Considering the staggering popularity of the NES and SNES Classic Mini consoles, why wouldn’t Nintendo continue re-releasing consoles from yesteryear?
Earlier this summer, Nintendo filed a trademark for its N64 controller prompting hopes the 64-bit console might be next.
Now the Japanese giant has apparently trademarked the design of the 1989 Game Boy handheld.
The twitter account @trademark_bot (via Ninten-Switch) unearthed the filing earlier this month, but it was filed back on September 15.
[商願2017-123766]
商標:[画像] /
出願人:任天堂株式会社 /
出願日:2017年9月15日 /
区分:9(家庭用テレビゲーム機用プログラムほか),14(キーホルダーほか),18(かばん金具ほか),21(化粧用具ほか),25(被服ほか),28(家庭用テレビゲーム… pic.twitter.com/noRhof6vF1— 商標速報bot (@trademark_bot) October 6, 2017
Could this mean a Game Boy Classic Mini will be Nintendo’s 2018 retro console release rather than then N64?
Related: Nintendo Switch Games
The patent itself is rather broad and describes uses including home video game consoles and programs for smartphones.
It also covers smartphone cases/covers and accessories like key holders, necklaces and watches.
So it could be that Nintendo is simply attempting to market the design of the Game Boy rather than re-release the console.
Would it be a good idea?
However, given the iconic library of Game Boy games sitting in Nintendo’s archives, there’d be huge demand for a retro device gamers could pick up and put down without having to plug it into a television.
Some of the most popular Raspberry Pi-based projects have placed retro emulators into Game Boy-like shells, so an official launch from Nintendo would get a big thumbs up from us.
Would you like Nintendo to do the Game Boy or the N64 next? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
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We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.