3DS Doesn't Need Another Circle Pad

Chris Buffa (Modojo): Nintendo's an infamously stubborn company, especially when it comes to admitting mistakes, so it's tough pinpointing the exact moment the publisher decided its 3DS required another circle pad, or that its current design was inadequate.

[Kamikaze135]

It really doesn't. Camera can be controlled by the gyroscope if separate control for it is absolutely needed.

[Shackdaddy836]

It can also be like the N64 controller. You can move with the stick then change the camera whenever you want with the d-pad.

[Trunkz]

Wasn't the DS more like N64 and 3DS suppose to be more like the Gamecube or a tiny more which had 2 analogs?

[JohnnyMann420]

Yeah it doesn't NEED one, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't have one.

[Titanz]

Though I guess(just like the Wii remote for fps) certain gamers don't like improvement, and want to stick to their traditional control methods.

[TheFirstClassic]

Improvement??? Using a gyroscope is not an improvement over analog sticks, at least not for camera controls. And the wii for fps did not always work the way you want them to, the cursor would move wrong if you got to far to one side of the screen. It wasn't that accurate either, the ps move is better for fps due to better tech. Perhaps you mean innovation, not improvement.

[DA_SHREDDER]

Camera can be controlled by gyroscope? Please, just stop. Stop it before you make my head explode. Honestly, I can't believe I've been playing 3-D Marios' and it hasn't dawned on me till now that I've been wrestling with the camera since Mario 64? It really is too good to believe that one day, just maybe, I will beable to play a zelda, metroid, or mario game and have precise control of the camera. And no Z targeting is not precise controls for a camera, how many times have you used Z targeting and couldn't exactly aim at the intended enemy you were trying to fight against?

[dillydadally]

The gyroscope for camera control does not work at all - I've tried games that tried that and the controls are near impossible. The truth is, they are BOTH right. The poor launch of the system is due to the price point and poor game selection, but no modern game system has any business launching without the ability to have the far superior modern controls (using the stylus obscures your view, makes holding it ackward, and limits the buttons you can press), and that would have seriously hurt them in the long run when it came to game selection and control options. I was immediately turned off when I saw the system didn't have both circlepads and shook my head at Nintendo's out of touch mentality.

[ronin4life]

I can play Zelda with the gyro controls just fine with the 3d on, so saying they don't work at all dosen't make it true for everyone.
I believe they didn't want to overshadow the touch screen capability of the system with a second slide pad, wich is why it was not included. But that's just a guess.

[TheFirstClassic]

A analog stick works far better than gyroscope controls for a camera. I think they definitely should of put one on in the original design, even if it did not absolutely need it.

[iamnsuperman]

True but it is like saying FPS technically do not need two analog controls to work. But it is easier to play with them and less fiddly

[dark-hollow]

IMO am too sick of FPS's on consoles that am not really dying for one in a handheld.

[Venoxn4g]

If they only released on 3DS Geist 3D and Metroid prime trilogy :) I would like! :) ..and with touch screen controls! + optional with gyroscope or accelometer (I don't know which is better)

[Shackdaddy836]

Whenever I play a handheld, I never play a fps game. I reserve those for my console. I usually play something more relaxing like a platformer or rpg.

[NESpower]

True, but you're preaching to the choir. Tell that to fanboys who hold pitchforks against 3DS. They wouldn't buy it if it was a dualshock design with three sticks but love to complain anyway.

[Venoxn4g]

amen... big big and laughable true :)

[DeeZee]

It doesn't need one, but in this day and age it's nice to have one. Because with certain games one stick just feels wrong.

[RyuCloudStrife]

what? I think I didn't read your post correctly.

[supremacy]

lol

[Peaceful_Jelly]

Fanboys and their denial is really something. =/

[Pikajew]

It doesnt need one. If you want to play a FPS get them on consoles or PC. The 3DS can get a bunch of different kind of games.

[user858621]

I'm not bothered, because I dont want this handheld clustered with shooters :)

[GuruStarr78]

NO, IT DOES NOT - The touch screen works just fine as a second analog..... Most of the original DS FPS games, Like Dementium one and two and the Call of duty games worked wonderfully and quite accurate, when using the touch screen as the second analog......

[Venoxn4g]

true.. actually for me touch screen on DS was lots of times better than with analog.. you can aim very accurately

[smashcrashbash]

Fox and grapes. If it had one no one would be saying it didn't need it but because it doesn't have it everyone for the 3DS claims it doesn't need it. Classic gamer attitude. The second joystick would make free roaming games and FPSs easier to play. But everyone is too proud to admit that it would. If Nintendo did add the second circle pad in the original design we would be hearing what geniuses they are.

[supremacy]

Tell me about it...

[Ddouble]

Well said

[axisofweevils]

I think Nintendo are doing this because of Capcom.

Developers are lazy. And the Monster Hunter developer already said that he found working with "3D" hard.

My guess is it was a deal.

"OK, even though we find 3D hard, we'll release Monster Hunter for your 3DS if you allow us to make an ugly extra stick."

And Nintendo went along with this because Monster Hunter is massive in Japan. The fact that this game is coming out has ensured millions of extra sales. It also shows that Nintendo are trying to work with third parties.

[stragomccloud]

The 3DS really needed a second circle pad from the get go. It baffled me as to why Nintendo chose not to include another. Especially with gamers, developers, and journalists crying out for one.