Nintendo NX Rumors: Patent Leak Shows Alleged Controller
A Nintendo patent filing has recently leaked showing what appears to be the controller for the gaming giant's Nintendo NX.
What is reported to be the controller element for the upcoming gaming console, Nintendo NX, has leaked online showing a diagram featuring rotational shoulder buttons doubling as scroll wheels.
The illustration was found in a patent allegedly filed by Nintendo, giving users a glimpse of a console that, when launched, will give players a "higher degree of freedom."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
While Nintendo has declined to comment on the patent, which was reported as having been submitted earlier this year, illustrations it contained depicts an innovative look at a stripped-down game pad with only two buttons in front, relying heavily on the rotating shoulder buttons that appear as wheels that can either be rotated or scrolled.
Based on the patent description, the rotational parts can either be rotated with a thumb if held one-handed, or with two index fingers if held in the traditional way using both hands. The patent application also explains the game pad can be used alone as a handheld gaming device, or as a game controller attached to another device or console.
Unlike other Nintendo handheld models, the minimal button controller focuses more on moving its rotational shoulders, an innovative approach the company may be shifting to in an attempt to evolve, and even shake up, the way video games are played.
While not all patents filed see the light of manufacture and eventual release to the public, it has been rumored the leaked patent is likely to be launched as the Nintendo NX, which is expected to make its debut in 2016.
Other rumors suggest the new game pad console will include several hardware components forming an integrated ecosystem to support cross play, allowing players to play together or against each other using different gaming platforms.
The cross platform multiplayer rumor was further strengthened by a previous announcement from Nintendo saying its next console would be a platform game pad.
