A newly-discovered Nintendo patent suggests that the company may be planning to release a new form of Joy-Con style controller.
The patent, which was originally filed in May 2018 and then registered this April, shows several images of a controller design that looks very similar to the Joy-Con found on current Switch consoles. While the control stick, face buttons and shoulder buttons are practically identical to the current model, this secondary design does have some noticeable differences.
You'll spot that the '+' and '-' buttons which usually help to indicate whether a Joy-Con is designed to fit into the left or right side of the console appear to have been removed, as well as the connectors which help to click them into place on the Switch's main unit.
Whether this design will ever make it to market is currently unknown, but one potential theory is that this could be a new controller for the rumoured 'Switch Pro', a more powerful version of the Switch that some believe to be on the horizon. If a new, beefed-up Switch model was dedicated to TV only - like an opposite form of the handheld-only Switch Lite - perhaps a controller like this would be the perfect fit?
If Nintendo does announce any plans to launch a new controller design, or indeed a new Switch console, we'll share all the news as it happens right here. Until then, let us know if you'd like to see a controller like this arrive in stores with a comment below.
[source www3.wipo.int, via videogameschronicle.com]
Comments 114
Would let Switch Lite owners play Joy-con specific games. And if this is a thing, then they must have some ideas for joy-con specific games in the pipeline.
Lovely.
A new TV only Switch Pro. Perfect. That's what we need.
WOW! 😲
That's look very sleek.
But how do i connect them to Switch body tablet with that design ?
If joy-con drift is gone, i'm in.
This and all of the Mario stuff ending in March of 2021 obviously point to a New Switch Up + U Lite Micro next year. /s
@Snatcher I was about to say.
This makes no sense, though. Why remove the + and -, they are key buttons for some games.
I’m expecting the switch pro to be the pro unit With no dock and no joy cons.
It will work with a pro controller or pro cons (as seen above) all sold separately.
The dock would also be sold separately.
I don't see Nintendo ever making a TV only version of the Switch so perhaps they thought about selling these for Switch Lite owners
A TV only Switch console wouldn't be my thing to be honest. You also have the issue with direct competition with the PS5 and XBOX next gen iteration. Frankly, they could still well trounce a Switch pro in visuals and performance. Great for ppl that would like to play the Switch in that way, but the "Switch" name suggests "switching" between docked tv, handheld and table top modes, so it would be a bit odd to have the same name in a way.
To be fair, Nintendo may feel they need to keep up with the current gaming hardware tech as far as they can, even if its not quite PS5 level.
Permanently moulded in controllers with the option of using the joycons seperately like this, in some games that need this, seems more plausible I THINK. You still have the dock and the handheld. Hopefully with no drift on anything!
Maybe it's a VR controller for Switch?
This seems like one of those random patents that will never see the light of day. I struggle to see much practical use for this.
Not only does it missed the + and - buttons which are basically START and SELECT buttons, it's also missing the Screenshot and Menu buttons as well. So how you gonna pause the game if you need to go poop or return to the main menu? Honestly you can't take the game with you if it's gonna be for the Switch Pro. This is a stupid backward move if it ever came to fruition.
These are for Lite owners who want to play Skyward Sword and SMG2, clearly Wii games are coming soon!
@Anti-Matter You don't. Hence the speculation that this would be for a TV-Only (and probably screenless) Switch (Pro). Or as suggested for use with the switch lite (no rails).
@Retro_Player_77 you’ll have to ask Siri. Who will continue to say, “I don’t know what you’re asking for.” Then you get so frustrated you throw your switch pro against the wall and go buy a vanilla switch.
You know what else isn't around? A corresponding charging station. These would need a new charger setup.
@GrailUK you can already hook up regular joy cons to switch lite.
For the Switch Pro? Maybe you need a MIDDLE joy con, N64 style, to play the rumoured Switch exclusive Half Life 3?
@mushpototo This is what it seems like, to me. +, -, and HOME must be on the headset.
Why would you buy this instead of a Pro Controller?
