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
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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If the game sales were as soft as Mochizuki made it out to be, how come Nintendo revised UP the forecasts for both the NS2 and NS1 software sales?
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November 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
If the game sales were as soft as Mochizuki made it out to be, how come Nintendo revised UP the forecasts for both the NS2 and NS1 software sales?
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Isn’t this the 2nd time Mochizuki pushing this narrative? For a business reporter, he’s curiously inattentive to details:
• Digital NS2E games are counted as NS1 sales
• Digital only games (Welcome Tour, DxD) are not reported
• Furukawa Q&A: We plan to keep selling NS1 games to NS2 owners
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• Digital NS2E games are counted as NS1 sales
• Digital only games (Welcome Tour, DxD) are not reported
• Furukawa Q&A: We plan to keep selling NS1 games to NS2 owners
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November 11, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Isn’t this the 2nd time Mochizuki pushing this narrative? For a business reporter, he’s curiously inattentive to details:
• Digital NS2E games are counted as NS1 sales
• Digital only games (Welcome Tour, DxD) are not reported
• Furukawa Q&A: We plan to keep selling NS1 games to NS2 owners
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• Digital NS2E games are counted as NS1 sales
• Digital only games (Welcome Tour, DxD) are not reported
• Furukawa Q&A: We plan to keep selling NS1 games to NS2 owners
1/
Live2D Inc. announced Switch 2 version of Live2D Cubism SDK for developers (2D character modeling and animation tool)
Source: prtimes.jp/main/html/rd...
Source: prtimes.jp/main/html/rd...
November 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Live2D Inc. announced Switch 2 version of Live2D Cubism SDK for developers (2D character modeling and animation tool)
Source: prtimes.jp/main/html/rd...
Source: prtimes.jp/main/html/rd...
Sounds like Switch 2 now supports LE Audio/LC3 codec for low latency? The setting looks similar to Sony Sound Connect’s “Bluetooth connection quality” (image below):
• Sound quality (LDAC/AAC/high bitrate SBC)
• Stable connection (low bitrate SBC)
• Low latency (LC3)
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• Sound quality (LDAC/AAC/high bitrate SBC)
• Stable connection (low bitrate SBC)
• Low latency (LC3)
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November 11, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Sounds like Switch 2 now supports LE Audio/LC3 codec for low latency? The setting looks similar to Sony Sound Connect’s “Bluetooth connection quality” (image below):
• Sound quality (LDAC/AAC/high bitrate SBC)
• Stable connection (low bitrate SBC)
• Low latency (LC3)
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• Sound quality (LDAC/AAC/high bitrate SBC)
• Stable connection (low bitrate SBC)
• Low latency (LC3)
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Drag x Drive patent: Control of NPC movements
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
Drag x Drive patent: Control of NPC movements
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
GameChat safety patent 3: Preventing user from erroneously join undesired chatroom (e.g., presence of a blocked account)
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
GameChat safety patent 3: Preventing user from erroneously join undesired chatroom (e.g., presence of a blocked account)
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
GameChat safety patent 2: Parental approval of friend requests and chat requests
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
GameChat safety patent 2: Parental approval of friend requests and chat requests
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
I’m traveling today, and can only offer a brief intro for the following 4 new patents. Please click the links for details.
GameChat safety patent 1: Server-side filtering of communications based on user age
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
GameChat safety patent 1: Server-side filtering of communications based on user age
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
November 7, 2025 at 6:35 AM
I’m traveling today, and can only offer a brief intro for the following 4 new patents. Please click the links for details.
GameChat safety patent 1: Server-side filtering of communications based on user age
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
GameChat safety patent 1: Server-side filtering of communications based on user age
www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp/c1801/PU/JP-...
Hate to pour cold water on the dev acquisition talk, but that slide was presenting things *already* happened.
• Very precise number of “a” video company acquisition (Dynamo)
• In contrast, acquisition of “developers” being plural (Next Level, SRD, Shiver)
• All others are done or in progress
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• Very precise number of “a” video company acquisition (Dynamo)
• In contrast, acquisition of “developers” being plural (Next Level, SRD, Shiver)
• All others are done or in progress
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November 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Hate to pour cold water on the dev acquisition talk, but that slide was presenting things *already* happened.
