If you were wondering why in the world Nintendo decided to release a Nintendo 3DS XL instead of a better designed standard 3DS — similar to how the original Nintendo DS was redesigned to the far superior Nintendo DS Lite — no one, probably not even Nintendo, knows the answer to that. However, one of the first questions that arose with the announcement of the 3DS XL was what would happen to the Circle Pad Pro since it doesn’t fit the 3DS XL. Well, Nintendo has you covered, as they announced a Circle Pad Pro XL.
In a recent article in Famitsu, Nintendo said they’ll be releasing the Circle Pad Pro peripheral for the 3DS XL sometime later this year, making the 3DS XL something more like the 3DS XXL. This, of course, is good news for people who plan to grab a 3DS XL and still want that sweet, sweet dual thumbstick control scheme.
Of course, the 3DS XL isn’t even out yet, and the Circle Pad Pro XL (unofficially named) has already been announced. It makes you wonder why the 3DS XL didn’t receive a built-in second circle pad, especially considering the 3DS XL is enormous to begin with, and the Circle Pad Pro attachment is going to make that thing a size akin to a small netbook. I would speculate that not only is the Circle Pad Pro XL route cheaper than sticking a new circle pad inside the 3DS XL. Also, the 3DS XL would then be considered the superior unit to the 3DS, even though the enormous size shoves it into a niche market, and regular 3DS adopters would certainly feel left out of the second circle pad goodness.
Whatever the reason Nintendo went with the Circle Pad Pro XL peripheral route, it’s nice to see that they didn’t immediately give up on the thing, an abomination though it may be. There’s no word on an exact release date or price as of yet, but we’ll keep you informed whenever those things are made known.
(via Andriasang)
- Yep, instead of a redesign, Nintendo announced the 3DS XL
- The 3DS XL will supposedly work fine with the Kid Icarus: Uprising stand
