CNN Hands-On With The Revolution

The Game Over column over at CNN has a hands-on look look at the Nintendo Revolution and its unique little controller. From the article: "By adding an auxiliary thumbstick controller, I was able to play through a level of a retrofitted 'Metroid Prime 2' (a GameCube game). Confession time: When it comes to console shooters, I'm terrible. I can finish them, but I'm nowhere near as competent as I am with my mouse/keyboard setup for the PC. In the early stages of the 'Metroid' demo, it looked like this trend would continue, as I was all over the screen. By mid-way, though, I was better able to move and aim - and enjoyed the game far more than I did with the GameCube controller. ('Metroid' fans... well, you're probably already pretty excited.)"

Comments

so can't wait

[seann]

I for one Can't WAIT until this machine comes out.

That controller looks Amazing.

Re:so can't wait

[MalaclypseTheYounger]

Offtopic, sorry, but you may want to check your signature. Your friend hacked your Signature...

Re:so can't wait

[Digital Vomit]

I for one Can't WAIT until this machine comes out.

That controller looks Amazing.
--
I'm a big retard who forgot to log out of Slashdot on Mike's computer! LOOK AT ME

LOL! That's classic!

Nintendo had to do *something*...

[TripMaster Monkey]

Given how Microsoft and Sony have been bitch-slapping Nintendo in the console arena, they had to come up with something special to stay in the game...and it looks like they have.

I can't wait until Microsoft 'innovates' a similar controller. ^_^

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Anonymous Coward]

Insightful???

The only way in which Nintendo was bitch-slapped is Install Base. Nintendo still has higher quality games, more robust hardware, more innovative controllers, a hugely successful portable console line, and is much more profitable than either other company.

But of course, since they don't pay you to buy their consoles, they have a smaller install base, and are consequently still in business.

They didn't *have* to do anything to stay in the game. The fact that they chose to is the reason I am such a big fan.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[SquisherX]

We expect [the Revolution controller] to become the standard in video game controls.

Firstly, i think that neither sony or microsoft will relinquish the standard controller designs, even if the revolution is a smashing success. It will never be the standard.

Given how Microsoft and Sony have been bitch-slapping Nintendo in the console arena, they had to come up with something special to stay in the game...and it looks like they have.

Secondly, I hardly consider being the most profitable gaming console of this past generation as getting 'bitch slapped'.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[AuMatar]

And only in US install base. Worldwide, Nintendo is #2 and MS is #3.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Grey Ninja]

Firstly, i think that neither sony or microsoft will relinquish the standard controller designs, even if the revolution is a smashing success. It will never be the standard.

D-Pads? Analog Sticks? "Gimmicky" rumble feature? Shoulder buttons? Come on. If Revolution takes off, PS3 will be introducing a gyroscopic accessory so fast it will make your head spin.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[grimharvest]

when you come in third place in console sales, you have lost the battle, though being bitch slapped might be overly strong terminology. All day long we get to hear from Nintendo fanatics how awesome they are, but yet they remain the minority.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[psocccer]

We expect [the Revolution controller] to become the standard in video game controls.
Firstly, i think that neither sony or microsoft will relinquish the standard controller designs, even if the revolution is a smashing success. It will never be the standard.

I find this somewhat entertaining since nintendo has created the controller standard time and time again. NES brought the dpad, before that there was joysticks. SNES brought shoulder buttons. N64 brought analog thumb-stick and rumble pack. GC brought a first-party wireless controller that didn't totally suck and lag. Now what do we have as the "standard"? Well the 360 has dual analog thumbsticks, a dpad, shoulder buttons, and first party wireless controllers included and built-in rumble.... They redefined the standard before I'm sure they can do it again.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Anonymous Coward]

Just to clarify the reasoning behind the above post: Sales outside of the U.S. don't count because that's all money with funny colored bills which are no more spendable than Monopoly money.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[harrkev]

when you come in third place in console sales, you have lost the battle, though being bitch slapped might be overly strong terminology. All day long we get to hear from Nintendo fanatics how awesome they are, but yet they remain the minority.

And exactly why is being last considered to be awful? They make a profit. They do well.

Microsoft sold the Xbox at a loss. The ONLY reason that the Xbox still lives that that your "microsoft tax" that you pay for with every PC sold goes to prop up the Xbox. If it was a private company that made the Xbox as its main product line, they would have gone under already. Nintendo does not have an OS monopoly or massive media holdings to prop up its game division, so it has to do thing a little differently -- like make a profit on games.

So, to me, as long as the company is healthy and selling products, does it really matter if they are #1? Let me put it this way: McDonalds is the #1 fast food franchise. Do you expect Taco Bell, Burger King or Wendy's to go under in the next six months because they are not #1? I don't.

The gaming market is big, and I do not mind a little competition. It keeps everybody on their toes. As long as you have three players, you WILL have a #1, a #2, and a #3. And as long as all three remain profitable, this is a good thing. At my house, my only console is a Game Cube. I purchased it because I have small children, and I wanted to be assured of being able to buy games without lots of blood and sex.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[TD-2779]

FYI, I believe that Nintendo has patented this control scheme.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Anonymous Coward]

...but the new controller has been patented. i'm not sure what about it has been patented though.

psoccer is right in that it will not become the new standard because nintendo has patented it. to become a standard all the consoles would need to use it, and that just might not happen.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Anonymous Coward]

IIRC, Microsoft did much better in Europe than Nintendo did. Last I checked, Microsoft edged out Nintendo in worldwide units, but it was awfully close either way.

Too bad the Gamecube sold less units than the N64, which sold less than the SNES, which sold less than the NES. The Revolution has to reverse a serious downward trend.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[HTL2001]

and they would have to, otherwize someone else would patent it.

