As a series of images leaked of the Nintendo NX controller this week, the entire Internet erupted into speculation of how exactly will this wacky, oval-shapped device from Nintendo function. The controller seemed to have an edge-to-edge display, a scroll wheel, two little nubs for joysticks, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The leaks looked real, the device in the images matched the patent that Nintendo had secured previously. This was it!

Turns out, all of these 'leaks' were fakes, especially the last one, which showed off the controller in high detail. The man behind that leak, Frank S., today showed off how exactly he, and his brother, recreated the device using Photoshop and a 3D printer.

IGN reached out to him to know what inspired him to pull off this elaborate prank.

This story was originally published on IGN Italia.

IGN: Frank, in 48 hours you shook the world in a way that we're all going to remember for ages: gaming enthusiasts went nuts, speculation arose beyond control, forums (including our beloved NeoGaf, of course!) simply exploded and the press was inevitably trolled as well. Were you honestly expecting this kind of reactions? How did this whole prank-thing made you feel at different stages of development? Were you thrilled while building the mock-up, having tons of fun reading the reaction, are you laughing now... tell us something, I'd love to hear about your point of view in all this amazing ride. :)

Frank: Honestly, I knew GAF can get super analytical, but not like this! I was blown away with the thread getting almost 10000 posts, and it was moving so fast you couldn't even keep up. Then I started checking all the major news sites and it started popping up there along with many youtube videos. Hell, even in my own Subscription inbox. I was definitely blown away.

I haven't laughed as much in a long time as when I read the thread on NeoGAF where they managed to conclude that it was taken in Sweden at Massive, by a reflection of a tree! At one point I almost started believing the pictures myself from reading about it so much.

IGN: Who is the man behind the hoax? What do you do in your life, how do you have access to the tech involved to create that kind of mock-up (which might be something pretty standard to you, but trust me it's not that common for the average human in 2016)? I definitely wanna know more about the genius behind this, and also if you are a big Nintendo fan or not.

Frank: Basically, me and my brother run this company where the ultimate goal is to be able to create anything. So at the moment we have two laser cutters and a 3D printer, which is a good start. So given that we had all the equipment ready I wanted to give it a shot. Immediately when I saw that first 'leak' I thought "we can make that.".

I am, maybe not as big as I was a few years ago, but I still like Nintendo. I look forward to seeing what the NX will really be.

It's fake...

IGN: Simply put... Why did you do it? What are the reasons, if there are, behind one of the greatest prank in the gaming history? How did you come up with the idea? Was the previous leak (and the meltdowns that came after :D ) a big influence/motivation in the process, or were you already thinking about doing some kind of hoax like the one you set up with such a great attention to detail?

Frank: As I said in the last answer, when I saw that white controller 'leak' for the first time, I thought to myself that we can definitely make that. Then the same night I started modelling it up in CAD and the day after I started printing it.

Basically, I wanted to see if I could manage to trick the internet.

IGN: I think that the majority of people - myself included, I'll be honest! - were pretty much against that kind of concept for the console, mainly due to the lack of physical buttons. I know that there are Nintendo patents floating around that are not too far from your mock-up, but how would you personally feel, as a gamer, if Nintendo NX is really something close to what you envisioned? In other words, would you buy your own fake-console?

Frank: Hahah, by being pretty much the only person who has felt that shape in my hand - I would say no. Thing was uncomfortable!

Though I thought it looked very cool. But it's not a practical shape. I think there needs to be handles on the thing.

About the buttons, I suppose if they could use some of that haptic technology, they could make it work, otherwise I think having no buttons won't really work for a console game.

...all of it.

IGN: Weren't you afraid about a possible legal outcome from Nintendo? I know you didn't really broke any law, but maybe you don't want to mess with huge corporations... Plus we all know what happens when you fuck with Nintendo Ninjas.

Frank: Nah, I didn't break any law after all. Plus, Japanese Ninjas wouldn't last a second in the Finnish cold weather.

IGN: Any message you want to leave to our readers/the world? After all this, how much are you anticipating the next E3? :D

Frank: Sure, I think this can serve as a lesson in that you can't really believe any hardware leaks nowadays with the advent of low-cost 3D printers. Anyone given enough time and experience can create a believable leak.

I'm looking forward to it a lot! Mostly to see the next Zelda. :) Also can't wait to see what the NX really looks like hah.