Articles Nintendo-3DS-XL-feature

Published on June 29th, 2012 | by Adam Vjestica

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The 3DS XL Only Has One Circle Pad – Oh No!

Wake Up, Shake Up

Located in a warehouse of wonder – wearing a lovely luminous jacket tailored strictly for safety over style – Nintendo’s president of Europe, Saturo Shibata, announced the first hardware revision of the 3DS console: the Nintendo 3DS XL.

The latest rendition of Nintendo’s money-spinning, glasses-free, 3D handheld follows one simple rule: bigger is unequivocally better, with the  3DS XL’s most prominent feature highlighted in a surprisingly slick reveal.

A dark room was illuminated only by the original 3DS’ dual screens, as the audience watched some in-game action from New Super Mario Bros. 2 unfold. Suddenly, a second pair of screens lit up the room, dwarfing the other device’s display with their imposing size and sexier dimensions.

He only wanted to make you happy…

A Sizeable Difference

Yes, the main selling point of the new 3DS XL are those lovely grandiose screens – 90% bigger than that of the current 3DS, and the biggest ever to grace a Nintendo handheld. Grandma and grandpa will be ecstatic.

But there were other notable changes, too. The XL features a more-rounded clamshell design as opposed to the rigid, rectangular shape of the original; the thinner, adjustable stylus has been replaced by a thicker and uniformed pen. There’s clickable, dedicated buttons for home, select and start, which is by far the most pleasing change for this 3DS owner. The awkward, firm pressing of the home buttons on the 3DS’ built-in flush screen-like thing was a cumbersome and unnatural feeling to say the least.

The beneficial changes don’t stop there, however. Nintendo wisely included a larger battery to power the bigger screens, and surprisingly, the XL’s battery actually out-performs the original (3.5-6.5 hours for 3DS games and 6-10 hours for DS games). The console has also kept its relative portability, with a 46% increase in hardware size and a negligible weight increase of just 101 grams. And, even though Nintendo are usually rightfully lambasted for their online pricing and ownership policies, original 3DS owners will be pleased to hear that hey can transfer all their eShop purchases and 3DS saves to the new device. Fantastic.

All of this added heft and clout will retail for a tantalising £179.99, with the wait lasting no longer than a month for Europeans. But for some angry, deluded, and endlessly demanding individuals, Nintendo has apparently made a huge mistake with the 3DS XL. The crux of their argument goes something like this: “Oh my God. Why hasn’t the new 3DS got a second analog stick! That’s stupid! Sooo not buying one!”.

Xtra Large Babies

The 3DS XL is clearly aimed at new adopters or as a luxury upgrade for those who want a larger viewing real estate. But for the jilted gamer who demands everything, the above benefits are instantly trounced by the omission of that ominous second circle pad. In fact, the decision to not include a second circle pad is actually a personal insult to them and their family.

Which of these devices needs a second circle pad? The answer is neither.

You see, these blinkered fools have managed to ingrain the silly idea that, to their minds, without a second circle pad, the 3DS is essentially gimped; so much so that developers would willingly shun the device. The “facts” that they use to support this tireless argument is that Nintendo has already released an add-on for the 3DS, the circle pad pro, thus somehow admitting liability for creating a shoddy, broken product.

Without that second built-in circle pad, the 3DS is unable to provide these tortured souls with a portable Call of Duty game, or provide extra fidelity when controlling a camera. To be honest, they feel so strongly about Nintendo’s proclaimed arrogance, that we all might as well throw our 3DS’ and the fantastic games that have graced the system (each of which miraculously survived by operating with just one circle pad) in the bin. What a load of nonsense.

This Isn’t The Specification I Assumed

This new, distasteful breed of self-entitled gamers also assume that, because the necessity for a second-circle pad is apparently  extremely high, every single 3DS owner immediately went out and bought a circle pad pro. And the reason they did this was because suddenly, every single 3DS game incorporated the circle pad pro and was inherently better because of it. Well, I’m sorry to burst your bubble guys but that just didn’t happen.

Have third-party developers, who according to these eccentrics angrily demanded such an attachment, rushed out to support it with a plethora of games? Fat chance. As of writing there are actually only 7, yes SEVEN games that incorporate (read: incorporate) the 3DS circle pad pro. Neither game actually requires it. Resident Evil: Revelations is a great example of a game that is excellent with or without the circle pad pro add-on. You’d be shouting yourself blue in the face to convince anyone that without attaching Nintendo’s optional add-on, the game is broken or somehow worse off.

