News: Rumour: Could Nintendo be Developing a Dual-Analogue 3DS? Page 1

SirLink 23.08.2011#1

How would a bolt-on circle pad even work? I have a hard time getting a picture in my head how that could work... Smilie

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Echoes221 23.08.2011#2

This makes sense, but quite honestly it's a huge kick in the teeth. Nintendo have never screwed over early adopters over so much, this is complete bollocks. First they drop the price, acceptable, just about with the ambassador program, but actually changing the system to effect gameplay is completely buggering over their consumers, even if it is an attachment it's a pain in the neck. Of course this could be all pure speculation and rumour.

Duggler657 23.08.2011#3

I thought about it for a long time. Just, you know, sitting here and staring at the screen wondering what to say and this is all I got:

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Sorry, wish I could be more insightful on this one. I'm gonna try not to think about this...

irfy 23.08.2011#4

I'm having a hard time just trying to control the stick on the current version as it is, not enough grip and the material used on the stick doesnt help either. Add on bolt? Not sure how that will work, they will have to make up for all the people who have bought the first 3DS, they would have to.

SteveO526 23.08.2011#5

Personally, I like the 3DS just the way it is. A second joystick just seems like it would be a bit too confusing in my opinion.

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Marzeee 23.08.2011#6

Well, it should have been there from the start. It really was needed for left-handed players, for games such as Kid Icarus. The fact that they would release a new one with another analogue so soon would make me feel screwed over by Nintendo and also make me feel like a massive idiot for buying so early.

Anyone who says it doesn't need another analogue clearly can't be left-handed. Having to use buttons to move a character around is dreadful, especially for diagonals.

( Edited 23.08.2011 14:45 by Marzy )

EdEN 23.08.2011#7

@SirLInk: It would connect to the back of the console on the port?

Squidboy (guest) 23.08.2011#8

I think adding Dual Analogue would make a lot of sense, it would certainly aid WiiU better down the line, and bring about more third party support of a high calibre. Improved controls would help certain software a great deal. I think developers producing AAA handheld titles for Vita will want Nintendo's platform to be easier to port to. When Nintendo was in the early stages of designing WiiU they eagerly asked for their input, I reckon this has happened with 3DS, but only now, unfortunate as that may be.

WiiU gives developers options, but sadly the current 3DS lacks an important one in the ensuing generation.

I hate the current design of the 3DS, it's poorly designed, intentionally so in some areas.

Santos (guest) 23.08.2011#9

In my opinion if this is not just pure speculation and rumour Nintendo really need to send out new units to all the users who already have brought a 3DS. I don't see how a bolt on would work unless there is a way to open up the 3DS and put a new front on that includes the additonal stick.

Azuardo 23.08.2011#10

Echoes221 said:
This makes sense, but quite honestly it's a huge kick in the teeth. Nintendo have never screwed over early adopters over so much, this is complete bollocks. First they drop the price, acceptable, just about with the ambassador program, but actually changing the system to effect gameplay is completely buggering over their consumers, even if it is an attachment it's a pain in the neck. Of course this could be all pure speculation and rumour.

My thoughts as I read this.

If it's true, especially about Nintendo sodding off dual analogue just to get the system out before the Vita, that's pretty disgusting really. They've really fucked over the people that bought the 3DS at launch, making them all look like mugs. We'll see if this turns out to be the case.

RudyC3 23.08.2011#11

Nintendo is losing it completely, that much is a fact. I truly hope this isn't true, although I feel for left-handed players.

Include it from the start next time, but don't screw over early adopters like this.

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Marzeee 23.08.2011#12

Kafei2006 said:
Nintendo is losing it completely, that much is a fact. I truly hope this isn't true, although I feel for left-handed players.
Include it from the start next time, but don't screw over early adopters like this.

This.

The whole point is it should have been there from the start.

For me, it's a tough situation, because I do want one (due to being left-handed), but I feel screwed over too, because I bought one early. It would mean I'd have to trade in my original 3DS and end up probably losing a lot of money, considering I paid £196 for it.

It's a really frustrating situation (If true).

( Edited 23.08.2011 18:11 by Marzy )

welshwuff 23.08.2011#13

If they release a revival already im throwing this fucking blue thing at a wall. Nintendo, stop making hardware and give us some fucking games.

Stulaw 23.08.2011#14

I really doubt the part of not adding the analogue stick to release it before the Vita is true, especially considering the system was announced with the final design almost a whole year before release. That and the Vita wasn't announced till January (a month before the 3DS launch in Japan).

It would benefit from having an analogue stick (especially for left handers like me and Marzy), and if there is an add on, how would they fit it around the power button? THe circle pad pretty much takes up the whole space under the D-pad.

Still, even though they've recently been a reliable source, I'll really take this news with a pinch of salt.

( Edited 23.08.2011 18:31 by Stulaw )

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J4K 23.08.2011#15

Well, it should have been there from the start.

