Tag Archives: Gaming

Lenovo Unveils a Legion of Gaming Ecosystem at CES 2024

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In a significant expansion of its gaming hardware offerings, Lenovo has unveiled an extensive new gaming ecosystem at CES 2024, anchored by its latest PC lineup that includes advanced AI technologies and a pioneering thermal solution. The announcement highlights the Lenovo Legion 7i and Lenovo Legion 5i laptops, along with a full suite of gaming devices, software, and services designed to empower gamers under the new mantra ‘Reach Your Impossible.’

The newly debuted products, compatible with Microsoft Windows 11, are a comprehensive blend of power, thermal efficiency, cutting-edge graphics, AI-driven enhancements, and customizable options. This array allows gamers to construct their ultimate gaming setup. Central to the portfolio are the 9th generation Lenovo Legion 16-inch gaming laptops and towers, which cater to a range of gaming needs:

  • For Balanced Gaming and Work: The Lenovo Legion 7i, Lenovo Legion 5i, and Lenovo Legion Slim 5 are tailored for gamers who demand a machine capable of handling intense gaming sessions and demanding STEM applications.
  • For Uncompromised Performance: The Lenovo Legion 9i is the go-to choice for those prioritizing peak gaming and content creation experiences.

  • For Ultimate FPS and Style: The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i and Lenovo Legion Pro 5i target gamers seeking top-tier frame rates, aesthetics, and screen quality.
  • For Desktop Power: The Legion Tower 7i and Legion Tower 5i are designed for those who require the robust power of a high-end gaming tower PC.

Expanding the ecosystem are the Lenovo LOQ 15IRX9, Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9I, Lenovo LOQ 15IAX9, and Lenovo LOQ15AHP9 laptops, along with the Lenovo LOQ Tower 17IRR9, aimed at gamers climbing the competitive leaderboards. New accessories like the Lenovo Legion M410 Wireless RGB Gaming Mouse, Legion K510 Pro Mini Keyboard, and the Lenovo AvatarMaster PC software app enhance the gaming experience.

The cornerstone of this lineup is Lenovo’s proprietary hardware AI chips, the LA AI chips, which debuted at last year’s CES. This year, they return with enhanced capabilities, enabling Lenovo Legion and Lenovo LOQ laptops to reach new heights in FPS, power efficiency, and overall performance.

The Lenovo Legion 9i: A Peak of Gaming Innovation.

Continuing its tradition of pushing boundaries in gaming technology, the Legion 9i is a gaming laptop that redefines the user experience through advanced AI integration and powerful hardware. The upgraded LA3-P AI chip is at the heart, introducing the groundbreaking Scenario Detection feature. This technology dynamically adjusts the power distribution between the CPU and GPU, optimizing performance based on the user’s current activity. This intelligent power management is complemented by Smart FPS, a feature that analyzes the FPS output in games, balancing power usage between hardware components to maximize FPS.

Another highlight is the Lighting Audio Sync capability, enabled by the Lenovo LA3-P AI chip. This feature synchronizes the laptop’s RGB lighting with the audio output, creating an immersive gaming atmosphere. Additionally, Legion Aurora Sync uses AI to harmonize on-screen visuals with the keyboard and environmental RGB lighting.

Gamers also have access to Smart Control, allowing them to swiftly toggle between various preset power profiles, including a customizable mode. These settings, including fan speed and thermal modes, are easily managed through the Lenovo Vantage interface, giving gamers complete control to tailor their gaming experience.

The latest laptop model boasts top-tier hardware specifications, including the latest Intel Core Gen i9-14900HX CPU and a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. The laptop sports a 3.2K 16:10 165Hz VRR Mini-LED PureSight display and supports up to 64GB of 5600Mhz DDR5 Memory and up to 2TB of Gen4 PCIe storage. It’s powered by a robust 99.99Whr battery, while the 230W TDP is efficiently managed by the LA3-P AI chip, ensuring optimal power distribution.

The design of the Legion 9i is equally impressive, with a TrueStrike keyboard that offers per-key RGB and 1.5mm key travel and a unique forged carbon top cover that gives each laptop a distinctive look. Weighing in at just 2.5kg (5.51 lbs.), it is as portable as it is powerful.

