Sure it doesn't need a second circle but it should have one. Having one would allow developers to utilize gameplay mechanics that don't sit well with just one circle pad. With the 3ds more capable of 3D graphical games it is warranted to utilize 2 analogs. Games will still be made without them but some won't if support for the circle pad pro is lost. People are just confusing need with should, and that's both ways.

3DS XL looks awesome!!! I was having a hard time making up my mind between DSi XL and 3DS, now it looks like Nintendo made up my mind for me.

I just really don't see devs getting on board, because they'd have to have at least 2 control options; one involving one nub and one involving two. Why make both?

The 3DS maybe should have launched with two, but there's no way now it's gonna change.

I feel if they added another nub, I would be more inclined to buy it. Larger screens and a slightly larger battery life isn't close to enough to make me rebuy another 3DS.

I agree. It was initially offered with no 2nd stick. It would not be a smart decision to add one now. It would create a divergence in the force never seen before.

Its better to leave that as the cheap add-on when wanted (not required by any game) or simply wait for the next wholly new system in a few years.

Right now my kids are good with their DSi systems. However, there is a good chance I'll upgrade them to 3DS systems next year. This year is going to be expensive with Wii U and its games an probably a pink DSi for my 6yr old daughter.

@Bolded- Exactly my point. I get why people want it, but if they do get it, the outcome will be like that explained in the OP. I wonder if people actually even read it? It took a long time to write :/

It's all about games: no Monster Hunter and an incomplete Mario game followed by a stream of paid DLC mean that I'm not buying a 3DS anytime soon.

You haven't played the Mario game, there's 2 MH''s (which will likely be talked about coming over next week) and the DLC will be only in a couple games, and developed AFTER the games have been released.

I don't see the problem.

You might have a legitimate point that adding one now _could_ alienate current 3DS owners. Fine I get that. However, that still means that games that would benefit from a non-rails camera view don't get one. They end up clunky as hell like MH4 and KI. I bet KI would already have sold over 1m if it weren't for the controls. And no, using the touchscreen w/ stylus is not a legitimate way to do this.

But you know, having a second stick doesn't have to alienate anyone. The 2nd stick wouldn't be a requirement to play games, it just adds to the experience for people who want it. Without it you can map camera to first stick and movement to the dpad. That's clunky as hell, but at least consistent with what people already experience. With the stick, people who want, can benefit with being able to choose the dpad or 1st stick for movement and 2nd stick for camera, via in game mapping. So having the 3DSXL with a second stick would not have changed the experience of current 3DS owners at all.

I´m one of them... I´m satisfied with my 3DS the way it is and I don´t feel the need of bigger screens, since i play it mostly while communting or during my lunch break... but some people may want it so it´s great for consumers to have an option

As for the second analog slider, i´ve been playing Kid Icarus and Resident Evil Revelations and it´s pretty easy to play them without the second slider - no hurting at all, but some people say that I have long fingers and that helps holding the device with only one hand and the stylus with the other....

The only game I feel a bit of difficulty to play using the buttons was Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater, it´s kind of cluncky to control the camera using the buttons, but I really felt that this was also a problem of game design. Had Konami used the touchscreen for camera controls and it would be much better.

Regarding this we are in a two-way lane here: It would be nice to Nintendo to launch this revision with the second slider, but it would be mandatory for developers to design their games ALWAYS with the original design in mind, and the option to use the second slider, that could require some more programming.... on the other side,  owners of the previous editions would feel that they wouldn´t be able to full experience the games just because those wont be designed for them.... in the end, I believe that it´s a wise decision not to include the second slider. What we´ve seen so far shows that it´s just a matter of game design - we can have and play great games without it.