Nintendo Patents A New Controller.

by Jofra01.9 60 Comments 42 Votes 1424 Views 10/07/2008 Back to News

Nintendo have patented the controller seen above in the image, if you wondering what the empty space is in the middle of the controller this is what was in the patent about it:
An X button 46 and a Y button are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device thereof is exposed from a front-end surface.

The patent seems to have been filed in February 2008 and can be viewed here: appft1.uspto.gov/ .

So what exactly is this controller? Is it for a new system or handheld, maybe an addon to the DS Control System or even the WiiMote, will Nintendo explain to us at E3?

Source: http://gonintendo.com/?p=48962

Link to us http://wii.mmgn.com/News/Nintendo-Patents-A-New-Control

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Nintendo Patents A New Controller. Comments

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Kudos: 18,922

Jofra01.9

Anyone got any idea about it?

10/07/2008

Not Here

Kudos: 943

nonsimia47

i think it kinda looks like the sega game gear

10/07/2008

USA

Kudos: 947

MarleH

It looks like you plug it into the bottom of the wii remote and use as a gamecube controller add-on. If you look at the shape in the middle of the picture, it looks like the shape of the wii remote.

10/07/2008

Victoria

Kudos: 18,922

Jofra01.9

MarleH said: It looks like you plug it into the bottom of the wii remote and use as a gamecube controller add-on.

that does make sense but Nintendo just rereleased the gamecube control in Japn and it will soon be here

10/07/2008

Not Here

Kudos: 947

MarleH

jofra01 said:

MarleH said: It looks like you plug it into the bottom of the wii remote and use as a gamecube controller add-on.

that does make sense but Nintendo just rereleased the gamecube control in Japn and it will soon be here

They could of just patient this so no one else can come out with this idea and never get used.

10/07/2008

Victoria

Kudos: 291

Richey

Im thinking it could turn out to be like those big arcade gamepads that were around for the SNES. That middle area is too small for a screen so something obviously plugs in there.

10/07/2008

Geelong, Victoria

Kudos: 5,801

boxhunter

Just skimmed through that. ( The Patent Info)
It's like an engineering report, but way more in depth

Looks really good but we will see where it leads to.
Im also with you MarleH looks like it could be used for that purpose.
Maybe another Wiiware,VC gaming option?

10/07/2008

Mario Kart Wi-Fi Night Edition One Champion!

Kudos: 71,641

Silence

I reckon we're gonna see something like the Dreamcast controller.

10/07/2008

I'm from the Internet. Nothing I say is original.

Kudos: 9,385

Rus_a7

This really does look like what people were imagining the VC controller to look like before it was revealed, with a kinda slot for the wiimote to plug into in the middle of a classic-like controller.

10/07/2008

Brisbane

Kudos: 204

yoanne

looks cool

but wats next

we have touch
motion sensor
buttons

maybe full body sensor........portable????

10/07/2008

i want an aussi kiss, Its like a french one but you do it down under....

Kudos: 2,661

sunshineGX

Looks kinda awfully wrong when you plug a Wiimote into that don't you think?

10/07/2008

Sydney, New South Wales

Kudos: 1,266

Slick

Gamecube controller like add-on to the Wiimote, Wiimote slips in the top.

10/07/2008

QUEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNSSSSSLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAANNNNNNNDDDDDDERRRRRRR!

Kudos: 40,193

Azza

Seeing as there's only one analog stick, I'm guessing a new VC controller.

10/07/2008

'Blades Will Bleed'

Kudos: 2,430

Removed_SS49M

looks like an alternative to using the wiimote and nunchuck for games, like Twilight Princess, or brawl for that matter, to play like a gamecube controller

10/07/2008

Up on the Roof (Literally)

Kudos: 877

plumber_m

So intriguing.

But even more intriguing is the fact that Nintendo have also filled out a patent for their new motion sensitive handheld that's coming.

It looks like Nintendo has plans!

10/07/2008

melbourne, victoria

Kudos: 286

Pacmanic

Cool, it looks like a gamecube type controller that has IR capabilities, would be good for a starfox game maybe? You could point the Wiimote part that sits in the hole at the screen for targeting and push buttons and joysticks for flying. I like it.