The Lenovo Legion 9i gaming laptop is designed to fit perfectly into the Lenovo Legion 16″ Functional Gaming Backpack, making it ideal for gamers who are always on the go. You can complete your ultimate gaming setup by pairing it with other Lenovo Legion peripherals like the Y34wz-30 Gaming Monitor, M600s Qi Wireless Gaming Mouse, and Lenovo Legion H600 Wireless Gaming Headset. These peripherals are already available in select markets to complete the ultimate gaming ecosystem for the Legion 9i.

Lenovo Legion Series: The Ultimate All-In-One Gaming Solutions

Gamers require devices that can effortlessly handle demanding AAA games and processor-intensive applications. The Lenovo Legion series, which includes the Lenovo Legion 7i, Lenovo Legion 5i, and Lenovo Legion Slim 5, is designed to meet these diverse needs. These laptops offer a powerful yet portable solution for gamers needing a high-performance device to handle demanding tasks.

Lenovo Legion 7i and 5i: Power and Portability Combined

  • AI-Enhanced Performance: Both models feature Lenovo’s LA AI chips. The Legion 7i has enhanced AI capabilities, including Scenario Detection, Smart FPS increases, and Smart Control, all accessible through Lenovo Vantage for optimal performance customization. The Legion 5i also includes Smart Control, allowing seamless power profile adjustments.

  • High-End Hardware: The Legion 7i and 5i are equipped with up to the latest Intel Core i9 14900HX processors, while the Legion Slim 5 features AMD Ryzen™ 8040 Series processors. All models come with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics, integrating NVIDIA’s RTX AI upscaling and Max-Q technology.
  • Memory and Storage: Each laptop offers up to 32GB of 5600MHz DDR5 RAM and up to 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage.
  • Innovative Features: The new Copilot key on the Lenovo Legion 7i keyboard offers easy access to everyday AI assistance.

Enhanced User Experience and Design

  • Connectivity and Keyboard: The Lenovo Legion 7i supports up to Wi-Fi 7 and features a TrueStrike keyboard with per-key RGB and 1.5mm key travel. The Legion 5i and Slim 5 come with Wi-Fi 6E and TrueStrike keyboards with up to 4-zone RGB.

  • New Thermal Solution: The “Coldfront: Hyper” thermal technology in the Legion 7i and 5i optimizes heat exchange, leading to higher frame rates and cooler keyboard temperatures even under heavy loads.

Display Innovations

  • PureSight Displays: Each model offers color-calibrated PureSight displays. The Legion 7i has options for a 3.2K or WQXGA display with high refresh rates, while the Legion 5i and Slim 5 feature WQXGA displays with eSports Display software for enhanced gaming visuals.

Portability and Peripheral Compatibility

  • Backpack and Home Setup: The Lenovo Legion series and Slim 5 laptops fit in the Lenovo Legion Active Gaming Backpack for mobility. They can be set up at home with the Lenovo Legion Y27h-30 Gaming Monitor, Legion M410 Wireless RGB Gaming Mouse, and Lenovo Legion K510 Pro Mini Keyboard for a comprehensive gaming experience.

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i: A Desktop Powerhouse

For those who prefer a stationary gaming setup, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is a formidable choice. It can be configured with up to 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900F processors, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPUs, and up to 32GB of 5600MHz DDR5 RAM. Its 26L chassis houses an 850W 90% PSU and up to 2TB PCIe NVMe SSD storage, making it a compact yet powerful gaming machine.

Specialized Gaming with the Lenovo Legion Pro Series and Legion Tower 7i

The Lenovo Legion Pro Series and Legion Tower 7i are designed for competitive gamers seeking the upper edge. These devices boast top-of-the-line processors, advanced thermals, and Lenovo AI chips to maintain peak performance. The TrueStrike keyboards on the Pro series laptops feature customizable lighting and keycaps for a tailored gaming experience.

Be ‘You’ with AvatarMaster

Select Lenovo Legion systems, including the Legion 7i and 5i, now come with the AI-powered AvatarMaster app. This innovative software enables users to create and animate a 3D digital avatar, enhancing the streaming and collaboration experience.

Step into Gaming with Lenovo LOQ The Lenovo LOQ lineup, ideal for beginners, includes laptops and towers with various CPU and GPU options. The hyperchamber thermal technology and Lenovo LA1 AI chip enhance performance, while display options and peripheral compatibility cater to all gaming preferences.

