It seems Nintendo may be redesigning it's Circle Pad for future iterations of the Nintendo 3DS. Nintendo has just been granted a 14 year patent for a new "ornament design" for it's 3DS circle pad. The included diagram shows a C-Pad that looks a bit like the Gamecube analogue on top. It should be noted that the diagram includes only one C-Pad. So either the next iteration of the 3DS still has a single C-Pad, or Nintendo sent in the old 3DS system design in order to avoid potential leaks since they were only aiming for a patent on the C-Pad and not on a dual analogued 3DS.


Nintendo Life said:

One of the first things we noticed when Satoru Iwata stood on stage at E3 2010 with a 3DS was the Circle Pad. Some called it a slider pad, others opted for analogue stick: whatever name you chose, it ultimately meant that Nintendo was giving us analogue control in its shiny new handheld. It's since given us the Circle Pad Pro to provide dual analogue controls, though its questionable appearance means it's not exactly a design flaunted with pride.

It seems that the standard Circle Pad may be due for a makeover, however, as Nintendo has just been granted a US patent, lasting 14 years, for the 'ornament design for an operating knob for portable electronic computer'. The accompanying images show a 3DS with a Circle Pad that seems to resemble the design of a GameCube analogue stick. For those who complain of their sweaty thumbs slipping off the current design, this could be the answer to those woes.

The patent and its drawings do specify 3DS, or portable electronic computer, so that may exclude the use of this design on the Wii U controller. For those suspicious that Nintendo's remodel of the 3DS is already on the way this will aid their cause — the patent was filed 6th December 2011 — though the images do show a system with a single Circle Pad, not the dual analogue controls that many anticipate.
So, what do you think of the design? Is it an improvement on the original?

Source: Nintendo Life

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@VofEscaflowne

Lies! I've been to Canada, all you guys have are sporks!

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 05/16/12, 17:39

@GameDadGrant
Canada has tons of Tim Hortons, so they win.

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 05/16/12, 17:50

I agree with the sentiment that it could use more grip. My thumb slipped around quite a bit while playing Ocarina of Time 3D.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 05/16/12, 18:21

I don't know why the didn't keep the inverted pad, but still add the grips inside.

Posted by

cooliocuneo

on: 05/16/12, 18:58

@deathly_hallows

Canada already wins because of ice hockey.

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 05/16/12, 20:54

ploot said:

Strange. The circle pad is one of the few aspects of the 3DS I think they already got right.

Posted by

Anand

on: 05/16/12, 22:07

These days even McDonalds has better coffee than Tim Hortons.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 05/16/12, 22:09

McDonald's coffee is pretty good. And their new Strawberry & Cream Pies are delicious!

Posted by

Anand

on: 05/16/12, 22:18

@Anand
*googles "mcdonalds strawberry & cream pies"

Haven't seen those around here, yet. I'm jealous!

Nutritional Info - McDonald's Strawberry and Creme Pie (86g)
Calories - 310 (from Fat - 150)
Fat - 17g (Saturated Fat - 9g)
Sodium - 180mg
Carbs - 36g (Sugar - 15g)
Protein - 4g

Damn, son. Not so jealous anymore.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 05/16/12, 22:26

But look at all of that protein!

Anyway, I live my life under the assumption that I'll die in a traffic accident.

Posted by

Anand

on: 05/16/12, 22:34

@Anand
I'm going to die of a heart attack at age 45, I eat bacon like 6 times a week, and I have chicken wings and battered fries for lunch every other day. I'm askin' for it!

Also, remember that ice cream place I took you guys to last summer? Well I found a new place and the serve hot fudge sundaes over a massive greasy donut. That's my new go-to dinner!

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 05/17/12, 05:56

deathly_hallows said:

@Anand
I'm going to die of a heart attack at age 45, I eat bacon like 6 times a week, and I have chicken wings and battered fries for lunch every other day. I'm askin' for it!

Also, remember that ice cream place I took you guys to last summer? Well I found a new place and the serve hot fudge sundaes over a massive greasy donut. That's my new go-to dinner!

At least you'll die happy!

Posted by

sirmastersephiroth

on: 05/17/12, 07:41

I'd prefer it with the grip as well. The Nintendo 64 and GameCube have a grip like that, and they feel better than the Wii's sticks.

Posted by

Mop it up

on: 05/17/12, 08:19

@deathly_hallows
Dude, that sounds sooooo good. Probably my favorite dessert ever is the basket of freshly-made donuts with a glass of warm chocolate ganache at Hot Chocolate in Chicago.

I get battered fries a lot, as well. Batter makes everything better.

Pretty much the only thing that's keeping me alive is Indian food. Almost everything that I get from restaurants is incredibly unhealthy. And it is pretty rare for me to cook something without using a healthy amount of cheese and/or sausage. Actually, I should edit out that 'or'.

And that's not even considering my wicked sweet tooth...

Posted by

Anand

on: 05/19/12, 04:56