Nintendo Has Filed A Unique New Trademark, And Fans Are Wondering What It Is

Nintendo usually likes to throw surprises at its fans, like surprise games getting announced out [...]

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Nintendo usually likes to throw surprises at its fans, like surprise games getting announced out of nowhere – looking at you, Metroid Prime 4. But there are still occasions where it files for something that's easy to see, but you still can't help but wonder what the company is up to.

In this case, it's in regards to a new trademark that's been filed in Japan for an application that, as you can see above, is called Nintendo Check-In. The Twitter account Trademark_bot pointed out the trademark, complete with a logo that features Mario's hat and a checkmark enclosed in what appears to be a guitar pick-shaped icon.

As far as what the Nintendo Check-In program is all about, the company isn't saying. However, Nintendo Everything has made notes in regards to what the checkmark could mean, and it ties in to the overall bigger picture. Here's the rundown:

  • Screening and production or distribution of movies
  • Stage play performances
  • Musical performance
  • Planning and management of game tournaments
  • Providing games online
  • Providing entertainment facilities
  • Rental of toys

In other words, Nintendo Check-In could play a big part with Nintendo's forthcoming Online service for the Nintendo Switch, which was recently delayed to early 2018. There's a good chance that players will be able to "check in" through a number of locations if they have their Nintendo Switch with them, similar to what the StreetPass did for the Nintendo 3DS over the past few years. But that's speculative, as Nintendo hasn't officially commented on what Check In is all about just yet.

Nintendo has been trying to find more ways to fit into the gaming mainstream with the Switch, something it failed to do with the Wii U over the past few years. It's certainly been successful thus far, with rumors about what its Online service is capable of – and for $20 a year, no less – and Switch sales going through the roof, to the point that it's not as readily available as the company would have hoped. (It's clear that it's trying to remedy this for the forthcoming holiday season.)

We'll let you know what Nintendo is up to as soon as we get official details!

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