Comprehensive Gaming Ecosystem Every Lenovo gaming device is equipped with Windows 11, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, and Lenovo’s Legion Arena app. Additionally, Nahimic by SteelSeries audio technology enhances communication during gameplay. Lenovo Legion devices also offer Legion Ultimate Support, while LOQ devices come with Lenovo’s Premium Care for comprehensive assistance and support.

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Acer Predator and Nitro laptops at CES 2024 level up gaming for everyone

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Once upon a time, laptops were simply seen as a way for people to bring their work home or anywhere they might be. These portable computers were made to prioritize productivity and their designs reflected their serious purpose. It was mostly a matter of necessity since laptops of the past could barely hold a candle against their mightier desktop cousins. These days, however, some laptops and notebooks are already being called “desktop replacements” and many models are fulfilling the gamer dream of being able to play and chill anywhere they may be. At CES 2024, Acer is presenting the latest iteration of its gaming laptops under the Predator and Nitro brands, offering upgraded hardware to take mobile PC gaming to the next level, with some help from AI, of course.

Designer: Acer

Acer Predator Helios 18 and 16: Cutting-Edge Experience

Now that technology has finally caught up to user demands, the latest generation of the Acer Predator Helios gaming laptops can finally offer performance without compromises. Powered by the up to an Intel Core i9-14900HX and paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 laptop graphics, these gaming machines promise to give you an edge over the competition, even if you’re just playing by yourself. Advanced thermal solutions, which include 5th-gen AeroBlade fans and liquid thermal grease on the CPU and heat pipes ensure that the system is always running at its best.

A true gaming experience, however, isn’t just limited to raw performance, so Acer has equipped these two new Predator Helios laptops with features that push the envelope of what you can accomplish. Acer’s patented MagKey 3.0 keyboard makes it easy to swap out and customize those essential WASD keys, and MagClick offers swappable mechanical switches to let gamers and users enjoy the satisfying sounds of mechanical keys at every press. RGB lighting effects on the Predator logos, a customizable mini LED backlit keyboard, and the backside Infinity Mirror lighting bar also contribute to setting the right mood for gaming.

The Predator Helios 18 and 16, however, are more than just powerful gaming laptops. They’re also home to the latest AI technologies that optimize performance and take PCs beyond just gaming. Acer’s AI-powered PurifiedVoice and PurifiedView technologies, for example, ensure clear audio and video for meetings as well as streaming. And, of course, there’s also Windows Copilot and the fancy new dedicated Copilot key that gives access to AI assistance in a single press. Whether you’re conquering dungeons or conquering work, the latest Acer Predator Helios 18 and 16 laptops have got all your bases covered.

Availability

  • Acer Predator Helios 18 – March, starting at $1,999.99
  • Acer Predator Helios 16 – January, starting at $1,899.99

Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 and 16: Top-Secret Powerhouse

Even if you’re an avid PC gamer, sometimes you still prefer to be a little bit more discreet. Flashy gaming gear is great for showing off at home but could be a bit too distracting and obnoxious in some spaces like offices. The Acer Predator Helios Neo family offers more or less the same gaming prowess as the rest of the Predator Helios line but wraps it in a more subtle design and, best of all, a more accessible package, making it like a secret agent that’s ready to jump into the arena at the push of a button.

The all-new Predator Helios Neo 18 and 16 laptops are no slouches, powered by up to a newly-optimized Intel Core i9 14900HX processor that’s paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPUs, much like any new gaming laptop this season. That’s enough muscle to satisfy plenty of gamers, including casual and entry-level e-sports players, while leaving enough room for uses outside of play. Acer’s twin AI-powered PurifiedView and PurifiedVoice 2.0, for example, make short work of video meetings, whether it’s for business or for coordinating your team’s attack plan.

It might not have all the fancy RGBs of the pricier Predator Helios models, but it has lighting where it counts the most, thanks to the customizable 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard. Best of all, the Predator Helios Neo’s striking design hides encrypted codes laser-etched on the deep-black anodized covers. This secret message, however, is only available on the non-US models of the Predator Helios Neo 16 but can be found on all Predator Helios Neo 18 laptops.

Availability

  • Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 – March, starting at $1,549.99
  • Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 – March, starting at $1,499.99

Acer Nitro 17: Gaming For Everyone

Some people might not want a dedicated gaming laptop but might still want a mobile computer that can easily switch between work and play without breaking a sweat. Acer’s Nitro laptops have always offered a sensible balance of computing power, gaming capability, and affordable price, and the new Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-72) this year is no different. Bearing a 14th-gen Intel Core i7 processor paired with an NVIDIA RTX 4060 laptop graphics gives it the silicon muscles it needs to breeze through demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Alan Wake 2, much less word processing, Web browsing, and other functions you might need day to day.

