Think way back to 2011 when Monster Hunter 3G was released in Japan. Alongside Monster Hunter 3G, the Circle Pad Pro was also released, a peripheral which added a second Slide Pad as well as extra shoulder buttons on the 3DS system. This quickly became a must-buy product for owners of Monster Hunter 3G to make the game play similar to home console versions. With the release of Monster Hunter 4G gaining on the horizon [for Japan at least], the 3rd party manufacturer, Hori, aims to make the next instalment in the Monster Hunter franchise feel more like you are playing on a home console with the Extended Slide Pad Controller.

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The aim of this accessory is to make the 3DS or 3DS XL feel like you are playing the game using a controller similar to the Wii U Pro Controller. One design feature I find a bit odd is how they placed the second Circle Pad on the left shoulder, instead of to the right side of the console, they have also put the ZL button on the side of the left grip. There will be two versions on release, one which can be used with the regular 3DS model, and larger version for use with the 3DS XL model, both retailing at ¥2,980 JPN ($30 approx).

The company will also be releasing an accessory kit which will include a cleaning cloth, wrist strap and a adhesive decal. The 3DS version will cost ¥2,180 JPN ($20 approx) and the 3DS XL version will cost ¥2,280 JPN ($23 approx).

Though a release date for these accessories have yet to be announced, I think it is safe to assume that they will be released alongside Monster Hunter 4G in Japan on the 11th October 2014.

There are currently no plans announced on a Western release, though I would definitely love to own some of these items. However the Extended Slide Pad Controller does make the 3DS console look a bit off in my personal opinion. What do you think of these accessories?

Source – SiliconEra

Leon Fletcher

I am a huge Nintendo fan, hence why NintyBuzz exists. I especially love all things Zelda and Metroid. NintyBuzz was started by me back in the Summer of 2014, it started out mainly as a hobby, though the site has gradually grown, and I hope it grows for many years to come!