Nintendo patent for a free-form display touchscreen controller may hint at Nintendo NX

Nintendo Signage — Nintendo signage is displayed at the company's booth at the 2014 Electronic Entertainment Expo, known as E3, in Los Angeles, California June 11, 2014. Reuters/Kevork Djansezian

Nintendo has filed a patent for a new game controller design, sparking new discussions and speculations for the upcoming Nintendo NX console. The patented design affirms a couple of previous reports on the build and look for the Nintendo NX, even though the console’s name was not mentioned in the document.

As seen in the patent filing via Free Patents Online, the design looks inspired by touchscreen technology. This follows previous expectations that the NX console controller will be equipped with a second screen functionality and a hybrid handheld setup.

As seen in the images, the controller has an elliptical display. Aside from a pair of grips and pair of control sticks at both sides, the display covers almost the entire front surface. Unlike the traditional controllers, there are no pushbuttons available on the new design. Similar to how users will play games on a touchscreen smartphone, the patented Nintendo controller will use touchscreen to control the in-game options.

The inputs are placed near the joystick. If this design turns into a controller for Nintendo’s NX Console, it will be interesting to see inputs will be activated by tilting the stick or pressing it down. One of the patent images clearly shows that there are three-item icons positioned around each stick. These icons can be selected by tilting the stick itself in the same direction. Previously, The Verge reported that Nintendo and Sharp have teamed up to produce "Free-Form Display" technology. Now, the patent shows exactly the same kind of designs in images.

Finally, the patent shows the controller’s ability to display older version of games. The design is just a patent at this moment. The patent design isn’t necessary the final design for the controller. But, still the design hints a lot that Nintendo could go with it for their next console controller.

No official words are there to confirm that the technology available in the images will actually be put to use in developing the next NX controller. But, the patient and the series of events offer some information about what Nintendo is planning.

Contact the writer at feedback@ibtimes.com.au, or let us know what you think below.