I have known it to happen, in the company my father works at had a chemical process patented out from under them.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[BinaryOpty]

Just because something's patented doesn't mean others won't find ways around it. Example: Nintendo's d-pad design, which was patented with its creation for the use in Game and Watch, couldn't be used by any other console until it ran out just in time for the Dreamcast. Look at the Sega Master System's D-pad: a big ugly square. Genesis? More like Nintendo's but on a disk and diagonals were easier to get. Sony's? Detached trapezoids in a plus shape. So, as history has shown, even though something's patented doesn't mean the other console makers can't figure out another way of doing essentially the same thing to give close enough to the same results that people don't care or possibly even prefer it.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Bulln-Bulln]

Nintendo is #1, if you include portable cosoles.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[pappy97]

"Too bad the Gamecube sold less units than the N64, which sold less than the SNES, which sold less than the NES. "

This is what I find interesting. Not only do people have choices (As opposed to 1985, when NES was clearly the top console), but I get the sense that more non-gamers had an NES back in the day compared to non-gamers having consoles today.

It seems like today consoles are branded as "something you buy if you are a gamer." The closest these non-gamers get to gaming today are games designed for casual gaming (small java games, pogo.com, etc), not consoles.

If Nintendo could really find a way to get those people back, they'd really have something. As it stands, Revolution is poised to be somewhat of a dud, except when it comes to unconditional loving Nintendo fanboys.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[grimharvest]

Oh this is cute. Any pro-Nintendo comments instantly modded up, anti-Nintendo comments modded down. Grow up, mods! Maybe it's about time they make a separate Nintendo section for Slashdot where you can all happily froth at the mouth together as you compare your virtual pets in Nintendogs. Insightful, my ass. Higher quality games? Please more Mario rewrites than you can keep track of. More childish games is what you mean to say. More robust hardware? How does the weakest processing power equal robust hardware. And get a clue already. Microsoft and Sony have different business models which is why they can afford to take a loss on their consoles while making their money elsewhere. Nintendo doesn't have that option.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Headcase88]

"If Nintendo could really find a way to get those people back, they'd really have something.

Oh, don't worry, they've announced several times that it's part of their strategy. The thing is shaped like a remote for a reason.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[rohlfinator]

"Oh this is cute. Any pro-Nintendo comments instantly modded up, anti-Nintendo comments modded down."

No, trolls get modded down, and you're just contributing to the problem.

Provide some constructive criticism or don't reply at all. We've all heard the "Nintendo is kiddie" line before. It's not clever, and it adds nothing to the discussion.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[MBraynard]

Microsoft sold the Xbox at a loss. The ONLY reason that the Xbox still lives that that your "microsoft tax" that you pay for with every PC sold goes to prop up the Xbox.

The same could easily be said for Sony's PS/PS2/PSP line. Deep pockets from other industries allowed entry into this one.

And you may say the Xbox has not turned a profit, but that is a short term view. Look at it over a period of 20 years and then try to draw conclusions about who made money in it and who did not and where things stand then.

One thing the Japs seem to have down is taking the long view, not evaluating total success or failure over the period of four months.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Anonymous Coward]

it's shaped like a penis because that controller is going to rape MS and Sony

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Lehk228]

the only work around that didn't suck balls was the sega genesis one, and even that chewed the hell out of your thumb after a few hours of down D-R Right High Punch

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Grey Ninja]

Nintendo patented the D-Pad and analog stick as well. Ever notice that the PS2's D-Pad isn't the same design as Nintendo's but as seperate buttons? There's a reason for that, and it certainly isn't gameplay.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[antifoidulus]

I'm not an MS fanboy(actually I only own a cube and a ds) but it's really hard to tell exactly who is #2 and #3. Sales figures, especially later in the game, are harder to come by, and it does seem like the cube and Xbox finished neck and neck. So honestly you would have to say:
"Nintendo and Microsoft sold about the same number of consoles this generation, which is still a metric buttload less than Sony"

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[KDR_11k]

You must have very... interesting anatomy.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Anonymous Coward]

The only home consoles in existence that were ever sold at a loss were from Sega and Microsoft. The ps1 and ps2 pricepoints were/are profitable.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Anonymous Coward]

"I purchased it because I have small children, and I wanted to be assured of being able to buy games without lots of blood and sex."

I don't know what game store you are going to but maybe you should try EB? I didn't lose one drop of blood or have sex in any of my visits.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[grimharvest]

Really? Because I see the same old pro-Nintendo mantras getting modded up each time. Why is that?

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[damsa]

In America, it's a first to invent system. If you can prove you invented the item first, you get priority.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[HTL2001]

Well it would *eventually* get set right, but why not prevent such a problem? Saves a lot of trouble and delays while you prove it

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[rohlfinator]

I won't try to claim that there isn't any bias in the moderation here; we're all only human. I agree with you that some of the pro-Nintendo posts are being unnecessarily modded up.

But most of the posters criticizing Nintendo are trolling, pure and simple. Instead of adding some insightful criticisms of the Revolution strategy (and there are a few), they just parrot the same old Nintendo-bashing rants: the "kiddie" rant, the "gimmicky" rant, and the "weak hardware" rant. It's not that those arguments have no basis, it's that they're always presented in an exaggerated and derogatory manner.

The other thing is that it's hard to be too critical of the Revolution without looking fanboyish, at least not at this point in time. First of all, we don't know much about it. The launch lineup, the graphics, the backwards compatibility, the online system, and the price are all big question marks. They could turn out to be great, or they could turn out to be bland. Criticizing these things before they've been tested or announced is pointless, because they're so unproven.
Secondly, the Revolution is very obviously a "successor" to the Nintendo DS. Many of the complaints about the Revolution were applied to the DS before its launch (poor graphical capability, "gimmicky" controls, alienation of third-parties, not appealing enough to gamers), yet the DS has turned out to be a commercial success. The DS proved the media wrong in a lot of ways, and it's hard for someone to apply the same old arguments to the Revolution without looking at least slightly ignorant.

Re:Nintendo had to do *something*...

[Nykon]

Well it's partially true but not in the condesending way Nintendo trolls would make you think.

