New Nintendo controller patent applications: #0001

So over the last little while we’ve seen some rather … shall we say interesting patent applications coming out of Nintendo.

While we’re all kind of getting used to the idea of having a controller add-on for every single game released on the Wii, some of the most recent have just been getting plain old stupid. Here for example is the patent application for the Wii-mote Squishy Football controller. Even crazier, here’s the application for the Inflateable Wiimote Saddle controller.

But why stop there? There are just so many other things that we can slot a Wiimote into, and to this end I proudly present part one in a continuing series: New Nintendo Controller Patent Applications! Fancy a chilling look into the future?

Model #CHG-011: The Wiimote Household Cup

Inside me beats the heart of an engineering illustrator...

This controller add-on represents the bleeding edge of hyper-refreshment simulation technology.  The Wiimote Household Cup allows the player to insert their standard Wiimote (MotionPlus compatible) into the Cup peripheral and accurately track the motion of drinking from a cup. Fig. 1 displays the add-on’s proportions. The Wiimote is clasped onto the side of the Cup, allowing for players to use a standard wrist strap to secure the controller. The cup is hollow, so players who want an extra edge of realism can fill it and “drink” along with their favourite characters. Fig. 2 shows an example of the Household Cup in use. By raising the Cup, corresponding data from the Wiimote’s Y-axis moves the simulated cup to mimmick the action. In this way, players can have their character drink a cup of liquid with almost breathtaking reality.

It’s important to note here that although the Cup only comes in a standard cup model, the simulated cup can be anything from a tall glass to a porcelain stein. The possibilities are endless, and can really only be constrained by a given developing team’s imagination.  No liquid holding container is beyond it’s sphere.

Try not to wonder what the '+' represents

The Wiimote Household Cup comes pre-packaged with a new title by Nintendo, Yoshi’s Super Fruit Smoothie Drinker Plus. Players get to select a combination of fruits and vegetables for Yoshi to combine into a nutritious health drink. Then depending on the health rating of the drink, Yoshi changes colour … or some shit, who the fuck knows really, no-one ever bothered to play that far.

Nintendo’s family friendly image prevents it from including any games that would encourage the act of drinking alcohol to it’s younger audience, so the other games slated for use with this controller have had to be scaled back a tad.  Available soon after it’s release will also be Pirates of the Carribean: Jack Sparrow’s Lemonade Swilling Contest and From Russia With Love: Warm Soup Sipper.

The Wiimote Household Cup is slated for release in the first quarter of 2010.

Note: This peripheral is Wii Vitality Sensor compatible.

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