Patent searches reveal patently obvious

Filed in archive News on January 31, 2007

One of the sneaky little tricks video game writers use to get scoops is checking newly registered patents and games recently submitted to the ESRB for ratings. Any video game that appears on the market in the U.S. must first have its name registered with the patent office, otherwise anybody and their Uncle Joe could make their own game, call it The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and get away with it. But registering these names can also give clues as to what games will be released in the near (or not so near) future. Thanks to the crafty folks at C3, two juicy tidbits of information have surfaces regarding pending Virtual Console releases (courtesy of the ESRB) and the possibility of a Punch-Out!! game for the Wii or DS. They aren't exactly new, earth-shattering reports, but it's good to know the games we like are on their way. Read on for the scoop.




NES

• Dr Mario
  


• Duck Hunt
  


• Excitebike
  


• Hogan's Alley
  


• Ice Climber
  


• Kid Icarus
  


• Kirby's Adventure
  


• Mario Bros.
  


• Pro Wrestling
  


• Punch-Out!!
  


• Wild Gunman

Super Nintendo

• Kirby's Dream Land 3
  


• Kirby Super Star
  


• Pilotwings
  


• Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
  


• Super Metroid

Nintendo 64

• The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time
  


• Star Fox 64