I saw about a dozen reports like this, and none correctly identified that the original application was filed in 2023-10. No one noted that USPTO actually rejected it in 2025-09, and Sony in response submitted an amendment in 2025-12. It’s yet another SIE patent that’s too broad and lacks specifics.

Last August I posted that a credit union in Pennsylvania, Bessemer System FCU, filed a trademark application for “SWITCH 2” (link below). On Jan. 2, it was approved by USPTO. The official publication should come in a few weeks. ninpatentswatch.wordpress.com/2025/09/27/t... 1/

[Info from recent GS patents] How GameShare handles V-sync • Conventionally, the GPU begins rendering the next frame when the screen refreshes; GameShare host also works this way • This can be an issue for GameShare guests, if the streamed image arrives after the rendering already started 1/

[Info from recent GS patents] How GameShare synchronizes gameplay • A “frame number” {n} is attached to each image frame and control data • This is a reference number not actual frame number, since the host and GameShare may have different frame rates 1/

[Info from recent GS patents] GameShare resolution and frame rate • There isn’t a universal GameShare resolution or frame rate; they are set by each game • If GameShare resolution < host resolution, the host scales down the image before streaming it --- E.g., resize from 1080p to 720p 1/

[Info from recent GS patents] How GameShare transmits player input • Each guest’s control input is sent P2P to the host, not server-mediated • Gamepad, mouse, and motion inputs are queued every 5 ms; touch input is every 4 ms 1/

[Info from recent GS patents] How GameShare transmits image stream • For local GameShare, the host sends an image stream to each guest directly (P2P) • For online GameShare, if each guest has their own screen image, the streaming is also P2P 1/

[Info from recent GS patents] How GameShare and GameChat integrate • Not all users in a GameShare session need to be in the same GameChat group (img 1) • Likewise, a GameChat group can have users belong to different GameShare sessions --- E.g., kart and poker sessions in one group (img 2) 1/

Five GameShare patent applications were published on Xmas Day. There’s a lot of content so I’ll only share some highlights in the next few posts. Please refer to the docs for complete info. Patent publication numbers: US20250387700, US20250387701, US20250387702, US20250387703, US20250387704 1/

Do some people not know how quotation marks work? Yoshi P did not literally said “Please look forward to FF14 on switch 2!” The source is just one heavily cropped tiny screenshot (see below). Regardless whether the image is even authentic, the statement was: “Please stay tuned regarding Switch” 1/

A couple interesting pieces of info from the latest investor conference of Foxconn Technology Co. (鴻準, Switch assembler): irconference.twse.com.tw/2354_21_2025... 1. When asked whether the memory shortage will impact Switch 2 production in 2026, FTC stated that … 1/

The patent regarding NSO Missions for Nintendo Classics is granted in Japan, and will be soon in the US: www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-... patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de... The Classics app (e.g. NES) contains a mission program (img 1) that monitors emulator program’s memory (img 2). 1/

A newly published HD Rumble patent details how vibration data is communicated btw the console and controller (img 1). The key innovation is that the console does not simply pass a game’s raw vibration data to controller, but maps vibration frequencies to the closest musical notes (img 2). 1/

The patent application for the Switch system’s Accessibility » Key Mapping feature has been published, with more attention on the new GL/GR buttons. This one is pretty straightforward, pretty much what we can already see in the System Settings: image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-pu...

While looking up info re: Symphonic Gamers 5 (see last post), I found AI generated fake news of the broadcast being canceled. This isn’t the first time I encountered agenticly fabricated stories—no matter how niche the subject is—contrived to outrage for engagements. Where is our gen-AI legislation?

