Nintendo Files Patent For Clickable Scroll Wheel Shoulder Buttons

Yet another Nintendo patent has come to light, and this one is already having loyal fans scratching their heads, when they’re not getting excited.

The patent is for a controller with a touchscreen, looking every bit like the Wii U GamePad. However, the shape of the controller design makes it seem like it’s much smaller than the GamePad. It also has two instead of four face buttons, and also seems to eschew analog sticks for the 3DS’ Circle Pads.

The most curious part of the patent, however, is what it’s done to the shoulder buttons. Apparently your left and right shoulder buttons will now be clickable scroll wheels.  

There is no lack of potential applications for these new shoulder scroll wheels. For example, these can be used to simulate touch controls for some games. Alternately, these could offer a new way of giving you a new way to control strafing for shooters, matching or exceeding analog shoulder buttons. Nintendo may simply already have ideas.

Of course, not all patents filed become final products. The Vitality Sensor is a prime example of this. Still, the attention Nintendo fans are giving these patents stem from the interest in Nintendo’s ongoing transition, now hastened by the passing of its CEO Satoru Iwata.

What do you make of this new Nintendo patent? Would you like scrollable clickable shoulder wheels on your controller? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.