A few patent continuations for a mini gaming device were published yesterday. Since they aren’t new, I won’t share them individually but summarize Nintendo’s patents in recent years around three different designs of small form factor. I’ll speculate what it means for Switch Lite at the end.
First device (filed in 2022-2025) features [front:] 1 touch screen, 1 directional input, 4 face buttons, [top:] 2-4 shoulder buttons, [bottom:] 1 home button, and 1 capture button. The patents include layout, cooling, button mechanisms, low-profile stick, and reducing the number of screws. (Links in image alt text)
Second device (filed in 2022-2025) features two stackable tablets, each with [front:] 1 touch screen, 0-1 direction input, 0-1 camera, and [top:] 2-4 shoulder buttons. Two patents focus on a single tablet, and one patent on the coupling of two tablets. (Links in image alt text)
Third device (filed in 2023) features [front:] 1 touch screen, 1 directional input, 2 face buttons, [top:] 2-6 shoulder buttons, [side:] 1 camera, [bottom:] 1 home button, and 1 capture button. The patents include layout, cooling, button mechanism, and also a Labo-like packaging box. (Links in image alt text)
There are patents (filed in 2022-2025) that look like the Switch Lite at first glance, but actually not:
- One describes a handheld gaming device with a built-in camera on one side.
- One (plus a continuation) shows a device with built-in magnets for attaching front and back covers.
- (Links in image alt text)
Speculations:
- Nintendo appears to invest substantial R&D in miniaturization. So unlike the Switch 2, I suspect that Lite 2 may not increase in size much over the previous gen.
- The dual-screen patents seem academic, but it suggests that GameShare could see some interesting uses on Lite 2.
- Some of the patents mention a camera. Since an external one would be inconvenient, Lite 2 might feature a built-in camera for GameChat.
- The effort to reduce the number of sticks and buttons, plus the Labo-like box, hint at Nintendo’s interest in a My Mario type of tablet for children.
[Originally posted on 2025-08-22 Pacific Time]
