Gamevice, creator of a number of popular controller add-ons for iPhone and iPad, is suing Nintendo for alleged patent infringement. In a complaint filed on March 27, it calls for a ban on Switch imports into the United States.
Gamevice controllers are great for iPhone and iPad. They’re not perfect — as we noted in our review of one model last year — but thanks to their unique design, they might be the best you can get for Apple (and other) devices.
What’s really great about the Gamevice is that it attaches to the sides of your device, turning it into an all-in-one handheld console that can be played anywhere. They negate the need for stands, cables, and batteries.
According to Gamevice, the Nintendo Switch leans too heavily into that idea — and it needs to be stopped.
Gamevice sues Nintendo (again)
In a new patent-infringement complaint filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC), Gamevice accuses Nintendo of stepping on a number of its patents for a “combination computing device and game controller.”
This is a new complaint, separate from another against Nintendo that Gamevice is now appealing after the Patent Trial and Appeal Board ruled in Nintendo’s favor. In that case, Nintendo was accused of infringing 19 Gamevice patents.
Nintendo will be hoping that the ITC dismisses Gamevice’s latest suit before it ends up in another lengthy legal battle. But if Gamevice had its way, Nintendo would not be allowed to import and sell the Switch in the U.S.
Switch a huge success for Nintendo
Switch made its debut in the U.S. just over three years ago and has quickly become one of Nintendo’s most successful consoles to date. Combined with Switch Lite, it has sold more than 52 million units worldwide.
Switch continues to outsell the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, quarter after quarter. Its success can be attributed to its unique design, which allows portable and docked play, and its strong catalog of games.
