Nintendo is finally adding a second analog stick to its handhelds as part of a major refresh to the 3DS line. The company already sells the Circle Pad Pro add-on to allow for dual analog control of games like Monster Hunter, but until now has not offered an all-in-one option for gamers.
The new designs, introduced during a Japanese Nintendo Direct video event today, have tiny analog pads just above the action buttons. Nintendo likens the pad to the GameCube controller's infamous "C-stick" secondary analog. There are also a pair of new shoulder buttons, labeled ZL and ZR, which are situated next to the existing buttons. The 3DS' shape has also been rounded to better mirror the 3DS XL.
The standard 3DS now features a larger screen (3.88-inch vs. the existing 3DS' 3.5-inch display), while the 3DS XL's remains the same 4.88 inches, and according to Nintendo the 3D viewing system is improved over previous models.
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Other changes include a switch from SD Card to microSD, and a replaceable battery that's apparently good for seven hours of 3DS gameplay. As well as announcing the hardware refresh, Nintendo also revealed that the new 3DS will have exclusive software. A port of the Wii RPG Xenoblade Chronicles is coming exclusively to the new 3DS and 3DS XL, making use of its extra hardware buttons and improved processor.
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