Prior to the Nintendo 3DS' launch, several news outlets picked up on a slightly worrisome issue with the upcoming handheld: its less-than-stellar battery life. Considering the platform's inherent portability, a valid concern. After all, if you're taking advantage of the device's small size and playing it on the go (as intended) the last thing you want to see is a low battery warning.
Nyko has released its own 3DS battery,the Power Pak+, for those gamers unimpressed with Nintendo's "3-to-5 hour" figure and eager to increase the time they can spend playing in the third dimension without recharging. But is it worth the additional cash?
Ars Technica walked away a believer in Nyko's replacement, giving it a clear-cut "Buy" verdict.
Testing the Power Pak+ under grueling conditions (3D scaler set to the max, speakers up, Wi-Fi on, and all power-saving features turned off), the site confirmed it held up for nearly 6 hours, noting, "with the stock battery, you'd be lucky to get three hours out of these conditions." It's safe to assume that under less stressful circumstances the battery would last even longer.
The battery does require some tinkering with the 3DS unit itself; the back panel must be unscrewed to attach it.
In addition to extending how long the handheld can survive on a single charge, the Power Pak+ packs on something else: additional weight. That must be where the "+" comes in. Reviewer Ben Kuchera pointed out that while the added bulk was noticeable, it didn't really detract from the system's ergonomic appeal.
Gaming news site Joystiq echoed the sentiments, saying "Nyko's battery does double the runtime of the 3DS."
The Nyko Power Pak+ costs $19.99 for the battery alone, or as part of a $29.99 bundle which includes a charging cradle. Currently, online retailer Amazon is out of stock.
