Nintendo Patents Watch

Three US, Japan, and EU patent publications detail how Nintendo makes the Bluetooth pairing between the Switch 2 console and controller more efficient:

1. While NS2 console is in sleep mode, its BT radio 1 remains active
2. When user activates NS2 controller, its BT radio broadcasts an advertising packet
3. After console radio 1 detects the packet, it a) sends a scan request back to controller radio, and b) wakes up whole console, including console radio 2
4. After controller radio receives the request, controller gives user immediate LED/haptic feedback (even though pairing isn’t complete)
5. Awake console radio 2 sends a connection request to controller radio, establishing link (img 1 for steps 1-5)
6. One shared encryption key is created for all BT radios and wired connections (instead of one key each; img 2)
7. Controller IDs itself with a hash based on its GATT; console matches the hash to a pre-stored GATT (skipping GATT discovery; img 3)
8. Normal operation begins

[Sidebar] Switch 2 console’s custom Wi-Fi/Bluetooth IC (MediaTek MT3681AEN) is connected to one BT, one Wi-Fi, and one combo antennas. Judging from the patent filing, there are two BT controller modules (not to be confused with game controllers) inside the MediaTek chip.

Source patent applications:

• US20260247122 (Steps 1-5)
• JP2026133904 (Step 6)
• EP4791050 (Step 7)

[Originally posted on 2026-08-25 Pacific Time]

As previously shared, Nintendo have begun sourcing Switch 2 LCD panels from Sharp, and its backlight module seems to be supplied by Ways Electron (伟时电子). Now there’s another supporting evidence:

Shen Zhen Australis (南极光), backlight supplier for the Innolux LCD panel, admitted to investors that Nintendo had brought in 1-2 other backlight suppliers, thus impacting Australis’ sales. More intriguingly, they also disclosed that their production was suspended temporarily, but is ramping up again (img above).

[Speculation] The temporary pause of production could be an indicator that 1) the LCD panel assembly was completely transitioned from Innolux to Sharp, or 2) Innolux modified its assembly lines for a panel revision.

Source

[Originally posted on 2026-08-24 Pacific Time]

On a new Nintendo Careers page, a Project Manager shared how they managed global collaboration for the “View/Change Controls” feature in Nintendo Switch Online Classics, with teams in America, Europe, and Asia (probably Nintendo Technology Development, Nintendo European Research & Development, and iQue). One tool that they use is GameChat, for checking the online play together.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-21 Pacific Time]

Nintendo’s prudent decision to use Samsung’s 8nm node for the Switch 2 SoC (Nvidia T239) has given them a buffer as component costs continue to rise, but that is about to change.

Reuters reports that in July Samsung raised 8nm prices “by nearly 10%” for new orders. So after the existing T239 order runs out, Nvidia/Nintendo may need to pay ~10% more to fabricate the processor, or even more to upgrade to 4 or 5nm. This not only will put further pressure on the Switch 2 margin, but also the pricing of a hypothetical Switch 2 Lite.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-21 Pacific Time]

[Reacting to Mike Odyssey’s Dr. Mario World “porting” claim] Aside from some rare, unusual cases, trademark renewals aren’t news. What is Nintendo supposed to do—not renewing their trademarks? Note that Mike Odyssey wrote “NEW/UPDATE” instead of simply renewal. It’s crystal clear that he didn’t even bother to check the original application before tweeting.

He is a veritable trademark Nostradamus:

Any day now.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-19 Pacific Time]

In Mario Kart World, lighting can change quickly due to the time of day and terrain features such as a tunnel. The game dynamically corrects pixel luminance to reduce washed-out highlights and crushed shadows.

1. Placing a number of light probes in virtual space

2. Casting rays from user’s gaze point

3. Sampling light probes to determine scene brightness
4. Calculating correction value for dark pixels based on scene brightness and time of day (image below is the correction table)
5. Calculating correction value for light pixels (same method)

6. Blending dark and light corrections smoothly on a curve

7. Rendering pixels with corrected luminance

Thematically this technique is similar to some TVs’ dynamic tone mapping, but is computationally lightweight. More importantly it is controlled by artistic intent, not just to show off the TV’s dynamic range.

Source: Patent application US 20260237150
Related: Lighting technique in Metroid Prime 4

[Originally posted on 2026-08-17 Pacific Time]

The price of the official microSD Express Card 256GB has increased ¥2000 to ¥8980 in Japan (+29%; img below). Before any grifters begin screeching “greedy Nintendo!l!”, keep in mind that a) it now matches the US price, and b) Nintendo’s been singlehandedly anchoring the microSD Express card market.

Since 2025, the price of 256GB regular microSD Cards has gone up around 1.4x-2.4x for Samsung, SanDisk, Lexar, and Onn/Walmart (img 1 below), and 512GB of the same brands about 2x-3x (img 2).

