Beast780's Circle Pad Pro for the Nintendo 3DS Review Thread

[beast780]

First off, I'm not going to bother attaching a score to this accessory, because expierences are going to vary between people. I must mention before giving out my impressions, that I have extremely large hands, and this has most likely made my experience with the unit 100% better. I used Resident Evil: Revelations as a game to write this.

What Is the Circle Pad Pro. Where can I buy it? How Much is it?

The Circle Pad Pro is an add-on accessory for the Nintendo 3DS handheld system. It adds an extra shoulder button, and an all important second circle pad, or analog stick, to the system. It is retailer specific, Europeans are going to have to figure out which store its available on your own, however in America, the CPP (as I will now call it) is available only at GameStop for $19.99.



Image used from GiantBomb.com

First off, this thing is huge. Its going to almost double the size of your unit, it also adds a lot of weight. Your going to almost want to rest the unit on your chest while you are playing or it will wear you out.

What Games Support the CPP?

Right now, unless you live in Japan, only Resident Evil Revelations. In Japan, a Monster Hunter game was released with support. In the near future titles like Metal Gear Solid 3D, and Kid Icarus Uprising have planned support for the unit.

Installation:

The CPP uses one AAA battery, secured in place on the unit by a coin screw, which can be unscrewed like the name implies with the use of a coin. Its very easy, and according to Nintendo, the charge will last up to 480 hours, so depending on your use of the unit, you may never have to replace the battery.

Once the battery is in, make sure to have the proper game cartridge in, and the stylus popped out, because inconveniently, once the unit is on you wont be able remove those items. In order to change games, you will have to remove the unit, and then pop it back on.

Placing the unit is simple, four rubber pads hold it in place so it wont fall off easily. It communicates with the 3DS via its sensor, which when installed slides right over the sensor on the 3DS.

Usage:

Resident Evil Revelations (RER) controls just fine without the unit. However, it controls much better with the unit on. Because of my large fingers, I was able to almost instantly get confortable with the unit, however those with small hands will have an adjustment period to get used to, including being a little uncomfortable from the start. The new Circle Pad is located directly to the right of the buttons on the 3DS, and my thumb rested comfortably over the area in between where I could reach both without much awkwardness. The right analog in RER controls the camera, which is a great feature to have available. The CPP unit has three shoulder buttons. Two of them are the right and left trigger, which just act as the same shoulder buttons on the actual 3DS. They put these on there because to actually reach the shoulder buttons on the 3DS would have required too much strain. They add a third bumper to the right side similar to the bumpers on the Xbox and Playstation controllers. So far, Resident Evil Revelations hasn't made use of this button. The back of the CPP is contoured to force your hand in a comfortable position.

{Revision}

Upon actually pressing the right bumper I have learned it does a melee attack. Silly me.

Without the circle pad, the game automatically controls the the camera for you, and I found it did it proper enough. I would never take the CPP on the go with me, its just too big and heavy, so its best use is sitting on the couch at home while watching TV.

I'm not going to give a score. I will tell you, RER controls better with it hands down, however RER controlled fine without it as well. The negatives is its price (it costs less than a dollar for Nintendo to make, yet they are selling it for $20), and it adds a lot of bulk and weight to it. It is also inevitable that Nintendo will eventually release and updated 3DS with the second circle pad on the console.

I will try and review Resident Evil Revelations once I give it more time.