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[SomeNorseGuy]

Nintendo's Detachable Dual-Screen Patent Has Been Updated

Nintendo's detachable dual-screen patent has received an update yesterday, introducing new images and more.

insider-gaming.com

Is Nintendo Going to Announce a Detachable Second Screen for the Switch 2?
Spotted by Gameranx, Mike Odyssey on X (formerly Twitter) informed players about the update on Nintendo's detachable dual-screen patent. Their post reveals that the update was released yesterday, August 14, 2025, accompanied by new images. These images illustrate how the detachable screen connects to the primary device and also showcase the spring mechanism and various buttons that will be used on the device.

For those wondering, the patent regarding Nintendo's detachable second screen was seen first in 2023. At that time, many players speculated that Nintendo could be returning to its roots with the Switch 2, introducing a DS-like second screen that could be detached when not in use. However, the Switch 2 has now been released, and we have yet to see any announcements for this detachable screen.

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[Ozriel]

Battery life of the base unit it poor enough without saddling it with another display.

 

[Kacho]

Battery life of the base unit it poor enough without saddling it with another display.

Look man, I just want more 3D picross, ok?

 

[ecosse_011172]

2nd USB port plot twist.

 

[Deerock71]

*CAREFULLY DUSTS OFF SWITCH OLED*

 

[The_hunter]

Switch 2 does have an extra top side usb-c port.

 

[Parazels]

Looks wild. Seems like too much just for 3DS ports.

 

[McRazzle]

2nd use port plot twist.

And we still haven't seen the IGZO display Sharp said it was making for a game console.

 

[Mister Wolf]

So that's what the topside usb-c is for.

 

[ecosse_011172]

2nd USB port plot twist.

Cunting autocorrect!

 

[Baemono]

2nd use port plot twist.

I mean it didn't really make sense to only use it for that weird camera

But again, implementing a C button only for Chat doesn't make sense either

 

[Banjo64]

I don't think this will result in a product but I do think the Switch 3 may not happen and Nintendo may revert to another Dual Screen handheld. The question is how this would maintain TV functionality.

 

[ecosse_011172]

Remember, patents get created and updated without being used all the time.

 

[6502]

As great as switch 2 is, the size is a big barrier to portability. Second screens exacerbates this and breaks docking for compatible games (unless it is another expensive device with battery etc).

Looks like a patent that will go nowhere like holographic storage.

 

[March Climber]

 

[Inanilmaz]

Switch 3DS??

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Battery life of the base unit it poor enough without saddling it with another display.

inb4 it's also an extended battery to boost. Could you imagine this drops on the day of a Pokemon Master collection supporting all the DS and 3DS games in the collection ready for the 30th anniversary for Pokemon.

That would turn the Switch 2 into a money printer for them

Switch 2 is nice but till then I still find myself going back to Ol Steam Deck to get my Pokemon fix of those classics.

 

[Moses85]

Battery life of the base unit it poor enough without saddling it with another display.

What if the second screen will come with a own battery?

 

[efyu_lemonardo]

Don't see it happening

 

[Radical_3d]

 

[Player Respawn]

… is this where we get OLED?

 

[StereoVsn]

What if the second screen will come with a own battery?

Can you imagine the complaints? Folks here already say Switch 2 is too heavy. Throw in an extra screen and battery and some people may need to start doing extra arm day at the gym!

 

[Moses85]

Can you imagine the complaints? Folks here already say Switch 2 is too heavy. Throw in an extra screen and battery and some people may need to start doing extra arm day at the gym!

Too heavy?

Weak Kids! No pain, no game!

 

[yogaflame]

Badly needed. Please.

 

[drotahorror]

Relax, this is just so Nintendo can sue Retroid

 

[Durin]

I hope it's real, just because I want a way to better play DS/3DS games on modern hardware.

Emulation on stuff like the Steam Deck or on a PC with a mouse can work alright, but games that require fast stylus movement (The World Ends with You) kinda suck.

Not sure if the touchscreen on the Switch 2 or this potential 2nd screen would do better though...and I still hate the only way to play old games is through a sub service vs ala carte.

 

[Loxus]

Oh, so now a secondary screen is a good thing?

 

[Sgt.Asher]

DS emulation and wii u functionality when detached would be nice. Probably a nothing patent though.

 

[thicc_girls_are_teh_best]

So that's what the topside usb-c is for.

Might be onto something there...

This kind of doesn't work because the Switch 2 actually has games.

 

[Dacvak]

Nintendo 4DS FINALLY!

 

[existensmaximum]

Can you imagine the complaints? Folks here already say Switch 2 is too heavy. Throw in an extra screen and battery and some people may need to start doing extra arm day at the gym!

I tried playing the Switch 2 portable the other day and I really agree. To me it was super big, heavy, uncomfortable and just awkward, especially since I compare it to playing with the pro controller. And at the same time, the buttons are really small, ew.

I gave up immediately and just used it in tabletop mode with my pro controller.

 

[Lionel Richie]

Based. Would probably not buy because the ergonomics would be derpy and I only play docked anyway. But I miss dual screen gaming.