However, because Nintendo never raised the MSRP of its official 256GB microSD Express Card, other brands’ prices could only grew 1x-1.9x from 2025 in order to remain competitive (img 1 below). Due to the absence of an official 512GB EX Card, the anchoring effect is weaker there; even so the other brands only hiked the price around 1.3x-2x (img 2), rising substantially less than the regular 512GB cards.

This is what a responsible platform holder is supposed to do. But with the prolonged memory shortage, Nintendo might have to raise the card price in markets outside of Japan sooner or later.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-17 Pacific Time]

The following shoulder button patent application filed by Nintendo was published last August by WIPO, this May in China, and again in EU just recently. Since it could be used for misinformation, I’ll cover it here even though it’s not new.

Image 1 below shows a shoulder button (411). Depending on how user’s finger presses it and how long the pressing shaft (43) is, the shaft may hit the switch (91) at an angle that doesn’t result in accurate operation. To suppress this, a tapered base (45) is added between the spring (10) and support shaft (44). Because two corners (L3 in img 2) of the base are tapered much more than the other two corners (L2), the pressing shaft will be guided toward the optimal angle when the shoulder button is pressed, resulting in more accurate operation.

This invention is particularly useful on a smaller gaming device (img 1 below), because a) the pressing shaft can be longer to accommodate a smaller PCB, and b) the ZL/ZR buttons may be placed next to L/R (instead of stacked; img 2) without causing the L/R buttons to be pressed at suboptimal angles.

The patent also includes an embodiment that is a mini controller with only one stick and one top button to demonstrate another application of the invention (imgs 1-2 below). It is not a hint of Switch 2 Lite or new Wiimote, but part of a broader R&D Nintendo’s been doing with miniaturized consoles.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-15 Pacific Time]

GVG and Jon Cartwright asked an important question in the video above: Will the new EU packaging regulation (PPWR) force the Game Card packaging to change by 2030? I’ll sidestep few imprecise points conveyed in the video, and attempt to answer the question below.

First of all, the limitation of 50% “empty space” (img below) applies only to shipping boxes and grouped packaging, not “sales packaging” such as Game Card cases.

However, the sales packaging is still required to be “reduced to the minimum” (img 1 below), regardless of “marketing or consumer acceptance” (img 2). In other words, Nintendo cannot refuse to minimize the Game Card case just by saying “our customers like it”. They may, however, argue that the current packaging is “necessary to ensure its functionality”—e.g., to protect the Game Card and manual—and keep it unchanged.

There’s also an exemption that Nintendo might claim: packaging designs registered before 2025-02-11. This is another instance where Nintendo’s meticulous IP protection helps them, because (you guessed it) they did register the design of Game Card case on 2017-10-07 (imgs 1-2 below). It isn’t a get-out-of-jail-free card though. To claim the exemption, Nintendo needs to prove that minimization will alter the design’s novelty or character (img 3), not exactly a straightforward task.

Lastly, collectors of special editions might be glad to hear that there’s a carve-out for packaging intended for “gift purposes”, “seasonal events”, and other particularities (img below). It seems that you may still be able to purchase luxurious collectible boxes post 2030.

(sources in alt text)

[Originally posted on 2026-08-13 Pacific Time]

The reason that Nintendo partners with Salim Group to enter Indonesia is simple: growth (img below). Their sales in the “Other” region has been increasing in the Switch era—despite the setback in China—while the shares of Japanese and European markets gradually decline. The share of the Americas also grew until the trade war began in FY2026-03; my speculation (no data) is that Latin America was its area of expansion.

With the potential high costs of PS6 and Project Helix, Switch may be the only console system that can effectively expand in these growth markets. Judging from the Indonesian presser, Switch 1 seems to feature prominently in Nintendo’s plan for Indonesia. Its more accessible price and extensive game catalog could play an important role in the Other market.

👆 In FY26, sales of Switch 1 hardware dropped 66.3% YoY in Japan + Americas + Europe combined, but 52.3% in Other

👆 In Q1 FY27, sales of Switch 1 hardware declined 35% YoY in Japan + Americas + Europe, but only 11.8% in Other

Although the sample size isn’t large, it signals that Switch 1 has stronger legs in the Other market. It’s little wonder that Nintendo’s rumored India plan centered on Switch 1 too. (I’m skeptical of the “selling only Switch 1” claim though; see my reason here.)

