Nintendo Patents Watch
@ninpatentswatch.bsky.social
Human-run account covering patents, tech, and business behind Nintendo products (任天堂特許ウォッチ; 任天堂专利追踪; 任天堂專利追蹤)
https://ninpatentswatch.wordpress.com
https://ninpatentswatch.wordpress.com
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.
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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.
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December 2, 2025 at 8:22 AM
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/
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/
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”
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“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”
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November 27, 2025 at 10:16 AM
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”
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“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”
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FTC generated record revenue on the strength of its NS2 assembly business (imgs 1-2). What’s intriguing is the report that the production is running “at full capacity” in Q4, not only for the holiday season but also for expected demands driven by “new games launched in Q1” (img 3).
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November 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
FTC generated record revenue on the strength of its NS2 assembly business (imgs 1-2). What’s intriguing is the report that the production is running “at full capacity” in Q4, not only for the holiday season but also for expected demands driven by “new games launched in Q1” (img 3).
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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?
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The first 3 techs are used in Switch 2 console and controller, but “force sensing technology” remain unused. A new Ring Con perhaps?
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November 26, 2025 at 8:04 PM
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?
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The first 3 techs are used in Switch 2 console and controller, but “force sensing technology” remain unused. A new Ring Con perhaps?
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Regarding recent The Duskbloods rumor, I cannot locate the Chinese source claimed by the YouTuber.
If someone who can read the language is unable to verify its veracity, did any VG outlets and influencers reporting this as a fact even attempt to check?
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If someone who can read the language is unable to verify its veracity, did any VG outlets and influencers reporting this as a fact even attempt to check?
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November 26, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Regarding recent The Duskbloods rumor, I cannot locate the Chinese source claimed by the YouTuber.
If someone who can read the language is unable to verify its veracity, did any VG outlets and influencers reporting this as a fact even attempt to check?
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If someone who can read the language is unable to verify its veracity, did any VG outlets and influencers reporting this as a fact even attempt to check?
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According to @bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net, Pokémon Tretta was discontinued in 2023. But for reasons unknown, on 2025-11-19 Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures jointly filed a “POKEMONTRETTA” trademark application in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
branddb.wipo.int/en/similarna...
branddb.wipo.int/en/similarna...
November 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM
According to @bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net, Pokémon Tretta was discontinued in 2023. But for reasons unknown, on 2025-11-19 Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures jointly filed a “POKEMONTRETTA” trademark application in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
branddb.wipo.int/en/similarna...
branddb.wipo.int/en/similarna...
At WePlay Expo in Shanghai, Akihiro Hino shared what’s new about Professor Layton and The New World of Steam:
• Unlike DS/3DS titles, UX designed for big screen with mouse and controller input
• More puzzles, longer story, and better graphics than ever
Source: weibo.com/tv/show/1034...
• Unlike DS/3DS titles, UX designed for big screen with mouse and controller input
• More puzzles, longer story, and better graphics than ever
Source: weibo.com/tv/show/1034...
November 24, 2025 at 10:54 AM
At WePlay Expo in Shanghai, Akihiro Hino shared what’s new about Professor Layton and The New World of Steam:
• Unlike DS/3DS titles, UX designed for big screen with mouse and controller input
• More puzzles, longer story, and better graphics than ever
Source: weibo.com/tv/show/1034...
• Unlike DS/3DS titles, UX designed for big screen with mouse and controller input
• More puzzles, longer story, and better graphics than ever
Source: weibo.com/tv/show/1034...
• It’s also unserious that the video tried to contrast Nintendo with Sega’s (in their mind) lax legal stance, even though Sega actually won a government award in 2022 for initiating “aggressive” enforcements, warnings, and lawsuits. See the shiny certificate below.
www.jpo.go.jp/news/koho/ti...
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www.jpo.go.jp/news/koho/ti...
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November 24, 2025 at 5:01 AM
• It’s also unserious that the video tried to contrast Nintendo with Sega’s (in their mind) lax legal stance, even though Sega actually won a government award in 2022 for initiating “aggressive” enforcements, warnings, and lawsuits. See the shiny certificate below.
www.jpo.go.jp/news/koho/ti...
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www.jpo.go.jp/news/koho/ti...
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• Trademark owners MUST enforce the trademarks, or they may become “generic” or “abandoned”. For example, Capcom requested 6940 takedowns* in FY2023, 7110 in FY2024, and 6176 in FY2025.
* including trademark and other copyright infringements
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
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* including trademark and other copyright infringements
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
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November 24, 2025 at 5:01 AM
• Trademark owners MUST enforce the trademarks, or they may become “generic” or “abandoned”. For example, Capcom requested 6940 takedowns* in FY2023, 7110 in FY2024, and 6176 in FY2025.
* including trademark and other copyright infringements
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
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* including trademark and other copyright infringements
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
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…
More details, such as handling different Joy-Con orientations, can be found here: image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-pu...
More details, such as handling different Joy-Con orientations, can be found here: image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-pu...