One thing people always seem to forget is Sony, Xbox, and Nintendo do not share the same 100% demographic. Sony and Xbox target an older crowd. There typical sales demographic is 16-35. Where as Nintendo's demographic has historically been 8-21 range. Nintendo will make games for younger kids but also bring out games young teens and some young adults will like. Where as PS2 and Xbox may only release a young teen style Ratchet and Crank style game but really cater to an older crowd. It's been one of Nintendos saving graces since many parents may not want their 8 yr old playing Halo 2 for instance. For the pre teen and young ones Nintendo is still the best choice and Nintendo still gives Xbox a running for the older crowd.

I gots an idea...

[Anonymous Coward]

I say we make up a fake news channel, like in Canada or some other English speaking area and get our hands on one of these boxes for ourselves...

Whose coming with me?

so can't wait

[Anonymous Coward]

I cant wait for it either, I intend to stick it up my ass with a rumble pack.

First-Person Shooters?

[VickiM]

Seems like someone finally let the reviewer play the demos that came out a long while back.

"I was a developer for many years before my current role, but I've never been a very good gamer," Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told me. "I've never been able to control a first-person shooter, but as soon as I used the Revolution controller, I found it very easy to control the game. So, I think that's a genre that's particularly well suited for the controller."

I'm not sure first-person shooters would be the way to go, given comments in other threads about the 360. People who play FPS seem to want HD. I personally can't wait to try out the new controller and console, though. I'm hoping the controller inspires more creativity in game developers.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[77Punker]

Everybody wants HD at some level, but what's so much more important than resolution is assets. I can play counterstrike at 640x480 and then play it at 1280x1024, but it's still the same thing. I've played my Gamecube on a normal TV and on my HDTV with the special cables, and it really isn't amazing. It's better, but it's far from important.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[vertinox]

I'm not sure first-person shooters would be the way to go, given comments in other threads about the 360. People who play FPS seem to want HD.

I dunno... A part of me wants to get the 360 because of it really good looking FPS games, but then I remind myself how they played on the old Xbox and then I fire up Unreal Tournament 2004 on my PC.

Most console controllers are too clunky for FPS at least for me. The DS pen actually feels pretty good for the Metroid demo and I'd to see how the Rev controller works out.

If only MS would support usb mouse and keyboards on the 360...

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[SeaEye420]

If only MS would support usb mouse and keyboards on the 360...

They do (well keyboards, at least). Any time there is an onscreen keyboard displayed(like when you recover your gamertag) you can plug in a USB keyboard and it will let you type. See here for the first example I found with a quick search at google. So it is a conscious decision by MS or the developers not to support keyboard and mouse input, not a compatibility issue.

Besides, how are you going to write e-mails and type in URLs when they release MSNTV for 360? :-P

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[ChaosDiscord]

Sweet Turing, please bring me a non-crappy interface for FPS games on a console. This does assume that the Revolution's controller is as wonderful as Nintendo would have me believe, but what we have at the moment sucks hard. A joystick is a crappy way to aim. A joystick has many strengths (ever try a flying game with a mouse?), but it cannot match the speed and precision of a mouse for aiming at targets. There is a reason that auto-aim and auto-correction is a rare thing on PC FPS games, but common consoles. I'll play a good enough FPS game on a console, but it had better been great to compensate for the controls. I'm hoping the Revolution will fix the problem, giving us something at least close to the effectiveness of a mouse. FPS games are the driving reason I upgrade my PC. If console FPS controls become good enough, I can finally stop the upgrade cycle and having to maintain a copy of Windows.

The CNN reviewer wrote:

When it comes to console shooters, I'm terrible. I can finish them, but I'm nowhere near as competent as I am with my mouse/keyboard setup for the PC. In the early stages of the "Metroid" demo, it looked like this trend would continue, as I was all over the screen. By mid-way, though, I was better able to move and aim - and enjoyed the game far more than I did with the GameCube controller

That gives me hope. I gave up on Metroid Prime. It's a fun, good looking game, but the controls frustrated me.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[bigman2003]

Not a surprise that the Gamecube didn't shine like a new penny on your HDTV.

You need to send an HD signal (Not ED) to get things started. Then you need to have a graphics chip able to actually drive that resolution.

Nintendo's 480p really wasn't that big of a deal. It's not until you get to 720p, or 1080i (or p for Sony) that things get interesting.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[MindStalker]

Have you tried FPS with steering wheels? Unfortunatly many console FPS arn't configurable enough to make this work, but its definatly an option.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[bigman2003]

If you spend a good amount of time on an Xbox controller, you actually get pretty good for FPSs. Just remember all the practice you've had with using a mouse for general computing- that is one of the reasons keyboard/mouse seems so good. Spend time on an Xbox, and it becomes second nature.

I played games on a PC for many, many years. The first time I played Halo on an Xbox, I thought the control scheme was an abomination- who the hell thought it would work?

Now 4 years later, I do great on an Xbox 360..the last time I played a game on the PC (Half Life 2) I *hated* the control scheme. I had been away from it for so long, that I had to re-learn it, and found it just as bad as when I was introduced to the Xbox controller.

It's all what you're used to.

Here's a quote from the Gamespy review of Call of Duty 2 for Xbox 360:

Thanks to the Xbox 360's excellent controller, it won't take veterans of console first-person shooters very long to feel comfortable with the gameplay in Call of Duty 2. The default control scheme feels perfect right from the start, and there's a good chance that you'll be a genuine killing machine by the time you finish the brief tutorial that kicks off the game.

