LiC
Member
Having read the patent text, they do say there could be other control inputs on each side of the device, like directionals on the left and a stick on the right. So it's really just a Switch Lite-type device where a case of temporary insanity led somebody to decide that home and screenshot buttons really really needed to be on the bottom. There are a few other maybes like the ability to use an external display that oldpuck mentioned, and having a lid or cover for the screen, but those aren't salient compared to the explicit position of those inexplicable bottom buttons.
I would gladly bet on it. (Not avatars, though, I don't do that. Cash, sure.) When the hardware is announced, it will be a full reveal.We're currently at a point where Nintendo hasn't even officially confirmed that new hardware is coming, with every interview sidestepping the question. They're going to just acknowledge its existence first. Maybe they'll just call it the next generation of Nintendo hardware. Maybe they'll give us the actual name. Maybe they'll say it will release by the end of the next fiscal year. Maybe they keep it vague until later. But regardless, I don't think we aren't going to see the hardware when they do that. They'll wait a little while longer. Bet on it.