Of course, the Nitro 17 is also equipped with the latest AI technologies, like Acer’s PurifiedVoice 2.0, which filters out unwanted ambient noise so only your voice is heard during meetings, or PurifiedView, which automatically frames your face during a video call. Windows Copilot is also present to instantly help you with your work and optimize the system, thanks to a handy Copilot key that’s coming to Windows laptops this year. The Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-72) offers an accessible and reliable PC that you can take anywhere, whether for work, for fun, or for anything in between.

Availability

  • Acer Nitro 17 (AN17-72) – January, starting at $1,249.99

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Xbox Series S toaster is now a real thing that can toast your bread

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You probably know a gamer or two (or more) who live and breathe playing games on their console of choice, to the point that they tend to skip things like talking to other people and even eating. There are also probably gamers who see their game graphics everywhere, even on their food. Well, this can happen literally now, at least for Xbox fans as you can now imprint the logo on your bread.

Designer: Microsoft

The Xbox Series S toaster is now available to make all your Xbox toast dreams come true. It may seem like a joke item but it’s a real product that you can buy at Walmart and you can use as you toast your loaf bread, waffle, bagel, or whatever else piece of bread that you want to have the Xbox logo on before you actually eat and consume it. It doesn’t serve any other purpose except to put that logo on your bread and for Microsoft to have that image of having fun at their own expense.

This is actually born out of the memes that populated social media sites when the Xbox Series S first came out, comparing it with, you guessed it, a toaster. It has a digital countdown timer and you can even choose the shade setting for the xbox logo to be imprinted on your bread. The design of the toaster itself is similar to the Xbox Series S so you might have to be careful or you could start playing games in your kitchen or you might put a piece of bread into your actual Xbox.

This isn’t the first time they created an actual appliance based on people making fun of their console designs. The Xbox Series X mini fridge came out previously and we wouldn’t be surprised if they will eventually lean into this and create other kitchen appliances with the Xbox branding like a microwave, cutlery, plates, and even other products not related to the kitchen or eating. But for now, enjoy having the Xbox logo on your toast as you play games while eating.

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Bauhutte’s special cabinet for storing game consoles, controllers, and titles will get the gamers highly organized

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Japanese gaming furniture brand, Bauhutte, basically functions out of there bases: comfort, comfort and comfort. What did I miss? Comfort, allowing gamers to add days and more days to their regular gaming routines. Then whether it’s the Electric Gaming Bed or the Gaming Sofa, everything out of this company’s warehouse is designed to make the gamers addicted and lazier for their liking.

While that’s that. There ought to be a solution that is less about comfort and more about convenience and organizing. Two aspects that are as far from gamers as life outside their consoles. So, Bauhutte has taken some time out from creating ultra-addictive furniture to make us languid, to launch a specially designed cabinet to store game consoles, title, and other items in one place.

Designer: Bauhutte

The table with open shelves looks to have been made using MDF board and is pretty similar to other stationary game console cabinets on the market. Two distinguishing factors: Bauhette’s dark color scheme and the open rack design. The primary layout without a backboard or door considers heat dissipation and ensures your valuable console is well-ventilated at all times.

Although it has a simple design that will never look out of place even if it’s installed in the living room, it is highly functional. Giving an open space for the game console to rest, the specially conceived cabinet for the gamers’ den, has a drawer to stack your titles, controllers, and other accessories that have grown through the years.

The cabinet organizes the gaming equipment neatly which would otherwise pile up on the side of your rig. A side hook has been installed on the cabinet for hanging headsets, etc. This keeps the headies in easy reach, so you can quickly pick them up whenever you want to use and then store it neatly after playing. But what really had the storage cabinet win my heart was its hidden cable box on the back and the ability to team up with an open rack for placing more than one game console. There is no word on the price or the global ability of the cabinet yet, but we are hopeful its coming soon!

