Nintendo 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro available for pre-order through official Nintendo store

The Circle Pad Pro add-on for Nintendo 3DS XL is now available for pre-order in North America through ShopNintendo, the official online store for Nintendo of America.

While no official announcement has been made about its availability, Nintendo's online store lists the accessory at $19.99. The Circle Pad Pro, which adds a second analog circle pad and additional shoulder buttons, is expected to ship beginning Friday, April 19.

Nintendo announced the extra-large Circle Pad Pro add-on last summer, shortly after the announcement of the Nintendo 3DS XL itself. The device was released in Japan on Nov. 15, 2012, and is compatible with select 3DS games, including Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Resident Evil: Revelations, Metal Gear Solid 3D Snake Eater and Kid Icarus: Uprising.

For another look at the 3DS XL Circle Pad Pro, check out our hands-on impressions and photos of the device from Tokyo Game Show 2012.