Fascinating "leak". I think there is a reasonable chance this is a real prototype. If not, I think it's quite possible that it is a good guess at what the NeXt Nintento controller will look like. My thoughts:
-I don't like the lack of physical buttons. That said, I'd have to experience it first.
-Lack of physical buttons using screen buttons instead could be tremendously innovative. Games could change layout by game. The device could be completely backward compatible.
-If the device has motion sensing, it's small enough and with screen buttons it could be used as a Wii-mote or similar device when held vertical.
-It's a far more manageable device than the Gamepad. A much better everyday controller.
-The rounded screen would make it seem very high-tech, unlike the Gamepad which seemed like a dated leapfrog compared to tablets we see everywhere.
-The shape and style would also make it able to anything a smart device does, while at the same time offering a different experience. This could be key.
-I'm not concerned about the sticks and "button" area overlaping the display. This is how people play tablet and phone games. If a developer didn't want this, they could simply have the action cropped to just the center.
-I wouldn't worry about third party adoption. Assuming the virtual buttons work and there are triggers on the back, it would play multiplats just fine.
-The rolling shoulder buttons could be a major innovation along the lines of analogue sticks.
Overall, I think it's kinda cool. Provided the system that supports it has decent power and great games, it could be very popular. I see a further opportunity where what we are seeing is BOTH the NX home console and the NX portable controller. They could sell brainless versions as controllers and ones with brains as the portable. The portable would look like a really cool funky new device on the playgrounds. Then people could gather at a houe and play multiplayer syncing NX portables to a console. You could even have your Nintendo ID and content on your portable to take with you. Imagine Splatoon matches with both local and online multiplayer in this way. It could be an impressive gaming experience and one no one else could match without handhelds. Significant potential there.
