Topic: Circle Pad Pro. First Impressions Anyone??

As long as it stays optional for all games, I don't see what the problem is. I doubt it, but so far, nothing to worry about. :3

I am actually really looking forward to dual stick controls on a handheld

Well I bought the circle pad thing with resident evil revelations, and it turns out that it's much more comfortable playing this game with the pad, people find it too ugly, but for 10 euros i dont really care, it's a good thing to have, but i don't think that a lot of games will make use of this...

I bought it in a bundle with Resident Evil: Revelations yesterday.
At first it felt kind of strange, but I quickly got used to it.
It's pretty comfortable and it works well.
I probably wouldn't use it while I'm out, but it clips on and off so easily that it's easy to just use it when you want it.

It's also interesting to note that it will only work at all with compatible games, so if you try to do anything else with it attached then you have to reach for the actual R button on the system.
Oh, and you can't access the stylus while it's attached, which could be a minor annoyance for some games in the future.

To me, usability > appearance. Personally, I didn't feel that I needed a second Circle Pad, but that's probably because Nintendo games had always have great auto-cameras. And even then, Resident Evil: Revelations played just fine without a second pad.

I'll be getting one for Metal Gear Solid, though. It was built for two pads, and I want to play it without the controls killing me off when a guard sees me. Also, I may just use it for comfort. Playing Zen Pinball 3D for a loooong time cramps my hands, and with handling similar to the Classic Controller Pro (from what I've heard), the Circle Pad Pro can help cure that problem, doubling as a comfort grip and additional buttons.

@BenAV

How hard is it to reach the regular R button with the CPP attached. I was thinking about picking one up when I had the extra just to make the system a bit more comfortable to hold for my big hands (and of course for future games that will support it). Would you think games like Mario Kart would be playable with it on, or is the distance too far to play comfortably?

I didn't think about that. I assumed it would use the new one, but you have a point, it probably won't.

Couldn't you mod the firmware via a system update? Seen the true res of a DS game? I think that wasn't originally supported in the old DS. Well, it might have. But if ABXY = 2nd Circle pad w/ ZL & ZR = L + R, that would be epic.

All I have to say is... check out the Endgadget review of the 3DS Slide Pad below:

http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/02/nintendo-slide-pad-for-3ds...

Now tell me that isn't the most HIDEOUS thing you've ever seen. They just need to come out with a 3DS2 or better implement this thing. That's f-ugly!!!

Does everyone have to bash on it? It's not that bad. It's nothing pretty, but it isn't too ugly. It's cheap, and it can leave an impact for FPS and manual camera control-reliant games.

I am not saying that 'just because' or because I want to be negative. I am a HUGE Nintendo fan, and I will always buy their consoles, especially portable consoles. I love 99.9% (ok, 98%) of everything NIntendo has ever been behind. This just isn't my cup of tea.

I understand opinion. Some people go a little overboard, maybe even me. It's not easiest to communicate w/ text. And it's all opinion.

If you like the Circle Pad Pro, great. If you hate it, great. Everyone has their own opinion and you like what you like and hate what you hate.

@Corbs Yes, but if you burn it, well, you settled for the hammer method, right? It's alright. It's opinion. But seriously, that's big.

Though I have no plans on getting one, can anyone verify whether or not the CPP is compatible with existing third-party battery expansion packs (ie Nyko's powerpak+)?

@8-Bit Unless the new battery doesn't add any extra bulk to the system I don't think you can fit it in so probably not.
Have to say I love the CCP,don't know why people are moaning about it. Its great when gaming at home ,if I'm on the move I just use regular controls. It fits well in the hand and the triggers are really quite nice. i do hope they somehow update it so I can play MK7 with it, would sure help with those handcramps during marathon online sessions!!
I did get the circle pad free though so maybe if I had to shell out £20 I'd feel differently!

Well I got it today, tried it with the Resi demo and realized I can not stand the dual stick when it comes to the gyro for aiming.

Though I did just buy this for future titles that demand a 2nd stick such as: Kingdom hearts ddd, Metal gear solid, Monster hunter tri and 4.

but the grip is amazing. My big hands are finally comfortable!

The grip is the main thing for me.
The dual analogs take a little time to adjust, but after a while the feel really natural.

I just got the Circle Pad Pro today and here is my "official" hands-on review.

The Circle Pad Pro feels really comfortable in the hands. To those with big hands (not me) it makes the system easier to hold. For those with small hands (also not me) it may make a reach to the ABXY buttons a little uncomfortable. I have only been able to test it on the RE Rev demo and I have to say, it feels GREAT. I love how the dual analog controls work with the game. It does take time to get used to the fact that you have to rotate the camera with the other Circle Pad though. I found myself looking at the ground or ceiling when trying to rotate because I wasn't used to that just yet (I'm used to it now though, it only took me about 5 minutes to adjust) since in the single analog mode, you face straight all the time.

Here is a more in-depth analysis where I hit a few areas I think I should mention.

FEEL
Luckily, when I picked up my Circle Pad Pro, I was also able to test out the PSVita. The PSVita was great, but I still prefer my 3DS. Anyway, I mention the PSVita because the width of the Vita is about the same as the 3DS with the CPP. The CPP feels a lot like a slightly wider Classic Controller (original). It feels great just to hold and I enjoy just holding the thing. Using the L button is a bit of a pain though... Your finger will hit the black bar across the top that covers the IR port, Game Card slot, and stylus. The ZL and ZR buttons are also great. The new R button even feels nice; it is just far enough away to make pressing it feel even more comfortable.

PLAY
As stated, I have only been able to use this with the RE Rev demo. In my opinion, the game doesn't need it, but it makes a big difference when you add it. It feels more like you are playing a third person Call of Duty when you use it though. I have heard that the CPP's Circle Pad has different resistance than the one on the system. My CPP doesn't have this issue, so I love it. You will get hand cramps from sustained play though. Not because of how it is angled, but because of the L button side of the system. Your finger cannot rest between the ZL and L buttons like your finger can rest between the ZR and R buttons because of the IR bar.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Personally, I think it is. For $20, I think it would be great to use your money on this. I think it is worth it because it gives the system more control options (which RE didn't do efficiently in my opinion... they just re-mapped some of the buttons to the new triggers) and it will most likely be used for big budget games in the future such as the Metal Gear 3DS game and a possible Call of Duty.

Well, that was my review. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you keep on posting!

NOTE: This was my experience. I am not saying to buy it or not, I was just giving my opinion.

After getting to try the attachment out, I'm actually pretty impressed. In my opinion, while it does make the system bigger, it isn't as gargantuan as many people make it out to be. For people with big hands, like me, it makes the system much easier to hold and much more comfortable. I tried playing Mario Kart with it on, and although reaching past the add-on's R button for the one on the console feels awkward at first, I was able to quickly adapt and found that playing with the attachment on was more enjoyable than I thought it would be and actually a bit more comfortable than playing with just the system itself. I also tried out the RE demo with it, and it seems to work well. I certainly plan to buy one for myself soon, even if it is just for added comfort until something like MH comes out.