The Secret of the 3DS Slide Pad Attachment

Written By: E. Thomas

September 10th, 2011

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Recently we learned about a new Analog Slider attachment for the Nintendo 3DS. This new cradle style device basically gives the 3DS a second analog slider. But why do something like this in the first place? Isn't this like admitting your product has a major short coming? The Internet was flooded with fanboy hysteria when this product was revealed. Its very existence has been used to severely damage the reputation of the Nintendo 3DS.

I must admit, this device seems a little embarrassing for Nintendo. And even I am left wondering if we will see a revised Nintendo 3DS in the near future. However putting all this drama aside. What if the device has another use beyond the obvious?

The Slider Add-on was first revealed just a few days ago. And with it, came the announcement of a major new 3DS game. Monster Hunter Tri 3G is headed to the Nintendo 3DS. The Monster Hunter franchise is absolutely massive in Japan. It has sold millions of copies on the Sony PSP and on consoles. It has also helped drive hardware sales for the PSP system for several years. The Monster Hunter craze in Japan is a very legitimate phenomenon.

The first thing I noticed was the positioning of the new analog slider. Its basically the same as the new Wii U controller. This leads me to believe we may see a connectivity feature between Monster Hunter Tri 3G and a possible, new unannounced Monster Hunter title for the Wii-U. This sort of connectivity makes perfect sense, it also seems to justify the creation of the Analog Slider Attachment.

Certainly the potential for a game like this would be explosive. And its definitely not out of the question, especially considering the history of the franchise on both consoles and portable game systems. It was only a matter of time before someone brought the two worlds together into one cohesive gaming experience.

Saying a Monster Hunter game will come to the PlayStation Vita is like saying the Sun will rise in the morning. Its just obvious logic. So when that game does eventually arrive, I expect it too will feature a connectivity between the PS Vita title and a potential PS3 version. It makes perfect sense. And this scenario is also another great motivator for Nintendo, who has traditionally been cited as the innovators when it comes to console / handheld connectivity. (Although the Neo Geo Pocket was the first portable game system to connect to a console, not counting the Sega VMU and the Sony Pocket Station.)

On September 13th Nintendo will hold a very special 3DS conference. On this date all secrets will be revealed. We are expecting the official announcement of Monster Hunter Tri 3G, along with some very big surprises. Being a fan of the Monster Hunter series and the 3DS, I certainly hope my speculation is true. And if its not, it certainly will be a major disappointment for me, and a missed opportunity for the Nintendo 3DS. Either way, tune in next week to see how things work out!