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AYANEO Flip DS handheld PC takes inspiration from a different Nintendo star

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The Nintendo Switch is hailed as the design that brought the handheld gaming market back to life, but it’s hardly the only notable product from the gaming giant. Almost two decades ago, Nintendo launched the evolution of its Game Boy line, the Nintendo DS with its odd yet interesting second screen. It’s still debatable whether that feature was a success or just a gimmick, but there’s little argument that it became an iconic design that few have been able to emulate successfully. One of the rising names in the handheld PC segment, however, is taking a stab at bringing that uniqueness to this fledgling market, with a micro laptop design that includes not a keyboard but a small second screen, a feature that could be even more quirky and gimmicky than it was on the Nintendo DS.

Designer: AYANEO

It’s hard not to see the Nintendo DS as a bit gimmicky. Almost all the controls you need to play handheld games are mostly covered by buttons and joysticks, so you actually need to craft specific games to take advantage of that second screen. Because of the custom design, those games won’t work on any other console without heavy changes or some special emulation. That said, a second screen might actually have more utility on a different platform like Windows, where a different display could be used for displaying information or custom controls.

That seems to be what AYANEO is aiming for with the Flip DS launching on Indiegogo next month. The handheld laptop design is nothing new and AYANEO, in fact, has a variant with that design, the AYANEO Flip KB. That squeezes a basic QWERTY keyboard in between split gamepad controls, allowing for quick text input in games or Web browsing. The AYANEO Flip DS, however, switches out the keyboard for a 3.5-inch touch screen, providing a second display that could augment the gaming experience, at least in theory.

In practice, that touch display can be used to show anything as long as the operating system or games support it. At the most basic level, it can give quick access to the most used settings, like toggling Wi-Fi, muting the mic, or even shutting down the PC. It can also display the system’s current operating conditions, for gamers who are concerned about frame rates, power draw, and temperatures. Given the more open Windows gaming ecosystem, it’s conceivable that this screen can also be used for additional in-game controls that are just a thumb tap or swipe away. It could even be used as an on-screen virtual keyboard!

That said, additional features could also mean additional burdens on the system as well as the buyer’s wallet. These are features that are not exactly critical to enjoying games on the go, as proven by the half-dozen handheld gaming PCs now on the market. It’s still an interesting exercise in design that looks to another Nintendo product for guidance, because as popular and innovative as it may be, the Switch isn’t the be-all and end-all of handheld gaming.

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Retro Gaming Watch puts a tiny handheld on your wrist, also tells the time

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There’s a retro design craze that’s gripping multiple industries, from fashion to music to gaming. The latter is probably one of the most prolific sectors, spewing out new designs based on old models every year or sometimes more than once a year. Regardless of the origin, almost all these retro gaming devices have the same goal of allowing people today to experience the games of the past the way they were meant to be played, at least to some extent. Some, however, do try to just mimic the looks while offering a bit more freedom in what you can do with the device, like this rather unusual Game Boy SP look-alike that’s meant to ride on your wrist and act as a smartwatch when you’re not playing games on it.

Designer: Jason Rogers

There’s no shortage of small gaming handhelds, some of which can even be attached to a key ring. They’re not great at comfort or ergonomics, but these novelty items capture a lot of attention and even let you play a few retro games on the fly. You do have to take them out or pull them off your key ring before you can use them, though, which translates to seconds or minutes of lost opportunities.

The Retro Gaming Watch loses no time, no pun intended, by having that gaming handheld always at hand, or in this case, on your wrist. In its inactive, unused form, it masquerades as a regular though thick smartwatch, with a standard squarish display and typical features such as a digital watch face and notifications. It doesn’t have activity tracking, though, because that would require cramming more hardware in an already cramped space, space that would rather be used for running games instead.

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The watch changes its tune the moment you detach it from its strap, unfolding to reveal a clamshell-style gaming device not unlike the Nintendo Game Boy SP. Given the existence of gaming devices smaller than this, it shouldn’t be a surprise that the Retro Gaming Watch can handle a few emulated games, at least the 8 to 16-bit titles that can fit in the device’s small memory. Where you get your emulated content, of course, is up to the reader’s ingenuity.

The Retro Gaming Watch is supposed to be a sort of counter-movement to the “Great Conformity” that is happening in a world filled with Apple Watches and its clones. It recalls a time when watches looked fun and could even be used as toys, at least for a younger crowd who wouldn’t be embarrassed wearing bulky and sometimes gaudy designs for everyone to see. Again, it’s not going to offer the best gaming experience, presuming it even becomes an actual product, but it has that novel character and rebellious spirit that’s going to tickle the fancy of many gamers, even if they’re just gonna wear it for show.

