Nintendo USA has patented a video game console concept that has no built-in optical disc drive.

The hardware diagram in the patent does not include a disc drive, and the patent's description even specifically states, "The example system is not provided with an optical disc drive for reading out a program and/or data from an optical disc."

Additionally, the diagram shows a controller with a "display unit," as is present in the Wii U's GamePad.

If the NX does end up lacking an optical drive, it suggests Nintendo intends to go digital-only with game distribution.

Microsoft toyed with such an idea for the Xbox One before its release, back when the console's concept was more radical than it is today.

Nintendo has not commented on the patent, but has said more information on the "brand-new concept" NX will be revealed in 2016.