Famitsu (via Andriasang) has revealed the “Expansion Slide Pad” accessory for the Nintendo 3DS. It adds an additional analog stick (definitely) and additional shoulder buttons (likely). The 3DS fits into the Expansion Slide Pad in a docking-station like manner. The first game to use the accessory will be Capcom’s Monster Hunter 3G 3DS.
The initial reaction from the gaming press contained hundreds of gallons of Haterade. While this is the usual reaction of the enthusiast press, it seems more reasonable this time around. The 3DS had a poor launch and the fear is that this accessory will be necessary for a good number of games. A lot of people feel that this Expansion Slide Pad just makes the 3DS look incomplete, especially compared to Sony’s upcoming PlayStation Vita.
I don’t think the Expansion Slide Pad will be commonly used, but I’m definitely getting flashbacks to my Sega Genesis. Stacked with a Sega 32X and a Sega CD, my Genesis looked like it was on the verge of kicking Voltron’s ass. Actually, it looked completely ridiculous. Modular consoles are…not so good.
I know that most of you are down on the 3DS as it is, but I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Expansion Slide Pad. Is it a ridiculous add-on? Will it be commonly used? Or is it merely an accessory that will satisfy millions of Monster Hunter fans in Japan?
Who is making it?
It's a Nintendo product, but will also be bundled with the upcoming Monster Hunter game.
So do you think they will be releasing 3DSs with these built-in in the near future? I still haven't gotten around to buying one and this seems like a future 3DSi in the works.
It's ridiculous. The 3DS already had a bad rep for being "incomplete". Eg: Netflix and other features didn't arrive until around 2-3 months later, 1st-party games and anticipated titles were AWOL, etc. This just makes it seem like Nintendo screwed up big time. Of course, it's packaged with Monster Hunter, so Japan will eat it up. However, if that's the only way to get/use it right now, I doubt it'll see much use in the US.
"Why not build it this way from the beginning?" was my initial thought. It looks like the 90s are making a comeback.
It become a commonly used things as more games come out i.e. FPS games come to mind.