Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro – The Weird, Bulky Add-On You Might Secretly Love

If you owned a Nintendo 3DS in the early 2010s, you might remember a strange accessory that made your sleek little handheld suddenly feel like an overgrown spaceship controller — the Circle Pad Pro.

It was big.
It was bulky.
It took a AAA battery (yes, really). [See photo below]

Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro Battery Compartment up close view showing where you put the battery.

And for certain games… it was fantastic.

So what exactly is it, and why do collectors still talk about it?

What Is the Circle Pad Pro?

The Circle Pad Pro is an official Nintendo accessory that snaps onto your original 3DS (there’s also a different model for the 3DS XL). It adds:

A second circle pad on the right side (think “second analog stick” for camera control).
Extra shoulder buttons ZL and ZR.
A more “gamepad-like” feel for certain titles.

It runs off one AAA battery hidden in a compartment on the back. Without the battery, it won’t power up or connect — so if you pick one up second-hand, check that first.

Why Did Nintendo Make It?

When the 3DS launched, it only had one circle pad. Many gamers (especially those playing shooters or action games) missed having dual analog sticks. Rather than redesign the system right away, Nintendo created this add-on to give developers a second stick and extra buttons to work with.

Why People Like It

Better Camera Control – In games like Monster Hunter, the second pad is a game-changer for camera movement.
Extra Buttons – ZL and ZR open up new control options without clawing at the screen.
More Comfortable Grip – Some players found the larger, molded grips easier on the hands during long sessions.

Why People Just Don’t

Bulky – It makes the 3DS much larger and less portable.
Limited Game Support – Only a small list of titles ever used it.
Battery Requirement – Forget to replace the AAA, and it’s just dead weight.
Compatibility – The Circle Pad Pro is only compatible with the original Nintendo 3DS (not the 3DS XL)

Full List of Known Compatible Games (North America / Europe unless noted)

Action & Adventure

Kid Icarus: Uprising
Resident Evil Revelations
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D
Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance
Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D

Hunting & RPG

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

Flight & Combat

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy+

Japan-Only (Extra Curiosity for Collectors)

Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon (JP release supports Circle Pad Pro) - So, not the NTSC-U version? I am going to have to try it!
Dynasty Warriors VS
One Piece: Unlimited World Red
Bravely Default: For the Sequel (JP edition)

Collector’s Note

Because support was so limited, the Circle Pad Pro ended up feeling like a strange footnote in Nintendo’s hardware history. That’s exactly why it’s fun to own — it’s a piece of “what could have been.” Some people grab them purely to complete a 3DS set, others to mod or experiment with homebrew.

Should You Buy One?

If you play any of the supported games — especially Monster Hunter, Kid Icarus, or Resident Evil Revelations — and you own the correct 3DS model, it’s worth trying. They’re not expensive, and they’re definitely a conversation starter for your collection.

If you’re just curious or you love Nintendo oddities, it’s one of those accessories that makes you smile every time you pull it out of a storage bin.

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