They file a lot of paperwork, I wouldn't be surprised if they protect every design they create as well as the variations.
...I wouldn't expect anything to come from it
I doubt a docked only switch would have any chance compared to the new gen. Even if it's a 4K switch, I wouldn't have any interest in a non hybrid console, I have a PS4 pro for this.
My guess is for the switch lite or for a 2nd set of joycons since you can only attach one to each switch
Uhhhh...
Where are the SR and SL buttons?
And how do you charge this JoyCon? I don't see any charging port or connector.
If it was patented two years ago, then I don't think it's coming...
Seems like a bit of a single use design.
FIX..THE....DRIFT!!!
Maybe work on making some actual new games??? Nobody cares about another Switch version that will divide your user base and potentially discourage third party game makers from releasing games to a segmented market.
Bundle with Mario Party Deluxe possibly..
@iammikegaines Oh really? Lol, the way some folk carry on I thought they weren't.
@LEGEND_MARIOID they already butchered the whole “switch” name with the Lite, which doesn’t Switch into anything (except maybe a doorstop). It also doesn’t make the patented “click” sound when you attach joycons, which is what EVERY VIDEO STARTS WITH... which absolutely baffles me.
They are starting to make some real bad choices which I’m not happy about...
The whole Mario 35 direct was horrible, as so much of it is for 2021... way too far out IMHO.
@LEGEND_MARIOID
Switch Lite already cannot “switch“ between portable and docked
All this Switch Pro talk is nonsense. Nintendo patents new and weird stuff all the time.
If these standalone JoyCons actually make it out of the patent phase and become actual products, they could just be for Switch Lite owners.
Though the lack of the SR/SL/+/-/Home/Screenshot buttons or even a charging port will be a big issue.
If Nintendo are about to launch a Joycon that doesn’t slot onto a console then this Switch Pro people keep rumour-mongering over is going to be the opposite of the Switch Mini: A dedicated piece of TV hardware the size of an Apple TV that plays all Switch games in TV mode only and will be marketed as a successor to the Wii.
Given the right price point I’d buy one. I barely use portable mode anymore on account of the crappy original Joycons all breaking.
Remember, companies want their patents to be as generic as possible, so Nintendo is not going to show where their +, -, or SL/SR buttons are. As long as they establish a generic form, they can fight knockoffs.
Clicking on the patent link, it says "The broken lines depict portions of the controller for computer that form no part of the claimed design." Said portions must be where the charge ports and USB ports are.
@TimboSlice
"The whole Mario 35 direct was horrible, as so much of it is for 2021... "
Did we watch the same presentation?
Every announcement outside of Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury is coming very soon in 2020. Heck, Mario 3D All-Stars is launching in under 2 weeks from now, while Mario Bros 35 and Mario Kart Live are both releasing within the first half of October.
I'm interested in a Switch Pro, naturally. I went through 3 seperate 3DS systems throughout its lifespan, so Im clearly the target demographic.
But, man I've grown really attached to the versatility of having handheld mode. As much as I'd love to see BotW in 4k resolution, I don't think its worth giving up the handheld factor (for me at least)
I really wasn't expecting to feel so strongly about the losing the portability since I mainly play on the TV anyway, but it is a deal-breaker for me, apparently.
Plus, I was really hoping that the Switch Pro would be built with VR capabilities in mind. Aside from processing power and screen resolution, everything about its design lends itself so perfectly to VR capabilities.
To everyone saying a TV only Switch doesn't make sense, I hope you all didn't forget how we had this exact conversation about how a handheld-only Switch doesn't make sense, and Nintendo still did it. The Switch as a brand and ecosystem is obviously more fluid than the philosophy itself.
@AZD1222 Good point. It doesn't have the stand at the back either. However, if you get a stand of some sort, you could play in table top mode with a controller. I doubt the vast majority of Lite owners would carry an extra controller with the lite though eh.
@TimboSlice Actually yes, of course. The worries with drift put me off purchasing that for my daughter actually. So tbf, I did 'think' about it.
Nintendo can't even make enough Switches to keep on the store shelves how they heck gonna release a new System?