10/07/2008

Trapped in a maze with these damn ghosts!

Kudos: 12,508

leeman34

a new classic controller or just a pattern to stop 3rd parties making them

10/07/2008

geelong

Kudos: 3,282

zewiiman

hhhmmmm.........
i don't know...
it looks like a old controller....
is it a add on for the wiimote?
it looks like that the wiimote can fit in the slit in the controller....
my best gees is, its a better classic controller.

although.....looking at what ii just said....that will be odd...

only time will tell...

10/07/2008

in your attic eating your muffins

Kudos: 2,200

Weasle

I has a screen in the top so maybe a new portable console?

10/07/2008

Weasle Land

Kudos: 2,430

Removed_SS49M

just took a look at that website, nintendo does have some aces up their sleaves

10/07/2008

Up on the Roof (Literally)

Kudos: 665

Ghorta

if that thing on the bottom right of it is the Cstick I can only, God please no, the GC cstick is bad enough.

What do they need new controllers for anyways? The Wii should be rename "The Controller Project" *sigh*.....

10/07/2008

USA

Kudos: 12,028

jimmiq

i hope its a wireless classic controller, so we don't have to plug it into the wiimote

10/07/2008

Perth

Kudos: 1,332

Draggyn

My guess is a Wireless Gamecube Controller. Combined with a firmware update to add support, this hardware could easily imitate a Gamecube Controller when a Wiimote is plugged in.

10/07/2008

Noone uses the Location for actual Locations anymore.

Kudos: 1,648

dswiirockz

yeah I wish it is a wireless controller.

10/07/2008

Australia

Kudos: 18,922

Jofra01.9

Draggyn said: My guess is a Wireless Gamecube Controller. Combined with a firmware update to add support, this hardware could easily imitate a Gamecube Controller when a Wiimote is plugged in.

that wouldn't be a bad idea, better than buying a wavebird

10/07/2008

Not Here

Kudos: 199,196

sjt333

my guess is gamecube controller

and i HIGHLY doubt they would really release a wireless classic controller they would just release a clip thing for the holes at the back so the wiimote clips to the back of the classic controller

10/07/2008

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 11,509

Kamon62

It extremely obvious that nintendo have made a gamecube-like wireless controller that uses the wii remote's wireless by clicking it in the middle.

10/07/2008

Claiming ownership over Malaka's conscience since 30/8/08!

Kudos: 22,470

jotendo

PLEASE BE PORTABLE GAMECUBE

But it looks like a wireless gamecube controller, that the wiimote slips into, which is still..cool i guess

10/07/2008

North Coast NSW

Kudos: 341

uturn

yea seems like a game cube controller

10/07/2008

USA

Kudos: 71,641

Silence

GameCast! DreamCube? I swer, I can see a screen add-on like the Dreamcast had ging onto that in the near future. Nintendo GameSphere, here we come!

10/07/2008

I'm from the Internet. Nothing I say is original.

Kudos: 424

stitch

Uhhh did anyone read on the wesbite what it is???

"However, the barrel significantly extends off the holding portion, which causes a problem where the center of gravity of the entire gun cannot be firmly held and thus it is hard to fix the attitude of the gun. Furthermore, with occurrence of shakes due to trigger operation, it is difficult to operate continuously the gun-type controller at a high speed in a stable manner"

GUN CONTROLLER?

10/07/2008

I like vanilla coke... it's nice

Kudos: 6,301

sharpie92

According to Kotaku it was patented back in 2005 which predates the wii remote prototype design.

So it is nothing new and it hasn't ever been used. But hey hopefully they will use the design in the future because it looks pretty cool.

Here is a quote from the Kotaku article:

What the?! Another Nintendo controller peripheral? This recently published US Patent and Trademark Office filing would certainly convince one to believe so! That is, until one looked at the date of the patent application submission, which dates back to 2005. Sure, the patent was published on June 28 of this year, but it references foreign application data that predates the official unveiling of the Wii Remote prototype.

10/07/2008

http://NoClipping.net >>>>>>>>>>> Relevant and Irrelevant Gaming Crap.

