The trademark indicates the likely name for the 3DS add-on in western markets.
Nintendo has registered two trademarks pertaining to their Circle Pad add-on for the 3DS: "Circle Pad Pro" and the Japanese language phrase for "Slide Pad Expansion."
The shell, which adds not only a second Circle Pad but also a second set of shoulder buttons to the 3DS, has thus far only been officially announced for release in Japan. It is worth noting that "Circle Pad" is the name for the analog control on the 3DS outside of Japan. In Japan the 3DS analog control is called the Slide Pad.
The accessory will go on sale in Japan along with Monster Hunter 3G on December 10. In an interesting parallel, this is the second time Nintendo has used the Pro moniker for a device that adds analog control and shoulder buttons. The first, the Classic Controller Pro, launched with Monster Hunter Tri; 3G is a 3DS port of the Wii title.
Despite Nintendo not announcing any release details for the device outside of Japan, Capcom has indicated that the 3DS add-on will be available in America when they release Resident Evil: Revelations early next year.