• Very precise number of “a” video company acquisition (Dynamo)
• In contrast, acquisition of “developers” being plural (Next Level, SRD, Shiver)
• All others are done or in progress
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• Very precise number of “a” video company acquisition (Dynamo)
• In contrast, acquisition of “developers” being plural (Next Level, SRD, Shiver)
• All others are done or in progress
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Duskbloods will be jointly published by FromSoftware (Kadokawa subsidiary) and Nintendo. My guess is that the former will handle the domestic market, and the latter overseas.
Source: ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/9468/ir_...
Source: ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/9468/ir_...
November 6, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Duskbloods will be jointly published by FromSoftware (Kadokawa subsidiary) and Nintendo. My guess is that the former will handle the domestic market, and the latter overseas.
Source: ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/9468/ir_...
Source: ssl4.eir-parts.net/doc/9468/ir_...
[New lore?] Before creating Pokémon Red and Green, Tajiri jokingly said to Miyamoto:
“To surpass Nintendo’s Mario, we’d have to sell two copies of [same] game to each customer.”
I’m sure that it was just a joke. Let’s be normal.
Note: Unofficial translation
www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/...
“To surpass Nintendo’s Mario, we’d have to sell two copies of [same] game to each customer.”
I’m sure that it was just a joke. Let’s be normal.
Note: Unofficial translation
www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/...
![代表取締役 フェロー 宮本茂：
[…]
その昔、「ポケットモンスター」のディレクターである田尻さんが、最初の「ポケットモンスタ一」のソフトをつくる前に、「任天堂のマリオを超えようと思ったら1人のお客様にソフトを2本売らないと超えられない」と私に冗談を言ったことがありました。それが『ポケットモンスター
赤・緑』が生まれた理由の一つでもあります。このように、「なんとか超えよう」と思う人がいるからこそ、また新しいものが生まれるのだと思います。](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:w2yyporceaqxdbzfupn5lcbt/bafkreie4qru2rf3a7revvccwjnctm3gj7wkcyr5yupfslkso4oi4aibj6i@jpeg)
November 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
[New lore?] Before creating Pokémon Red and Green, Tajiri jokingly said to Miyamoto:
“To surpass Nintendo’s Mario, we’d have to sell two copies of [same] game to each customer.”
I’m sure that it was just a joke. Let’s be normal.
Note: Unofficial translation
www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/...
“To surpass Nintendo’s Mario, we’d have to sell two copies of [same] game to each customer.”
I’m sure that it was just a joke. Let’s be normal.
Note: Unofficial translation
www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2025/...
Nintendo explained why they updated Animal Crossing.
Furukawa: With dev costs and time increasing, it’s harder to maintain the pace of new releases. Since NS2 is BC, we’d recommend NS1 games to first-time buyers. Balancing new releases and evergreens engagement will sustain NS2’s momentum.
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Furukawa: With dev costs and time increasing, it’s harder to maintain the pace of new releases. Since NS2 is BC, we’d recommend NS1 games to first-time buyers. Balancing new releases and evergreens engagement will sustain NS2’s momentum.
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November 5, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Nintendo explained why they updated Animal Crossing.
Furukawa: With dev costs and time increasing, it’s harder to maintain the pace of new releases. Since NS2 is BC, we’d recommend NS1 games to first-time buyers. Balancing new releases and evergreens engagement will sustain NS2’s momentum.
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Furukawa: With dev costs and time increasing, it’s harder to maintain the pace of new releases. Since NS2 is BC, we’d recommend NS1 games to first-time buyers. Balancing new releases and evergreens engagement will sustain NS2’s momentum.
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Accounts within Family Memberships are included in the total; free trails are excluded.
Source: www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2019/...
Source: www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2019/...
November 5, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Accounts within Family Memberships are included in the total; free trails are excluded.
Source: www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2019/...
Source: www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2019/...
Considering that 2025 is a cross-gen year, the numbers above aren’t too shabby. The logarithmic NS1-to-NS2 adoption curve and 16% new users share (img below) also suggest that the migration is off to a smooth start.
