Nintendo, the beloved gaming company, has always been known for its innovative ideas and game mechanics. After a successful year of gaming in 2023, it comes as no surprise that Nintendo has more exciting plans in the pipeline. Recently revealed patents indicate that Nintendo might be looking to protect some of its popular features, potentially locking them away from competitors. Let’s dive into the details of these patents and their potential impact on Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
One of the patents that caught everyone’s attention relates to the ‘Ghost’ mechanic in Super Mario Bros. Wonder’s multiplayer mode. The patent, initially submitted in August 2023, focuses on the game’s respawn feature. It outlines the mechanic that allows a downed player to make contact with an in-game item, such as another character or a standee, to come back to life.
Although the precise wording of the patent might have been lost in translation from Japanese, it appears that the ‘ghost’ mechanic allows players to take control of a temporary character until they reach an acceptable respawn point. This is a feature that players of Wonder’s multiplayer mode will surely recognize and appreciate.
Another patent, made public in December 2023, focuses on The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and its Ultrahand ability. This is not the first TOTK-related patent that Nintendo has submitted, as the game is known for its groundbreaking features. The newly discovered patent emphasizes the ability to select and move one item close to another, effectively ‘gluing’ them together to act as one.
This patent aims to improve the usability of TOTK’s mechanic where virtual objects can be connected to create an object composed of multiple virtual objects. It’s interesting to see Nintendo’s dedication to refining and protecting the unique features that make their games stand out.
Understanding Nintendo’s Approach to Patents
Nintendo is notorious for filing numerous patents, but it’s important to note that these patents usually focus on the specific implementation of a feature rather than the mechanic itself. While it may appear aggressive at first glance, Nintendo’s intention is to safeguard their innovative ideas from being copied directly by competitors.
Nintendo’s patents are a testament to the company’s commitment to pushing boundaries and introducing new gameplay mechanics. These patents serve as a way for Nintendo to differentiate their games and create an enriching experience for players.
The existence of these patents doesn’t mean that Nintendo will never explore similar mechanics in future games. On the contrary, it showcases Nintendo’s dedication to thinking outside the box and continually introducing fresh ideas. The Ultrahand-like features found in Tears of the Kingdom might serve as a starting point for even more groundbreaking gameplay innovations in upcoming Nintendo titles.
Nintendo’s recent patents shed light on their efforts to protect and enhance the gaming experiences offered by Super Mario Bros. Wonder and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. These patents not only secure the uniqueness of their games but also contribute to the industry’s overall innovation. Nintendo remains committed to pushing the boundaries of gaming, and we can’t wait to see what exciting features they will introduce in the future.
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