Sakurai-san called the second analogue the dumbed-down option as far as Kid Icarus Uprising went.

Again, its not about needing it. It would be better off with it since developers would utilize it and make some great games that would otherwise suffer from control issues. The circle pad pro is new and an add on so that is why there are not many games that use it. Unless the XL circle pad pro comes out there will be even less interest from developers to use it. While the alternative of having a second circle pad built in would have encouraged it and would not alienate previous owners because the add on is available and alternative controls like the 3DS and PSP have used will be available. If anything the future 3DS XL owners are getting shafted if a circle pad pro XL does not appear as there are and will be some 3DS games that benefit from the second circle pad.

(1) I almost had a heart attack! PSP was vastly superior to DS in terms of RPG. I've spent much more time playing RPGs on my PSP than on my DS.

To come back to the 2nd analog stick, sure it's not used very often, but it would have added value to the system and sent a powerful message to gamers. Instead of that, Nintendo proposes a heavier and more expensive 3DS (and it is rumored here in France that the pack doesn't even include the battery charger) with a bigger screen but with the same resolution (which will make games uglier than the are now). This 3DSXL won't even allow the use of the Circle Pad Pro (it obviously won't fit), which triggers a question : will 3DS have more ambitious 3D games like Resident Evil or Metal Gear? Doesn't the lack of 2nd analog stick suggest that Nintendo and third parties will stick to cheap 2D games (less costly and more profitable) at the expense of gamers craving for greater gaming experience (like say, Gravity Rush)?

With 3DSXL, Nintendo sends the same wrong message as ever, that profitability is more important than the experience you deliver to gamers. 

I hear you man, but thats the point because of this we wont be seeing that many FPSs on 3DS so not having the 2nd nub doesnt really matter cause the library wont have the games that really benefit from it, at least not in large numbers

As far as we know, it's only in Japan that the 3DS LL does not contain an AC adapter.

It's making a huge buzz on French websites right now, and Nintendo France didn't deny it. 

Europe is not going to include the charger... very strange indeed... but if you have a DSi, DSi XL or 3DS you're set... it's the same.

These are probably be cheap

Quoted for truth.

I use "as far as Kid Icarus Uprising went" as the qualifier. After having played the game for forty hours I don't think dual-analog controls would be an improvement, mainly because I despise using analog sticks for on-rails gameplay.

But I'd say most shooters would be better off with dual-analog controls (see: Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D), because by definition a tradtional shooter is built for traditional control methods. :P

Tagged for later Reference.