[Update: It's legit. That's your first look at the 3DS's new second analog nub cradle, set for release alongside Monster Hunter (Tri) 3G. Via @miladesn.]
In the past hour, not one, not two, but three major gaming news outlets have posted stories reportedly gleaned from the latest issue of Famitsu (though no scans have popped up yet for confirmation). First up is word that a new Monster Hunter title is coming to the 3DS this year in Japan. Called Monster Hunter (Tri) 3G, this adaptation of Monster Hunter Tri will reportedly feature 12 weapon classes, underwater battles, local multiplayer, potential online components, a new "cover monster" named Blakidos, and compatibility with the 3DS's new second circle pad attachment.
It's this nub that already has fans, still watching and waiting for confirmation of this rumor, ready to freak out. The attachment is rumored to also include a trigger, and will sit next to the 3DS's X, Y, A, and B buttons. If this rumor is true, it would make those other rumors of a dual-analog 3DS redesign all the more plausable.
Are you enraged over the prospect of a second circle pad? If so, will you please record a video of yourself angrily discussing the matter, spouting the word "nub" as frequently as possible, and leave it in the comments? Let's revel in the fact that the videogame industry is the only place where nubs can cause deep feelings of hatred!
Contest:
10:40 PM on 09.06.2011 | 
Its probaly for left handed people...
Although, if this MH only has local multiplayer, Capcom can forget it. There's no good excuse for lack of online multiplayer from Capcom given two 3DS releases from them have had online play.
Also, either give me the nub for free, or bundle it with a game (like Monster Hunter) and I'll be alright.
1. The circle pad is only there to make games that require it and the touch screen easier for left-handed people.
2. Future games will have options for both single and dual-stick control.
I'm gonna wait it out a year or two and see if enough games support it first, It's a little big and ugly, but if it's comfortable and works good then I'll deal with it.
IF THE REVISION SO CLOSE TO LAUNCH IS TRUE THEN I'M PISSED.
"It really is irritating to think about this RUMOR and realize that Nintendo got $250 of my money and I got NOTHING in return. And no, free games from 15-20 years ago do not count."
Umm...you did get a 3DS. It's not like you just gave them your money and the box was empty...:P
Also Holmes, remember when you predicted that which ever handheld had Monster Hunter would sell like crazy in Japan? Are you a wizard?
"Ewww....."
And if you don't believe it just look at Wii Motion Plus. First it was an add-on, now it's built in to every controller.
@DanielCampbell
When, in the sweet history of ANYTHING, has being an early adopter ever been an ironclad promise that you'd get what you paid for? Early DVD players cost hundreds upon hundreds of dollars for DVDs which were markedly inferior to the products which were put out in the following years.
Now, let's count 'em.
Nintendo DS iterations: 3 (4 with DSi XL)
Nintendo GBA iterations: 3
Nintendo Gameboy iterations: 4 (including the GBC)
So basically, every Nintendo handheld ever has gone through multiple iterations. What in the sweet holy hell made you think that the Nintendo 3DS would be any different?
You knew it didn't have many titles on the horizon when you paid your $250. You also knew that Nintendo had a well-established history of releasing newer, better iterations of their handhelds as the market situation changed.
You have nobody to blame but yourself.
To be fair each of those systems started their first iteration almost two years after the release of the device.
The bulky roundyness of that nub attachment is giving me Game Gear vibes...
And not in the "I loved that system to pieces as a kid" way.
I fail to see the issue. As long as it's reasonably priced (no clue what that would be for something like this), then I have no problem with it.
A gigantic surge in 3DS sales in Japan will be totally unrelated to the Monster Hunter thing though. TOTALLY.
I dunno, I mean you've got people that already paid $80 more than they needed to for the handheld, and now they're being asked to buy a second analog stick (nub sounds creepy) in addition to that. Maybe it's not a big deal, depending on how much the accessory costs, but I can see how someone might be feeling a little burned right now. Such is life, I suppose.
Seriously, I'm so ecstatic right now.
The nub attachment is interesting though. Really the only reason it's necessary for the 3DS is for FPS's and 3rd person action games like Monster Hunter, and I'm guessing most of the FPS's will go for Vita as their developers (usually) focus on graphics more than anything else. Though I have to say I wouldn't mind playing a couple of FPS's in 3d.
Which brings me to my next point. I don't mind this attachment so long as it's comfortable but one question is how this will affect it's portability. It doesn't really look all that compact and I do walk around with my 3DS in my back pocket quite a bit. I don't want to have to purchase a European handbag so I can take this thing on the go, depending on what I'm playing at the moment.
Their flailing and lack of confidence in their product is infectious and it's, honestly, kinda sad to watch.