Nintendo Patents Watch

The patent regarding NSO Missions for Nintendo Classics is granted in Japan, and will be soon in the US.

The Nintendo Classics app (e.g. Super NES) contains a mission program (image 1 below) that monitors the emulator program’s memory (image 2).

When certain data in the emulator memory meets certain criteria (“accomplishment”), the mission program communicates that to the NSO server (image 1 below), which then determines the mission status (image 2).

Previous Missions & Rewards patent here.

P.S.: Prominent dataminer Yakumono replied on Bluesky that the Super Mario Advance 2 drawing above (figs. 12A & 12B) contains “actual expected RAM and assembly code”.

[Originally posted on 2026-01-01 Pacific Time]

A newly published HD Rumble patent details how vibration data is communicated between the console and controller (image 1 below). The key innovation is that the console does not simply pass a game’s raw vibration data to controller, but maps vibration frequencies to the closest musical notes (image 2 below).

By doing so, both the inaudible haptic and audible sound events can be encoded and transmitted together to the controller. The MCU in the controller decodes the data, and instructs the motor to either make haptic vibrations or audible sound.

Although not clearly disclosed in the application, judging from the filing date this patent is referring to HD Rumble 2, not the original HD Rumble. Voltage control and other additional info can be found in the patent publication here.

For other HD Rumble 2 patents and technical info, search for keyword “rumble” on the site’s search page.

[Originally posted on 2026-01-01 Pacific Time]

The patent application for the Switch system’s Accessibility » Key Mapping feature has been published, with more attention on the new GL/GR buttons. This one is rather straightforward, pretty much what we can already see in the System Settings.

P.S.: Don’t let any jokers tell you that “Nintendo is patenting key mapping!” Anyone actually reads the application can see that it’s specific to the method used in Switch system.

[Originally posted on 2026-01-01 Pacific Time]

On a Nintendo careers page, software engineer Matsumoto revealed that in 2018, he came up with the idea of moving the non-game audio (e.g., HOME menu sound) from the sound processor to a different processor (probably the Cortex-A57 CPU core reserved for OS), to free up more sound processing resources for games.

According to Matsumoto, the development was difficult:

• Wide-ranging changes needed to be made, from low-level OS to high-level software features
• Coordination across departments and partner companies
• Various issues to address, such as audio noise occurring when the processor load spiked

Matsumoto stated that it was successfully released (mostly likely via a firmware update), but didn’t mention in what year. Looking at the austere Home screen on Switch 2, it’s apparent that their ethos of lean system continues. The Wii menu soundtrack is unlikely to come back anytime soon.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-28 Pacific Time]

A Retro Studios patent for Metroid Prime 4 was granted last week (US12502603). Since the game’s highly dynamic scene is viewed through a visor, they need a lightweight technique to light the inside of the helmet while maintaining 60 fps on Switch 1.

1. Partition the game scene
2. Calculate average color for each partition
3. Blend these colors onto helmet interior via an object mask
4. Put together the visor view

Read the patent documentation for further details, such as color calculation and edge blurring.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-28 Pacific Time]

I seldom write about other companies’ patents, but the following Sony patent (US20250208790), published in June, caught my eyes.

Basically SIE wants to put a neural processor (NPU) in the storage device (img 1), so the system gets AI generated assets directly from SSD without using CPU/GPU (img 2). Examples given include background images, NPC dialogs, 3D models, and more.

First of all, eww. Secondly, this not only will increase the SSD price, but kill off all 3rd party storages for PS6/7 if it’s required.

What’s really weird is how broad and vague the patent application is. Unlike the misinformation peddled by Games Fray, GamesIndustry.biz, and the like, patents don’t give “ownership” over generic mechanics or abstract concept. They need to be detailed and specific, but this patent application is neither. I’m unsure that it’d be granted without substantial revisions.

That said, the Trump appointed USPTO Director Squires has stated on record that he’s pro AI and crypto (and hostile to “foreign adversaries”, i.e. Chinese companies). So who know? This AI embedded SSD patent, despite its evident deficiency, just might be granted.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-27 Pacific Time]

Did anyone get an Alarmo for X’mas?

Nintendo’s patent filing shows that they are interested in linking the Alarmo to mobile and Switch games (img 1) to output special sounds based on in-game events (imgs 2-3), such as boss raids or holiday festivities.

The original patent was filed in 2021 in Japan. I thought that it was purely for R&D. However, they recently filed a divisional application, indicating continual development. It might be possible to add this feature in the future.

Note: For readability, all images above are from the US filing of the original patent.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-26 Pacific Time]

Researchers at the Imperial College London and Kyushu Sangyo University found that for young adults, playing Mario and Yoshi games have these positive effects:

• rekindle childlike wonder
• boost happiness
• reduce burnout risk

[Originally posted on 2025-12-23 Pacific Time]

While the US console sales showed signs of weakness, China’s console gaming revenue increased 86.33% in 2025 (img 1). Although still dwarfed by mobile and PC gaming (img 2; total market revenue and number of users), it is the fastest growing segment.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-23 Pacific Time]

Weltrend (偉詮電子), supplier of the USB PD controller in the Switch 2 charger, said the following in a Q&A about their gaming related revenue in 2026: “the growth may not be as high as this year’s”

Since the Switch 2 is only in the market for about 7 months in 2025, I think a moderate growth in 2026 is to be expected. At the very least the forecast isn’t a flat or down year.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-22 Pacific Time]

The patent for Switch 2’s Game Card slot and cover has been published (US20250381486). First, a bit background info: There are three wireless antennas in the Switch 2 console. One of them is situated right next to the Game Card slot.

To prevent electromagnetic noise due to Game Card operations from interfering the wireless signal, the cover (image 1 below) and slot (image 2) forms a complete metal cage when closed (image 3) to shield against noise leakage. This Faraday cage is grounded via the circuit board.

The design is easy to see when we compare the photos of Switch 1 and Switch 2 Game Card covers side by side.

The lesson here is that even if you swap Game Cards often, do not be tempted to leave the slot open. Your connection speed may suffer.

Related posts:
Game Card 2 Speed
Always Close Your Game Card Slot Cover

[Originally posted on 2025-12-18 Pacific Time]

New patent for Nintendo Switch Sports’ online basketball gameplay (US20250381474):

Since network delay may impact the feel of control responsiveness, the game outputs haptic feedback immediately (img 1) but synchronize the player and opponent animations based on a measured latency (imgs 2-3).

The patent publication provides further details on how to handle the haptics and synchronization with 9 flowcharts.

Click here for pervious Nintendo Switch Sports patent.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-18 Pacific Time]

Is this what passes for journalism these days? The source of this Automaton report is just one (1) Medium post with obviously AI generated image, text, and even the profile pic:

Not only is the post in question filled with quotes without attribution, but there’s no proof that the Medium account actually belongs to Mayur Pahwa, the purported author and Monotype employee. None of the person’s LinkedIn, website, and blog contains links to this Medium account.

And how could a Monotype employee published not one, not two, but three scathing denouncements of the company (again, all seem AI generated) publicly on Medium without facing any consequences?

Did the Automaton writer and editor not see any of these glaring red flags? Judging from its often uneven quality of reporting, Automaton seems to be yet another freelance contributor-based publication with lax editorial control.

[Originally posted on 2025-12-17 Pacific Time]