Some of you probably remember the 2024 reports that Foxconn Group (Hon Hai) invested in the Song Khoai Industrial Park in Quang Ninh, Vietnam, and would begin assembling Switch 1 consoles and accessories there from Jan. 2027. However, newer reports since then contain no reference to the Switch, but only Foxconn production lines for EV parts, monitors, and printers at Song Khoai (img below). It seems that their Switch 1 manufacturing plan might have changed or delayed. [Update on 2026-10-02: Foxconn Vietnam is now producing Switch 2. Whether they also manufacture Switch 1 is unknown.]

(Image sources in alt text)

Related:
Southeast Asian market for Nintendo
Pokémon’s Asia Expansion Plan

[Originally posted on 2026-08-11 and -12 Pacific Time]

Nintendo filed a trademark application for Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ Resort Hotel logo in Japan on July 22, and wasted no time to introduce the Hotel merch.

Sources: official X post; trademark publication

[Originally posted on 2026-08-11 Pacific Time]

Regardless the reports of dominant digital sales ratio for Square Enix, Capcom, and other companies, the question not answered by the numbers is what the consumers would buy when given a choice. Many games are simply unavailable on physical media.

Here’s what the physical-to-digital ratio looks like for Switch in Q1 FY2027-03 after removing the download-only titles, DLC, and NSO:

• Revenue booked in the financial report → 50:50
• Gross sales (after adjusting for 3rd party eShop fees) → 39:61
• Consumer spending (if retail:eshop price=1:1) → 47:53
• Consumer spending (if retail:eshop price=0.88:1) → 44:56
• Units sold (if physical:digital price=1:1) → 47:53
• Units sold (if physical:digital price=1:0.78) → 41:59

So depending on the metrics, around 50-60% of Switch game sales in Q1 were digital when consumers had a choice.

Note that digital ratio is usually higher in Q1 and Q4 than in Q2 and Q3. Click here to see these metrics for the full FY26—which are more representative than the quarterly numbers—and my methodology to calculate these ratios.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-10 Pacific Time]

Counterfeit Joy-Con 2 has been a thing since last year, but I just saw its innards for the first time. The board and components actually look decent enough. Having a rotary motor (instead of a linear actuator for HD Rumble) but no mouse sensor is a dead giveaway though.

Source

Related: Full-featured Joy-Con 2 and Pro Controller 2 replacements

[Originally posted on 2026-08-10 Pacific Time]

Let’s check in on the Game Card suppliers’ financial reports.

MegaChips (メガチップス): After years of sales decline (img 1 below), its Apr-Jun sales grew 56% YoY, mostly because of the “amusement business” (i.e., Game Card biz; img 2)—suggesting that it’s finally shipping Switch 2 Game Cards after a long delay.

Macronix (旺宏): As MegaChips’ manufacturing partner, its ROM sales also grew 37% YoY in Apr-Jun (img below). As evident in the chart, the company is making a mint from the NAND and NOR price surge, therefore very little was said about the ROM business in the earnings call. No investor/analyst questions either, its ROM biz has become an afterthought.

Rohm (ローム): Similarly, Rohm talked mostly about its automotive and AI server business in the Apr-Jun report. The sales of Game Cards (img 1 below, under Consumer » Others) saw no change YoY. This is consistent with its flat forecast for the full year (img 2).

As I noted last quarter, if we combine MegaChip’s growth forecast and Rohm’s flat forecast, the Game Card sales is expected to increase this FY, even though Nintendo’s software forecast is flat. The divergence is possibly due to the rising memory costs, and/or Nintendo’s forecast being too conservative.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-09 Pacific Time]

(Warning: highly speculative) There are rumors on Chinese social media of a “green” Switch 2, and many interpreted it as an Ocarina of Time Edition. I was somewhat skeptical at first, but now I think that it may be real and even rolling off the assembly lines as we speak. Here’s why:

In July, the Switch assembler Foxconn Technology Co. (鴻準) saw their revenue soared to NT$21.4B (img 1 below), NT$6B+ higher than any month in the Switch 2 build-up and launch period. One Taiwanese site claims it being a historic high, but I can only confirm that it’s the most since 2017 (img 2), even higher than Switch 1’s first holiday months when FTC was the sole assembler (now there are three assemblers sharing the business).

Although it’s possible that the sales surge was due to FTC acquiring a new, large customer, I can’t locate any reports or disclosures suggesting such. Assuming much of the growth came from the Switch business, its magnitude is way beyond the typical pre-holiday buildup (and too early also).

As I wrote last month, FTC’s revenue rebound in June could be an indicator of the EU model (OSM) shipments, but the July number points to something bigger. In Q1 FY2024-03, the Tears of the Kingdom Edition of OLED Model was so popular that it temporarily reversed the Switch 1 decline (img below); Nintendo might want to give Switch 2 sales a similar jolt after the September price hike with an Ocarina of Time Edition. The timing and scale of the FTC revenue growth would align with such a plan.

[Originally posted on 2026-08-06 Pacific Time]