I don't think it needs a second circle pad, resi revelations plays just fine without and so will monster hunter 4 and the circle pad pro is there if you really need a second one.

No

The biggest 3rd party titles on the 3DS already provide option for dual stick controls and will continue to; Monster Hunter, Kingdom hearts, metal gear solid and resident evil.

Its a very simple solution, games are not created which REQUIRE the controls, but it does enhance the experience or at least provide users an option. In 90% of cases we're talking about camera controls or reticle controls. Developers have and will continue to provide 3DS default options which either used the trigger buttons, touch screen or gyroscope controls but it clears that in most cases an additional circle pad is prefered. Early adopters are not alienated.

Let me ask you a question, then- do you have a 3DS? I know that if the new iteration of the 3DS came with a second analouge nub, I'd be very angry. Either because it wouldn't be used like other Nintendo add-ons, or because every game would require it, making my 3DS redundant. So early adopters would be alienated, as I explained.

And I have played Kingdon Hearts, MGS and Resident Evil, all without the second nub or the attachment, and it was perfectly fine. I never once felt like I needed more control, because the game was designed around the one nub. It's nice to have options, but it does not enhance the experience in all cases.

And you've named 3 games, 2 of which are released in the west, after 16 months on the market. Maybe it's not that big an issue?

However, I will concede that5 not having the AC adapter is insanity.

That's one expensive charger. For those prices I would buy the one that includes the craddle, it's only 3 euros more.

And in your price comparison between the 3DS and Vita, did you include the obligatory propietary memory card?

Both the propietary memory card and the ac+craddle cost the same now. So the issue of buying the charger is the same as getting the card. Still stupid they didn't include the craddle in the package since the XL is built for home use, same with Vita should have included onboard memory.

And to all those people angry for the second analogue nub - buy a Vita or Wii U.

I'm not the only one to call the 3DS XL well before it became official (specifically that we'd see a 3DS XL before seeing a revised 3DS), but I'm still baffled by repeat omission of the right analog slider.

It would be an option, no more. Any developer who chose to use the second stick would do so with the understanding that over 20 million potential customers would not have access to it and would design alternate controls as was the case with the few games that currently use the Circle Pad Pro.

And yes; support for the CPP is so minute, added to the fact that it's only available through GameStop and direct from Nintendo makes it pretty clear that Nintendo didn't want to make dual analog controls standard for whatever asinine reason.

But there would be absolutely nothing lost by just having it there. At all.

If we do end up seeing a revised 3DS/XL with second slider, I'll probably just throw my hands up in wonder.

And for all those standing by Nintendo's decision to take the same 3DS and just make it bigger, even to the point of digging deep to imagine reasons why it's actually beneficial to have fewer control options, imagine this:

Nintendo could have easily redesigned the 3DS XL to mirror the physical controls of the Wii U Gamepad. Including the ability to be used as a second Gamepad controller only with onboard processing.

And that's something that not only would I have paid for even after already feeling slightly ripped off for paying $250 for the 3DS, but something that also would virtually guarantee that I'd pre-order a Wii U for launch day purchase.

I don't think I'd be the only one in that boat.

You didn't get my joke... :(

Anyway, buy a third party charger, they're like 3 euros, or less. "Epic meltdown" averted.

There's always some reason for a "Epic Meltdown" ;)

Well, that's what happens when Mickey chooses to use the Thinner, rather than the Paint.

Honestly, with the creation of the circle pad pro was an admission of 'Derp, we forgot a key feature'. A new nub in a redesign was an expectation of mine.