A new patent application may indicate the direction in which Nintendo is going with its upcoming NX console.

US Patent Application No. 20150355768 refers to a controller whose entire front face is a touchscreen, with analog sticks emerging directly from the screen.

A non-limiting example information processing apparatus comprises a housing, and a first portion of the housing is formed in an elliptical form when viewing from the front. A display panel and a touch panel constitute one main surface of the first portion. Holes are formed in left and right end portions of the display panel and the touch panel, and two operation sticks are provided through the two holes. When viewing the first portion from the front, an area except key tops of the operation sticks becomes a display area.

Rather than "just" a controller, it appears the patent describes a self-contained unit.

The patent also includes shoulder buttons, motion-sensor controls, a memory card slot, and stereoscopic 3D tech similar to the 3DS.

Though only an application - which could exist solely to safeguard unused ideas against theft - the patent does suggest some of the thinking that's gone into the NX.

Speculation has been running wild about the upcoming device from the console manufacturer, specifically following revelations that it is "unique and different" and will combine home and handheld gaming.

More information is expected from Nintendo directly in 2016.