A recently filed patent by Nintendo revealed a a very special handheld game machine. If at first glance it looks like a DS notebook, it has significant differences that remind us of the concepts used in foldable mobile phones. And besides, it could be two devices in one.

Nintendo is working on its new generation of consoles. And we’re talking in the plural because there may be several. The Switch 2 will absolutely be one of them. The company held behind-closed-doors presentations of the prototypes at the recent Gamescom trade show. There were technical demos and hands-on performances of some of their best games, such as a modified version of the excellent The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Although improvements in design and hardware (mainly graphics capacity) are expected compared to the original, we do not believe that Nintendo is going to fundamentally modify the hybrid concept that brought it such good sales results. The Switch overcame the Wii brand trauma with flying colours, and Nintendo is back where it belongs. Kyoto Signature is usually not as revolutionary as its latest patent shows. Or when?

So why this Nintendo patent?

Nintendo is no stranger to the resurgence of handheld gaming machines after the launch of the Steam Deck, replicas of major players like Lenovo or ASUS and everything from Chinese manufacturers with AYA at the helm. Although the Switch’s mobility prowess can rival the warranties of any of them, considering Nintendo’s past leadership of the portable console market, You may be prompted to market a second machinemore specialized.

Patent images published by GameRant show a handheld machine that could externally pass for the DS, a line discontinued in 2020. But nothing could be further from the truth. The new design shows a touch screen on the outside of the handheldwhich allows owners to use the device even when it is closed. This reminds us of foldable phones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 or the Google Pixel Fold.

Another characteristic that sounds very interesting is that the top and bottom halves of the device are removable. The separate halves communicate wirelessly, allowing two people to play together without the need for a second console.

There are no guarantees that the patent will become a real product, but it looks good as a concept and strategy for the next generation of consoles. Switch 2 more focused on the living room and a new handheld machine revived under the design of this patent for mobility? You, as you see it.