Here is a more direct comparison from Global Gaming:

And then, of course, there are the controls. The debate between keyboard and mouse vs. controller still rages on, but in this fast-paced arcade-style shooter we didn't find the control pad be a serious handicap. While a sniping match would likely end in the favor of the player on the PC, playing through the offline levels was just as easy with a thumbstick as with a mouse.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[BenjyD]

While it is partly a matter of being unused to the console controls, the range of motion of a mouse is many times greater than that of a joystick, so the mouse is much more accurate.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[Ark42]

480p is a big deal vs 480i, especially for first person shooters. First off, interlacing is really annoying to look at if you move around really fast, but more importantly, 480i is more-or-less 240 lines. 480p is twice the vertical resolution, at 60 frames per second. 480i is only 30 frames per second, with 2 half-height interlaced fields per frame. Plus, many old regular TVs are lucky if that can achieve 400x300 pixels realistically, so you might be looking at near 3x the detail level simply by playing at 480p on an HDTV. Thats about the same different from going to 720p from 480p. Also, I would consider 1080i to be a step down from 480p, since interlacing is that annoying.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[Anonymous Coward]

...and low-contrast games. Try playing Rogue Squadron II. All those Tie Fighters (darkish grey) against space (black) or the surface of the Death Star (light grey)? Hard to see. Now try playing those same levels in the split-screen multiplayer in Rogue Squadron III. Even HARDER to see. Bump it up to 480p, though, and the lack of interlacing makes for a big difference.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[bigman2003]

It's all relative. 480p might be a lot better than 480i- but it is not going to be impressive, and give a person a good impression of HDTV. If someone is looking at a 480p signal, and they are told 'man, this is on an HDTV, and I got the good cables and everything' (like the original poster) then it really is no big deal.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[Anonymous Coward]

Steering wheels? How the hell do you aim up and down?

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[MindStalker]

Shrugs I was being silly, hoping someone would call me on it! :)

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[Anonymous Coward]

You gave up too soon. The controls aren't bad *AT ALL* I hated them at first too. Once you learn them they are perfect. This game isn't Halo. It's not a shooter. You don't have to aim because your gun can lock on to targets on it's own. This isn't a game where you are trying to go through the levels as fast as possible while looking all around you and kill what ever gets in your way.

You know what? When I got this game I gave up on it almost instantly because I hated the controls. I didn't play it for YEARS. When I finally forced my self to play it again and forced my self to ignore the control issues I regreted ever not playing this game. It was a HUGE mistake. It's one of the best games I've ever played.

Tell me something. When you play an first person style game where the point of the game is to sneak around and kill people with out getting caught.. do you rush right in and try to blow everybody away as if you were playing quake or halo just because it's an FPS and ALL FPS's have to be run and gun style because that's what you have hammered into your brain? no. I doubt it. If you did that you would lose the game. So how come when you play an FPS style ADVENTURE game you seem to feel that way? Can't you get it through your head that this game IS NOT HALO? The enemies come back every time you leave the room? The whole point of the game is completely fucking different. This isn't a Quake or Halo like game just like Metal Gear and Theif aren't Quake or Halo type games.

The controls work GREAT for what it is and what it's meant to be.

Give it a try. Seriously.

Re:First-Person Shooters?

[Anonymous Coward]

Dual analog sucks compared to keyboard and mouse, it's only a tad better than using WASD + arrow keys. It's probably passable in a game like call of duty that goes for a degree of accuracy and where you can't do the 180 degree turnaround 600 yd headshot, but for anything that doesn't do that, it's slow and painful. You are seriously and I mean seriously handicapped on a console. That evens the playing field.

There's a reason they don't let console people play with PC users, and it's not cheating. Nothing deflates a console e-peen quicker than coming up against a quake god. You can't get that abusively good on a console, and dual-analog is why.

fps on a console?

[radical_dementia]

Fps on a console is nothing new, but IMO ever since the days of goldeneye on N64 all the way up through Halo 2, using an analog stick and a d-pad has always been cumbersome. This new controller is basically like a 3D mouse, and if they do it right (which it looks like they have), this could really be the first time where people like me who only do fps on a PC will go for the consoles. I am very much looking forward to getting my hands on a revolution.

Re:fps on a console?

[voice_of_all_reason]

The point is, the people running Nintendo have been pretty much saying "We don't care if you like regular controllers. You'll do it our way, or not at all."

Re:fps on a console?

[|/|/|||]

Your old road is rapidly agin'.
Please get outta the new one if you can't lend your hand,
for the times, they are a changin'.

Re:fps on a console?

[Corbu Mulak]

Uh...no.

You can still plug gamecube controllers into the system and there will be a controller where you can dock the remote (like the Dreamcast controller and the VCU).

Like most DS games, there will probably be an option to use the old style of gameplay if you don't want to use the remote.

Re:fps on a console?

[voice_of_all_reason]

Or, wait a few weeks until Revolution roms pop up on bittorrent, fire up your emulator, and play them however you like

Video games want to be free!

Re:fps on a console?

[harrkev]

The point is, the people running Nintendo have been pretty much saying "We don't care if you like regular controllers. You'll do it our way, or not at all."

Try this: If you want more of the same, try one of the other two. If you want something different, here we are!

This is actually quite smart. They can go head-to-head with Sony and Microsoft and play by their rules, or they can change the rules and occupy a slightly different niche.

Re:fps on a console?

[FLAGGR]

1. It will be more than weeks, by far
2. It takes more than weeks to write emulators. Years. The "mature" emulators stop at the SNES/16-bit generation. There's just so much more complexity each new generation.
3. Emulation is veryyyyy slow. N64 emu's take a good computer to run (well, they did a year or two ago) and AFAIK there are no playable (i.e. non-buggy, fast, fully featured) gamecube/ps2 emulators (xbox is a x86 so not hard to emulate) Even the DS emulators can barely run bits of comercial games, the leaked nintendo dev emulator runs games at like 16fps instead of the native 60 on good computers.
4. Youre also going to have to make a bluetooth driver for the revolution remote too (actually, I bet that'll happen in under a week)

I liked the AC:DS reference though :)

Re:fps on a console?

[crazydumbek]

Sure you can use the old control scheme, but unless all you have is a Revolution, why would you even bother to buy the Nintendo version of an FPS when, more than likely, the game is available on a different system?