As contrary to history, Nintendo should copy Sony for once and make the Switch pro like a Playstation TV (or Vita TV)
If we get a tv only ‘upgrade’ I’ll be very disappointed to be honest, I simply can’t get the dedicated tv time to play like that anymore and the whole reason I adore the switch so much is it’s versatile nature. To be able to play on the tv when I can but to just lift out and continue handheld has to be one of the best innovations for some time, one that I’m more than willing to sacrifice some souped up power/performance for...
@westman98 @HobbitGamer I thought about charging it as well, slide off back for 4 AAA like the Wiimote? Then I remembered this was a patent so they probably don't care about the charging port. 🤷
Selling a 2 pack - I don't see any reason to sell these single, not even sure you can buy Joycon single anymore, so maybe you buy a 2 pack with a charging mat. High end for Nintendo, but a Switch TV would be seen as high end as well. I've been waiting for Sony to make a console top that's a charging platform for years. Not the manta ray PS5 though unless the controllers were surfboards. 🤣
I have to say I really don't like the idea of a TV only Switch. It really defeats the purpose of the original hardware idea and that's it's main selling point. Otherwise it's just trying to compete with PS5/Xbox the same way Gamecube was and it'll fall flat on it's face. The beauty of Switch is that you can take your games anywhere. Unless they decide to have a way of sharing games seamlessly between this and the handheld model (not the convoluted way of assigning consoles and needing to keep it connected to the internet) then it just destroys the whole USP.
That Joy ain't right, I tell ya h'what.
@Sensible There won't be a tv only switch. If i have to explain why that's a you issue.
Nintendolife, for a site dedicated to Nintendo, has no pulse on what Nintendo does like ever.
If this were to release, I think it would just be joycons created for the switch lite, so switch lite owners can use motion controls, not for a new switch.
@AlienigenX that will be nice but currently Nintendo have stock issues they literally can't make enough Switches to keep on the store shelves, they should take care of that first
If it doesn't drift I want it.
@Blac-Link I meant Like a PSTV. That would require fewer components to produce.
Wouldn’t it be great if 2 of the 3 versions of the Switch couldn’t switch?
I have thought that Nintendo might release a new home console that interacts with the Switch, somewhat like the PS4 did with the Vita. Then the Switch becomes Nintendo’s handheld console.
I hope they don’t make a stand alone tv only switch. I prefer a switch pro
@Retro_Player_77 Its also missing a method to charge...
@LEGEND_MARIOID I love the switch lite which switches from portable to more portable. I also like my apple tv which lets me play games from a cute box attached to my tv.
@Baker1000 I'm assuming you didn't like the switch lite either then. If it's not for you thats ok but surely there has to be others that would like this thing.
If there is a Switch Pro and it's TV-only, count me out. Handheld mode is my primary way to play. I only play on TV during weekends or when there's like a big boss battle or something.
@TheBigK maybe there's two pro skus. One hybrid and one tv only. Same specs.
@Slowdive I have a Lite and I want to play Super Mario 3D All-Stars on the TV but I think it's silly to buy a Switch now when they might release a more powerful Switch next year.
@sixrings I get you. Ha. Though my apple box has stopped working and I don't play iOS games anymore.
I think using the term "switch pro" should be retired. Its likely over-selling the next switch revision/upgrade, and going to foster greater reader disappointment if these expectations aren't met. I think NL uses it endearingly, not-so-serious, wink-wink, but I think some readers may have a more audacious expectation for the next switch revision/iteration.
Could be for the upcoming console only version of the Switch
Home console Switch? I would have never guessed it and yet I'd like it.
Someone please tell Nintendo to make a Switch Pro with a slot for Switch games, Powerful Dock for real graphical power and play on TV. A slot for 3DS/DS games. All playable with Joycon/Pro Controller. Dock bridges gap of Dual screen play -ala Wii U. TRUE SWITCH Status. Switch between Switch, Wii U, Wii, 3DS, DS Game Cube. Take a page out of polymega's book Nintendo. You can do this. WE WILL BUY IT.