HOWEVER if this second screen could also work as a controller with the joycons I would buy that motherfucker so hard. Bring the Wii U concept back Ninty, yeah it flopped but the core idea was WONDERFUL (shame the execution was unbelievably shit (the gamepad was really ergonomic though)).

 

[tr1p1ex]

Looks wild. Seems like too much just for 3DS ports.

…$70 GC controller for GC games. $90 for pro controller. I imagine they could make a screen attachment in the same ballpark.

But holding a Switch 2 equipped with a 2nd screen seems rather unwieldy.

 

[tr1p1ex]

Can you imagine the complaints? Folks here already say Switch 2 is too heavy. Throw in an extra screen and battery and some people may need to start doing extra arm day at the gym!

Wouldn't need another battery assuming main purpose would be to play ds games.

Would seemingly be unwieldy. But on the other hand there is some pretty thin screen tech these days.

 

[Halo2redvsblue]

This would be awesome. DS, 3DS and Wii u games in the future. Maybe that's how we will play WWHD and TPHD on the Switch.

 

[Hudo]

Does the second screen also come with a game card slot?

 

[Sintoid]

And halve the already poor specs?
Very Cool

 

[cireza]

Look man, I just want more 3D picross, ok?

You don't need two screens for that though.

 

[SomeNorseGuy]

I'm more interested in Ayaneo's upcoming Dual Screen device when it comes to playing old DS/3DS games, if the price isn't horrendous.

We'll know more in a couple of days I guess.

The Retroid Dual screen add-on seems like a good get if you have a Retroid Pocket 5 w/grips. A bit clunky and not the best response time. But great price and a sweet amoled screen.


Anbernic might also be working on a DS device.

Major system update for a range of Anbernic handhelds enables dual screen support

Anbernic is currently rolling out a significant update for all T820 series handhelds, adding support for external screens, paving the way for an Anbernic branded dual screen extension.

www.notebookcheck.net

It all comes down to them offering software that support ease of use when dealing with 2 screens and keeping the latency somewhat under control.

But still very much interested in a future Ninty offering, as some 1st party DS/3DS/WiiU games might get some sweet updates. And if we're lucky they might even use the second screen for other things then just Online subscription content.

 

[tr1p1ex]

This would be awesome. DS, 3DS and Wii u games in the future. Maybe that's how we will play WWHD and TPHD on the Switch.

Yeah except not for Wii U. Most Wii U games are on Switch already. Zelda ports aren't being held back by lack of 2 screens. They weren't even 2 screen games to begin with. And games like Nintendoland or Wii Party U still wouldn't exactly be playable with this setup.

 

[Radical_3d]

This kind of doesn't work because the Switch 2 actually has games.

 

[kevboard]

I hope it's real, just because I want a way to better play DS/3DS games on modern hardware.

Emulation on stuff like the Steam Deck or on a PC with a mouse can work alright, but games that require fast stylus movement (The World Ends with You) kinda suck.

Not sure if the touchscreen on the Switch 2 or this potential 2nd screen would do better though...and I still hate the only way to play old games is through a sub service vs ala carte.

the only decent way to play DS games with tons of touch inputs imo is on a Galaxy Note phone or a tablet that has a pen.

anything else is suboptimal as using your fingers for some of them is basically impossible because they were designed with a stylus in mind, that has a very thin tip.

 

[Haint]

There didn't exist a single game on DS, 3DS, or Wii U that even came close to warranting a second screen. It stands as biggest dud novelty for the sake of novelty in videogame history.

 

[Durin]

the only decent way to play DS games with tons of touch inputs imo is on a Galaxy Note phone or a tablet that has a pen.

anything else is suboptimal as using your fingers for some of them is basically impossible because they were designed with a stylus in mind, that has a very thin tip.

That's good to hear, I was planning on upgrading my phone later this year, and that would incentivize me to get a Samsung Galaxy Ultra since they have the stylus.

 

[Kataploom]

Battery life of the base unit it poor enough without saddling it with another display.

It won't let less than 5 or 6 hours playing DS or 3DS games lol

 

[Kataploom]

So that's what the topside usb-c is for.

I don't think so, it would cover the fan air exit

 

[IAmRei]

i'm glad it is not two screens, it could be heavier at this stage. also the battery and of course the price could be costly.

 

[Panajev2001a]

i'm glad it is not two screens, it could be heavier at this stage. also the battery and of course the price could be costly.

The second screen could contain another thin battery…

 

[yankee666]

I see it coming out as an additional accessory, like the camera.
I would love for the screen to be a glasses-free stereoscopic 3D display, just like the 3DS with a resolution of 1200x720P (3x resolution) but not just to play 3DS games, but also Nintendo Switch 2 games in 3D. Maybe not all of them would support 3D, but if the first-party titles and a few others did, that would be ideal.
I was lucky enough to try Samsung's 3D Monitor, and the technology in it is incredible. The eye-tracking from the cameras really helps with 3D immersion, and well, the technology has obviously improved a lot (for the better) in this monitor
Ill pay $150 or more for a add-on screen like that