The much-anticipated Nintendo NX continues to be a mystery to the public since Nintendo announced its conception early this year. There have been speculations regarding its specs and price, and now, a newly published patent application from Nintendo shows a design of an innovative controller that integrates analog sticks with an oval touchscreen.
Now, fans are going wild over the new design. Will the NX feature a touchscreen controller?
The upcoming Nintendo NX touchscreen controller? https://t.co/Zk6ytQ0VIx #gamedev pic.twitter.com/sWd0yCX79l
— Martin Bustos (@Nephasto) December 12, 2015
Unlike the Wii U, DS, or even Sony's PS4 which have small rectangular touchscreens between the traditional button-based controls, Nintendo's new design resembles a smartphone. It features an elliptical controller that is entirely touch-screen based.
There are two small holes on both sides for "operation sticks," allowing players move their thumbs smoothly from the analog sticks to the touchscreen. There are other cutouts that could be for other traditional buttons and dials, which according to the patent, allow for a more traditional gameplay.
Nintendo's Patent application on what (possibly) may be the NX's controller... pic.twitter.com/wK4z80qWvH
— Larry Bundy Jr (@LarryBundyJr) December 11, 2015
Arstechnica reviewed the patent and stated that the touchscreen controller gives a player "a higher feeling of immersion." According to its review, other game developers have attempted to use touchscreens in the past, but failed due to the awkwardness. Nintendo's new design seemed to have solved this problem.
"This patent seems intent on fixing that awkwardness by placing the traditional controls and touchscreen controls as close together as possible," Arstechnica stated. "The patent describes a sense of 'ambience' created when the touchscreen seems to make sparks and flames emanate directly from the thumbs directing the thumbsticks, for instance."
While this might be enough to excite Nintendo fans, the company has not commented about this news. For now, the patent remains a circumstantial evidence and another speculation.
However, early this month, Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima confirmed that the NX will be different from its predecessors.
"It's something unique and different. It's something where we have to move away from those platforms in order to make it something that will appeal to our consumer base," he said.
