Nintendo patented a cell phone case that looks like a Game Boy and it has me excited

We’re in the age of technology, yet the most popular items are re-launches of products from many years ago. Nintendo’s NES Classic has been a best-seller since its launch, staying sold out for many months. Sony is launching a PlayStation Classic, and there are rumors of Nintendo’s possible N64 Classic relaunch as well. Now, Nintendo might be launching a Game Boy case for your cell phone.

This Game Boy relaunch would not be done in the same way other classic consoles have been re-released. Instead of being a stand-alone device like the NES Classic, this is a case for your cell phone that brings the familiar controls and screen style of Game Boy to a device that already finds itself in your pocket every day.

A Game Boy case makes sense:

This would be the smartest idea for Nintendo. We already carry many items in our pockets every day, so adding another isn’t ideal. Before I leave the house, I have to grab my pocket knife, wallet, keys, phone, AirPods, and a few other odds and ends to complete my every day carry. Going form an iPhone X to iPhone XS Max already takes up more pocket space, and taking up even more with a new Game Boy isn’t something I want to do.

By building a mobile platform based around Game Boy games and using this special case, it just makes sense. Nintendo can cut down on production time and cost by just making a phone case that has no real internals or circuitry to speak of, and it allows consumers to utilize a device they already own instead of buying another one. It’s a win-win in my book, and I really hope this comes to fruition.

Nintendo already makes mobile games:

Currently, you can get emulators on your phone to play retro games from Game Boy and other older consoles, but this could mean official ports. Nintendo already has games on mobile platforms like Super Mario Run and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, so having the company expand to officially licensed Game Boy games isn’t that far of a stretch.

The design looks fantastic:

The patent for this case shows a cutout where you’ll see the screen and the familiar button layout from Game Boy devices of ages past. According to the patent application, this case will use conductive buttons that will “tap” the capacitive touchscreen of your phone. You’ll find the familiar “A” “B” D-Pad and “Start”/“Select” buttons on this case. There’s even an area at the top for your phone’s earpiece so you can still take calls when using Nintendo’s case.

There’s a lot of unknowns still:

This is just a patent filing after all. There’s nothing concrete here, and Nintendo might not ever launch this. It could just be a placeholder filing to keep other companies from making this product, but my hopes are high that Nintendo will be launching this eventually. Nintendo has a great track record when it comes to launching nostalgic devices, and this is just the latest we’ve seen.

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