Nintendo Patents 'Second Screen' Accessory for Switch 2

Nintendo has officially announced the Switch 2, with details set to drop this April during a Nintendo Direct showcase. Though the new console retains the hybrid design of its predecessor, a recently filed patent hints at bold experiments that could redefine portable gaming.

According to documents spotted by analysts, Nintendo is developing a magnetic phone-to-console adapter. The rotating mechanism lets users attach their smartphone vertically or horizontally, effectively turning it into a second screen. The concept echoes the Nintendo DS and Wii U era, where dual screens enabled unique gameplay mechanics—like letting one player see hidden elements in games such as Nintendo Land while others remained oblivious.

But Nintendo’s creativity doesn’t stop there. The patent teases unconventional uses for the system, including integration with “bedding accessories”—a cryptic nod that’s sparked theories about fitness features or AR gameplay. Experts speculate smartphone compatibility could breathe new life into DS-era classics while empowering indie devs. Imagine: the main screen handles gameplay, while your phone displays maps or crafting menus. For multiplayer, this could be game-changing—picture one player controlling a character while another manipulates the environment via their phone.

Official details will be revealed April 2, though the Switch 2 isn’t expected to launch until summer 2025. Clearly, Nintendo isn’t banking on raw power but on wild innovation, proving that even in an age of 8K graphics, creativity remains the gaming industry’s true “hardware.”