Kudos: 3,345

DaBomb12

I know what it IS see how its round in the middle u gotta slot the wiimote in the middle!! wiimote attachment

10/07/2008

Gold Coast AKA GCC

Kudos: 3,345

DaBomb12

stitch said: Uhhh did anyone read on the wesbite what it is???

"However, the barrel significantly extends off the holding portion, which causes a problem where the center of gravity of the entire gun cannot be firmly held and thus it is hard to fix the attitude of the gun. Furthermore, with occurrence of shakes due to trigger operation, it is difficult to operate continuously the gun-type controller at a high speed in a stable manner"

GUN CONTROLLER?

Maybe It would be a gun turrent with the wiimote in the middle and u hold the sides

10/07/2008

Gold Coast AKA GCC

Kudos: 332

BubbleGuy

lol at first i was thinking
wtf is that hole in the middle for but then i relised it was for thw wiimote =P

10/07/2008

Queensland, Caloundra

Kudos: 922

Corrupted

how many friggen controllers does nintendo wanna make?!?

10/07/2008

Strong Badia!

Kudos: 18,922

Jofra01.9

Corrupted said: how many friggen controllers does nintendo wanna make?!?

9???

10/07/2008

Not Here

Kudos: 199,196

sjt333

DaBomb12 said: I know what it IS see how its round in the middle u gotta slot the wiimote in the middle!! wiimote attachment

dear god you must be a scientist someone get this man a coke

10/07/2008

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 18,922

Jofra01.9

sjt333 said:
DaBomb12 said: I know what it IS see how its round in the middle u gotta slot the wiimote in the middle!! wiimote attachment
dear god you must be a scientist someone get this man a coke

Diet, Vanilla, Zero or Fanta?

10/07/2008

Not Here

Kudos: 3,345

DaBomb12

jofra01 said:
sjt333 said:
DaBomb12 said: I know what it IS see how its round in the middle u gotta slot the wiimote in the middle!! wiimote attachment
dear god you must be a scientist someone get this man a coke

Diet, Vanilla, Zero or Fanta?

Hit me with a coke, vanilla coke (not literally hit me otherwise I'd hit u back!)

10/07/2008

Gold Coast AKA GCC

Kudos: 32,595

Elraro

wireless Classic Anyone... ?

10/07/2008

Sydney

Kudos: 5,801

boxhunter

Elraro said: wireless Classic Anyone... ?

Attached to the Wiimote I would think so.

10/07/2008

Mario Kart Wi-Fi Night Edition One Champion!

Kudos: 1,910

Esoth

Ah no. Turns out it was most likely a prototype for the classic controller. Observe.

From Kotaku:

What the?! Another Nintendo controller peripheral? This recently published US Patent and Trademark Office filing would certainly convince one to believe so! That is, until one looked at the date of the patent application submission, which dates back to 2005. Sure, the patent was published on June 28 of this year, but it references foreign application data that predates the official unveiling of the Wii Remote prototype.

While it may look like a snazzy Wavebird-style controller shell, what we think we're seeing is merely the original patent for the Wii Classic Controller. That device thankfully dropped the need for multiple controller shells — others in the style of SNES and NES pads are also in the patent — and kept the Wii Remote tethered to the controller by a cord, not slotted in as seen above.

10/07/2008

Kudos: 199,196

sjt333

Esoth said: Ah no. Turns out it was most likely a prototype for the classic controller. Observe.

From Kotaku:

What the?! Another Nintendo controller peripheral? This recently published US Patent and Trademark Office filing would certainly convince one to believe so! That is, until one looked at the date of the patent application submission, which dates back to 2005. Sure, the patent was published on June 28 of this year, but it references foreign application data that predates the official unveiling of the Wii Remote prototype.

While it may look like a snazzy Wavebird-style controller shell, what we think we're seeing is merely the original patent for the Wii Classic Controller. That device thankfully dropped the need for multiple controller shells — others in the style of SNES and NES pads are also in the patent — and kept the Wii Remote tethered to the controller by a cord, not slotted in as seen above.

you were beaten badly

sharpie92 said: According to Kotaku it was patented back in 2005 which predates the wii remote prototype design.