NHK broadcasted the Symphonic Gamers 5 concert on the 29th, and will again on the 2nd. Masahiro Sakurai co-MC’d the program. The full program is not online, but here is the performance of Final Fantasy IX medley: youtu.be/G_mqwTyU-vw

Japanese musician Gen Hoshino gave a special performance of “Create” in the Nintendo Museum. It’s essentially a mini tour of the site and worth seeing. Koji Kondo also made an appearance (and played!) while Hosino sang into a Famicom controller 2. Video: youtu.be/mlshcZ3uZ80

On a Nintendo careers page (embedded below), software engineer Matsumoto revealed that in 2018, he came up with the idea of moving the non-game audio (e.g., HOME menu sound) from the sound processor to a different processor (probably the CPU), to free up more sound processing resources to games. 1/

A Retro Studios patent for Metroid Prime 4 was granted last week (US12502603). Since the game’s highly dynamic scene is viewed through a visor, they need a lightweight technique to light the inside of the helmet while maintaining 60 fps on Switch 1. 1/

I seldom write about other companies’ patents, but this Sony patent, published in June, caught my eyes: patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de... Basically SIE wants to put an neural processor (NPU) in the storage device, so the system gets AI generated assets directly from SSD w/o using CPU/GPU. 1/

Did anyone get an Alarmo for X’mas? Nintendo’s patent filing shows that they are interested in linking the Alarmo to mobile/Switch games (img 1) to output special sounds based on in-game events (imgs 2-3), such as boss raids or holiday festivities. 1/

Researchers at the Imperial College London and Kyushu Sangyo University found that for young adults, playing Mario and Yoshi games have these positive effects: • rekindle childlike wonder • boost happiness • reduce burnout risk games.jmir.org/2025/1/e84219/

While the US console sales showed signs of weakness, China’s console gaming revenue increased 86.33% in 2025 (img 1). Although still dwarfed by mobile and PC gaming (img 2), it is the fastest growing segment. finance.eastmoney.com/a/2025121935...

A Reuters report suggests that Valve and Sony might delay releasing Steam Machine and PS6 due to the rising memory costs: www.reuters.com/business/how... > [Joost] said sticker prices for consoles could rise another 10% to 15% over the next year or two, while PC prices could climb as much as 30% 1/

A buyer for some video game retailers in Japan confirmed that the Switch 2 MKW bundle is also ending there. See translated tweet below. (The person locked their account for some time after one of their posts got on Reddit. So I obscure their identity.)

Weltrend (偉詮電), supplier of the USB PD controller in Switch 2 charger, said the following in a Q&A about their gaming related revenue in 2026: “the growth may not be as high as this year’s” That is to be expected, but at least the forecast isn’t a flat or down year. drive.google.com/file/d/1AXvU...

The production of Switch 2 MKW bundle, from the start, was planned to stop about now. It was disclosed on the Nintendo JP site (“end of December”) and NA site (“through fall”). On the other hand, the Pokémon Z-A bundle is limited by quantity, not time: ninpatentswatch.wordpress.com/2025/09/08/l...

ININ is now pricing a presumably 16GB Game Card for +€10. So the delta from a 64GB card is only €5? How little will a 32GB card save … €2? The delayed intro of smaller cards (due to Macronix’s technical difficulties; 64GB card is made by Rohm) coincides with the rising memory costs—a double whammy.

The ultra-casual market is never underserved. Nintendo sold 1.95M units of Switch Lite (cheaper than Nex) in FY2025-03 alone, and the mobile gaming revenue is at its highest ever. All the breathless pontification re: Nex only exposes the blindspot not of the industry, but the VG media and analysts.

Nintendo has updated their CSR site, including information on product testing (see test images below), parental controls, and efficient use of resources: www.nintendo.co.jp/csr/en-us/in...

The patent for Switch 2’s Game Card slot and cover has been published (US20250381486). First, a bit background info: There are three wireless antennas on the Switch 2 console. One of them is situated right next to the Game Card slot. ninpatentswatch.wordpress.com/2025/08/26/s... 1/

New patent for Nintendo Switch Sports’ online basketball gameplay (US20250381474): Since network delay may impact the feel of control responsiveness, the game outputs haptic feedback immediately (img 1) but synchronize the player and opponent animations based on a measured latency (imgs 2-3). 1/

Is this what passes for journalism these days? The source of this report is just one (1) Medium post with seemingly AI generated image, text, and even the profile pic: medium.com/@pahwamayur/... 1/

There are unconfirmed rumors that Game Cards of varying sizes are now offered to publishers. If true, it confirms what Macronix disclosed in August: ninpatentswatch.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/r... 1/

ININ confirms that the cost of a Game Card is “at least €15” over a Game-Key Card: iningames.com/blogs/news/r... This explains the observation that several indie physical releases are priced about $20 over the download versions: ninpatentswatch.wordpress.com/2025/11/15/n...

