User blog comment:Plexioth- xD/Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate/@comment-3005793-20111004014054/@comment-4004960-20111004161650

The attachment sorta works like the classic controllor for the wii. It adds an additional play style to some games but is in no way needed. By all reports Nintendo was presured into making it spacifically at Capcoms request and may be part of the reason we are getting Both 3G and MH4 exclusively for the 3DS. As far as a redesign. Don't exspect to see one for at least 2-3 more years. The slide pad attachement is just an aditional periphrial. Game systems get those all the time and nintendo has already said they have no intention of making it mandatory for any game.. Just an option.