Nintendo Re-registers ‘Virtual Console‘ Trademark,Fueling Speculation – But a Return Seems unlikely
Nintendo has filed a new trademark for “Virtual Console” in the United States,sparking renewed hope among fans for the potential return of the classic game distribution service. The request, filed October 16, 2024, covers the same goods adn services classes as two existing, previously registered Virtual Console trademarks. The filing was first spotted by Twitter user Mike Odyssey (@MikeOdysseyYT) and reported by several gaming news outlets.
While the move has ignited speculation about a possible revival of Virtual console on Nintendo Switch, industry observers suggest the trademark filing is highly likely a proactive measure to consolidate Nintendo’s intellectual property under a single legal umbrella.Nintendo routinely renews and updates its trademarks to protect its brands, and this new application appears to be an effort to streamline existing Virtual Console trademarks rather than signal an imminent service relaunch.
the company currently offers access to a library of classic games through its Nintendo Switch Online subscription service, which includes NES, SNES, Game Boy, and Nintendo 64 titles depending on the subscription tier. Bringing back Virtual Console as a separate, purchase-based platform could possibly cannibalize Nintendo Switch Online subscriptions, making a return seem improbable.
According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database, the new trademark application number is 79425775. The existing trademarks remain active. Nintendo has not commented on the filing.
[source https://tsdr.uspto.gov/#caseNumber=79425775&caseSearchType=US_APPLICATION&caseType=DEFAULT&searchType=statusSearch, via https://x.com/MikeOdysseyYT/status/1980019583957549104]