No buy if it does not drift, like my other 6 joycons and 2 pro controllers! gimme a new, way too expensive for that quality, drift device !!!!!! ;P /sarcasm off
Found my left joy-con starting to drift today. Was really slow when navigating downwards. I depressed the joystick and blew really hard whilst wriggling it around. Works perfectly now. Could have been some dust in the sensor, but give that a go if you catch the drift.
I hope a TV only Switch WILL NEVER be made. But seeing the PS4 / XBOX ONE sales in Japan clearly telling me that it wouldn't. Also it would be like the PS Vita TV, which didn't sell at all.
Also this controller also misses the L & R buttons that are on the Joy-Con. This could however be a Switch VR controller.
@sanderev why is there such hate. Just don't buy it if you don't want it. And the sales might surprise you. At the very least i'll buy 8 of them for my Lan room.
What if the “Switch Pro” is actually just a dock with beefed up internals to bolster the main system?
Sure this would be weird because then it would limit what games you can play handheld but kinda neat.
@IronMan30 It's a concept sketch. They will probably figure out how the rest of the buttons will fit on a mockup.
Though this looks very ergonomic! I always did enjoy how for some games on the Wii the split Wiimote and Nunchuck setup for relaxing. Not saying a controller is a bad design, but, it is nice every once and a while to not to have your hands bound together for a long session.
@LEGEND_MARIOID I personally think a non portable switch would complement the switch family if the price is right. If they sold it for around $149 then it may sell well.
Why remove the plus and minus buttons, unless they are replaced with something hidden? This means it won't be for the switch.
They might be making them side-agnostic ... To simplify manufacturing, and allow them to be sold standalone.
Perhaps this isn't linked to a new "pro" console, rather a new streaming service. A year or so ago Nintendo was working with Microsoft to develop a remote play service similar to xCloud or PS Remote Play. Perhaps they're anticipating players to use a touch screen (phone/tablet) to take screen shots and use +/-. Pair two of these more generic options with a phone and you don't need to worry about left or right.
Haha. I liked the idea that maybe there could be a TV-only console version of the Switch — even if I don't think it's likely. I would enjoy that.
(First post made a good point, though. This could be for Switch Lite. Fires doused)
So, how do you/Nintendo market a TV-only switch, though? Maybe it is meant to communicate with a regular Switch somehow? Maybe it gives you Wii U capabilities that way? Maybe it is much more powerful but less expensive? Nothing quite adds up for me when thinking of Nintendo's stab at that.
@aaronsullivan you sell it cheaper than the lite and you include new super Mario Bros u deluxe with it. Low price is its marketing and if you call it Switch TV people will understand what it means.
So I had this weird idea about a possible Switch Pro that I thought would be cool... but then I realized I just backed into wanting them to remake the Wii U which is probably a bad idea.
My train of thought was: if they made a console only unit I’d probably buy a Switch Lite because I’d miss the portability and the Lite is actually a really nice unit. But then maybe there could be some sort of functionality that would make a Lite and a Pro more symbiotic (so I wouldn’t have to have 2 separate Animal Crossing islands) like maybe you could stream from the Pro to the Lite. Aka the Wii U... again...
To be fair to my theory one of the biggest gripes about the Wii U I heard a lot was “but why can’t I just take the tablet controller with me out of the house?” This would be exactly that.
@rjejr
Why would Nintendo go through all that hassle of making standalone JoyCons with it's own wireless charging solution when they could just...continue to sell the normal JoyCons as is?
Nintendo won't need to worry about the change in charging mechanism, potential removal of buttons, or lack of compatibility with some Switch accessories (i.e. JoyCon grip, Mario Kart wheel, Labo, RingCon, etc)?
@Wexter yeah, I know it confirms nothing. Just poking fun at the speculation. This would be a welcome change, they do look pretty comfortable. As others have said, I hope there's no drift.
Well hopefully in the future we'll get
-Upgraded Hybrid Switch (mobile/tv for a higher price)
-TV only Switch (cheaper)
-Upgraded Switch Lite (cheaper)
Maybe it's a good idea, idk I'm not part of their economics division lol.