This.

Nintendo released gimped hardware from the word go. Horrible battery life and only one stick. I'm okay with a reboot. Fix it now so that we're not stuck with the old thing for the next 5 years. While they're at it, put a better 3D screen in too. One with halfway decent viewing angles.

But then I'm not an early adopter, so I have no bitterness over this possibility.

Mush 23.08.2011#16

I am a left handed gamer, like Marzy and a few others here but I think the 3DS is fine the way it is. Sure, another Circle Pad would be awesome, but I love my 3DS just the way it is.

I'm not too worried about Kid Icarus controls, left handed support is usually good so yeah. I may even try to use the stylus in my right hand. Would take a little getting used to, but eh it would help in the long run.

Anyways, about this rumour... I do not think it's true. Nintendo would NEVER screw their consumers over this much, especially early adopters. The only way this could be true was if Nintendo had completely lost their minds.

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System rehash = A year or two after original release.

Darkflame 24.08.2011#17

The price drop worked.
No need for new hardware- just software.

Add-on analogue sticks could never work well (they wont give analogue movement)

I hope Nintendo isnt stupid enough to split the spec - that helped kill Sega when they released lots of hardware close together with different game formats.

put a better 3D screen in too. One with halfway decent viewing angles.

They don't exist.
The 3DS screen really is cutting edge in terms of quality.

The only way you can improve viewing angles is with head tracking and flipping L/R in sycn....aka, a software solution.

Other then that, beaming images into left and right eyes your always going to get limited angles, its just the nature of...well...human heads and the ways the eyes are spaced.

Battary life could be improved, but it really isnt that bad, and if a improvement comes it can be done without a whole new system.

A "reboot" as you call it would just annoy 5 million existing DS owners. For no good reason.

( Edited 24.08.2011 00:17 by Darkflame )

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Faust_D 24.08.2011#18

Marzy said:
Well, it should have been there from the start. It really was needed for left-handed players, for games such as Kid Icarus. The fact that they would release a new one with another analogue so soon would make me feel screwed over by Nintendo and also make me feel like a massive idiot for buying so early.
Anyone who says it doesn't need another analogue clearly can't be left-handed. Having to use buttons to move a character around is dreadful, especially for diagonals.

Oh, hai thar.

I'm a lefty, and I don't giveafuk, tbh. I've done just as well without an analogue stick under my right thumb because of the kind of buttons the DS had.

Lefties have been doing that shit for years now, why has it suddenly become a massively massive issue with the 3DS?

Because this time it could've been different?

REGARDLESS! If this is true, I will seriously considering boycotting Nintendo for a while. Would allow me to save up some cash, though I hardly spend my money on Nintendo as is... Lack of games and all... Smilie

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Marzeee 24.08.2011#19

So you settle for less, when you could have better? Doesn't make sense to me.

It was always a big issue, even with the DS. I complained on many occasions. As you said, with a new console, they had the chance to fix that problem. I have no idea how someone could justify having something worse, no wonder Nintendo won't improve their products.

Anyway, I don't want to get into a big debate about it. If you like buttons better than an analogue, then that's fine. I think the majority of left-handed people would say otherwise.

( Edited 24.08.2011 01:37 by Marzy )

J4K 24.08.2011#20

They don't exist.
The 3DS screen really is cutting edge in terms of quality.

No, they do exist. Look into Lenticular screen technology. There are options, and you're kidding yourself if you think Nintendo isn't looking either.

My point being that with time and a bit of experience, improvements can be made. There's always something better. Even if Nintendo decides to stick with the Parallax Barrier method, they can still make improvements to further minimize cross-talk.

I would think it's pretty much guaranteed that whenever a 3DS revision does indeed come, it's going to feature better screen technology.

Battary life could be improved, but it really isnt that bad, and if a improvement comes it can be done without a whole new system.

Anything under 5 hours for a portable isn't "that bad", its downright unacceptable.

A "reboot" as you call it would just annoy 5 million existing DS owners. For no good reason.

I just outlined three good reasons: dual analog, better screens, non-atrocious battery-life.

Granted, it would suck to be part of the (roughly) five million people who already invested. But honestly, if Nintendo were to do something like this, now would be the time. The system hasn't sold as much as they expected, so they'll piss off less people by deciding to fix the system now.

You could even argue that it's a semi-smart business tactic, as there are a lot of people, myself included, who have decided to wait for the inevitable revision. Bring it out in 2012 with a reasonable price a week or so before the PS Vita launches and you might generate some good momentum.

I'm not trying to say that its the right thing to do, or even a great business move. But if Nintendo were to do something this radical, well, now would be the time. I can understand why this would upset people though. I'm only cool with it because I didn't bother plunking down $250 on launch day.