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
…
More details, such as handling different Joy-Con orientations, can be found here: image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-pu...
More details, such as handling different Joy-Con orientations, can be found here: image-ppubs.uspto.gov/dirsearch-pu...
…
3. Shooting/dunking
3. Shooting/dunking
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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3. Shooting/dunking
3. Shooting/dunking
…
2. Jumping
2. Jumping
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
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2. Jumping
2. Jumping
Published today, patent US20250352904 is for the basketball offensive moves in Nintendo Switch Sports:
1. Dribbling
…
1. Dribbling
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November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Published today, patent US20250352904 is for the basketball offensive moves in Nintendo Switch Sports:
1. Dribbling
…
1. Dribbling
…
Today Bandai Namco officially confirmed that Kirby Air Riders was built with BN’s in-house game engine SOL-AVES (ソルアヴェス; img 1). The trademark was filed on 2022-12-09 (img 2). Air Riders seems to be the first released title using the engine.
www.bandainamcostudios.com/products/%E3...
www.bandainamcostudios.com/products/%E3...
November 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Today Bandai Namco officially confirmed that Kirby Air Riders was built with BN’s in-house game engine SOL-AVES (ソルアヴェス; img 1). The trademark was filed on 2022-12-09 (img 2). Air Riders seems to be the first released title using the engine.
www.bandainamcostudios.com/products/%E3...
www.bandainamcostudios.com/products/%E3...
Although Furukawa claimed recently that the rising material costs can be offset by production cost reduction, I’m not certain that Nintendo anticipated this level of upheaval.
In retrospect, Switch 2’s modest 256GB storage and 8nm node were a good hedge against the AI-fueled cost escalation.
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In retrospect, Switch 2’s modest 256GB storage and 8nm node were a good hedge against the AI-fueled cost escalation.
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November 18, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Although Furukawa claimed recently that the rising material costs can be offset by production cost reduction, I’m not certain that Nintendo anticipated this level of upheaval.
In retrospect, Switch 2’s modest 256GB storage and 8nm node were a good hedge against the AI-fueled cost escalation.
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In retrospect, Switch 2’s modest 256GB storage and 8nm node were a good hedge against the AI-fueled cost escalation.
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• Notebook prices are expected to rise by 5–15%
• Smartphone production is expected to contract by -2.0%, and PC production -2.4%
This echos the recent Morgan Stanley reports about memory makers’ “maximum pricing power” and OEM/ODM makers’ “risk of margin pressure”. (image sources: Hupu, Moomoo)
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• Smartphone production is expected to contract by -2.0%, and PC production -2.4%
This echos the recent Morgan Stanley reports about memory makers’ “maximum pricing power” and OEM/ODM makers’ “risk of margin pressure”. (image sources: Hupu, Moomoo)
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November 18, 2025 at 11:22 AM
• Notebook prices are expected to rise by 5–15%
• Smartphone production is expected to contract by -2.0%, and PC production -2.4%
This echos the recent Morgan Stanley reports about memory makers’ “maximum pricing power” and OEM/ODM makers’ “risk of margin pressure”. (image sources: Hupu, Moomoo)
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• Smartphone production is expected to contract by -2.0%, and PC production -2.4%
This echos the recent Morgan Stanley reports about memory makers’ “maximum pricing power” and OEM/ODM makers’ “risk of margin pressure”. (image sources: Hupu, Moomoo)
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Your actions and choices alters the idols’ stats (img 1), which affect their singing pitch, tempo, volume, vibrato, and note length when in concerts. An idol may make mistakes (img 2) that result in poor performances (img 3). Konami uses AI to generate singing voices with these variations.
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November 17, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Your actions and choices alters the idols’ stats (img 1), which affect their singing pitch, tempo, volume, vibrato, and note length when in concerts. An idol may make mistakes (img 2) that result in poor performances (img 3). Konami uses AI to generate singing voices with these variations.
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When the original patent was published in 2023, I suspected but wasn’t sure if it’ll be used in Switch 2. This new continuation added a section about 3D sound from a handheld’s built-in speakers (crosstalk), a strong indicator that it’s indeed used in NS2.
patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
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patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
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November 15, 2025 at 1:30 AM
When the original patent was published in 2023, I suspected but wasn’t sure if it’ll be used in Switch 2. This new continuation added a section about 3D sound from a handheld’s built-in speakers (crosstalk), a strong indicator that it’s indeed used in NS2.
patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
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patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
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Patent US20250350898 seems to confirm that Switch 2’s 3D spatial sound is a home-grown solution by NoA, not a licensed product.
It’s the latest continuation of the original 2021 patent that describes techniques to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of an object-based audio spatializer.
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It’s the latest continuation of the original 2021 patent that describes techniques to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of an object-based audio spatializer.
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November 15, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Patent US20250350898 seems to confirm that Switch 2’s 3D spatial sound is a home-grown solution by NoA, not a licensed product.
It’s the latest continuation of the original 2021 patent that describes techniques to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of an object-based audio spatializer.
