In a way it will work like the scroll wheel on your mouse, except that it will be positioned horizontally. The patent also shows off a controller that looks like a stripped down version of the GamePad that comes with two analog sticks, one directional pad, and two face buttons followed by the rotating shoulder buttons.
Nintendo did promise that the Nintendo NX will surprise everyone, and pairing this remote with the console might be a way to do that. However it is only a patent meaning that it could simply be Nintendo toying around with ideas, or it could be a hint at what’s to come. We’re not sure what use such buttons are, but it will be interesting to find out.
Previously Nintendo patented a console without a optical drive which also led to speculation about some of the console’s features.