bit-gamer.net

Nintendo patents inflatable horse

Published on 11th August 2009 by Joe Martin

Nintendo's inflatable horse seat patent may let users simulate the feeling of riding all sorts of animals. Like toucans.

Nintendo, in a continuing effort to revolutionise how gamers interact with their consoles, has patented perhaps the strangest accessory we've ever seen - an inflatable horse.

Discovered in the European Patent Database by Siliconera, the Wii Horseback Riding Saddle is apparently an inflatable saddle with a pouch where players can insert the Wii Remote. Players can then hold the Nunchuck up as a set of reins or "a raised hand for balance as in Bronco riding, a lasso, a sword or other weapon", according to the patent.

The patent also claims that the construction of the inflatable saddle would be similar to conventional exercise balls and that "an advantage of an inflatable design is that it is compact to ship and store."

The intended use for the saddle would be to simulate virtual horse riding obviously, but Nintendo hasn't limited it's ambition to targeting a single animal. The patent also discusses how the saddle could simulate the experience of riding "bulls, camels, elephants, burros, dolphins, whales dragons, griffons, unicorns [and] giant eagles."

As well as animals, the saddle could also be used for games featuring "hang gliders or other aircraft, a magic carpet, a motorcycle, a jet-ski, land or sea exploration vehicles." We just pray a decent Road Rash remake will launch alongside the saddle, if it ever sees release - something that Nintendo has yet to comment on.

Would you be interested in riding a virtual horse (or a virtual toucan)? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.

28 Comments

Discuss in the forums Reply

logan'srun 11th August 2009, 11:51

No
/10char

perplekks45 11th August 2009, 12:01

You just had to show off your toucan finding, didn't you? :p

Star*Dagger 11th August 2009, 12:05

This has to be the funniest non-comedy posting i have read in months!

Almightyrastus 11th August 2009, 12:48

As long as the patent doesn't cover an inflatable sheep and velcro glove attachment for the Wiimote...........

Nexxo 11th August 2009, 12:53

Wasn't the Bit-Tech team testing a prototype of that one some time ago?

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2008/11/on-our-desk-14/b28.jpg

I thought as much. :D

CardJoe 11th August 2009, 13:09

Yeah, Harry will ride pretty much anything it seems ;)

Xir 11th August 2009, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Almightyrastus
As long as the patent doesn't cover an inflatable sheep and velcro glove attachment for the Wiimote...........

Isn't the WII just SCREAMING for Adult content? :D

TomH 11th August 2009, 15:02

Road Rash Wii is making my head explode: too many jokes, such little time.

sub routine 11th August 2009, 15:22

hahahaha......hmmmmmm *head scratch*

DragunovHUN 11th August 2009, 15:28

...giant eagles?

sear 11th August 2009, 15:54

Uh... okay, Nintendo, I love you, but you need to cut back on the PCP. Please? For all of us.

Thacrudd 11th August 2009, 16:00

cmon, it's japanese.....is it really that strange for them?

Sparrowhawk 11th August 2009, 17:51

Quote:

As well as animals, the saddle could also be used for games featuring "hang gliders or other aircraft, a magic carpet, a motorcycle, a jet-ski, land or sea exploration vehicles."

Um. On a more serious note, horseback riding is nothing like any of those others mentioned. Apples and oranges different. No, scratch that, apples and jalapeno peppers different. :(

Still though... I can't help but wonder if I could slap a wiimote on my jumping saddle. :D

DXR_13KE 11th August 2009, 18:23

Inflatable sheep....

thehippoz 11th August 2009, 19:01

yeah they did.. imagine all the popped saddles from a 400 pounder

Cheapskate 11th August 2009, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by thehippoz
yeah they did.. imagine all the popped saddles from a 400 pounder

Or rough play.
Which brings up a question: How will they put the market spin on the dualshock version?

Cheapskate 11th August 2009, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapskate
Quote:
Originally Posted by thehippoz
yeah they did.. imagine all the popped saddles from a 400 pounder

Or rough play.
Which brings up a question: How will they put the market spin on the dualshock version?

Is Wii-twister next? I wish they had Wii when I was a kid. I would have invited all the girls over so I could watch them grind away on my inflatable horsey.:)

VaLkyR-Assassin 11th August 2009, 20:00

Hmm, riding an inflatable doll. Interesting.

Skiddywinks 11th August 2009, 20:35

Oh Nintendo, how much respect you used to command.

Sigh.

Red 5 11th August 2009, 22:41

So... The Legend of Zelda; Link's Epona Training?

Quote:

Originally Posted by CardJoe
Yeah, Harry will ride pretty much anything it seems ;)

That should've ended at the altar.

The_Beast 11th August 2009, 22:52

this guy I know at work would love this

it's funny even thought it's not intended to be a joke

johnnyboy700 12th August 2009, 08:44

Just had to check this isn't April the first .

Seriously, WTF!!

perplekks45 12th August 2009, 08:47

I can has inflatable Castle next to walk around in?

Ghast 12th August 2009, 09:08

My first thought was 'Good lord the furries will have a field day with this.'

Zeus-Nolan 12th August 2009, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheapskate
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cheapskate
Quote:
Originally Posted by thehippoz
yeah they did.. imagine all the popped saddles from a 400 pounder

Or rough play.
Which brings up a question: How will they put the market spin on the dualshock version?

Is Wii-twister next? I wish they had Wii when I was a kid. I would have invited all the girls over so I could watch them grind away on my inflatable horsey.:)

HAHA, but Seriously what the hell are they thinking

Farfalho 15th January 2010, 18:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nexxo
Wasn't the Bit-Tech team testing a prototype of that one some time ago?

http://images.bit-tech.net/content_images/2008/11/on-our-desk-14/b28.jpg

I thought as much. :D

Sorry but Harry looks like is totally happy riding a huge pile of poo xD

thehippoz 15th January 2010, 18:55

harry looks oversexed

Cthippo 16th January 2010, 07:49

Ok, so it looks like this is coming completely out of left field, but then so did the Mouse when it was invented. I have no idea if this will catch on or not, but I applaud Nintendo for trying new things to move into new markets. You know this is headed for a "My Little Pony" release, which will probably make them another boatload of cash.

+1 for the sheep and porn on the Wii in general ;)