One of the Revolution's big draw for multi-platform games is its unique control scheme. If you negate that, then you all you have is graphics, and Nintendo has admitted that it will not play the graphics war.

Re:fps on a console?

[rabbot]

You're right. If a FPS is available on the PC I would get it there, otherwise I would get it for the revolution. There aren't really any other options if you want fast precise controls.

Re:fps on a console?

[AuMatar]

3 is a bit of an exaggeration. I remember runnign Ocarina on a N64 emulator back in college on my 333MHZ p2. Can't remember the name of the emulator, but it was the first one, with the requirements for GLIDE wrappers and all to get it to work. Zelda ran with very few hangups. A modern CPU should easily emulate N64, and a high end one might do the GC.

Re:fps on a console?

[NonSequor]

I've got a feeling that while the Revolution may allow precise controls, what it will be better for is broad, sweeping movements. I've never played a game that reproduced what it's like to hit a very small, fast target with a shot gun. In real life that kind of shooting is much more fun than trying to hold steady to hit a stationary or slow moving target.

I'm hoping that they'll try to produce some games that are much different from a traditional FPS. They have the opportunity to do things that can't be done with a mouse.

Re:fps on a console?

[barc0001]

The point is, the people running Nintendo have been pretty much saying "We don't care if you like regular controllers. You'll do it our way, or not at all."

Err... Aren't Microsoft and Sony also saying that? Or did I miss when they brought out the 3D position based controllers for the PS2 and Xbox? When you look at it, everyone else is also forcing you to do it their way. It's just you happen to be used to "their way". The PS2 has USB ports. Why can't I plug in a USB keyboard and use WASD and a mouse for FPS games?

Re:fps on a console?

[Prophet of Nixon]

Er, when you say the xbox is not hard to emulate, are you implying there are PC based xbox emulators? I'm interested if there are. I'd really like MS to release an official one in a year or so once the 360 is well established. That would kick ass, even if it meant I had to get an Nvidia card for video or something.

Re:fps on a console?

[voice_of_all_reason]

I did not know that. It is good news.

But what do you mean about the DS? If you're talking about the stylus, it's definately required for the new Castlevania (I don't have any other games). You can't kill bosses without drawing a special symbol.

Re:fps on a console?

[voice_of_all_reason]

For me, the only draw that matters is games. If I can only play a great game on one system that I don't like, then I'm stuck.

Just bought a gamecube this week, in fact, because I was tired of never having played Metroid Prime, Wind Waker, and Smash Bros despite finding the controller atrociously awkward. If they'd released an N64 controller that was compatible with Gamecube, I would've bought this stuff long ago and Nintendo would've made more money.

Re:fps on a console?

[KDR_11k]

Unless you mean the touchscreen in general you're wrong, the seals can easily be drawn with a finger.

Re:fps on a console?

[xtieburn]

'AFAIK there are no playable (i.e. non-buggy, fast, fully featured) gamecube/ps2 emulators (xbox is a x86 so not hard to emulate)'

Your post generally has good points accept the gamecube is currently far more emulatable than the X-Box.

Its been a common fallacy since the X-Box was released that it was going to be easy to emulate probably due to all the crap about it being nothing more than a cut down PC.

With decent hardware there is playable emulation for several gamecube games (The Dolwin emulator I believe is the best.) the X-Box emulators currently cant really play anything due to being horrifically slow/broken. (Cxbx pretty much ground to a halt with its major victory being loading the menu screen for Panzer Dragoon then crashing. I believe there was another one but it could only run one game and it ran it too badly to actually play.)

Only console I'm seriously considering

[dogmatixpsych]

The Revolution is the only console I am even thinking about getting. Both Microsoft and Sony want to have their machines do everything (and are both bigger than the Revolution, which can fit just about anywhere, it is so small), Nintendo just wants their console to play games. The controller looks intriguing too, of course. Between quality of games, interesting controller, and lower prices, if any console maker gets my money, it will be Nintendo.

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[manno]

ditto

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[wed128]

thirded

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[Spaceman Spiff II]

Me too!

Okay... maybe an Xbox 360 when Halo 3 comes out, but only if it's better than Halo 2 was. I felt burned when I excitedly got my Halo 2 that I had preordered. But no $sys$PS3

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[BenjyD]

I'm in the same position. I considered buying an Xbox360, but having looked at the current game line up there is very little there to attract me. Straight racing games bore me, I've had seriously enough of WWII shooters, I can't stand sports titles or FPS games on a console. Kameo looked interesting, but from the reviews it's nothing special. There are easily enough Gamecube and DS games around to keep me going until the Rev comes out.

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[aftk2]

ditto
thirded

What is this, digg?

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[Anonymous Coward]

Well crap Grandpa, admit you just don't like consoles.

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[shadow0_0]

Us down in Australia are FORCED to wait. We won't even get the XBox360 until March 2006!
Not that it is a big deal. I have back log of games to play on the current consoles anway.
I agree with what you said though - sounds like the Revolution is only console that is "different". Can you imagine playing all those funky party games in Mario Party with the new controllers? :)

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[BenjyD]

Oh, you're right. I'd better go and throw away my PS2, Gamecube, DS and GBA then. And I should definitely stop playing RE4, Ikaruga, Advance Wars DS and Viewtiful Joe 2.

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[PeelBoy]

The only game I like on the 360 right now is Condemed.

Knowing what I know now I doubt I would ever buy a 360. Atleast not until the bugs are worked out. (and trust me there are a fucking TON of them), and there are better more interesting games.

SOME of the games look pretty sweet but to say they are just more of the same is a SERIOUS UNDERSTATEMENT!

That's not to say better games won't come out later. I'm sure they will. But on a regular TV the GFX aren't really all that much better (they are, but not to the point that I'm gonna shit my pants over it. Compared to say RE4 they aren't that much better). If all the 360 has to offer for all that fucking money and all that fucking horse power is HD? Count me out. Sure it's sweet, but $400 + $60/games + Wi-Fi(not included for your $400?!?!?!) ++++++ It's just not fucking worth it.

