Nintendo Files Three New Patents - Hints Heavily At NX Features

More NX patents turn up in the wild - seemingly for the controller add-ons.

[BrandanT]

I don't know enough about tech if that helps or not.

[Shaun2k5]

It looks like the add on will use infrared to communicate with the console unit.

[BrandanT]

As long as it's low latency, I'll be fine with it.

[hillsht]

That does not help at all...thanks.

[Babadook7]

Hahahahahahaha

[MoveTheGlow]

The patent described here, if implemented, would help a ton with what Nintendo usually wants to do, which is change up how hardware works while accommodating various forms of play.

Think back to early 3DS days when Kid Icarus came out. That game was such a wrist-stretching compromise because the 3DS wasn't built for what Sakurai wanted it to be. They even tried to make a stand. A stand! For a portable console! Just for that game! Soon enough they made the New 3DS, which basically just helped with Monster Hunter as far as the new Circle Nub was concerned. They couldn't retrofit old games, either, so Kid Icarus was screwed. Even further back, think of the original DS, and how Metroid Prime Hunters was such a wreck because it didn't have a good dual analog control set. And yet, the DS itself was cool! It broke ground in gaming! Kirby Canvas Curse was amazing because it was made for that particular set of controls.

Having interchangeable sets of buttons interlock with a touchscreen console would enable various forms of play without killing other forms of play (when done right. Relying on third-parties is not the way to go, Apple!). Like, you want to play MonHun all day every day, here's a controller for that. If you want a phone-like touchscreen device for only Pokemon Go and you want it in your pocket, don't attach a controller. Put on this big giant controller wrapper for shooters, like a Splatoon sequel or *ohgodplease* a new Metroid game... or heck, it might work on a portable Dark Souls.

There's also... well, the opportunity to exploit this for a ton of cash. I hope they can keep the amount of controllers they sell to just what they need, and not go nuts with it.

Then again, maybe you'd finally have a way to have affordable special-edition versions of hardware, without having to buy yet another portable console itself (like with the sold-out-instantly Zelda ones).

[ScreenGurus]

I just hope that if they are going to offer up a multitude of controller add-ons - they come reasonably priced.

[blawren4]

Who knows, but sounds amazing. basically a pro controller with gyro that can be taken on the go or used without the screen for "regular controller". I hope this one is true. Maybe this is finally when we get gamecube games on the eshop, with a specific gamecube attachment and played on the go.

[Segata]

The console emits the light the add on simply reflects it. Latency would be no issue and Nintendo of all consoles makers is best at low latency. Vita to PS4 for example is much higher latency than Gamepad on Wii U.

[-Foxtrot]

That controller and add on....urgh

[Shaun2k5]

I'd say it's not indicative of the final design. At least to God I hope not.

[Metallox]

It's not an indication, it just gives you an idea.

[TheCommentator]

Metallox, what's the difference between an indication and an idea? Neither tells you exactly what's going on. A blueprint, OTOH...

[affrogamer]

DOA!

[Metallox]

Commentator, yes, a blueprint, so it's not an indication of the final design of the device, but rather, it just gives you an idea of how the final product will work, come on.

[Immorals]

Nintendo, they never learn :(.

I can see NX being Nintys last home console if the NX bombs sadly. They'll stick to handhelds

[LAWSON72]

If Nintendo needs to make a more powerful PS4 to stay relevant whats the point of them making consoles anyway? Shouldn't they just be third party.

Let them be imaginative and try to strive for new unique experiences that cant be found anywhere else because Sony and MS are not going to provide that.

[RosweeSon]

No they teach.
I'm not liking the look of it tho won't lie, I'm all for innovation but revision for the sake of difference just use a pro controller or that screen with no buttons things but add a couple of triggers and with the sticks I dunno.

Still all to be revealed and I clearly ain't got a clue but I'm all for a great new add on and a reason to bolt something on to the console or get an addition accessory ie gameboy camera was pretty cool, never got the printer, PlayStation had the little PlayStation minis think they were mainly Japan only maybe a limited release elsewhere and other cool adds on's over the year and future ones as PSVR looks pretty cool don't think I'll be day one but we'll see got one pre ordered in case but yeah those pictures just look like an iPhone or tablet with buttons bolted on the side like Lego haha. Not exactly the world shattering new way to play I was expecting from Nintendo but maybe this is just a future add on to interstate all their upcoming mobile apps into the new Console hope this isn't the new controller.

[NatureOfLogic_]

NX is not even a home console.

[SirBradders]

You see i don't think so, there handheld devices are smashing it so if they can draw in that crowd. keep there dedicated console fans and attract intrigued people then I think this will do well.

Thats Nintendo thinking I'm sure and remember Nintendo strive on being different.

[Idiedgoodbye]

Mabe this is the handheld we just don't know it yet

[_-EDMIX-_]

Whos to say NX isn't already a handheld and wii u was their last dedicated console?

[MoveTheGlow]

Patents like this are illustrated like crap on purpose - everything except what the patent is for needs to be super generic and nondescript. They're meant to describe one specific thing and give absolutely no indication of what a final designed product would look like, with the exception of maybe how it's plugged in. In this case, you'd probably see nothing like the controller you're seeing in practice.

