Nintendo Patent for Mysterious ‘Detachable’ Device Surfaces

Nobody really knows what Nintendo will offer for the next generation of consoles. However, a patent from the gaming giant reveals that the company may be working on what appears to be a new wearable device.

Too early to say for sure

As reported Nintendo Lifea document on Scope of the patent shows that Nintendo filed a patent for an “electronic device.” It describes what appears to be a dual device in which “the first device and the second device can be removably attached to each other.”

A number of images show this potential dual-screen system, which seems to evoke a style not far removed from that of the Nintendo DS. However, with this patent, it seems that the “second device” can cover the first:

In a first connection state in which the second connection part has been connected to the first connection part in the first orientation, the second rear surface is positioned so as to cover the first display.

The patent itself was filed in October 2022, but it was only recently published. At present, it’s unclear what exactly Nintendo has up its sleeve, but many will walk away from it, assuming some sort of new handheld is in the works.

Many have been waiting for a possible Switch 2 or equivalent, with rumors suggesting we could see it in 2024. However, Nintendo has yet to make an official statement regarding the release of a Switch follow-up, let alone that mysterious handheld, which may or may not see the light of day.