Nintendo Details 3DS Circle Pad Pro Plans

In theory, Nintendo’s 3DS is a great idea.  A portable unit capable of Gamecube-quality graphics with decades of popular franchises to draw from sounds great even without the glasses-free 3D effect.  In practice, well, let me reintroduce you to the Circle Pad Pro, the afterthought clamp-on slide pad seen here courtesy of Nintendo World Report.  It’s now officially coming stateside this February 7th, 2012 for a cool $19.99, and Nintendo will tell you which two upcoming games are going to support it right after the jump.

Nintendo is also introducing an optional accessory that gives Nintendo 3DS owners a second analog stick to control compatible games. The Circle Pad Pro will launch in the United States on Feb. 7. It will be sold through GameStop stores and online at http://www.gamestop.com at a suggested retail price of $19.99. The Circle Pad Pro is a comfortable cradle that holds the Nintendo 3DS system while adding an analog Circle Pad on the system’s right side. The attachment also adds additional shoulder buttons to give it a feel more akin to traditional console controllers. It is designed as an optional accessory and is compatible with Resident Evil Revelations and METAL GEAR SOLID 3D Snake Eater.

Is this $20 add-on the missing element that will trigger a widespread embrace of the 3DS as the true successor to the Nintendo DS?  Drop by our forums or leave a comment below with your predictions and we’ll be sure to let you know when the Circle Pad Pro arrives early next year!

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