Lucky for me we won't our 360 so I don't have to worry about all that ;) I wouldn't buy one but I'll damn sure take one for free haha..

Re:Only console I'm seriously considering

[PeelBoy]

i mean won.. we won our 360 not won't it.

Re:Is he from Nintendo or NAMBLA?

[Guppy06]

"Fils = Sons
Aime = Like"

According to Google's langauge tools, fils = wire (like filament). So... um... he likes electronics? Solder junkie?

You know

[Shad_the_protector]

When I first heared of that controller, I just laugh, and couldn't stop. I was thinking Nintendo was doing another big mistake. But the more I check, and the more I inform myself on "Next-Gen" console, Nintendo is the only one I see making a actually "Next-Gen" imporvement. For now X-Box360 is only very upgraded version of a X-Box. As for what we know of Sony right now, well, it is not much of a different case. Nintendo are trying something new. And actually they are doing better than I expected from the information we actually got, and lately my GC entertained me better than my ps2. I'm seriously considering to switch from Sony to Nintendo for my next primary console....

Re:You know

[Anonymous Coward]

The video game universe is still reeling from the awesomeness that is VIRTUAL BOY.

Re:Is he from Nintendo or NAMBLA?

[Shad_the_protector]

"Fils = Sons
Aime = Like"

Well that is actually the right traduction, but you know you dont always choose your Last name, it usually comes from far in the past and probably have his own history

We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[SmallFurryCreature]

It is not the controller OR the less powerfull hardware. It is the constant hammering on making games easy to understand. I mean this article suggests that there are people out there who do not understand current controllers and that nintendo wishes to attract them.

Okay, this is going to be regarded as elitist and it is. I just like to suggest the following. If you have trouble figuring out a console controller perhaps you should go back to the field and settle in the soil with the other vegetables.

I know not everyone has an IQ with 3 digits but come on. KIDS can figure these things out.

The gamecubes lack luster sale were not down to subpar software or hardware it was the perception that Nintendo == Kiddy games. Go to a games store and most people will simply pass the nintendo by. The only people that look at it are the ones with kids in the lower grades. It is just not for adults.

Now of course this isn't entirely true and Nintendo has had some titles on it console wich are for an audience that has been potty trained BUT the perception remains.

I have to wonder why Nintendo seems so desperate to attract a market that in the 2 decades of video games has still not be won over while possibly alienating (as they did with the gamecube) the established market.

Here is a tiny little hint for Nintendo. Non-gamers ARE NOT GOING TO BUY THE REVOLUTION ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING TOLD TO BY THEIR GAMER FRIENDS. This is a hard bit to understand but NON-GAMERS do NOT know about games. They are not reading the articles about the revolution, they will not see it in shops because they are NOT intrested. Whatever kept them non-gamer will not be changed.

I haven't met a single non-gamer who turned to gaming on their own. ALL of them were turned by gamer friends.

If the gamers are not playing your revolution then the device will be sitting unsold like the gamecube.

Now their are Nintendo fans who defend nintendo at all costs here but I would like to ask them to consider this. Are you a gamer? Yes? Then nintendo isn't targetting you so how excited you are about the new controller has no merit. By definition anyone who reads this article IS not the non-gamer Nintendo seems to want to attract.

There is room for innovation, the DS proved that, BUT it is pointless aiming this at people who do not game without having the word of mouth advertising from existing gamers to advertise your product.

What I fear will happen is that the games with the revolution will be considered to simple/dumbed down etc for the existing gamers to buy and therefore the necessary word of mouth will not be generated.

How many gamecube owners have the gamecube as their only console? I know that at least with both the DS and GBA that all the people I know who own one have at least got either a PC or a none nintendo console as well. No one I know has only a gamecube or handheld.

So is Nintendo chasing a dream market? Perhaps. It is all going to depend now on the games. Will they be perceived as to cutesy to be played by the existing gaming public? Or will I be wrong and will Nintendo be able to penetrate the huge market of non-gamers (is it that huge? A recent article on game violence claimed that 90% of boys game and 40% of girls, doesn't leave a lot of people, the majority of young people already game)

It would be intresting to see what sales research Nintendo has shown that makes them believe their current products are bought by non-gamers. I see far to many hard-core gamers like myself who buy their current handheld products.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[wed128]

Well, right now i own a PC that runs slackware (not really for games, except unreal tournament). I also own a DS and an SNES. My roomate owns a playstation 2. As a casual gamer, The DS is the most attractive to me, because of it's simplicity and it's "pick up and play" paradigm. I do read slashdot every day (including the games section) just because i'm a gadget freak and like to keep up on this sort of thing. That said, I am bored with offerings by Microsoft and Sony becuase they seem to be stuck in a rut. I think i'm not the only person that is excited to see a fundamental change in games, if only because it will bring about NEW experiences. Also, in my experience, simplicity does not nessesarily mean not fun. Unreal Tournament couldn't be simpler: shoot the guys. Meteos couldn't be simpler: line up blocks. These are the two most addictive games i've ever played.

That being said...Nintendo will most likely get my money this time around, unless Sony does something surprising.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[wed128]

Hate to reply to the same post twice but i thought of something else: Non-gamer parents with Gamer kids. If the parents buy the console for the kids, and at some point pick up and play with it...there's a new market right there.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[chrismcdirty]

Yes, that does sound awfully elitist of you. Non-gamers will know about the Revolution for the same way they knew about it in the 70s. Print ads, TV commercials, billboards, word-of-mouth, and such. They may not be going into GameStop, but they're probably going into Best Buy. They can see it on display there. They can see it as they're shopping next Christmas in the mall and walk by one of the many game stores. You're acting like gaming is hush-hush. Its not Fight Club. It is possible for people to see something they've never touched and comment on it to their other friends who are not familiar with it.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[cornface]

Non-gamers will know about the Revolution for the same way they knew about it in the 70s. Print ads, TV commercials, billboards, word-of-mouth, and such. They may not be going into GameStop, but they're probably going into Best Buy. They can see it on display there. They can see it as they're shopping next Christmas in the mall and walk by one of the many game stores.

