Nintendo has patented a gamepad made out of a display

We've been hearing a lot of rumours over the last few months regarding Nintendo's next console, the NX. So far, we have no idea what it is going to be or what features it will bring to the table but we do know that Nintendo has been making some interesting patent filings, the most recent of which, shows off a gamepad built out of a display.

Smartphone makers like Samsung have already begun experimenting with flexible displays but Nintendo could have other plans in mind. The patent image was submitted by five Nintendo employees, describing a game controller with a front facing touch screen display, with two holes punched out to make room for analogue sticks.

 

The screen itself could use LCD or OLED technology and even be capable of glasses-free 3D, just like the 3DS. The filing also shows off some non gaming usage scenarios, like a browser in the centre of the display.

Nintendo has been known to do its own thing and not follow industry trends, so it would make sense to see the company do something totally unexpected with the NX and as far as gamepads go, this is about as unexpected as you can get. Right now, we don't know when the NX will launch or when Nintendo will announce anything new, but rumours are suggesting that mass production will begin in Q1 2016.

KitGuru Says: It will certainly be interesting to see what Nintendo comes up with for the Nintendo NX, especially if it ends up following what is listed in this patent. Do you guys think Nintendo should keep trying with its ‘out of the box' controllers? Would you rather see it adopt a more traditional style? 

 

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