Nintendo

Analysis
two chibi characters stacked on top of one another

Mattel’s Stackable, Character-Shaped Game Console 

We guarantee this is the most interesting looking game system you’ll see today!

action game Amiibo console Draft
Analysis
some plastic bongos

Looking Back at the DK Bongos Design Patent

Remember the plastic bongos that plugged into the GameCube to play those Donkey Kong-themed rhythm games? Well, have we got the patent for you...

Bandai Namco Bongos Design design patent
Analysis
creature capture patent diagram

Palworld 1.0 Launches as Nintendo Patent Case Targets Earlier Versions 

Palworld 1.0 has launched while Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's pending patent claims against Pocketpair remain limited to earlier, pre-patch versions of the game.

creature capture Draft law legal
News
switch dock

Chinese Patent Office Publishes a Nintendo Patent for a Dock Compatible with Both the Switch and Switch 2 

Nintendo’s move in China might signal a coming commercial application for their dock technology.

China Dock Draft fan
Patent Analysis
gamecube controller

A Look Back at the GameCube Controller’s Design Patents from Early 2001

Fancy a blast from the past? This week, we’re having a look back at the pair of patents that would go on to become Nintendo’s iconic GameCube controller.

controller Design design patent Draft
Patent Analysis
a deconstructed joystick

The Weird and Wonderful World of Joystick Patents 

The U.S. patent office has issued some cool and strange joystick patents over the years. In this post, we have a look at some of our favorites!

aliexpress Draft Joystick joysticks
Patent Analysis
Pokeball Controller

Exploring Nintendo’s 2019 Pokéball Plus Patent 

Nintendo’s game controller, shaped like a Pokéball and patented back in 2019, features a button, a vibrator, and an antenna.

Draft Nintendo Nintendo Switch nintendo switch 2
Patent Analysis
flow chart

Nintendo’s 2014 GameBoy Emulation Patent

Nintnedo's patent relates to the emulation of GameBoy games on “low-capability target platform[s].”

Draft Emulation GameBoy handheld
Patent Analysis

Nintendo Files Patent Application Directed to Touchscreen Creature Capture

Nintendo filed a patent application to be included in their creature-capture and mount-switching gameplay systems patent family. Japanese Patent Application 2026-019762 relates to a monster catching gameplay loop in which players use…

japan Japanese Patent Office Nintendo Patents
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 10,363,481: System for multi-user communications using discrete video game platforms

U.S. Patent No. 10,363,481: System for multi-user communications using discrete video game platforms Issued July 30, 2019, to Nintendo Co. Ltd Filed June 30, 2016 (claiming priority to August 21, 2001) Overview:…

10363481 Animal animal crossing AnimalCrossing
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 10,471,303: Training Instrument and input device

U.S. Patent No. 10,471,303: Training Instrument and input device Issued November 12, 2019, to Nintendo Co. LtdFiled: April 14, 2017 (claiming priority to October 16, 2014) Overview: U.S. Patent No. 10,471,303 (the…

10471303 exercise exercise game Game controller
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 11,011,142: Information processing system and goggle apparatus

U.S. Patent No. 11,011,142: Information processing system and goggle apparatus Issued May 18, 2021, to Nintendo Co LtdFiled: February 5, 2020 (claiming priority to February 27, 2019) This Nintendo patent appears to…

11011142 Goggle Goggle Apparatus LABO
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 9,814,983: Methods and/or systems for designing virtual environments

U.S. Patent No. 9,814,983: Methods and/or systems for designing virtual environments Issued November 14, 2017, to Nintendo Co. Ltd. Filed: July 30, 2014 (claiming priority to June 14, 2011) This Super Mario Maker-related…

9814983 Level design Mario Maker Nintendo
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 8,411,092: 2D imposters for simplifying processing of plural animation objects in computer graphics generation

U.S. Patent No. 8,411,092: 2D imposters for simplifying processing of plural animation objects in computer graphics generation Issued April 2, 2013, to Nintendo Co. Ltd.Filed/Priority to June 14, 2010 This Nintendo patent…

2D 2D Imposter 2D Viewing Plane 3D
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 6,699,127: Real-time replay system for video game

U.S. Patent No. 6,699,127: Real-time replay system for video game Issued March 2, 2004, to Nintendo of America, Inc. Filed: September 27, 2000 (claiming priority to June 20, 2000) Overview: U.S. Patent…

6699127 Forza Instant replay keyframe
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 6,251,010: Game machine apparatus and method with enhanced time-related display of pokemon-type characters

U.S. Patent No. 6,251,010: Game machine apparatus and method with enhanced time-related display of pokemon-type characters Issued June 26, 2001, Nintendo Co., Ltd., Game Freak Inc., and Creatures Inc. Filed: May 18,…

6251010 Clock Creatures Creatures Inc.
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 6,595,858: Image-display game system

U.S. Patent No. 6,595,858: Image-display game system Issued July 22, 2003, to Nintendo Co. Ltd., Game Freak Inc., and Creatures Inc. Filed: June 1, 2000 (claiming priority to August 26, 1999) Overview:…

6595858 Creatures Creatures Inc. Effort Value
Lawsuits

Lawsuit Update: iLife Seeks Writ of Certiorari After Verdict Against Nintendo Tossed

Lawsuit Update: iLife Seeks Writ of Certiorari After Verdict Against Nintendo Tossed iLife Tech., Inc. v. Nintendo Am., Inc.Supreme Court of the United StatesCase No. 20-1760Filed: June 14, 2021 In August of…

35 USC 101 abstract Alice Alice Corp v. CLS Bank
Patent Analysis

U.S. Patent No. 6,139,433: Video game system and method with enhanced three-dimensional character and background control due to environmental conditions

U.S. Patent No. 6,139,433: Video game system and method with enhanced three-dimensional character and background control due to environmental conditions Issued October 31, 2000, to Nintendo Co. Ltd. Filed: June 6, 2005…

6139433 Joystick Mario 64 N64
Lawsuits

Nintendo ROM Distributor Owes Over $2 Million After Summary Judgement

Nintendo ROM Distributor Owes Over $2 Million After Summary Judgement Nintendo of America, Inc. v. Matthew Storman United States District Court for the Central District of California Case No. CV 19-7818 Filed:…

Copyright Lanham Act Nintendo Nintendo Switch