Skip to main content
If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Patents detail possibility of 3D, HD display for Wii U Controller

Patents filed with the USPTO office by Nintendo show that at some point, the firm was - and still may be - looking to incorporate HD and glasses-free 3D into its tablet-like controller for Wii U.

According to the documents dug up by Kotaku, the patents filed back in September also detail microphones which could be implemented on the "front and/or back surfaces" suggesting a voice recognition system for games or possibly voice-activated controls.

It has been confirmed the controller contains a front-facing camera, but the patent mentions the possibility of facial recognition software installed which would enable facial data to be stored on the console.

Other interesting tidbits mentioned include the following possibilities as well: web browsing; exchanging "images and sound" with other devices; and attachment support such as a gun peripheral.

The reason we continued to mention the word "possible" and its various forms over and over, is due to the patents stating that the information herein "does not correspond to any particular actual product that may be eventually be made available to consumers."

In other words, the features may or may not be part of the final product when it releases later this year. We'll know more once E3 roles around as Nintendo has said it will reintroduce the console at the event.

Thanks, CVG.

Sign in and unlock a world of features

Get access to commenting, homepage personalisation, newsletters, and more!

Related topics
About the Author
Stephany Nunneley-Jackson avatar

Stephany Nunneley-Jackson

News Editor

Stephany is VG247’s News Editor, with 22 years experience (with 15 of them at VG247). With a brain that lacks adhesive ducks, the ill-tempered, chaotic neutral fembot does her best to bring you the most interesting gaming news. She is also unofficially the site’s Lord of the Rings/Elder Scrolls Editor.
Comments