Nintendo gets patent for Game Boy smartphone cover

Nintendo has applied for and obtained a patent for a smartphone case design with a Game Boy front, including buttons. The idea is that users can use the case to play Game Boy games on their smartphone.

Siliconera has found a document from the US patent office that contains a detailed design of the smartphone case. It is made of plastic and the buttons on the front are functional. They work in combination with the touchscreen. The front of the case has a window that is shaped like a Game Boy screen.

The document explains that “the games can be viewed through this window,” but it says nothing about an emulator for Game Boy games for Android or iOS. The text also does not state what dimensions smartphones should have for the case. The majority of patent applications ultimately do not lead to a product and in many cases ideas are recorded so that they cannot be used by others. For example, there is already the SmartBoy holder in which smartphones can be inserted and which works with cartridges.