Rumour - Twin-stick 3DS hardware revision inbound

Sources claim Nintendo has its first 3DS hardware revision in the works, with a decreased emphasis on 3D and additional controls.

The news comes from 01net; the French site's sources have previously proven reliable by supplying the codename Project Cafe to the Wii U.

Claiming a Nintendo insider as source, the site reports the new model will launch in 2012, will "radically tone down" the system's 3D capabilities, and be sold under a different name.

Nintendo is reportedly becoming nervous about the console's major selling point - its 3D display. The source suggested fears of eye damage are still restricting sales, and the platform holder has reversed its position to welcome games without 3D elements.

A second analog stick is on the cards, too; Nintendo engineers are said to be working on an add-on for the original 3DS console, providing a second analog circle to the base hardware, which will retail for around $10. Nintendo has allegedly asked developers to begin producing games for the system designed for twin analog controls.

Despite this push for new games, the source describes Nintendo's third-party approval process as time-consuming, costly and arbitrary, making it difficult for developers to get their games. A lack of developer kits, apparently now produced by Tokyo Electric and Marubeni at a rate of around 300 per month, has apparently resulted in a long waiting list.

Thanks, 1UP.