Nintendo has filed a patent for a console that has no optical disk drive.

Loading

The patent, spotted by NeoGAF user Rosti, shows a rough schematic of a console that, according to the patent filing's abstract, "is not provided with an optical disk drive" for reading game data from a disc.Instead, the patent shows games stored on a hard drive, and further cites "high-speed communication such as ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or optical communication," such as high-speed fiber internet, as a delivery method for game data. The patent says this will allow a server "to distribute a game program to a game apparatus," and cites the benefit to the consumer of not needing to purchase "a recording medium."The language could mean Nintendo is planning for an all-digital future, but it also doesn't rule out the possibility of some sort of game-streaming service, either.However, while the console in the patent doesn't include an optical drive, it does mention a read/write card slot that can read from devices "such as an SD memory card."In June, Nintendo said it was intentionally remaining quiet on details of its NX console due to concerns competitors would jump on its ideas.Could this be the Nintendo NX

Seth Macy is a freelance writer who just wants to be your friend. Follow him on Twitter @sethmacy , and MyIGN at sethgmacy , or check out Seth Macy's YouTube channel.