Edit this post:

[quote]They don't exist.
The 3DS screen really is cutting edge in terms of quality. 
[/quote]

No, they do exist. Look into Lenticular screen technology. There are options, and you're kidding yourself if you think Nintendo isn't looking either.

My point being that with time and a bit of experience, improvements can be made. There's always something better. Even if Nintendo decides to stick with the Parallax Barrier method, they can still make improvements to further minimize cross-talk.

I would think it's pretty much guaranteed that whenever a 3DS revision does indeed come, it's going to feature better screen technology.

[quote]Battary life could be improved, but it really isnt that bad, and if a improvement comes it can be done without a whole new system.[/quote]

Anything under 5 hours for a portable isn't "that bad", its downright unacceptable.

[quote]A "reboot" as you call it would just annoy 5 million existing DS owners. For no good reason.   [/quote]

I just outlined three good reasons: dual analog, better screens, non-atrocious battery-life.

Granted, it would suck to be part of the (roughly) five million people who already invested. But honestly, if Nintendo were to do something like this, now would be the time. The system hasn't sold as much as they expected, so they'll piss off less people by deciding to fix the system now.

You could even argue that it's a semi-smart business tactic, as there are a [i]lot[/i] of people, myself included, who have decided to wait for the inevitable revision. Bring it out in 2012 with a reasonable price a week or so before the PS Vita launches and you might generate some good momentum.

I'm not trying to say that its the right thing to do, or even a great business move. But if Nintendo were to do something this radical, well, now would be the time. I can understand why this would upset people though. I'm only cool with it because I didn't bother plunking down $250 on launch day.

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Faust_D 24.08.2011#21

I never said I preferred buttons, Marzy, I said I don't give a crap. I'm not fussed either way because the kind of buttons the DS/3DS has makes it pretty comfortable for me nonetheless.

Having the Xbox360 controller face-buttons functioning as a D-pad, now that would be horrible in my eyes.

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Martin_ 24.08.2011#22

Echoes221 said:
Nintendo have never screwed over early adopters over so much

Perhaps the 3DS is the worst yet (time will tell), but Nintendo have in fact kind of screwed over early adopters of all their handhelds since the GBA.

GBA: March 21st, 2001.
GBA SP: February 14th, 2003.
DS: November 21st, 2004.
DS Lite: March 2nd, 2006.
DSi: November 1st, 2008.
DSi XL: November 21st, 2009
3DS: February 26th, 2011.

Marzeee 24.08.2011#23

Indeed, you never said that. I don't even know why I wrote that, sorry. Still, your settling for less, when you can have better, which still doesn't make sense to me.

I have no idea why they invented dual-analogue controls. Everyone was happy with buttons, so what a pointless invention that was... (sarcasm)

Well, you say you don't care. I guess we'll leave it at that. It's just one of those thing I'll never get my head around, but I don't want to make a big deal out of it or sound like a jerk.

( Edited 24.08.2011 10:36 by Marzy )

Mush 24.08.2011#24

I'm gonna say that I have to agree with Faust. Dual analogues would be nice for the system, perhaps it would even benefit for it. But I really couldn't care as the 3DS has great potential just the way it is. (IMO.) All it needs is software, not hardware.

Maybe Nintendo are working on a revision, but it wouldn't "be ready" until a year or two, plus it'd probably just be a battery life upgrade or something similar to that.

GBA - Prototype, really crappy non-backlit screen.
GBA SP - Released two years after, had a backlit screen and clamshell design to avoid the screen being damaged when the system was not in use.

DS - New generation in handhelds, had dual screens. Brightness wasn't too shabby and a lot of people who I know had their hinges break. (I didn't as I'm very protective/careful over my consoles/handhelds.)
DS Lite - Similar design to that of the DSi, improved comfortability, better stylus placement and better screen with more backlight options.

DSi - Slight hardware upgrade of the DS, could've been considered "sub-successor"(?) to the DS. That is.. if enough exclusive software was released for it. I'm talking about cartridge-based software, not downloadable software... although there are some pretty great DSiWare titles out there.
DSi XL - Bigger brother of the DSi, better battery life, huge screens. That's about all, really. This one was only really put out there to sell beside the DSi so people had two options when choosing a Nintendo handheld.

3DS - Prototype of the true successor to the DS, although some people seem to think otherwise. Not so great placement of the stylus, not so great battery life.
3DS Lite/XL - Redesign of the 3DS with better battery life and better stylus placement.

( Edited 24.08.2011 10:30 by Mush123 )

RudyC3 24.08.2011#25

If they were to add one more circle pad on the right for moving your character around, then you would need action buttons to be added on the left side as well, wouldn't you ? And also why not adding a second D-Pad on the right side as well, for games that are better played with a D-Pad ? That would take an awful lot of space. They have to make concessions because there's only so much that they could fit on a limited space.

And trust me, you never want to have to settle for a D-Pad shaped thing as an action buttons setup :