Webfooted

The new 3DS peripheral which gives the system an extra circle pad on the right side of the system was first rumored last month and then confirmed along with a port of Monster Hunter Tri-G last week. Nintendo’s pre-TGS event last night didn’t dive into the subject in the way many expected, nor did it bring with it word on a redesigned system equipped with an integrated second circle pad. Instead, it was after the event that we learned the first official details about it straight from Nintendo.

Coming on December 10 in Japan, the same day Tri-G is released, the “extended slide pad” will cost 1,500 yen (about $19.51). When it was first rumored, people were outraged at the notion of having to spend the reported $10 price, so the reaction to this surely won’t be much better.

What’s potentially more troublesome than that is the 3DS Slidepad, as it’s already being referred to, requires a AAA battery to operate. A single battery isn’t a big deal in terms of cost, but it means in order to play games that use the attachment, you need to make sure your system is charged and that you have a fresh battery. For a system that has fairly poor battery life as it is (causing some to hope that the Slidepad would include an additional battery), that’s pretty annoying. And it doesn’t look good for the third-party manufacturers of extended 3DS batteries or the users who take advantage of them, as the way they stick out of the back will likely make them incompatible with the add-on, which cradles the system.

Even if you’re not a Monster Hunter fan, there may be a reason to use the Slidepad. A list of six compatible titles can be found on Nintendo of Japan’s website. Besides Tri-G, there is Resident Evil: Revelations, Ace Combat 3D: Cross Rumble, Dynasty Warriors Vs., Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance, and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D.

We still don’t know when the add-on will be brought to regions outside of Japan or if the pricing will be comparable.

Tags: aaa battery, ace combat, evil revelations, metal gear solid snake, notion, third party