And they will walk by it, just like they've been doing since the 70's.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[fireduck]

I think the simplest reply to this is to refer to yesterday's article on casual gaming. Popcap does tremendous business. They're bringing in nongamers and gamers alike with their offerings. True, popcap uses an existing platform (the PC, internet) to entice people. But their experiences suggest that if you set the entry bar low enough people will flock to it. I think the increasing market of the handheld controllers that plug into TVs (20 classic atari games on a joystick), also suggests that it isn't hard to get nongamers (or grown-up, reformed gamers) into gaming.

As for Nintendo chasing non-gamers, I think that's a misconception. What they're doing is making a system that plays great games, but is intuitive enough to appeal to non-gamers. The various mortal kombat type games with their 6 button control schemes can be unweildy. Now imagine a 2 button scheme, kick and punch. Hold a button down and wiggle your controller high, mid or low, and you've made the game far far more intuitive. Just because something is simple to use doesn't mean it can't have depth.

Obviously there's the perception image that Nintendo has to overcome. But a radical controller design will attract people's attention. If they couple that with a range of games at launch then they could do quite well.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[chrismcdirty]

Because absolutely nobody has bought a video game console since they were introduced, right? Not everybody is going to play it, but some will see people acting like fools playing it, then become interested in it. It'll probably look more like fun than people playing with controllers staring at their screen like a zombie (much like I do on my computer).

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Pxtl]

I always find the "Nintendo=kiddie" line hilarious. What kind of insecure teenager concerns themselves more over whether a game is "childish" than whether it is fun? I'll be buying a Rev - because I know I'll enjoy it.

You know who I think of when I hear gamers talking about how they won't play Nintendo because it's uncool? The Icy Hot Stuntaz. Insisting that a console where the mainstream games aren't overcomplex baroque titles focussed on blood & tits is dumb is the kiddiest thing of all.

Adult gamers realise that it's really about having a good time.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[(A)*(B)!0_-]

Boy - you're wrong about a lot of things.

"The only people that look at it are the ones with kids in the lower grades. It is just not for adults."

Laughably incorrect. There may be a perception that the Gamecube is not for adults but that's quite different than it actually being the case. Do you think that RE4 and Eternal Darkness were games for kids?

"I haven't met a single non-gamer who turned to gaming on their own. ALL of them were turned by gamer friends."

Boy! Anecdotal evidence! That must mean something, right??! (It's sad how many people don't understand statistics but still act as if they do.)

"How many gamecube owners have the gamecube as their only console? I know that at least with both the DS and GBA that all the people I know who own one have at least got either a PC or a none nintendo console as well. No one I know has only a gamecube or handheld."

Oh boy! More statistical evidence based on that great sample set of 'people you know.' Guess what - that proves nothing and shows no trend whatsoever to anyone intelligent. Furthermore, even if the majority of Gamecube owners own another system - so what? If Nintendo can be the provider of a second console in enough homes, they will continue to turn profits. And furthermore, the untapped casual market is likely to not own any systems from the current generation so I don't even see what your point is in regards to the Revolution.

"What I fear will happen is that the games with the revolution will be considered to simple/dumbed down etc for the existing gamers to buy and therefore the necessary word of mouth will not be generated."

Well, in addition to not knowing anything about statistics, you also don't know anything about marketing.

"I have to wonder why Nintendo seems so desperate to attract a market that in the 2 decades of video games has still not be won over while possibly alienating (as they did with the gamecube) the established market."

Ignoring your poor English skills, there are people who play games but do not buy video game consoles. People who play Hearts, Popcap Games, Scrabble online, etc. are a huge market. I also don't see how the hardcore gamers were alienated by the Gamecube. The Gamecube has had some excellent games and has delivered the quality and enjoyment that Nintendo is known for. Hardcore gamers were turned off by what exactly? Mario games? Ah yes - the pubscent boys so unsure of themselves that they can only feel manly if their in-game character has tattoos. Those are a subset of the hardcore gamer market, and one who relies on mommy and daddy for cash. Oh nevermind, there's so much wrong with you and your nonsense. Go play your Xbox.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Anonymous Coward]

You're a troll, but I'll bite:

Non-gamers ARE NOT GOING TO BUY THE REVOLUTION ON THEIR OWN WITHOUT BEING TOLD TO BY THEIR GAMER FRIENDS.

Right. Because there are no such things as commercials on TV and nobody ever thought of making a demo kiosk featuring a game system. Next:

The gamecubes lack luster sale were not down to subpar software or hardware it was the perception that Nintendo == Kiddy games. [...] The only people that look at it are the ones with kids in the lower grades. It is just not for adults.

How many gamecube owners have the gamecube as their only console? I know that at least with both the DS and GBA that all the people I know who own one have at least got either a PC or a none nintendo console as well. No one I know has only a gamecube or handheld.

I am 29 years old and only own the GameCube console, along with about 20 games. I don't own any other consoles, portable or not, and don't play games on the PC. Your anecdotal evidence is proven wrong.

Will they be perceived as to cutesy to be played by the existing gaming public? Or will I be wrong and will Nintendo be able to penetrate the huge market of non-gamers

I am sure that you, SmallFurryCreature, user #593017 on Slashdot, know something that Nintendo doesn't. After all, they don't do any market research, they don't examine potential markets, they don't do ROI forcasts and they certainly don't know how to turn a profit when making a console.

In case you missed it, the last paragraph was sarcasm.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[AscendantOat]

If you have trouble figuring out a console controller perhaps you should go back to the field and settle in the soil with the other vegetables.