So it is nothing new and it hasn't ever been used. But hey hopefully they will use the design in the future because it looks pretty cool.

Here is a quote from the Kotaku article:

What the?! Another Nintendo controller peripheral? This recently published US Patent and Trademark Of

10/07/2008

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 1,910

Esoth

sjt333 said:you were beaten badly

sharpie92 said: According to Kotaku it was patented back in 2005 which predates the wii remote prototype design.

So it is nothing new and it hasn't ever been used. But hey hopefully they will use the design in the future because it looks pretty cool.

Right. My bad. I completely missed that. It's just that all the comments after that one completely ignored it.

10/07/2008

Kudos: 1,153

Juniiz

It just looks like a gamecube controller...in a way

10/07/2008

melbourne, VIC

Kudos: 9,334

Harlster

From what the space looks like, I'd say this controller is for the Wiimote.

10/07/2008

Melbourne [city of stuff, wooo!]

Kudos: 151

joewii11

it kinda looks like u can put an ipod into it, just what we need another ipod accessary

10/07/2008

ya okay

Kudos: 2,468

grimace

Harlster said: From what the space looks like, I'd say this controller is for the Wiimote.

My thoughts exactly, although that would kinda defeat the purpose of the classic controller addon.

11/07/2008

Perth, WA

Kudos: 44,560

dossaer

I say it's GameCube controller attachment to the Wii-mote.

More cool speculation from me:

We may well see a Wii update (perhaps the touted DVD model?) sometime in the future sans GameCube ports. If they did 'do-away' with the GC controller ports they'd also be likely to remove the GC memory card slots which might also mean increased internal memory or an SD card based solution.

I love to speculate

11/07/2008

here

Kudos: 2,165

jrp95

I think this is going to be for the wii because it was filed in Febuary 2008 so it wouldn't be for a new system.

11/07/2008

Seattle WA, United States

Kudos: 12,197

smashbro

looks like a gamecube controller with a socket for a wii-mote

11/07/2008

Your house.

Kudos: 199,196

sjt333

jrp95 said: I think this is going to be for the wii because it was filed in Febuary 2008 so it wouldn't be for a new system.

even though kotaku found out it was filed in 2005 you know way before the wii came out

oh maybe this was a prototype for the wii before they decided to include the gamecube controller ports

11/07/2008

To get shot and not do much else, turn to page 58 "I've always liked cowabunga."

Kudos: 44,560

dossaer

sjt333 said: even though kotaku found out it was filed in 2005 you know way before the wii came out

This patent was filed more recently and was was based on the 2005 patent. I think they're keeping options open.

sjt333 said: oh maybe this was a prototype for the wii before they decided to include the gamecube controller ports

Quite likely which is why I still think that this patent/re-patent is going to tie in with a Wii redesign.

11/07/2008

here

Kudos: 60,147

Killjoy

I just read a news review saying that this was one of the previous designs for the Classic Controller.

11/07/2008

There's always money in the banana stand.

Kudos: 3,345

DaBomb12

Denor said: I just read a news review saying that this was one of the previous designs for the Classic Controller.

aww I was just about to say it was another design they must be bringing out for the classic controller

11/07/2008

Gold Coast AKA GCC

Kudos: 610

Cookman69

smashbro said: looks like a gamecube controller with a socket for a wii-mote

My thoughts exactly. I would only accept its usefulness if it was more comforable than the classic controller.

I Dont know if it is though...

12/07/2008

Sydney NSW 3DS 1719-3197-4614 <(o-o)> add me

Kudos: 199

Scazza

it looks weird, very weird, i am very intrigued as to what it will be for, i mean it has to be an adaption of something because it looks like a step backwards from the wii remote.
i agree with 'smashbro' that is probably a game cube mix up with the wii remote to fit within

can't wait to see what Nintendo tells us

12/07/2008

Woy Woy, New South Wales

Kudos: 153,942

Matteh

Its like 3 things in one...

The thinness of a GBA.
The buttons of a game cube controller.
The wireless connectivity of a Wiimote.

It will probably be just a wireless gamecube controller built especially for the wii.

=D

13/07/2008

3DS FC: 2105-8899-5628. PM me if you add me, please.