Also, let’s not forget that Nintendo didn’t have to offer an attachment for the 3DS. And yet, some of us have the audacity to hate them for doing so. How dare Nintendo attempt to please a small minority of customers who wish to play a small minority of games! Away with you, you foul, inconsiderate beast!

Forget Me Not

Does anyone even remember the PSP? Revision after revision, Sony shunned the idea of a second analog nub – despite the understanding that many of the games that were designed for the handheld were ported down from the PS2’s library and games which were predominately designed to use dual analog controls. I don’t remember Star Fox 64, Mario Tennis or Mario Kart requiring dual analog sticks, or The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for that matter. I suppose that’s why no one complains about how they control on the 3DS…

If we’re talking about bad hardware revisions, may I present to you the PSPGo.

Unlike the PSP – where the thought of yearning a second analog stick happened almost every second you spent playing a game – genuinely, the only time I’ve actually thought the circle pad pro was needed for the 3DS was when I played Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater. But let me highlight something about said game. Metal Gear Solid 3 was originally released for a console that was designed around a controller that used two analog sticks. It’s been ported to a device which was designed to function with one analog stick. Now, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that if you port a game that was specifically designed around a particular control scheme, to a device that doesn’t offer that particular control scheme as standard, you may just find that you encounter a few problems. Go figure.

But that doesn’t mean that because one game out of seven actually justifies the circle pad pro Nintendo should re-design their hardware specifically to incorporate it. Is everyone forgetting that the circle pad pro attachment itself isn’t just another circle pad, but the fact that it also adds two more shoulder buttons to the equation? Apparently they are. Ask yourself: what would that do to the 3DS’s form factor? We’d be looking at the 3DS XXXL; cue outrage about how the handheld would suddenly be too big to be considered a handheld.

The Final Straw

The reaction to the 3DS XL has exposed a worrying trend amongst the gaming community. Why can’t gamers ever look at the positives these days? Instead of clutching at straws in an attempt to highlight unwarranted negatives. The XL has better battery, bigger screens, an attractive price point, increased storage, a more functional design; but alas, clearly, all of these positive points are seemingly trivial.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having genuine and reasonable concerns: will the bigger screens improve the 3D sweet spot? Will the resolution suffer because of the larger screens? Will DS games look better in their native resolutions? Was it right not to include an AV adapter? Instead, every single post to do with the 3DS XL has been plagued by the stupid assumption everyone wants, no, needs, another circle pad, setting common sense and reasoning aside.

Screw it. Let’s just criticise everything shall we? Why the hell doesn’t the PSVita have clickable analog sticks and R2/L2 buttons? These have been part of the industry standard for years now. You inconsiderate monsters, Sony. Your device, by this childish thought process, is a failure also and we should encourage others to dismiss it.

“I’ve gotta’ buy every single piece of new hardware to become the hardware master!”

Finally, the last disgruntled murmurings that have arisen in the wake of the XL’s announcement are perhaps the most reasonable, though unfortunately, still massively exaggerated. Current 3DS circle pad pro owners feel shafted because now their gargantuan attachment won’t work with the 3DS XL, even though said attachment was optional, cost a meagre £14.99, works with the console it was originally designed for, and was even free with Resident Evil: Revelations if you did your research. Oh the humanity!

How will they ever survive without a circle pad pro for the 3DS XL which, should be noted, they’re compelled to buy because it’s different to the original. They’re also helpless to buy every colour that their current car comes in; the annually updated kits of their favourite football team; and must have each and every Apple product revision without fail. So what will they do with their original 3DS circle pad pro? Well take that noose off your neck, because Nintendo are giving you, the ungrateful, never-satisfied hardware hoarder your wish. A 3DS XL circle pad pro is on its way. You’re welcome… I’m sure they’ll look forward to your outcries when it’s released, “Why wasn’t this built-in in the first place”, “Holy cow this things so ugly.”

At least people can’t complain that the free Kid Icarus: Uprising stand doesn’t work with the 3DS XL. Otherwise, World War III would have most definitely ensued. But sadly, it’s more than plausible that these certain individuals will continue to fester on the   minor grievances (in this case, almost non-existant ones) instead of the overall picture.

The 3DS XL looks great, so please, let’s just stop all the hate.

