Don’t get me wrong, I like it when companies take risks and try new things, but I’m far from alone when I say I would much rather Nintendo release a traditional controller with its next console instead of a quirky motion controller or pseudo-tablet that lose their appeal after a few days. Unfortunately, that’s probably not going to happen, as a recently uncovered patent suggests that the Nintendo NX’s controller will be just as gimmicky and quirky as Nintendo’s last two controllers. The patent describes what’s essentially a oblong touchscreen with two grips and motion controls.
Nintendo patents are sprouting up like weeds. Yesterday we showed you ideas the House That Mario Built had for creating a network of devices to “increase the speed or quality of a user’s gaming experience,” and today a newly uncovered patent might give us the first look at the Nintendo NX controller. Patent application 20150355768 reveals a handheld device with a built-in, oblong screen that takes up the entire face of the device, and is capable of motion and touch-based controls. It has two clickable thumbsticks, two shoulder buttons, handle grips, and a card slot. What makes this particular patent interesting is how these aspects all come together and where they’re placed. There are no traditional face buttons, as the display in question would show context-sensitive prompts depending on what was happening in game. Imagine holding a controller where the X button only appears when you need it and you’re getting the idea. For a better sense of how this would work, compare the two images below, where a giant iguana who don’t want no trouble is accosted by a rotund cartoon humanoid.
