I sincerely hope this is made up.
From Silicon Era
Oh my beloved Nintendo, what have you become? I know that just because you patent something doesn't mean you're going to actually produce it, but this is a dark rode that I cannot follow you on...
From Silicon Era
If you thought the Wii Balance Board was off the beaten path wait until you see Nintendo’s Wii Horseback Riding Saddle. We’re not kidding about this.
The inflatable seat has a pocket for the Wii remote, which is used to sense movement via the accelerometers. Players hold the nunchuck to simulate holding the reins or, as the Nintendo patent describes, “a raised hand for balance as in Bronco riding, a lasso, a sword or other weapon, etc.”
Here’s a better look at the device. The cushion may inflatable, made of foam or another material, but it seems like Nintendo is leaning towards an inflatable seat. “A one-way air valve of conventional design may be provided to allow the user to inflate cushion. Construction may be similar to that of conventional inflatable exercise balls. An advantage of an inflatable design is that it is compact to ship and store.”
The patent, found in the European patent database, gives an example of a possible game.
But, wait the seat isn’t limited to horesback riding! Nintendo says their inflatable seat can be used to simulate riding other animals. The patent lists “bulls, camels, elephants, burros, dolphins, whales” and imaginary creatures such as “dragons, griffons, unicorns, giant eagles” as possible mounts. Nintendo also suggests the seat can be used for vehicles too like “hang gliders or other aircraft, a magic carpet, a motorcycle, a jet-ski, a land or sea exploration vehicles.”
If a Zelda game ever comes out with a horseback riding mini-game or Mario Kart Wii 2 supports the seat controller thank Genyo Takeda, one of Nintendo’s lead research developers. His name is listed as one of the inventors on the patent.
Oh my beloved Nintendo, what have you become? I know that just because you patent something doesn't mean you're going to actually produce it, but this is a dark rode that I cannot follow you on...
