On this week’s instalment of Extreme Dentistry…

The addition of a circle pad certainly makes the 3DS feel like a step up from its immediate predecessor. However, for an entire generation of gamers, only dual thumb controllers are seen to provide the full range of movement required. Cognisant of this, Nintendo has found a way to bring just such a feature to its nascent handheld.

The latest issue of Japanese gaming bible Famitsu (via Kotaku) confirms that Nintendo plans to release a new circle pad attachment alongside Capcom’s Monster Hunter 3G. The peripheral, which will cradle the 3DS, will not only add a second (slightly smaller) circle pad, but also a number of shoulder buttons.

Now that the product is ‘out there’, will other developers seek to incorporate it into their own plans? Could this be, as Kotaku has suggested, merely an interim solution ahead of a full hardware revision? Why are the Japanese obsessed with Monster Hunter? These are the big questions.

NanoBITES captures those small but important morsels of gaming information that otherwise might slip between the cracks.

ITEM! Square Enix has confirmed that an expansion is in the works for action RPG Dungeon Siege III. Treasures of the Sun will feature new quests, creatures and environments as well as an increased level cap, when it arrives on 360, PS3 and PC in October.

ITEM! Petroglyph has pinned down a release date for its forthcoming free-to-play MOBA title Rise of Immortals. This fantasy themed action game will launch on PC on Monday 12 September.

ITEM! Dragon Quest X is to be released on the Wii U as well as the Wii, Square Enix confirmed today. As reported by Andriasang, the long awaited fantasy RPG will be online focused and the two versions will boast cross compatibility.

ITEM! The first wave of DLC has been announced for multiplatform cyberpunk sequel Deus Ex: Human Revolution. According to publisher Square Enix, The Missing Link will see protagonist Adam Jensen uncover “another layer to the conspiracy”. Look for it in October.

ITEM! The latest Burnout game is set to arrive on XBLA and PSN on Tuesday 20 September. Inspired by a much loved mode from the second game in the series, Burnout Crash will challenge players to inflict as much damage as possible on vehicles and property.

Interest in Techland’s Dead Island was initially generated from its first cinematic trailer. The pre-rendered offering was unusual in that it tapped into the viewers’ emotions to remind them of the true underlying horror of a zombie outbreak.

While this recent trailer is comprised of footage captured in-game, it continues with its efforts to navigate the same emotional undertone. This time around we witness a barrage of different zombie slaying techniques and a variety of characters make an appearance to provide some back story (warning: those Australian accents are back).

What really leaves an impression from this trailer is the visuals on show. If the trailer is faithful, Dead Island looks jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Footage depicting zombies being shot down, electrocuted, and beheaded in truly spectacular fashion is simply to die for.

With the amount of gore on show, one cannot help but wonder how the title makes its way to Australian shelves this week unscathed. Dead Island will be available on PC, 360 and PS3.

The winner of Epic Games’ Make Something Unreal Contest is to receive a commercial release. Created by an international team headed by Michael Hegemann, The Haunted: Hells Reach will be published by THQ budget division ValuSoft (which apparently reduced overheads by dropping the ‘e’ from its name).

This blood drenched third person shooter will pit up to four players against the misshapen denizens of the underworld, or as the press release uncharitably describes them, “the forces of evil”.

The game will feature four modes of play across eight environments and there will be a strong emphasis on upgradable weaponry. ValuSoft are promising to deliver more than 20 enemy types. If the trailer is any guide, most will fall into the hapless cannon fodder category, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

The Haunted: Hells Reach is due for release on PC in October, with XBLA and PSN versions to follow in 2012.