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![Corporate Management Policy Briefing for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2026 [slide]:
Transitioning to NS2
* 84% of them transitioned from Nintendo Switch
* if we look at when these transitioning consumers first started playing
Nintendo Switch, we see no concentration in any specific period](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:w2yyporceaqxdbzfupn5lcbt/bafkreie7s4ixdbyvpb3w4bfbm4llvhvme4uglhlwietganfarmts3wltie@jpeg)
November 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Considering that 2025 is a cross-gen year, the numbers above aren’t too shabby. The logarithmic NS1-to-NS2 adoption curve and 16% new users share (img below) also suggest that the migration is off to a smooth start.
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Updated KPIs in today’s Management Policy Briefing (img 1) compared to past data:
• Annual Playing Users stopped declining and stayed flat (img 2)
• Nintendo Accounts +34M YoY (img 3; indicating Switch user churn and/or mobile user growth)
• NSO Members stayed flat too (img 4)
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• Annual Playing Users stopped declining and stayed flat (img 2)
• Nintendo Accounts +34M YoY (img 3; indicating Switch user churn and/or mobile user growth)
• NSO Members stayed flat too (img 4)
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![Corporate Management Policy Briefing for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2026 [slide]:
Key Indicators
Annual Playing Users 128M
Nintendo Account 400M
NSO Members 34M](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:w2yyporceaqxdbzfupn5lcbt/bafkreicpibfkl466he62ursxe5go7epu65ok72pmju2jxvjsi6q2i34lva@jpeg)
![Corporate Management Policy Briefing for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2025 [slide]:
Nintendo Account 366M](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:w2yyporceaqxdbzfupn5lcbt/bafkreibp6qrns3j33gjveosww5ywevqcqqts455d666qypqgfct4qcz64a@jpeg)
![Corporate Management Policy Briefing for the Fiscal Year Ending March 2025 [slide]:
NSO over 34M members](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:w2yyporceaqxdbzfupn5lcbt/bafkreietmdr2bqcvdlcuzdffwhxwy2to3x5axbwmltgotja633evpvoxwe@jpeg)
November 5, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Updated KPIs in today’s Management Policy Briefing (img 1) compared to past data:
• Annual Playing Users stopped declining and stayed flat (img 2)
• Nintendo Accounts +34M YoY (img 3; indicating Switch user churn and/or mobile user growth)
• NSO Members stayed flat too (img 4)
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• Annual Playing Users stopped declining and stayed flat (img 2)
• Nintendo Accounts +34M YoY (img 3; indicating Switch user churn and/or mobile user growth)
• NSO Members stayed flat too (img 4)
1/
In case some are wondering why I had no patent posts for a week:
There were only some patent continuations/divisions that aren’t new, and one Mario Party patent that I didn’t find interesting enough to write. But if you’re hungry for it …
patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
There were only some patent continuations/divisions that aren’t new, and one Mario Party patent that I didn’t find interesting enough to write. But if you’re hungry for it …
patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
November 4, 2025 at 9:05 PM
In case some are wondering why I had no patent posts for a week:
There were only some patent continuations/divisions that aren’t new, and one Mario Party patent that I didn’t find interesting enough to write. But if you’re hungry for it …
patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
There were only some patent continuations/divisions that aren’t new, and one Mario Party patent that I didn’t find interesting enough to write. But if you’re hungry for it …
patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/de...
Here’s a good visualization of how massive the Switch 2 launch is. The chart below shows Nintendo’s consolidated financial results since FY2018-03.
Net sales (left axis, gray): highest since NS1 launch
Net income (right axis, navy): higher than NS1 years 1-3
Source: www.nikkei.com/article/DGKK...
Net sales (left axis, gray): highest since NS1 launch
Net income (right axis, navy): higher than NS1 years 1-3
Source: www.nikkei.com/article/DGKK...
November 4, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Here’s a good visualization of how massive the Switch 2 launch is. The chart below shows Nintendo’s consolidated financial results since FY2018-03.
Net sales (left axis, gray): highest since NS1 launch
Net income (right axis, navy): higher than NS1 years 1-3
Source: www.nikkei.com/article/DGKK...
Net sales (left axis, gray): highest since NS1 launch
Net income (right axis, navy): higher than NS1 years 1-3
Source: www.nikkei.com/article/DGKK...