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It’s the latest continuation of the original 2021 patent that describes techniques to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and quality of an object-based audio spatializer.
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[Sidebar] Another clear example is this Sony 2025 patent for on-screen controller overlay (img 1). No one would believe that it meant “owning” something so basic.
BTW, Sony’s VG patent portfolio is ~2.8x of Nintendo’s (img 2), betraying the myth that Nintendo is doing anything extraordinary.
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BTW, Sony’s VG patent portfolio is ~2.8x of Nintendo’s (img 2), betraying the myth that Nintendo is doing anything extraordinary.
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November 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
[Sidebar] Another clear example is this Sony 2025 patent for on-screen controller overlay (img 1). No one would believe that it meant “owning” something so basic.
BTW, Sony’s VG patent portfolio is ~2.8x of Nintendo’s (img 2), betraying the myth that Nintendo is doing anything extraordinary.
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BTW, Sony’s VG patent portfolio is ~2.8x of Nintendo’s (img 2), betraying the myth that Nintendo is doing anything extraordinary.
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These are the prior art cited for the summoning patent reexamination:
Konami 2002 (imgs 1-2) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Nintendo 2019 (imgs 3-4) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Are they similar enough to the Pokémon patent to invalidate it? Read them and judge for yourself.
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Konami 2002 (imgs 1-2) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Nintendo 2019 (imgs 3-4) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Are they similar enough to the Pokémon patent to invalidate it? Read them and judge for yourself.
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November 14, 2025 at 3:03 PM
These are the prior art cited for the summoning patent reexamination:
Konami 2002 (imgs 1-2) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Nintendo 2019 (imgs 3-4) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Are they similar enough to the Pokémon patent to invalidate it? Read them and judge for yourself.
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Konami 2002 (imgs 1-2) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Nintendo 2019 (imgs 3-4) patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Are they similar enough to the Pokémon patent to invalidate it? Read them and judge for yourself.
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As of 2025-03, Capcom owns 1,164 patents and 6,343 trademarks. In last fiscal year alone, they issued 6,176 copyright infringement takedowns.
But somehow, it only seems to make the news when Nintendo files a patent or requests a removal.
But somehow, it only seems to make the news when Nintendo files a patent or requests a removal.
November 13, 2025 at 3:49 AM
As of 2025-03, Capcom owns 1,164 patents and 6,343 trademarks. In last fiscal year alone, they issued 6,176 copyright infringement takedowns.
But somehow, it only seems to make the news when Nintendo files a patent or requests a removal.
But somehow, it only seems to make the news when Nintendo files a patent or requests a removal.
Capcom’s 2025 annual report includes a section about RE Engine. It mentions the support for ray tracing, path tracing, and strand-based hair. Around 160 engineers are in charge of the engine development.
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
November 13, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Capcom’s 2025 annual report includes a section about RE Engine. It mentions the support for ray tracing, path tracing, and strand-based hair. Around 160 engineers are in charge of the engine development.
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
www.capcom.co.jp/ir/data/pdf/...
This is not a Game-Key Card apologist thread, only an explainer on the precarious status of Game Card:
1. Although never disclosed, there are evidences suggesting that the GC “ROM” is actually pre-programmed NAND. Due to the AI boom, NAND price is now in a “super cycle”. (img source: ADATA)
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1. Although never disclosed, there are evidences suggesting that the GC “ROM” is actually pre-programmed NAND. Due to the AI boom, NAND price is now in a “super cycle”. (img source: ADATA)
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November 12, 2025 at 9:02 AM
This is not a Game-Key Card apologist thread, only an explainer on the precarious status of Game Card:
1. Although never disclosed, there are evidences suggesting that the GC “ROM” is actually pre-programmed NAND. Due to the AI boom, NAND price is now in a “super cycle”. (img source: ADATA)
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1. Although never disclosed, there are evidences suggesting that the GC “ROM” is actually pre-programmed NAND. Due to the AI boom, NAND price is now in a “super cycle”. (img source: ADATA)
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Inventory data from Nintendo’s semiannual report, as of 2025-09:
• Largest total inventory and finished goods inventory since 2001-03 (possibly ever), likely stockpiling for Z-A release and holiday sales
• Work-in-progress inventory decreased to the usual range (pre-launch rush was over)
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• Largest total inventory and finished goods inventory since 2001-03 (possibly ever), likely stockpiling for Z-A release and holiday sales
• Work-in-progress inventory decreased to the usual range (pre-launch rush was over)
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November 12, 2025 at 3:14 AM
Inventory data from Nintendo’s semiannual report, as of 2025-09:
• Largest total inventory and finished goods inventory since 2001-03 (possibly ever), likely stockpiling for Z-A release and holiday sales
• Work-in-progress inventory decreased to the usual range (pre-launch rush was over)
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• Largest total inventory and finished goods inventory since 2001-03 (possibly ever), likely stockpiling for Z-A release and holiday sales
• Work-in-progress inventory decreased to the usual range (pre-launch rush was over)
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