If you're planning to invest a ton of time on compatible games like Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising or Kingdom Hearts 3D, then the peripheral is worth a look if you can live with its drawbacks.

As ugly and cumbersome as it makes the 3DS, the Circle Pad Pro is actually a great-performing accessory that improves the control range of games that it's compatible with.

You need only play Resident Evil: Revelations with (and for comparison's sake, without) the Circle Pad Pro to appreciate just how essential that second analogue slider is. In that regard, this is a purchase that every 3DS owner is advised to make.

I haven't been using it for too long, but I gotta say, despite some annoyances, I like it!

I enjoy using it, despite niggling issues and having to carry it everywhere. I swear when this thing was announced I though it would be a disaster, but it works a lot better than I thought.

Buying a Circle Pad Pro will largely depend on how much you plan to play compatible games. If you know you’ll be sinking plenty of time on those and can live with the device’s drawbacks, then the Circle Pad Pro is certainly worth a look.