Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro will have 480-hour battery life, available February 7

Gamers let out a collective groan when Nintendo announced that a new peripheral was on the way to give its new 3DS handheld console an additional circle pad. This pad provides better control by making it easier for players to look around in-game worlds and make minute adjustments that aren't achievable otherwise. The accessory — called the Circle Pad Pro — can't draw power from the console, meaning it needs its own battery in order to function. Now that the add-on is making its way into gamers' hands in other territories, we're learning more about the device, including a reported 480-hour lifespan from a single AAA battery.

This figure was allegedly taken from the accessory's user manual, meaning it's probably just a ballpark estimate of real-world usage. Still, even if that number is cut in half, that's a ton of gaming enjoyment without the inconvenience of swapping batteries. Gamers in the United States have a bit of a wait before the add-on hits store shelves on February 7, so hopefully that generous battery stat remains the same for their trip over the pond. 

Despite a history of crafting the most sought-after handheld gaming systems ever, Nintendo has had a bit of a rough time getting the new 3DS console into consumers' hands. The console got off to a good start at launch, but sales quickly tumbled, leading to a drastic price cut. Launching an accessory that some games may require in order to be played might not be the best move for the struggling platform, but only time will tell.

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