Switch successor rumors have been intensifying in recent months, and now some newly discovered Nintendo filings have added fuel to the fire.
Nintendo filed these new ideas and designs on 11th November 2022, and they were publicly shared on the ‘World Intellectual Property Organization’ website earlier this week, on 26th October 2023. While it’s important to manage your expectations, one particular filing has sent Nintendo fans into a frenzy – it’s a “dual-screen, detachable device” that bears a resemblance to the 3DS.
Above and below, you can see the concept designs along with the full description:
“This electronic apparatus comprises a first device and a second device. The first device and the second device can be detachably attached to each other. The first device has a first surface, and a first display and a first connection unit which are positioned on the first surface. The second device has a second surface, a second display that is positioned on the second surface, a second rear surface that is on the reverse side from the second surface, and a second connection unit that is positioned on the second rear surface. The second connection unit can be connected to the first connection unit in a first orientation or in a second orientation that is the reverse from the first orientation. When in a first connection state in which the second connection part has been connected to the first connection part in the first orientation, the second rear surface is positioned so as to cover the first display. When in a second connection state in which the second connection part has been connected to the first connection part in the second orientation, the second rear surface is positioned so as not to cover the first display.”
Other Nintendo filings make references to a system fan, buttons, and how the screen attaches to the device.
It is important to note that filings like these, as well as patents, do not guarantee any future news or products. Companies, including Nintendo, often file patents to protect their concepts and may revisit them at a later time.
Before the launch of the Switch, there was a patent filing circulating online for a handheld system with an oval-shaped screen and analog sticks, but it amounted to nothing.
A dual-screen device has not been a topic of discussion in recent rumors regarding a potential Switch successor.
In fact, the most recent rumor in September suggested that a follow-up to the Switch had been shown to select developers at this year’s Gamescom. Additionally, there were claims of a Zelda: Breath of the Wild tech demo running at 4K and 60 fps.
