Topic: Could this be the NX's controller?

In the past 3 months there have been a few patents that have surfaced that might reveal what kind of controller we will be using with Nintendo's NX system. You've probably read about them, but if not here are the links in chronological order:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/12/sharp_gearing_up_to_...
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/09/haptic_feedback_pate...
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/12/fascinating_patent_s...

I've located some well done renders (courtesy of Neogaf thread "Nintendo Patent Application") of this concept (using VIta as the base), and I wonder what Nintendo Life thinks of these? Let's discuss.

Exhibit A: Much like the images in the latest patent, this render features virtual buttons (think smart phones) and two physical circle pads

Exhibit B: Instead of virtual buttons (with haptic feedback most likely), this features clear buttons (not sure if that's possible...)

Exhibit C: More realistic version of B with a less interesting game lol

Exhibit D: Shows the possible immersive benefit from the added screen space

My thoughts: Although the added screen doesn't add anything to gameplay, it looks a-mazing, and could add to the immersion (see Exhibit D). The downfall for me would be the virtual buttons with haptic feedback. While it would allow for customization by devs (see Exhibit A), I really like my buttons. If Nintendo announced something that looked like Exhibit B or C, I would be very very excited!

So, what are your thoughts on these patents and these renders? Is this too gimmicky, or just the right amount of innovation? More importantly, how do you feel about a console with very few physical buttons, as the patent indicated? These are exciting times!

Great! More screen means more smearing space.
I already struggle keeping my 3DSses clean enough. ^^
This is also one of the reasons I didn't get a smartphone to this point. This and that I don't like touchscreens for things that are small and require precision. Hence I am not in favor of virtual buttons on a handheld and would struggle to like that solution of picture 1. I probably trust Nintendo enough to buy it anyway, since their devices always had more or less good haptics.
I find the idea of the display pretty interesting. But would it really add anything to the gameplay?
Why are all of these editings of the PSVita?

I knew it would look cool as soon as I saw the patent. Many people clung to the lack of physical buttons, but I don't think Nintendo will get rid of those any time soon. Exhibit B would be very nice, though I too am not sure how possible that is. Another thing I wonder is the cost of a screen like that.

It's an interesting idea. I wonder if Nintendo is planning to use it.

One thing I have wondered is do we really need the D-pad? Isn't it really just a waste of space? The things it is usually used for could easily be a button or two.

Also, if this really is the controller, then it is almost certain that NX is an handheld IMHO. I don't really see that they will incorporate a second screen after all the backlash from wii u.

@Therad: Fair point, but I think the backlash was that the Wii U gamepad increased the cost of the system exponentially. Almost everyone who has owned a Wii U will tell you the 2nd screen experience is great. I had many great months playing Call of Duty in my bed back when I had a U. People just wished they had a choice because the console was, and still is too expensive for what you get. So while this concept controller would not be cheap, having a small, disk-less, box as the actual "console" would save them money on production. Not to mention the other recent patent that implies they will be leaving at least some of the computing to the cloud. That may also be a way for them to provide a high concept, powerful console at a reasonable price.

For big AAA games? Yeah, not essential. But for 2D games it's essential. And given that 2D games are still a large part of Nintendo's first party lineup on both portable and home console? Given that the Virtual Console is also a thing? Also remembering that 2D games are a large part of the (still growing) indie scene? I can't see them removing it.

I love the gamepad, but I also think it is woefully underused. If you are going to put in a new feature, use it. Otherwise it is just an added cost. Just such a simple thing as having it show a rear-view mirror in mk8. Or even better, make some strategy games which uses the touchscreen.

Cloud computing isn't really feasible for graphics. So what you can use it for are things like servers, map generation and maybe AI. It is really the graphics people are complaining about when they talk about power, because that is where they might notice a difference.

VC I sort of understand, but does the indie-scene really use it that much? Things like platformers works just as fine with an analog stick IMHO.

I don't think Nintendo will get rid of buttons, I mean, of a lot of or most of the buttons. It took them many years and 7 hardware variations but they FINALLY included on their portable all the buttons a "serious" gamer would expect: the New 3DS now has two control sticks -yeah, well-, a D-pad, 4 face button, and 4 finger buttons/triggers -again. maybe not optimal, but the available space is what it is- much like the GamePad and, say, a PlayStation controller.

Not including these controls would not only feel backwards at this point (and note this patent is previous to the New 3DS release, and it's just a patent, it doesn't have to show more than what it is covering) but it would also introduce something that Nintendo seems to be trying to avoid moving to the NX: fragmentation. Having another different set of controls means having to release different games or having to add completely different control schemes.

