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Image emerges of Nintendo 3DS right thumbstick

The rumored Nintendo 3DS right thumbstick is featured in the latest issue of Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, according to several sources.

Twitter user @South1996 posted a picture on Twitter late last night of the alleged Famitsu report about the new thumbstick accessory. The image shows a sleeve that goes around the bottom of the 3DS and adds the right thumbstick. Although the thumbstick will potentially help developers deliver more well-rounded gaming opportunities, it does appear to make the device substantially more bulky. At least two other Japan game-market blogs--Andriasang.com and Esuteru.com--back up the claim.

Reports of a right thumbstick coming to the 3DS cropped up late last month. French technology site 01net cited an anonymous source who said that Nintendo would be bringing the add-on to the device. The source also claimed that Nintendo was working with third-party developers to create titles that would work with two thumbsticks.

When the Nintendo 3DS launched earlier this year, some criticized its lack of a right thumbstick. As games have become more sophisticated, the right thumbstick has become an integral component in gameplay. That's why most traditional game controllers have right thumbsticks and why Sony plans to offer one in its upcoming 3DS competitor, the PlayStation Vita.… Read more

Future of the Nintendo 3DS now up in the air

Today's rumors of Nintendo entertaining the idea of adding a right thumbstick accessory to the 3DS are troubling at the very least. First, let me definitively say this: a right thumbstick attachment will not save the 3DS.

Unfortunately this bit of news sounds to me like an unwise gut reaction of a company very desperate to right the 3DS ship. But the thumbstick chatter isn't all that the latest rumors have suggested. Further rumblings seem to indicate that Nintendo is working on a completely redesigned unit that will stray away from what's now widely regarded as a 3D gimmick.

Let's also not ignore the other ramifications should Nintendo actually go through with this. By completely redesigning the system, Nintendo would be turning its back on the loyal early adopters who have already purchased the system (pre and post price drop), not to mention the developers who pledged their support from the start as well. In the short term it will almost certainly have an immediate impact on current sales; who would want to buy a 3DS after reading today's rumors?… Read more

Nintendo planning a right thumbstick for the 3DS?

Major changes are coming to the Nintendo 3DS, a new report claims.

According to French technology site 01net (translated), citing an anonymous source, Nintendo is currently working on a peripheral for its 3DS portable that would bring a right thumbstick to the device. In addition, the report claims Nintendo has already asked third-party developers to get working on designing games that would use two thumbsticks.

Reuters was first to report on the 01net claims.

When the Nintendo 3DS launched earlier this year, its lack of two thumbsticks was cited by critics as a major flaw. Two thumbsticks, like those employed … Read more

Game consoles and the death of backward-compatibility: Why we don't care

Today's news from overseas about Nintendo's slightly redesigned and price-dropped Wii isn't much of a surprise, with the Wii U around the corner. Neither is the new Wii's dropping of backward-compatible support for the GameCube and its peripherals. In fact, it nearly comes as a footnote.

Honestly, some people might be shocked that the Wii can even play GameCube games at all. Those small discs, looking like giveaways from some '90s music magazine, slot into the current Wii's disc slot (even though DVDs won't work). Even the GameCube controllers--and other peripherals--plug in via a door on the side. That's generous of Nintendo, but hardly necessary. Unless you have a large collection of GameCube discs, most memorable Nintendo games are easily gotten via Virtual Console downloads, re-issued Wii-ified versions, or improved franchise sequels.

Do we care about backward-compatibility in our game consoles? Well, maybe we used to. It's getting harder and harder to care. Here's why.… Read more

Nintendo 3DS now available for $169.99

Just a friendly reminder to all would-be Nintendo 3DS owners out there: the first-ever glasses-less 3D portable gaming system can now be had for just $169.99, a whopping 32 percent off the original retail price.

Since its mostly underwhelming launch back in March, the 3DS has seen software updates that activated the eShop, Virtual Console, video marketplace, and access to Netflix.

We've since updated our in-depth review, covering all of the new functionality. While we wish there were more to report on the 3DS' gaming front, we're still left with games that have really yet to win us over. Of course we highly recommend the 3D reboot of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, but it's possible you played it the first time it was released 12 years ago on the Nintendo 64.

The new 3DS price goes into effect right now, but it may take a bit of time for online pricing to show up. If you're looking for a first-day purchase, heading out to a store may be the right approach.

The 3DS will also add a new color to its repertoire, Flame Red, this September.… Read more

Gizmodo not charged in iPhone 4 theft

Hewlett-Packard permanently cuts the price of the TouchPad to just $399, Google is reportedly rushing to finish the Ice Cream Sandwich update to its Android operating system, and the San Mateo, Calif., district attorney has filed charges in the theft of an iPhone 4 prototype but not against Gizmodo.

Links from Thursday's episode of Loaded:

iPhone 4 charged filed against two men but not Gizmodo HTC buys Beats by Dr. Dre HP cuts price of TouchPad to $399 Google rushing to finish Ice Cream Sandwich Verizon and AT&T block jailbroken tetherers Nintendo 3DS gets "Flame Red" … Read more

Nintendo to launch 'Flame Red' 3DS

Nintendo will offer up a new flavor of its 3DS next month.

Dubbed "Flame Red," the upcoming portable will come with the same design as its predecessor, but will boast a red and black body. Nintendo currently offers a "Cosmo Black" all-black option, as well as an "Aqua Blue" version, which comes with a blue and black body.

Nintendo's 3DS, which launched earlier this year, features two displays, and allows users to play games in 3D without the need for special glasses.

The game and console maker often uses color to help promote its hardware. Last year, it offered a "Mario Red" version of its Wii platform to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. The company also offers a range of colors for its DS portable.… Read more

Q&A: MacFixIt Answers

MacFixIt Answers is a feature in which we answer questions e-mailed in by our readers. This week readers wrote in asking about shared parent folders mounting when subfolders are accessed, .DS_Store files appearing on the desktop, which Office versions will work with Lion, where to look up application compatibility for Lion, and whether or not you should install software that came with external hard drives. We continually answer e-mail questions, and though we present a few answers here, we welcome alternative approaches and views from readers and encourage you to post your suggestions in the comments.

Question: Accessing shared subfolder … Read more

PlayStation Vita to hit U.S., Europe in 2012, report says

The PlayStation Vita might not be hitting U.S. or European store shelves until next year, Bloomberg is reporting.

According to the report, Sony Computer Entertainment chief Kazuo Hirai, who was speaking to reporters in Japan today, said that the company's next portable will launch in Japan before the end of the year. He reportedly said that the device will launch in the U.S. and Europe at some point in early 2012.

Sony's PlayStation Vita is arguably one of the most anticipated industry launches. The device is the successor to Sony's PSP, and comes with a … Read more

Digital City 136: Mac App Store shopping tips and the latest gadget price cuts

This week we go comparison shopping, comparing game prices on Apple's Mac App Store against other retailers. Then we discuss the new price cuts for the Logitech Revue and the Nintendo 3DS, and play tech trivia with MTV's games blogger Russ Frushtick.

Bonus: Download the show's jaunty theme song as a free MP3 here.