@IronMan30 Indeed! A good healthy sense of humour is always good!
Who would ever want this? This looks like the least ergonomic controller since the N64, but at least that had handles. I am just dumbfounded by how terrible Nintendo's UX has become.
Gotta love patent clickbait especially when you can namedrop the mythical “Switch Pro” into it.
@Rhaoulos you can't play next gen mario, zelda, metroid, etc. on your ps4 pro
Could launch alongside the Zelda 35th Anniversary Collection next year.
@Desrever I totally agree. The convenience of being able to play anywhere is a must for me. I play about equally between handheld and TV, but my TV time is on multiple TV sets so I have a dock for home and one for travel.
I've thought Switch is perfect for VR. My second system is an Oculus Quest. It does VR wonderfully and isn't any more powerful than a Switch, so it's totally doable. As long as the pro has a higher resolution screen and is lighter overall. The joycon are perfect for VR. If the headset had cameras and the joycon had ir attachments, it could even do 6dof. I would be willing to pay more for a VR capable Switch, but it doesn't seem like Nintendo is really interested in VR right now.
While I am all for new hardware it's still funny how they create a great product called "SWITCH" and then remove that exact aspect from it with the Lite, and now possibly a standalone-normale-console - the Switch Pro.
I just hope the markets don't get too segmented and it doesn't all get too gimicky. One of the best aspects of my butt-standard Switch IS the ability to pick it up and play in short bursts everywhere.
For everything else I could have gotten a gaming PC, including playing old N64, Wii and Gamecube titles in Ultra-High-Res.
Hope the Switch doesn't "sell out" it's "soul".
For my big hands, this design looks a lot more comfortable then the current Joy-Cons. The use scenario would be a bit limited though.
Lets just hope drift has been fixed
@wanghosom And this is why I had my switch pre-ordered the day it was revealed. A fully docked switch wouldn't justify a purchase.
But can it play skyward sword hd?
@westman98 "continue to sell the normal JoyCons as is?"
B/c the "normal" current Joycon has a slot connector on the side that won't connect to a Switch Lite but makes it annoying to hold, and in case you have never purchased any each pair of Joycon is boxed w/ those stupid little black straps nobody uses. So Nintnedo saves a few cents by not having those connectors built into the side and not having the straps in the box. Well they would probably have the string part, but not the plastic. And when you sell millions those cents add up.
@rjejr
Nintendo would still have to include some kind of charging mechanism, so the cost savings will likely be non-existent.
@sixrings actually I do see the market for the Switch Lite, given that it's cheaper and still portable. Even if I don't like the fact it had no TV play option. I get that some people will love the TV only Switch if it's a case of having more power but let's face it, this is Nintendo. They aren't going to be competing for specs with Microsoft and Sony. And it'll have to be priced very well now that Microsoft have revealed a £250 version of their next console.
@Baker1000 I never meant to suggest the switch tv would have better specs then the rest of the current switches. I meant to suggest that there's no reason they couldn't release new switch lite, a new hybrid model, and a tv only model all with better specs than currently offered. Also they could sell a tv only switch incredibly cheap if they don't need to include a screen and a battery. A tv only switch isn't to compete with xbox or PlayStation but instead for people who want to play Nintendo games on tv only.
Joycons are awfull.
I wish nintendo just moved on and spend their resources on controllers that don't feel like cheap plastic.
I would get F-ing mad if the switch Pro would be TV only. Handheld / tabletop mode is the only way i play switch. (Unless its a party game when i've got friends over)
I need a updated beefier handheld with maybe a bigger screen.
@westman98 You mean like a USB charging cable? I'd have to guess those generic wires cost less than those straps.
Or, they could be AA or AAA powered and Nintendo sells them empty. There are still some battery powered controllers on the market, MS may sell 1 for the Xbox.
Still think these would be cheaper and look better alongside a Lite. And if a Switch TV ever does happen these look even better with that, not normal Joycon that can't be charged without a Switch.