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About the Author

is the Editor-in-Chief at Awesome Games. Adam decided to use his love of writing to talk about all things gaming, with the greater vision of creating a community and fan base with which he could share his passion.


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  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Christopher-Columbus/100002302322546 Christopher Columbus

    I’m shocked that you think games like Resident Evil Revelations, Kingdom Hearts Drop Distance, and Kid Icarus Uprising are playable without the second analog pad. It depends on what you mean by “playable”. If you mean the game turns on and functions, then yes, I guess it is playable.

    However, if we’re talking about the controls being even remotely comfortable and ergonomic, then you’re horribly mistaken. The fact is these games SUCK without the circle pad pro add-on. That’s not saying that I particularly like the Circle Pad Pro as an accessory, but I bite the bullet and use it because it offers that function.

    If it was simply included from the beginning it would have made this system a heck of a lot better. The PS Vita controls beautifully with it’s second analog stick. If you don’t think so then I would put your opinion on my ignore list. I own both. The screens could have been way higher resolution on the 3DS and especially on the 3DS XL. Instead they used a cheaper screen that’s a little bigger and just stretched the native resolution. Image quality suffers greatly for any game that isn’t some cartoon based game like Mario.

    Gamers are not “entitled”. I’m pretty sure paying $200 for a handheld system gives you the right to criticize it and give your opinion on it. To think otherwise is just pompous and fanboyish.

    Nintendo is going the way of SEGA. I am willing to bet the Wii U is their last console and then they are going the way of third party developer of games and accessories for other consoles.

    We get it… Mario and Zelda games are timeless and you can keep releasing remakes of the old ones or create a totally new game with the same exact premise, as long as it has those characters in it. But unfortunately those games only amount to about 5% of the games on the system. The rest of the games are horrible in my opinion. The lack of games on handhelds is making me rethink buying handheld devices altogether. That goes for both the 3DS and the Vita. They both have some really great games but the majority is just fodder.

    • http://www.awesomegames.co.uk Awesome Games

      Thanks for your comment! I can understand where you’re coming from.

      Kid Icarus definitely needs a second circle pad, yes; but what I was trying to get across is that the outrage of not having another circle pad is completely unnecessary due to the fact a mere seven games require it (the majority of which are perfectly playable and enjoyable without the CCP – Resident Evil: Revelations included). The 3DS really doesn’t need that added stick and extra shoulder buttons – which every forgets would be needed, significantly adding to the bulk of the console – just to support a miniscule minority of games.
      Also, I never questioned that the Vita benefits from the second stick (I own both handhelds, too), but the 3DS and Vita are completely different propositions in my opinion. The Vita is an extension of the home console, receiving ports and games designed as if they were to be played on a PS3 (the cross-buy initiative proves that). The 3DS on the other hand isn’t. It is a handheld which ultimately stands alone, and therefore the games can be tailored to the systems strengths as opposed to fitting the system around the games.
      A lot of gamers do carry a sense of entitlement these days. Just look at the Mass Effect 3 ending uproar, the backlash to Bayonetta being a Wii U exclusive etc. The funny thing is, the majority of gamers who tend to be so vexed about the missing CP, voicing their opinions on blogs and websites, are usually the ones who DON’T even actually own the system.
      In regards to your prophecy of Nintendo becoming a third party publisher/developer due to the Wii U ‘being their last console’, well that’s so ludicrous and farfetched that it doesn’t warrant an answer.

      Hopefully there will be a steady stream of games for both handhelds soon. The Vita is in desperate need of some good games whilst I think the 3DS has built up an already impressive library (although I doubt you’ll agree with me on that one!).

  • http://coffeewithgames.com/ coffeewithgames

    What is the best selling third party 3DS game? How many 3DS games have released in the U.S. and Europe, and throw in Japan…but keep them region locked…since the 3DS Circle Pad Pro was released?

  • MechanicalSloth

    My comment is directed @ Christoffer Treyz

  • MechanicalSloth

    But Nintendo consoles and games are awesome, and fun to play. If we lived in your world, the quality of gaming would suffer due to the lack of passion. I’m not arguing that money is a factor. I have a job I love to do…but I am able to do it because it pays the bills. If Nintendo wants to release an XL…let them. If you want to show your knowledge about how the financial side of development works, simply don’t buy it.

  • Vampiric

    agreed, its so good

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