The Nintendo Switch 2, announced during the Nintendo Direct last April 2, 2025 and reported to be launched globally on June 5, introduces significant hardware and user experience upgrades. Nintendo’s recent patent filings provide insight into the technologies driving these enhancements. This patent deep-dive explores how Nintendo has tackled the limitations of earlier models and introduced new interaction mechanisms, offering a technical perspective on the innovations behind the Switch 2.
Launched in 2017, the original Nintendo Switch introduced a design that transitioned between a home console and a portable handheld. This flexibility helped redefine Nintendo’s hardware identity. With over 150 million units sold globally, the Switch reached a broad audience, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers.
Nintendo’s Patenting Activity
Nintendo’s patent filing activity over the past decade reflects the company’s evolving innovation strategy, closely aligned with its major product launches and development cycles. A closer look at the trends reveals key periods of heightened patent filing activity, and early signs of future advancements.
Within the last 10 years, Nintendo has the most patent filings in 2017. It was also during this time that the Nintendo Switch was launched.
Nintendo’s Key Technology Areas
Nintendo’s patent activity from 2015–2025 highlights a strong emphasis on gaming technologies, particularly game mechanics and hardware. Over half of the filings fall under A63F, wherein the largest individual concentrations are in A63F-13/24 and A63F-13/56, which focus on constructional details of game controllers and computational methods for character movement within game environments.
Additionally, patents in G06F and G06T highlight advancements in digital data processing and image generation, which are crucial for improving game graphics. H04W and H04N patents point to improvements in wireless communication and visual features, which could enhance multiplayer and streaming experiences. Overall, these developments indicate that Nintendo is refining both the hardware and interactive experience for future systems like the Switch 2.
Nintendo Patents: Geographical distribution
Jurisdictionally, Nintendo’s patent footprint shows a strong emphasis on filings in the United States (965) and Japan (867), which together account for the vast majority of Nintendo’s patent activity. Filings in China, under the PCT system, and other regions are comparatively limited.
The company relies heavily on both U.S.-based and Japanese patent firms, which aligns with the concentration of filings in those regions, while also engaging key European and Chinese representatives for strategic filings in those markets.
The top legal representatives handling Nintendo’s patent filings reflect a mix of U.S., Japanese, European, and international firms, with Nixon & Vanderhye P.C. leading by a wide margin. This is followed by Teramoto Ryo (individual) and the Ogasawara Patent Office, both based in Japan. European representation is notably provided by Bardehle Pagenberg Partnerschaft mbB, while Linda Liu & Partners supports filings in China.
Nintendo Switch 2: What’s Changing?
Nintendo’s latest console is widely expected to tackle several of the original Switch’s most well-known shortcomings. Among the most anticipated upgrades are a sharper display and improved performance, both of which promise more immersive visuals and smoother gameplay.
Another major focus is the Joy-Con, detachable primary controllers for the Nintendo Switch. Fans are hoping for more durable hardware that finally resolves the “stick drift” issue, which has plagued users since the Switch’s early days. Multiplayer functionality may also evolve, potentially introducing new social and communication tools that make online and local co-op more seamless and interactive.
These changes are mirrored in patent activity that highlights efforts to improve user experience, reliability, and game design flexibility.
Patents Powering the Next Nintendo Switch
Nintendo’s recent patent filings related to the Switch 2 indicate a focus on addressing hardware challenges and expanding the platform’s flexibility. A significant portion of these filings centers on controller-related innovations—targeting ergonomics, customizability, and haptic feedback—to improve usability and durability across diverse gameplay scenarios. Other patents point to broader system-level upgrades like dynamic upscaling and in-game communication.
Upscaling in Real Time
Nintendo’s partnership with NVIDIA continues to bear fruit. A recent U.S. patent application (US20250086753A1) titled “Systems and methods for machine learned image conversion,” addresses a key challenge in modern gaming: how to deliver high-resolution graphics in real time without overwhelming the hardware. Traditional upscaling methods often sacrifice either speed or visual quality.
The patent application outlines a machine learning-based upscaling system that transforms low-resolution images into high-resolution output like 1080p, in real time. This is achieved by dividing images into pixel blocks, enriching them with context data, and feeding them into a trained neural network via layered activation matrices. The system is designed to operate during gameplay, meaning upscaling occurs on the fly, with minimal latency.
This patented method mirrors the AI-driven enhancements marketed as part of the Switch 2’s core features: NVIDIA’s Tensor Cores and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology. The console’s hardware enables efficient execution of these neural network transformations, boosting image fidelity without requiring full native rendering. The result: smoother, sharper visuals at higher frame rates, both in handheld mode (up to 120fps at 1080p) and on TV (up to 4K), with AI doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.