Nintendo’s Iwamoto and Monolith Soft’s Fujita talked about the two companies’ of collaboration on the Zelda series (Skyward Sword, BotW, TotK): www.monolithsoft.co.jp/interview/de... Highlights: • Development at M.S. is structured around job functions, each with a large team for high output 1/

GEO’s (~1000 stores in Japan) top selling used games of 2025: #1 Mario Party Jamboree #2 Smash Bros Ultimate #3 DQ3 HD-2D #4 Mario 3D Collection #5 MK 8D The only 2025 games on the list are #13 MH Wilds and #20 MK World—seemingly high turnover for very new games. www.geonet.co.jp/geo_wp/wp-co...

Getting ready for the Virtual Boy reboot, Nintendo’s filed trademark applications for Mario Clash, Galactic Pinball, and Teleroboxer in 10 territories: Australia, Canada, Switzerland, China, EU, GB, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and USA. (URLs in alt text)

New Moomintroll trailer drops. Please release a Switch 2 Edition 🙏 www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sjt...

VG media habitually scoff at Just Dance (16 year franchise), and gave Nintendo Switch Sports an OpenCritic score of 70 (16M+ copies sold). It’s extremely funny seeing some of them rushing to label the success of Nex Playground an unforeseen surprise. “We’re all trying to find the guy who did this”

Based on Japan Tourism Agency’s official data, among the brands of “most satisfying purchase” (singular) for foreign visitors: #8 Pokémon #10 Universal Studios Japan [incl. Super Nintendo World] #15 Nintendo Other IP/content brands: #17 Sanrio #21 Ghibli #23 Chiikawa #27 Gundam #40 One Piece 1/

Patent JP7781117 has been granted by JPO. It describes a dev system (img 1) in which a Switch generates game footage of dev build with a superimposed progress bar and frame number (#120 in img 2). A PC then reads the bar and number in the video (via OCR) to synchronize it with debug logs. 1/

More Professor Layton info from Level-5 President Hino: • Not thinking about porting older Layton games to Switch, but will consider after The New World of Steam is launched • No decision *yet* on releasing a demo for The New World of Steam, due to concerns over puzzle spoilers

Download and print your own Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, The World Databook (manual): www.nintendo.com/jp/games/swi...

With the knowledge of Micron shutting down Crucial and outsized memory costs for consoles, does anyone still think that PS6 and the next Xbox will come in 2027?

Due to the memory prices surge, market research firm TrendForce estimates that by 3Q26 the memory cost within the bill of materials (BOM) for each console will be: 23% of Switch 2 36% of PS5 Pro 42% of Xbox X 2TB Their forecast is that the global console shipment will contract by 4.4% in 2026. 1/

The most desirable employers for Japanese college students graduating in 2027 include the following VG companies: #4 Nintendo (#1 for men, #21 for women) #21 Bandai Namco (#10 men) #24 Konami (#6 men) #30 Sega (#15 men) #39 Capcom (#11 men) #110 Sony Interactive Entertainment #125 Square Enix 1/

eSOL revealed that Switch 2 continues to use their PrFILE2 exFAT file system, following Switch 1. It is optimized for small memory footprint and large media files. It supports high speed seek back, Unicode encoding, and recovery from power shutoff or media removal. www.esol.co.jp/press/press_...

In the recent Q&A, Sega Sammy indicates that mid-range games are financially risker than the top and bottom tiers: “Indies and AAA titles are more popular in the market, leaving AA and A games in a challenging situation. […] we will carefully balance development investment with market trends” 1/

Foxconn Technology Co. (鴻準, Switch assembler) presented its R&D for Nintendo in the latest investor conference. The slide is virtually unchanged from last time. The first 3 techs are used in Switch 2 console and controller, but “force sensing technology” remain unused. A new Ring Con perhaps? 1/