will the games undergo a complete 3D makeover? I doubt it.

The fine line your talking about has been crossed a long time ago. There has always been handheld game that are exactly like console game. The thing is, many 3D games like monster hunter obviously control better with dual analog, hence the reason for the add-on.

Even if Nintendo do release a re-design with 2 stick, developers will still include another mean of control for first gen owner so I really fail to see where the problem is. I think its a good idea Nintendo chose to offer this control scheme as well.

What Rol said. If Nintendo where making the right games for the 3ds, they would not need a second analog stick.

If they had launch the system at 200 dollars with a 2d mario game at launch, and made Pokemon black and white exclusive for the 3ds, the cosole would be a complete succes by now. The third partys would had to ride on the 3ds train in the 3ds terms. But now the console has some kind of a bad reputation and Nintendo think they need to do whatever it takes to bring third partys.

i like the cut of your jib. Whats the point of having a DEDICATED handheld if it cant even deliver on a games that are popular period? Im totally with you on smart phones, IMHO the days of games like Cooking Mama ruling the roost is over, why would i buy that for 3ds when i can get the same experience for less than half the price??

It's not that I care about whether the 3DS has a second analogue or not, it's the fact they released it as an add-on.

I don't believe we even need two analog sticks. Nintendo should have just put the circle pad under the A,B,X,Y buttons and nobody would have really complained all that much.

Not to forget that it's hassle/frustration to be moving with ur right and touching the screen with your left hand. I can't believe some people are so oblivious about the benifits of including a circle pad. On the contary, it would improve many games and provide a whole varity of them. It's pratically the reason why the 3DS has so many N64 ports instead of Gamecube ones.

I tottally agree with you.

I could argue that those .99 cent games on those smart phones aren't worth it either. People need to understand that just because it's cheaper doesn't mean that everyone wants it. I want larger bulky games that I can play for awhile not a game that I will quit in roughly 5-10 minutes.