This is why patent hype kinda sucks.

[Christopher]

My issue with the patent is that it specifies 4 input elements (buttons on the attached controller portion) rather than a single throughput that could be applied to more than just 4 input elements. This limits what could be made to be attached greatly.

I'm going to assume that this type of thing is being done solely to control hardware on the device while allowing 'special design' hardware to be made such as a Pokemon controller faceplate without having to buy a whole new system or an entire controller.

[bouzebbal]

Come on man that's just a sketch showing the principe of connection, not a detailed design.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

@ Ed
Nintendo.
Nintendo's the one who said the NX is a console. Ages ago.
You can hope and pray with all your little heart, but they're not going to exit dedicated hardware over one recent failure on the tail end of a far larger success.

[DeeBeers]

In terms of power if the rumors are true it wont be that much stronger than WiiU. In fact, I wouldnt be surprised if they kept supporting WiiU with the new titles (since sales of their 1st party games like smash bros have exceeded 4mil, which is nothing to scoff at)

bottom of the line, I might be OK sticking with my WiiU to play NX games. That would be great IMO.

[LAWSON72]

From the rumors, do not expect this thing to run Wii U games, natively anyway, and vice versa. Heck rumors say this thing used cartridges.

[Sirk7x]

Flash storage is much superior to discs these days. Read speeds on lasers are too slow, that's why you have to install every game you own on your HDD on the Xbox and PS4. It's getting cheaper to manufacture as well, and you save on hardware costs by having less moving parts.

[ScreenGurus]

I'd be curious to see if they bring any Wii U games across in remake fashion. There's a number of great Wii U games that were overlooked because of the Wii U's lak of sales - perhaps they'll get another jolt of life on the NX.

[Segata]

totally different architecture tho.

[hillsht]

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think Nintendo is fucking up with a mobile video chip and the "take your games with you" concept. They already own the handheld space and it's been years since they've released a truly legit home console.

[DeeBeers]

I dont think that battery power and network range are at a place where a portable home console is even remotely practical at this point.

[LAWSON72]

I am excited to see what experiences they can cook up with the hybrid nature of the system. I think there is more to the system than just a new handheld that can be viewed on a TV.

[TXIDarkAvenger]

Seems like a smart move on one hand. They dominate the handheld market but not the console market so they merge the best of both worlds into one device. Even if its not a good console, Nintendo has always delivered when it comes to handhelds.

[NotEvenMyFinalForm]

attaching buttons to a tablet is hardly original.

[josephayal]

My expectations are very low, I feel like people are way over hyping the system

[Fist4achin]

I think if Nintendo does come out with A home console with a good mobility aspect could be badass. I hope they have figured out by now that their handheld division is their bread and butter.

[NatureOfLogic_]

"I think if Nintendo does come out with A home console with a good mobility aspect could be badass."

NX is nothing more than a tablet that is able to connect to your TV. It will be treated as a HH by most developers. It's far from anything special, innovative or badass.

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Nothing you've said is confirmed as fact.
Not one single bit.

[LuckyChamCham]

Wooooo!!! Go Nintendo!!!

[Ristul]

You better give the option of a pro controller Nintendo...

[Destiny1080]

its all becoming clearer

the good: the rolls Royce of portables
the good: it plays Nintendo games
the good: faster load times due to game cartridges

the bad: probably wont play android games
the bad: heavy and cumbersome
the bad: its weak compared to ps4 never mind the neo
the bad: cartridge based games might keep prices higher for longer
the bad: it wont play wiiu games
the bad: it wont fit in your pocket
the bad: it wont have a 1080p screen {prove me wrong Nintendo}

[danny818]

let wait till the announcement.

[NotoriousWhiz]

The bad: it doesn't toast bread.

[RyanShutup]

Not confirmed bro. o__O

[LAWSON72]

Game prices on Nintendo systems are already high.

If cartridges make the list why not at least acknowledge the wonderful load times that come with them

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

Various sites have discounts for Nintendo's games all the time, and that's not even including the Nintendo Selects line.

Nintendo's games always being "too expensive" isn't as true as it used to be anymore, much less as true as certain gamers would lead us to believe.

[ScreenGurus]

I don't think we should jump to negatives just yet. Proof of concept is one thing but we haven't seen what the final form factor will be.

[gamerswin24]

These patents rarely relate in real time to what features a soon to be released console will have. Alot of times these patents stay in the hands of R@D forever. NX is soon upon us so i doubt this is for that at this point.

[ScreenGurus]

Indeed. I just found them very interesting as they tie in with the established narrative of the rumours we heard from Eurogamer

[gamerswin24]

No, i agree it is great information and of course its a possibility that they will implement some of this later on.

Thanx for sharing.

[danny818]

youve got to be kidding me. I hope its not the final design.

[ScreenGurus]

I suspect the diagrams are just there for benefit of the patent.

[feraldrgn]

Looks like a tablet with a button add-on, ugh.

