Thankfully, Nintendo does not seem to have given up on dual-screen devices.

Patent for detachable dual-screen

Nintendo's dual-screen patent was originally released in 2023.It reveals a major innovation in the dual-screen design we have seen long ago on DS and 3DS.This time, the second screen can be separated from the console gaming device.At the time, many players speculated that this technology would be used in the Switch 2.

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has clear regulations on patent applications and disclosure time.Companies often apply for patents for ideas that are not eventually adopted.But usually, we do see related patents surface when the device is about to go to market.

While developing the Switch 2, Nintendo is also developing this technology.This explains why people speculated at the time that it might be used for the Switch 2 itself.

We now know that this is not the case.But there are still many speculations that this may be a feature Nintendo adds to the Switch 2 in the future.Content creator Mike Odyssey confirmed that the Switch 2's magnetic Joy-Con handle can be adsorbed in reverse to the host.This provides evidence for the idea that “the host was designed with the possibility of detachable screen in mind”.

Patent update

Mike Odyssey revealed on Twitter that on August 14, 2025, the 2023 patent was updated.It also includes new design drawings for dual-screen devices.

One of the particularly interesting pictures shows that there seem to be eight buttons on one side of the device.Whether it is a host or a detachable screen, there are two buttons on each of its four corners.

At first glance, this looks a lot like the Joy-Con handle of the Switch 2 and the L, ZL, R, and ZR buttons on the top of the Pro controller.But those add up to only four buttons.

This may actually be the host's connection system.These buttons may safely separate the two screens.It may be similar to the release button system on the Switch 2 Joy-Con handle.

Is this still designed for the Switch 2?

Judging from these design drawings, they don't seem to be prepared for the Switch 2 anymore.Nintendo may push it forward for devices that might be Switch 3.But it is also possible that they are planning to launch a crazy variant with this design for the Switch 2 sometime in the future.

Whatever this ends up being, for those who are looking forward to a dual-screen design return one day, this is the signal you've been waiting for.