Just in case you haven't seen all this yet, Japanese games magazine Famitsu has revealed photos of a new controller add-on for the Nintendo 3DS. The device slides on to the side of the console, providing a second analogue control stick and another set of shoulder buttons. It seems the first title to benefit from the curious pad will be a 3DS version of Capcom's hit Monster Hunter. According to Japan-watching blog, Andriasang, the game will be an updated version of Monster Hunter 3 on the Nintendo Wii.

The news follows rumours that Nintendo is set to launch a revision of the 3DS console next year. French news site, 01net, recently claimed that the manufacturer was preparing an announcement about the refreshed console, which could well de-emphasise the glasses-free 3D feature that was intended as the device's key selling point, but which caused controversy immediately after its launch for allegedly making a number of users feel ill.

Edge magazine has received confirmation from Nintendo that the controller device – known as the slide pad – is genuine, but the company has yet to comment on speculation about a full 3DS re-design. With the Tokyo Game Show kicking off next week, it could be that an official reveal is pending. Also, Nintendo is holding a 3DS-themed press conference in Tokyo on 13 September.

In July, Nintendo announced that it was dropping the price of the console by almost a third to boost interest.

So, the 'slide pad'... it's erm, it's not very pretty is it?

More scans can be found here, courtesy of Develop.