Ever since I first heard of the possibility of breakaway controllers I've been wondering about ergonomics, and that image there just makes that even more of a concern. How do you even use the D-pad comfortably when it has to compete with space for the analog pad? If the breakaway controllers are made comfortably large it would make the whole NX absolutely gigantic. And the top corners of each controller are sharp, in that render. Not comfy! If Nintendo rounds them off, the device will look cobbled-together when joined up - which in fact is exactly what it is. So - job done then? Lol.
Then there's the issue of where to put index finger buttons so they're usable in both separated and joined-up mode. Perhaps if you push them in sideways? Would feel odd in breakaway mode, so a button which could be pushed in sideways when joined up, and downwards when split apart... *shrug* If they go that way it would complicate things mechanically.
Then there's the issue of reliability... Having pieces come off and snap back together sounds like a recipe for mechanical failure and breakage. If you drop your NX to the floor, will the locking mechanisms be wrecked by the impact? If not - how big and heavy would they have to be to withstand everyday bangs and impacts, kid treatment and so on?
...Oh, and I just realized; the colored buttons for each controller are mirrored for each player. Hella confusing. So either you disregard colors in games and just go for position in the diamond formation, or you have to fight your muscle memory every time you need to press a button depending on which controller you're using at the time.
(If the buttons on the left controller are mirrored compared to the right controller to match positions when in breakaway mode, they become basically unusable when joined up, as they will...well... Be mirrored.
But maybe you're not supposed to use all buttons when in joined mode. But that's typical Nintendo dumb, so I guess that's how it could be.)
I'm thinking Nintendo may have to drop colored buttons if this is the way the device will work. Or, indeed any icon or markings on the buttons, other than perhaps an arrow.
This design just creates tons of issues for Nintendo that may be as bad, if not worse as anything regarding the wuu.