Nintendo Files New Patent For Hinged Joy-Con Controller

I could see a little more ergonomics here, but it doesn't seem this could make a significant difference

I can't see any advantage in this. Means a longer stretch for thumb maybe.

Certainly more ergonomic pointing the joy-con at the screen. Less stress on the wrist. Maybe they figured a way to bring back light gun games?

Or (even crazier) together with those foldable screens we could see a flip-top Switch.

Ok, ok, it's just more comfier on the thumb. Fine.

Why stop there, let’s make both halves separate pieces.

Rails and slots everywhere!

Remind me of a vr controllers
I believe this, with couple of other things they announced or leaked lately, we will get a new real vr headset soon

Will the drift be a thing of the past with this newly said rumored patent.

Still hoping for a Switch 2 (Pro)

The graphics on the game on screen need a bit of work

@BigE is that the Breath of the Wild 2 screenshot? Or a fantasy sequal to West of Loathing?

How about a patent for not drifting joy cons?

At first I only noticed the hinge section, but that joycon on the right in the side view image looks like the whole outer shell able to curve, so I’m not sure if both those images are related to the same design.

Also, the joycon head is represented differently in both those images. Maybe the left image is designed to work with existing Switch units, and the right is for whole new system.

I'm not sure we really needed this, but I'm willing to try. Hopefully it doesn't come with any drifting issues.

More things that can break easily

I use a grip currently with mine and I don't see how this could help without support under the fingers, you'll still end up with cramps.

I remember when they filled a patent for the 3ds and everyone took it as just another patent until it was announced

It seems joycons will be made of plastcin !

Remember guys, this is just a patent.
A finished product does not nessacarily look exactly like this.
These kind of pictures are just showing an idea.

I mean there are even two different versions of JoyCons on this patent alone and it is not that likely that Nintendo will release both (though not impossible, of course).

It's save to say that Nintendo is developing some kind of curve JoyCon design though.

I like it, now if only it had a d-pad

This design makes the Switch more aero-dynamic so it drifts further.

What could this even be used for?? Maybe its linked to that ring thing from earlier? But this seems pointless an a guaranteed way to get your fingers pinched.

I’m pretty sure from the pictures that the JoyCon itself is not hinged, only the part that slots into the rail of the Switch. This would definitely make it a lot stronger, but less portable...

So, no more labo ??

The only thing the joycons and the pro controller for that matter are missing, is an analogue trigger. that's all.

The only thing the joycons and the pro controller for that matter are missing, is an analogue trigger. that's all.

Still no d-pad on left joycon...

It needs to be wider from the outter edges.

The joy con is an ergonomic nightmare.

Man, new Zelda is looking DOPE.

@Liam_Doolan It doesn’t look like it allows for user adjustment of the angle at all - it just looks like the upper part of the connection rail can align with the angle of the controller when detached and then move straight for connecting to the Switch... The angle of the controller itself does not appear to be able to change - only the connection rail.

@TheUltimateFaker As mentioned above - the controller does not appear to change angles.. only the connection rail to allow it to sit flush with the controller when it’s detached and angle to a straight position to conmect to the Switch.. the article (as often I feel with Nintendolife) has miss-interpreted the information.

I hoped for a pro-joycon, meant for single player / handheld use with superior ergonomics, but i kinda fixed my issues with joystick caps and a circle-dpad addon.

My HORI Split Pad Pro (Daemon X Machina Edition) ships next week and can just forget about JoyCons in general.

Just put in my ticket to get the free drift repairs (See how that goes) Keep them for the rare times I use my Switch at home.

Just wanted to give everybody a heads up; I bought the new Switch SKU after my original was stolen, and within 2 weeks of purchase the joycons were already drifting.
Just wanted to update in case you were wondering if they'd fixed it.

But why? Having it angled would just make the joy con even less comfortable.

Wii emulation?

This is for labo if anyone is wondering, it is the only thing that makes sense.

No thanks, I like what I have.

@Hughesy Of course they redesigned it to be less comfortable and useful. That's probably why they bothered to patent it - wouldn't want anyone to steal that idea!

You can't get the joystick to work properly: but sure, throw hinges in the mix! xD

Yay more tiny parts at risk of breaking

It's an interesting idea, but...I admittedly haven't always had the best luck with NIntendo's hinged devices. coughDScough

@WynnThornton Looking at the diagram, there’s no hinge in the controller.. only the rail. The controller appears fixed in the angle.

The real news here is that on the second image we see a Switch with smaller bezels.

This is strange and I don't like the idea of my thumbs needing to stretch more to push Up. Will be interesting to see if this ever gets made, and how it is applied.

Everyone's talking about the ergonomics of the Switch not being great...it's almost as if we didn't spend 30 years playing handheld games on flat pieces of plastic exactly like the Switch. No one complained the 3DS was too flat to be ergonomic. The Switch has curved edges on the back of the Joy-Con to make it easier to hold. They're fine.

@Spiders So you think that looks comfortable? Companies patent rubbish all the time, doesn't mean its good... In what weird world would having the analog stick and buttons angled away from you be comfortable.

@Hughesy I trust the hardware developers at Nintendo more than my (or your) first glance impression at a crude sketch.

Also, the Oculus Touch and the Pokken controller both angle the hand like that and they're very comfortable and help with precision - so this weird world haha.

@GrailUK Wouldn't they just release a plastic gun shell for light gun games as they did with the Wii? At the same time, may they please bring us more light gun games and a great plastic shell like the Nyko Quickshot.

@The-Chosen-one This just gave them the wiggle room for the Switch XL and beyond..

@technotreegrass Haha. I guess. (Hey, if I had great ideas, I would be working at Nintendo's R&D!)

Pro system, Pro System = Metroid Prime V.R

yeah more parts to break, more money for Nintendo!

@phanboy Nintendo's been making really really really reliable hinges for many years now. I'm not worried about durability on this. Though I also don't think it'll be a retail product as-is.

This does put a smile on my face