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nubia RedMagic 9 Pro gaming phone arrives with a new design, same tiny fan

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The year is almost over, but there’s plenty of time left to unveil new products, including new smartphones that could become gift ideas for people in some markets. We’ve seen quite a few make their way to the market a few days ago, but most of them revolve around “normal” phones for everyday use. Gaming phones, however, still make up a slice of that large pie, and one of the top brands in this market is taking out its big guns early. Former ZTE sub-brand nubia is reaching out to gamers with the latest RedMagic model, bearing a slightly new design that manages to keep key features that fans of the brand have grown fond of, whether they make sense or not.

Designer: nubia

What sets a gaming smartphone apart from regular smartphones, including those expensive ones, isn’t just their over-the-top performance. Most gaming-centric phones carry a certain aesthetic that really marks them for a certain crowd, one that appreciates a lot of RGB lighting, lines and geometric shapes, and other details that make the design look futuristic if not highly technical. The nubia RedMagic 9 Pro continues that tradition this year but makes a few tweaks that streamline the gamer design a little bit better.

Most notable is the relocation of the cameras from the middle of the phone to the side, something that’s almost a standard across all smartphone designs. The camera bump is also gone, with the lenses sitting flush against the entire back. That does mean that the phone is a little bit thicker than most of its kind, but a hefty and beefy handset is already expected for a device that’s designed to be a heavy-duty gaming machine. The rather odd design change is that only two of the three big circles are actually cameras, with the third deceptively hiding the cooling fan. The third camera is off to the side, though having a 2MP depth sensor makes it almost negligible.

The rest of the RedMagic 9 Pro has a similar vibe to its predecessor, with lines and shapes on the back that give the semblance of panels that cover futuristic machines like ships, robots, and similar. For those who prefer a more subtle appearance, the Sleek model has an aesthetic closer to the typical black smartphones, masking its identity for more discreet uses. The front still has an under-display camera, which means there’s nothing visually breaking the large screen.

There’s also still that miniature cooling fan, one of the brand’s gimmicks to help keep things cool and prevent the phone from throttling its performance. It may be effective to some degree, but the price that is paid is having no dust or water resistance guarantee. With a more efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and a newer “ICE 13 Multi-Dimensional” cooling system, such a fan might no longer be needed and is becoming more of a liability than a selling point in the long run.

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5 Crazy Nintendo Patents that were almost turned into real products

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Did you know Nintendo *almost* made a smartphone case with a built-in Game Boy? Well, now you do…

Nintendo has always been a pioneer in the gaming world, known for its innovation and creativity. Starting out selling gaming cards, the company practically led the charge on gaming innovation, starting with their entertainment systems, to the birth of the world’s first handheld gaming console (Apple TV has an entire movie on how Tetris made its way to the first Game Boy). That was just a milestone for the company, which went on to revolutionize gaming with Super Mario, Pokemon, Legend of Zelda, and an entire host of other games that hold legend-status in the gaming world. The Game Boy then transformed into the Nintendo DS, which led to the Wii, and finally the wildly successful Switch. But did you know that not all of Nintendo’s ideas have seen the light of day? Or rather, some of their less-than-brilliant ideas that remain languishing in a patent office.

The folks at NeoMam Studios partnered with Guide Strats to bring some of these patents to life and let’s say, we would have loved to be a fly on the wall at the Nintendo office when these products were being pitched. From a Joy Con-enabled horse saddle to a smartphone case with a Game Boy built into it, these concepts are bizarre, to say the least…

Designers: NeoMam Studios for Guide Strats

Nintendo Inventions That Stayed On Paper

1. Nintendo Playable Game Boy Smartphone Case

(Patent No: US20180275769A1)

Somewhere down the road execs at Nintendo saw the rise of smartphones and thought – what if we turned the iPhone into a GameBoy?! This slap-on case for your smartphone basically acts as a physical emulator, blocking most of the screen to allow you to only see a small portion of it, where the game would be displayed. Buttons on the front tap the screen when pressed, allowing you to effectively get the Game Boy experience on a modern-day smartphone. The pros? Peak nostalgia and tactile buttons. The cons? Pretty much everything else, including the clunky GB cover that would practically consume your smartphone’s entire aesthetic.

2. Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons with Hinges

(Patent No: JP2019146737A)

A little less weird conceptually, but equally absurd on a technical level, Nintendo patented ‘bendable’ Joy-Cons for their Switch device. The reason? Ergonomics in general, given that the Joy-Cons aren’t as ergonomically shaped as other controllers on the market like Sony’s DualSense controller or Microsoft’s Xbox Wireless Controller. These unique controllers, however, have hinges in them that allow them to bend away from you, enabling a natural gripping position while still having the screen facing you clearly. Given that ‘drifting’ is already a problem within the Joy-Cons, having more moving parts that could compromise accuracy seemed like a bad idea, which is why the patent was left as it was.

3. Nintendo Wii Football Controller

(Patent No: EP2090346B1)

Given how the Wii’s controllers made them perfectly suited for workouts and sports like boxing, skiing, and table tennis, the good folks at Nintendo thought it would make sense to have a football (or rugby ball) accessory for the Wii remote, allowing people to pass, throw, dodge, and run in the game. The solution was an incredibly odd-looking accessory that felt like shoving a remote control into an existing football. “The game-playing public generally expects a football video game to provide a reasonably accurate model of at least some aspects of the actual game of football,” argued Nintendo’s patent. What Nintendo didn’t realize at the time, was that it wasn’t realistic to expect people to play football indoors without breaking bones, furniture, and possibly even your Nintendo Wii. Luckily, sanity prevailed and the Nintendo Wii Football Controller was scrapped.

4. Nintendo Portable System with Interchangeable Controls

(Patent No: US20140121023A1)

This one might be the least absurd because you can really see Nintendo’s thinking at the time. The “Nintendo Portable System with Interchangeable Controls” was filed as a patent 10 years ago, long before the Switch was released. The idea – a Nintendo 3DS-style handheld console with interchangeable controls that could slide in and out, allowing you to swap between joysticks, action buttons, and a D-pad based on the game you wanted to play. Eventually, this concept evolved into the Switch as we know it today, and these tiny removable modules were effectively adapted into removable joy-cons, which many will argue was a much better idea in hindsight!

5. Nintendo Wii Inflatable Horseback Riding Peripheral

(Patent No: US8277327B2)

Let it be known that the Wii years should go down into the annals of history as some of Nintendo’s weirdest years. As the company saw success with its motion-sensing console/controller system, the company decided the best way to build out the Wii ecosystem would be to create accessories. If the football accessory wasn’t enough, the Nintendudes decided to patent this ridiculous exercise-ball-inspired “Inflatable Horseback Riding Peripheral”. The idea, you’d sit on it with the Wii remote docked between your legs, rocking back and forth to control the horse’s movements. Thankfully for Nintendo and all the gaming fans out there, a particular Jim and Dwight scene from The Office helped Nintendo understand exactly how ridiculous this would look…

Image Credits: Guide Strats

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Incredibly Detailed LEGO PlayStation One comes with Controllers, a CD, and even Memory Cards

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The LEGO-based pixelated look goes well with the PS One, which ran 32-bit games when it launched in the 90s. We’ve come a long way since then, but LEGO Builder GoofySwan099 decided to do a grand throwback to the good old days with this LEGO version of Sony’s first-ever gaming console. It isn’t clear how many bricks this build uses, but it comes with all the bells and whistles, including memory card and controller inputs on the front, an opening CD tray, and RCA ports on the back. Accompanying the console itself is a controller, multiple memory cards, and even a LEGO compact disc that fits right into the machine!

Designer: GoofySwan099

Although a little rough around the edges, the LEGO PS One is a spitting replica of the original. It’s fairly operational with maneuverable parts, add-ons, and a matching color scheme complete with logos to remind you of the real deal. Lift the hood and you’ll see a rotating CD that comes out (don’t forget to blow on the CD as you put it in like they used to back in the old days), and along with memory cards that saved game progress, you’ve got two slots for controllers, enabling team and mano-a-mano gameplay.

“The console has working features such as a power button, open button, memory card ports, controller port, and reset button. The back of the console is also detailed, showing all of the ports to connect the console to a television,” says LEGO builder GoofySwan099.

There’s even venting on the sides, designed to push air backward and out of the console!

At 2487 votes, the LEGO PlayStation One is gradually climbing up the Ideas forum charts, where community members like you and me get to vote for our favorite fan-made pieces. If it reaches the 10,000 vote target, LEGO’s internal team will consider making this into a box set, following some amount of design refinement.

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