Nintendo Patents Watch

Hosiden and Nintendo jointly filed 3 patent applications for analog stick improvements on 2024-11-12 (published on 2026-05-21).

WO2026105174: By integrating the clamp and support (#151 and #152 in two images below) of a rotational shaft (#32) into the housing, and utilizing the material’s elasticity to allow rotation, less parts are needed.

WO2026105175: The spring (#50 in two images below) that returns the stick back to center also creates a thrust that may cause the stick to rattle. An elastic cantilever leaf (#17) is made part of the housing to suppress rattles and stabilize the stick.

WO2026105176: Same as WO2026105175, but the elastic leaf (#6 in two images below) is now part of an upper cover (#160) for the stick module.

These are minor improvements, but good to see continuing stick R&D.

Related: Alps Alpine’s research in capacitive stick

[Originally posted on 2026-05-22 Pacific Time]