U.S. Patent Application US20250086753A1 was filed on November 26, 2024. Alexandre Delattre, Théo Charvet and Raphaël Poncet were listed as Inventors. The application is represented by Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Stick Drift No More
Joy-Con drift became a well-known issue with the original Switch, wherein worn analog sticks caused unintended character movement. The problem gained enough attention to spark lawsuits and push Nintendo to offer free repairs. For the Switch 2, things might be different.
Nintendo’s 2023 patent application US20230280849A1 suggests Nintendo may be tackling this issue in the Switch 2 with a radical redesign: an analog stick filled with magnetorheological “smart fluid” that changes viscosity based on applied magnetic fields. This lets the controller dynamically adjust resistance based on stick position, simulating different textures, boundaries, or in-game physics like never before.
Official interviews confirm that both the Joy-Con 2 and the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller have been reengineered from the ground up. Nintendo’s developers highlight “smooth-gliding sticks” that reduce friction, eliminate drag, and move quietly even under fast input.
U.S. Patent Application US20230280849A1 titled “Information processing system, controller, information processing method, and computer-readable non-transitory storage medium having stored therein information processing program,” was filed on May 11, 2023. Takafumi Aoki, Takanori Okamura, Yuki Taniguchi, Hiroki Ikuta, and Masaya Takei were listed as Inventors. The application is represented by Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Game-Changing Control Innovations
Nintendo has revealed that the Switch 2 controllers include a new “mouse-mode” feature, first described in a Japanese language patent WO2025027803A1 titled Input Device and System. This mode allows Joy-Cons to function like cursor devices, making them perfect for strategy games, creative apps, and smoother UI navigation. Switch 2 producer Kawamoto confirmed that Joy-Con 2 can double as mouse-style controllers, with examples like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond using one for movement and the other for aiming and shooting. Even party games can take advantage of this, letting two players use pointer-style controls at the same time.
As shown in Figure 25, the controller includes a thumb-operated joystick and a series of buttons laid out for easy access while maintaining a firm grip. A key feature is the directional input unit, which works in conjunction with motion tracking and surface interaction to mimic mouse-like movement. A sensor between the first side button (110) and the second side button (120) on the underside detects relative movement across a surface, while rotational input from the thumbstick enables smooth, multidirectional navigation ideal for scenarios like aiming or UI interaction.
Figure 28 demonstrates a typical usage scenario, highlighting how the input device is ergonomically designed for dual-hand operation. The user’s left hand grips the main body (2), utilizing the joystick and side controls (e.g., 41), while the right hand operates the top portion (1), pressing buttons 130 and 140. The arrangement enables simultaneous manipulation of multiple inputs such as directional navigation via the joystick (31) and rotational or selection inputs via buttons 130 and 140. This dual-handed setup enhances control precision, especially in dynamic applications like gaming or 3D navigation.
In addition to the earlier patent, another application filed on the same date (WO2025027801A1) titled Game controller introduces a redesigned attachment system for the Joy-Cons. This new design features a versatile add-on that snaps onto the controller using the magnetic elements (410 and 420) and a recess. The magnetic elements align with buttons on a small protruding section of the controller, securing the attachment firmly in place while prioritizing comfort and ease of use.
In actual use, detaching the controller itself is designed to feel intuitive and effortless. A built-in operation unit (182) is subtly recessed into a rear-facing protrusion on the controller. When pressed, this unit moves inward and downward, activating a release mechanism. This motion not only initiates the detachment but also lets the user apply natural pressure to the protrusion, improving grip and leverage. A small pusher component (181) assists by gently separating the controller from the main unit, requiring minimal force. Thoughtfully, the design ensures that key buttons avoid contact with surfaces when the controller is placed face-down, protecting them from wear and tear.
Patent applications WO2025027801A1 and WO2025027803A1 were filed on August 1, 2023. Kazuhiko Koriyama, Shinji Hirose and Kazuki Ebihara were listed as Inventors for the ‘801 patent application while Masaya Takei and Kazuhiko Koriyama for the ‘803 patent application. The application is represented by Fukami Patent Office, P.C. based in Japan.
These patents show a clear link between Nintendo’s R&D and the product’s announced features, including design updates that respond to the lapses of the original Switch system.
The road ahead for Nintendo
The Nintendo Switch 2 is not just another hardware update. It represents a thoughtful evolution shaped by years of technical planning, user feedback, and forward-thinking innovation. From addressing long-standing issues like stick drift and resolution limitations to introducing fresh features such as magnetic attachments, fluid-based joystick technology, and mouse-mode control, Nintendo is clearly designing with the future of hybrid gaming in mind.
As Kawamoto said, the goal of the Switch 2 as a new dedicated gaming system is for players to truly enjoy the games, a focus that reflects his commitment as one of the developers. With its new developments, the Switch 2 is set to redefine the gaming experience and become the new standard.