It seems they want to merge the two platforms, home and handheld, so they only have to make the same game once, reducing development times and production, distribution and marketing costs. Not a bad idea. Let's say in the future there won't be 2 Smash or 2 Hyrule Warriors games, one for the handheld and one for the home console, just one Smash or one Hyrule Warriors that you will be able to play in either console, with the home console version's output being enhanced thanks to extra power (better resolution or framerate, better models or textures, whatever). But how could this work if the two consoles' control schemes are completely different? Well, it could, but it would turn to be way more complex than it should, needing more resources and adding costs, and the user experience would also suffer (when you switch from one version to the other you have to play in a different way, not as smooth a transition as it could be). So if they are really aiming for integration, I bet we'll get the full control set. At least, it makes sense to me.

But who knows. I'm not going to tell Nintendo how to run their company anyway.

Hmm, its a cool idea but...I am not sure if its really practical or even really useful for the gaming experience. Port optimization could be a pain, And if its for a handheld, which the patent suggests, you can forget about 3DS backwards compatibility.

If they're going to go for this I think there has to be a physical d-pad and physical abxy buttons. A lot of Nintendo games require precision control, and no touch button can match a physical button. And I don't think a lot of people like the idea of playing Monster Hunter without buttons.

I mean if they can make it work great, but I think the LAST thing NX needs is a useless gimmick that just ends up increasing the hardware cost and complicating software development.

My guess is more like a portable device with a docking station for TV-play. But it is still not clear to me if and how blueray discs will be handled. If the system relies solely on SD cards, I do not thing backward compatibility will be possible and also the production cost for each game copy should be higher than blueray discs....

i'm not sure... seems like good idea. but as @webhead point out, how long could 3rd Parties be interested in the console, with the same solution as the Wii U is in.

@Aozz: I mean don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to stand out, but as we've seen with things like virtual boy and wii u, there is such a thing as being "too unique."

If there has to be a gimmick, just let it be the shared ecosystem thing. Let the exclusives and operating system be the big hooks.

Why use the Vita as a mock up form factor? Unless the controller is large like the Gamepad, handles are pretty much essential for extended play ergonomics.

I would picture something more like this, the controller used for Pokken Tournament arcade machines:

Those handles would be comfortable for playing long hours. The face is also wide enough to have a main 16:9 viewing area completely unobscured, with peripheral display partially obscured by thumbs and buttons.

Also, you're missing a couple of patents.
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/09/new_nintendo_control...

This one describes scrolls wheels, like on a mouse, at the shoulders of the controller. It also implies that they can be clicked in different directions, forward, backward, and down. That would be like having L1/2/3 and R1/2/3. It mentions various feedback modes too, which would be able to provide extreme precision for scrolling. Fine tuning aim, bow drawback, that sort of thing.

But then there was this one:
https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/09/fresh_nintendo_paten...

This suggests that the controller can be turned sideways to rotate the screen, like a tablet or phone. Also has potential for extended displays, side touch panels, and NFC. This is more likely for a handheld device or "third pillar" though.

You must not play 2D or fighting games.

no no no. i want real buttons not some touchscreen "haptic feedback" stuff

Don't get me wrong, I think it's unlikely Nintendo ditches abxy and the d-pad, but let's not forget the Wii. They've done it before, and it worked pretty well for them then. And we all know Nintendo feels they have to have a gimmick for every console these days. That being said, I would be pissed. In fact the thing I want the most is a standard controller like the PS4 . That and physical games.

"Gimmick" is just a buzzword for "feature I don't like." If it's a feature you do like, we call it an "innovation" instead. Kind of like how nobody complains about the 9-axis motion sensors of the Gamepad, because it's a really good innovation and should be the standard for every controller going forward. Other "gimmicks" by Nintendo were D-Pads, shoulder buttons, analog sticks, diamond face button layout, and analog triggers. But nobody calls those gimmicks anymore because the Dualshock lifted every single one of those ideas. Now they're "standard."

And the DS4 has a silly gimmick of its own - a giant touchpad that is either cumbersome or useless in almost every game. I wouldn't count on seeing it on the DS5.

@McGruber: but the Wii remote has a dpad on it.

But yeah again if they can make it work dandy. But if they think it might be too costly and complicate software development than they shouldnt.

I mean realistically itd probably have to match size and shape of the bottom half or closed new 3ds xl, as well as having a minimum resolution of 480p with decent pixel density for and enjoyable user experience.

Some releases from the last few years from the top of my head that are better played with the D-Pad:
Shovel Knight, Super Meat Boy, Braid, Limbo, SteamWorld Dig, Axiom Verge, Mighty Switch Force, Gunman Clive, Rayman Legends, Donkey Kong Country Returns, New Super Mario Bros, Yoshi's Woolly World...

I think you get the idea...

@SpookyMeths: there's gimmicky, then there's just plain bad controllers. As much as you can't have a conversation (on the Internet at least) about the Wii in particular or Wii U without that buzzword being thrown around, I would say that they were good controllers for the majority of games I've used them for, compared to Sony's controller for that gen which I just find plain annoying and uncomfortable, and even the 360's d-pad made 2D games borderline unplayable. As you say it's just people brandishing a word around because they think they're clever and they know what it means, when in reality it is the opposite.

I imagine if they went with it, a good name would be Nintendo View.