There has been some talk regarding a second screen functionality for Switch 2, you know, DS-style, but a newly surface patent filing is also pointing at potential magnetic smartphone integration for Nintendo’s new console. We have already seen details on some relatively new patents that all but confirm the magnetic Joy-Con and mouse mode, but it looks as though Nintendo could have some kind of magnetic attachment in the works that could enable a second screen functionality by way of your smartphone for Switch 2, and potentially and entire modular accessory holder system for other devices.
Last year rumors were all over the net regarding Switch 2 landing with some sort of dual-screen feature – this could enable Switch Online games to expand into the DS library and enable developers to create interesting, but optional, secondary display mechanics in new exclusive Switch 2 games. At the time, and more recently, suggestions had the second USB-C port and reversible nature of the Joy-Con potentially supporting some of second display attachment users could latch on to the base model Switch 2, but it looks as though a new patent filing for a modular attachment system could support a whole range of of different accessories and use cases, your smartphone included.
As spotted by the folks at GameRant, Nintendo has “recently” patented a console attachment system that suggests a more broad and versatile range of accessory potential for the next-generation console.
The patent filing describes what sounds a lot like some kind of attachment point with a magnetic connection and specially mentions support for smartphone holders – this might mean Nintendo has plans to allow gamers to attach a smartphone on the top of the Switch 2 like those mobile controller clips that have been around for some time and might further lean credence to the dual-display action on the console previous rumors mentioned.
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While this attachment device could theoretically work with a whole number of different devices and additional accessories, like say some kind of premium stand (remember the console is reportedly reversible this time around) or allow the console to attach to soft materials by the looks of it, the patent filing does not seem to specifically mention any other applications for the modular add-on.
Now, like most patent filings, none of this means anything is actually going to release. Nintendo and companies like it file hundreds of patents for technology just in case, and never end up actually developing them far enough to hit the market. This might indeed be the case for this attachment system, and might very well be the case for the other patent filings we have covered, but it certainly wouldn’t be unreasonable to suggest Nintendo is exploring this sort of additional functionality. It is no stranger to dual-screen gaming, as any avid Nintendo fan of yesteryear already knows, and, outside of mouse mode, we are yet to see the “killer feature” or gimmick as some might put it for the new console. It perhaps might not have one at all – I would be 100% cool with that personally, but Nintendo might very well have some interesting accessory functionality in mind for its next-generation of gaming. Hopefully we will find out for sure come April 2 when it hosts a dedicated Switch Direct showcase.
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