Topic: Nintendo Patents New Circle Pad Design

[MegaByte]

The design would add a GameCube-like grip pattern to the 3DS control pad.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/30191

Nintendo was awarded a design patent for a new 3DS Circle Pad thumb knob design this week.

The knob includes two raised concentric rings, similar to those found on the GameCube controller's thumb stick, which should improve grip. Nintendo has not announced a 3DS redesign, but it is possible that the improvement will appear in such a revision or on the Wii U controller. The included 3DS diagram does not include an oft-requested dual Circle Pad design or any other changes to the system.

Design patent D659765 was filed for on Dec. 6, 2011 and awarded on May 15, 2012. The patent lasts for 14 years. The designers are Yuki Taniguchi and Junichiro Miyataki. A corresponding design was registered in Europe a year earlier on Dec. 10, 2010 along with the current design, so it's possible that this alternative design was discarded.

[Chozo Ghost]

This is the 3DS revision I've been waiting for... I feel bad for those who already got a 3DS, and Nintendo deserves criticism for not including the dual circle pads on the original model from the beginning, but that's why I waited. Ever since the circle pad attachment was first rumored I knew this revision was inevitable. It takes that attachment and permanently fuses it into the handheld.

Now that the dual circle pads will be standard on all 3DS models from the point on, can we now expect more games which make use of the dual analog capability, or even require it?

[famicomplicated]

GameCube stick grip is the best ever in my opinion, the C-stick is unfortunately the worst ever - what a combo!

I'm calling it now - they're gonna call the next iteration the 3DS Pro, announced at E3 2013.
They're never going to force all people to get a system with 2 analogues as it would intimidate casuals, calling it the "Pro" and people know what they're getting.

[NWR_insanolord]

This is the 3DS revision I've been waiting for... I feel bad for those who already got a 3DS, and Nintendo deserves criticism for not including the dual circle pads on the original model from the beginning, but that's why I waited. Ever since the circle pad attachment was first rumored I knew this revision was inevitable. It takes that attachment and permanently fuses it into the handheld.

Now that the dual circle pads will be standard on all 3DS models from the point on, can we now expect more games which make use of the dual analog capability, or even require it?

I don't think you read the article.

The included 3DS diagram does not include an oft-requested dual Circle Pad design

[Chozo Ghost]

Okay, maybe it hasn't been confirmed yet... but its coming.

[TheLastMetroid21]

I'm betting this is only for the wii u as they have stated the the controller isnt in its final form yet

[Jonnyboy117]

please oh please oh please oh please

[Guitar Smasher]

I find this somewhat interesting because based on a lecture by a patent lawyer I attended earlier this year, this 'invention' would not be patentable.  The lawyer explained that for an invention to be patentable, it must satisfy two requirements: 1) be new; 2) be novel.  In this case, the concentric rings aren't new because Nintendo already used this with the GameCube controller.

Could anyone a little more knowledgeable explain what I might be misunderstanding?

[MegaByte]

This isn't a regular patent, it's a design patent. In Europe, they don't even use the word "patent," just "design."

[abe]

//http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC-yQAxTtoY

[Adrock]

I don't have any issues with the grip on the 3DS circle pad so if this patent improves on that, I can only see it as a good thing.

[TJ Spyke]

Okay, maybe it hasn't been confirmed yet... but its coming.

I don't see it ever happening unless first some games come out that require two circle pads (not just are improved with two, but require it). If anything, support for two pads seems to have decreased among developers.

[lolmonade]

Okay, maybe it hasn't been confirmed yet... but its coming.

I don't see it ever happening unless first some games come out that require two circle pads (not just are improved with two, but require it). If anything, support for two pads seems to have decreased among developers.

I personally don't see an inherent need for two sticks on a handheld, but i'm also less inclined to play a game that would need it on one.  Most dual stick games (MGS3D, Resident Evil) I would be more likely to play at home for the sake of having the visual real estate of a television.  The only exception of this being Kid Icarus: Uprising, which I think would have benefitted greatly from it, but the controls aren't game-breaking imo.

[Adrock]

If anything, support for two pads seems to have decreased among developers.

Wouldn't support increase if the right circle pad was already there?

The only exception of this being Kid Icarus: Uprising, which I think would have benefitted greatly from it, but the controls aren't game-breaking imo.

Apparently it is if you're left-handed like me. Boo/hiss

[Sarail]

If anything, support for two pads seems to have decreased among developers.

Wouldn't support increase if the right circle pad was already there?

The only exception of this being Kid Icarus: Uprising, which I think would have benefitted greatly from it, but the controls aren't game-breaking imo.

Apparently it is if you're left-handed like me. Boo/hiss

I'm a lefty, and yes, I cannot play KI:U with the default controls. Completely unplayable. But I love my CPP, and it makes the game an incredible joy to play. I eagerly anticipate a revision of the 3DS with the second analog stick added in.

Two analogs FTW. Also... more dev support!

[Adrock]

I eagerly anticipate a revision of the 3DS with the second analog stick added in.

Two analogs FTW. Also... more dev support!

+1 (I'd give you another one for being a lefty as well. We need decoder rings for our special club)

Outside of games I practically can't play with a right circle pad like Uprising, I could take it or leave it. However, I don't really see the harm in including it in a revision.

[lolmonade]

If anything, support for two pads seems to have decreased among developers.

Wouldn't support increase if the right circle pad was already there?

The only exception of this being Kid Icarus: Uprising, which I think would have benefitted greatly from it, but the controls aren't game-breaking imo.

Apparently it is if you're left-handed like me. Boo/hiss

You're right.  I'm speaking from the perspective from someone that is right-handed.  The current setup suits me just fine, but I can understand your frustrations.

[Vahne]

Okay, maybe it hasn't been confirmed yet... but its coming.

Yeah it's coming. It's called the Wii U.

[Ceric]

I don't fully understand the lefty argument beyound KI:U most of the times.  Current controls I do the action that needs the most precision with my left hand.  On my PC I control full games, with an analog stick, with my left hand.  I type mostly with my Left Hand.  In fact most of the things I do when gaming is with my left hand.  I'm right handed and can't right worth squad with my left hand.  (Though I'm fairly confidence that is because the pull and push are reversed.)

[pokepal148]

not expecting 3DS revision this year and am not counting on it being announced until april. the Wii U should be their focus during then and as much as i have no plans to get the wii u in that time period (i missed so much on the wii that i need to pick up and i want the wii u in black which i doubt they will have at launch, it is just best for them not to say anything on the redesign untill the wii u is secured itself as a system). when they do however i hope they plan to make the revision more of a deluxe model type thing instead of a replacement model. dropping the current model slightly and releasing the deluxe model at a higher price seems like a great way to expand the market to lower income areas. this circle pad news is fine by me.
 
when they release it however i expect those retailers who accept trading in the old model to let us do the system transfer to the new one before we fork it over. it just seems like common courtesy to me.

how the heck did this comment get this long i will never know

[koovaps]

Ceric, try using the stylus in your left hand and see if it's playable, especially I'd you are then using the buttons to move. Not as simple as using a mouse or analog stick with your non-dominant hand. This also goes for pointing on the wii. As a lefty, I've never been comfortable pointing with my right hand. Same for light gun games.

[abe]

fixed!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC-yQAxTtoY