Nintendo: Difference between revisions
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==='''Patented gameplay mechanics (2025)'''=== | ==='''Patented gameplay mechanics (2025)'''=== | ||
In September 2025, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company were granted U.S. patent [https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n1/mode/2up US 12,403,397 B2], which covered a method of summoning a secondary character and instantly initiating a “fast mode” battle when an enemy occupies the location. While seemingly narrow, critics warn the wording is broad enough to overlap with common mechanics in MMORPGs, action RPGs, and other real-time combat games. Observers argue that enforcing such a patent could stifle creativity, complicate development of similar features in future titles, and even create legal uncertainty for existing games that already use comparable encounter or companion-summoning systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-10 |title=Patent No.: US 12,403,397 B2 |url=https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n1/mode/2up}}</ref> | In September 2025, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company were granted U.S. patent [https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n1/mode/2up US 12,403,397 B2], which covered a method of summoning a secondary character and instantly initiating a “fast mode” battle when an enemy occupies the location. While seemingly narrow, critics warn the wording is broad enough to overlap with common mechanics in MMORPGs, action RPGs, and other real-time combat games. Observers argue that enforcing such a patent could stifle creativity, complicate development of similar features in future titles, and even create legal uncertainty for existing games that already use comparable encounter or companion-summoning systems.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-10 |title=Patent No.: US 12,403,397 B2 |url=https://archive.org/details/12403397/page/n1/mode/2up}}</ref> | ||
==='''Virtual Boy for Switch Online'''=== | |||
In September, 2025, Nintendo announced that it's ill-fated Virtual Boy would be the newest system added to its Switch online game streaming service. The other system collections have also been offered as free downloads to members of the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service. The Virtual Boy collection was similarly offered for free, but Nintendo also revealed that a required accessory would need to be purchased to make use of the Virtual Boy collection. They offered an option of a $99 replica of the original Virtual Boy device or a $20 cardboard headset. Use of either of these accessories is required to properly play the Virtual Boy Collection as the companion app was not designed with an option to disable the 3D graphics and is also not compatible with a TV by docking the Switch console. <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-09-12 |title=Nintendo Switch is getting a Virtual Boy accessory and Switch Online games url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/nintendo-switch-is-getting-a-virtual-boy-accessory-and-switch-online-games/ access-date=2026-02-17}}</ref> Software emulators fans created for Nintendo's prior Nintendo 3DS console can render the Virtual Boy graphics with the use of the system's autostereoscopic 3D display along with allowing the 3D graphics to be disabled by using the system's existing 3D slider. Nintendo also posted an incorrect statement to social media that their existing product, the Nintendo Labo VR Headset, would be compatible with the Virtual Boy collection. | |||
==Products<!-- Please keep this section reserved for products which are expected to be relevant to the wiki, and at least try to organize products chronologically. -->== | ==Products<!-- Please keep this section reserved for products which are expected to be relevant to the wiki, and at least try to organize products chronologically. -->== | ||