@rjejr
I genuinely wonder how many Switch Lite owners go out of their way to buy a separate pair of JoyCons?
My guess is that the number is somewhat big, but not big enough to the point where selling JoyCons specifically for Switch Lite owners is a particularly viable venture to pursue.
@westman98 But this is Nintendo we're talking about. A lot of people said they couldn't sell a Switch without TV out and removable Joycon because then there is nothing switching, but here we are.
They also sold a Wii Mini, the #1 Netflix streaming device in America, without internet. And they bundled it with Mari Kart Wii, the best online game.
SM All-Stars 3D w/o SMG2.
Nintendo does what they want.
Maybe they need these for Switch VR? Labo VR has a couple of good games, but a plastic strap on holder bundled with a couple of these would be nice. VR controllers not attached to the Switch while playing would be very nice.
Nintendo likes revisions, maybe they just want revised Joycon, preferably without drift.
@rjejr
But the Switch Lite and Wii Mini were way cheaper than the standard Switch and Wii.
These Switch Lite JoyCons don't look like they will be much cheaper than the normal JoyCons at all.
The patent also doesn't mention any changes in the analog stick mechanism, so it ain't fixing JoyCon drift at all.
@westman98 the Wii mini came with a standard Wii mote. So they weren't saving on the controllers but the insides of the system. No Wi-Fi No game cube support saved production costs on the Wii Mini.
In this case a switch TV with No screen and no battery could be really affordable and therefore desirable.
@westman98 Guess we'll see. Could really use some Joycon with analog triggers for Super Mario Sunshine.
Nintendo updated the Wiimotes with Wiimote+, just can't imagine they let Joycon go 6 years w/o some type of update.
If they do make a Switch TV, which I'd like but doubt, a new controller like this which looks like a Fire Stick remote would look much more at home on a coffee table than a regular Joycon w/ no Switch in the house. So there are reasons. Whether, as you say, it's worth the investment or not, only Nintendo can decide.
@sixrings
"No screen and no battery is a big savings."
Ummm...The Wii never had a screen or a battery because it's...ya know...not a handheld.
@rjejr
I could definitely see Nintendo releasing a JoyCon+ controllers that fixes JoyCon drift, but it should look and function exactly like the current JoyCons.
@nikochanr3 please do 👍🏼
@westman98 "it should"
I don't think Nintendo could get away with calling a non-broken functioning Joycon the Joycon+.
I don't know, with all the crazy stuff Nintendo has done over the years I guess I just don't see a controller made specially for the Switch Lite, Switch VR headstrap or Switch TV as anything odd or strange. 🤷♂️
@westman98 I edited my comment. At first I assumed you were being sarcastic but perhaps I worded it poorly. Either way a switch TV could be sold for less because it would cost less to produce.
I would like a tv only device with same power as vanilla switch. Tv only device is way better idea for a budget switch than lite which i feel wastes resources but only because it doesnt connect to tv.
With same power as vanilla switch cost can be keep down and maybe a few splurges like 3ds and ds slot could be added to help capture interest.
Honestly a non pro tv dock that played 95% or all switch games and connected with pads or cells to simulate second screen for 3ds and ds games would easily be my most favorite console of all time.
Speaking of which i still feel nintendo and others killed off the 3ds prematurely, Id love an official Nintendo cell phone add on that turned cells into partial 3dses or 4dses or 5gdes. Assimilation!
I wonder if it is a cheaper joycon to bring something like Labo to the Switch Lite or like a Wii motion plus update for the joycon.
Cheaper joycon would be cool.
8bitdo have a do it yourself classic controller mod kit or something. I wonder if they could make a do it or upkeep yourself joycon alternative or or is a joy already in an easily fixable state.
I have no desire for a TV only Switch, I use my Switch exclusively as a handheld. If the rumored Switch Pro ends up being something along the lines of a TV only Switch, I will be severely disappointed.
I do NOT want a TV only Switch. A console that can do both is the direction I hope Nintendo always pushes and improves on.
@Kang81 I completely agree
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