[spoilerjerk]

Nintendo has made it impossible to support what they do for a few generations now and if leaks/rumors are true I think this will be their last console all together. I might be in the minority but I would be OK with a Nintendo console as powerful as the PS4 running Mario/Zelda/Metroid and of course Mario Kart but for the Wii and Wii U we continue to get gimped versions of those franchises to accommodate goofy peripherals. The reason the PS4/Xbox style controllers work in all their variations is because they aren't broken... there is no need to fix something that doesn't need fixing. Maybe I need to accept the fact that I'm not the target demographic of Nintendo anymore and that my days of those franchises are long gone. Putting the pieces together of some of the more believable leaks shows that Nintendo found a way to make the problems of the Wii U even worse which is amazing.

[superchiller]

More gimmicks incoming! Will Nintendo ever learn that people don't want to have to have to struggle with their poor gimmicks just to play games?

[ScreenGurus]

I do worry about how viable the device will be 2-3 years if it ends up being a tablet. Mobile technology moves so fast - it's hard to believe how the device could remain viable.

[Segata]

If Nintendo cured cancer you would still come to a Nintendo article to bash them.

[superchiller]

None of their poor gimmicks are going to "cure cancer", much less make gaming a better experience. That's their entire problem, they've lost sight of the purpose of gaming hardware, to actually play games, not wrestle with silly gimmicks.

[Retroman]

From the blue print it look like wii U pad with detachable controller. why not call it wii-nxU

[ScreenGurus]

Knowing Nintendo - it'd be called the Nu-Wii-U

[GoldenElf]

I doubt the result will be some kind of modular controller design.

Far more likely this is either directly for the Nintendo 3DS Circle Pad Pro, or is an evolution of that.

From what I gather, it looks like a way to connect a controller to a console using IR, which is exactly how the Circle Pad Pro works.

[opinionated]

Come on Nintendo! Stop slacking.

[R3DRAIN89]

Looks like failure.

[fanboysmackdown]

My disinterest level in Nintendo's new gizmowidgetgimmick device is at an all time high.

[Segata]

No it's not as you were interested enough to comment.

[Artemidorus]

So basically a WiiU controller similarities but now you can disconnect the buttons.

This followed by mobile gaming and the lesser spec to me is a future flop.

[2cents]

Good luck Nintendo. Sorry to say but it looks like you are gonna need it.
I will still buy an NX because #gaming, but I don't know how much mileage I will get out of it. My WiiU is a dust collecting desk ornament.

[melonfarm3r]

You don't even need to read the comments. You already know what the two reactions to this will be.

Take a breath everybody. Namaste.

[andibandit]

All it needs now are some wheels

[gedden7]

Anyone see this???? http://finance.yahoo.com/ne... AMD BABY!!!

[PeroxideBloom]

Created an account just to say good catch! The NVIDIA rumours seemed so strong too. Just another reminder, we can speculate all we want, but in the end, Nintendo has the final word. Also, this is from the article linked above for those who care:

"AMD, which competes with Intel (INTC) and NVIDIA (NVDA) in the CPU (central processing unit) and GPU (graphics processing unit) market, dominates the gaming console market. It’s the sole supplier of semi-custom processors for Japan-based (EWJ) Sony’s (SNE) PlayStation 4 and Microsoft’s (MSFT) Xbox. It has also won an order for Nintendo’s upcoming console, codenamed “NX.”"

[Quetzll]

This needs more attention.

[Neonridr]

taken from the article:

"The accessory includes a housing, a movable operation section, and a movable portion. An inside of the housing is visible from an outside thereof through at least a portion thereof. At least a portion of the operation section is exposed on the outside of the housing. The movable portion is placed at a position inside the housing that is visible from the outside of the housing through the portion of the housing. A position and/or an attitude of the movable portion changes in response to the operation section being operated."

:/

imagine being the person that has to write up this stuff? :P

[Mega_Volnutt]

That controller patent looks like a cluster f@ck. I told you guys this will be Ninty's last home console. It's like they are covering their ears yelling lalalalala! and then drops another gimmicky tarded console smh. I think it will fail even harder than WiiU. The WiiU hasn't a got any 3rd party AAA game in years, I have never seen a pathetic game drought like this on a Nintendo console, not even on my beloved Gamecube. Nintendo need to fire key PR staff and seriously change their business policies, if they want to survive in the console market.

[Whymii]

What if their concept are buttons that you can place anywhere on the screen that give the feel of actual buttons? This would fit with the original patents and Miyamoto's E3 assertion about "copiers" as this would be an easy thing for other companies to quickly copy.

[pinkystinkinc]

its all about the games , and with handheld and console game development all combined for one system there will be ds amount games not wii u type droughts , if the nx is designed to compete with mobile market then nintendo is gonna make a ton of money while sony and microsoft are still fighting for scraps in the wrong arena

[wonderfulmonkeyman]

"Hints Heavily At NX Features"

No.
No, they do not.
There are MANY patents that never see the light of day as parts of an actual product, and these are just as likely as any other, if not more-so, to never see themselves implemented.
People are jumping on this BS left and right and it's gotten really f****** stupid.