Standard controllers are natural now that I'm used to them, but I can still see them from the point of view of a non-gamer. It's not that they couldn't figure them out, it's just unnatural and takes more practice than it's worth. If you're not used to controllers, a good chunk of any game's difficulty is in the control scheme.

I can vaguely remember learning the original NES controller. It was hard, and it took a good bit of practice before I could consistantly get Mario past that first goomba. I'd actually try to get this move the controller to get him to jump. Both my younger brothers also hopped the controller around when they were learning.

Nowadays, it's not just all the buttons, it's the whole 3D platformer control issue. I haven't had much interest in console games since the SNES, simply because 3D platformers are much harder to interact with than 2D ones: figuring out where floating objects are in 3D space, suboptimal camera angles, mentally remapping the analog stick to the game world every time the camera angle changes, keeping 3D level layouts in your head so you don't get lost, etc. The Revolution controller is the first with actual 3D input, which can't help but make navigation in 3D space much easier and more intuitive.

What I fear will happen is that the games with the revolution will be considered to simple/dumbed down etc for the existing gamers to buy and therefore the necessary word of mouth will not be generated.

Nintendo releases games targeted to different audiences, so the core gamer need not fear. While the "non-game" Nintendogs is their heavy hitter with the casual crowd, they also have Mario and Luigi: Partners in Time a game which requires you to control four characters at once. Likewise, the Mario Party series and Twilight Princess are aimed at totally different audiences.

Ignoring core gamers, the non-gamers that learn about it and enjoy it will start spreading their own word-of-mouth. And non-gamers will be much more likely to listen to fellow non-gamers than to core gamers.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[C0rinthian]

ONOES! Nintendo is attempting to reach a market that their competitors are ignoring! DOOM!

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Palshife]

I'm making you a medal. I'm making you a fucking medal. You shall have camels, horses, an armed escort, provisions, desert vehicles-and tanks!

Seriously, I have to chime in even though you've pretty much already said it. Nintendo doesn't sell as many units as Sony and Microsoft, but their consoles still show up in millions of homes, even if those homes already have a current generation console. That speaks volumes, IMO. Their games always focus on the total experience, not just the freakin graphics and framerate. Chess is still engaging because it's a great game. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm still playing Super Smash Bros. Melee fifty years from now.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[MilenCent]

It is not the controller OR the less powerfull hardware. It is the constant hammering on making games easy to understand. I mean this article suggests that there are people out there who do not understand current controllers and that nintendo wishes to attract them.

Okay, this is going to be regarded as elitist and it is. I just like to suggest the following. If you have trouble figuring out a console controller perhaps you should go back to the field and settle in the soil with the other vegetables.

I understand the sentiment behind this concept, but I still think that Nintendo's concerns are not misplaced.

Look at it this way: every neuron you devote to interfacing with a game is one less neuron you'll devote to playing that game. Simplify the controls, and the player is that much more willing to get more involved with the strategy of the game itself, before the game triggers his "too complicated" objection and he goes off to pick berries off of trees, or search for females.

The controls of a game are typically an obstacle to playing it, and not something that can be enjoyed for its own sake. Revolutions primary advantage is that it has the potential to make the game fun to control; imagine swordfights, aiming guns, casting fishing lines, and the like.

Few games these days are actually fun to just *control*. Katamari Damacy is the best example I can think of; there is something entertainly tactile about rolling that ball around, with the metaphor that each analog stick corresponds to one of the character's hands being simple to grasp, yet allowing for a great flexibility in how the player controls the ball.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[cornface]

I am 29 years old and only own the GameCube console, along with about 20 games. I don't own any other consoles, portable or not, and don't play games on the PC. Your anecdotal evidence is proven wrong.

And yours, obviously, is the gold standard for anecdotal evidence.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[BinaryOpty]

As you mentioned, and I'm sure most people who as a kid played an NES can attest to, many people's first instincts with controllers is to move them around as they move their player around. Now, Nintendo's making a controller that actually takes that movement and does something. Imagine if, as a kid, moving the controller like that actually made Mario jump? You would have gotten it on your first try. This is what Nintendo's going after: being able to pick up and near instantly figure out the control scheme because the controller reacts to movement.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Anonymous Coward]

Let me sum that up for you: Nintendo isn't focusing their new console on my specific niche, therefore it will be a failure.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Spaceman Spiff II]

Lol! That's a really funny line there at the top. Is that from something or did you just make it up?

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[apflwr]

"Gamers" didn't make Pong successful, or the Atari 2600, or the NES. Or the Game Boy, for that matter. The reason those consoles were such breakout hits was because people who don't normally play video games (or who are outside the demographic of what we'd consider a "gamer") bought them, and bought them in droves. They were trendy must-have products in their times that got a lot of good press and word-of-mouth, not to mention they were new and original, not upgraded versions of last year's success. And I think the Revolution will do well, because it does seem like a fresh new idea at the right time. They're certainly getting a lot of good advance press.

Catering to "gamers" right now is a dead-end street. Nintendo's not going to succeed by making yet another platform to play Call of Duty 2 on. Better to go after new audiences why may not have even considered buying a game system in the past, and who would hardly consider themselves "gamers." I think there's a huge market for games for "the rest of us"-- after all, it's not hardcore gamers buying millions of dollars worth of crappy games for their cell phones.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[fondue]

No, that's not elitist, just extremely blinkered.

Perhaps you noticed the success of the Nintendo DS recently. Perhaps you read Nolan Bushnell's recent comments about how needlessly complex interfaces have scared away huge sections of the public over the last 15-20 years. A lot of people who don't play games now never will, true. But a great many people who don't play games now would do so if they were convenient and intuitive enough for them to buy into. Expect to see the Rev sold in non-specialist game shops, and advertised outside of the specialist press.

Furthermore, making games more accessible does not imply 'neglecting' traditional gamers in any way.

Oh, and go play Resident Evil 4 and re-evaluate your lazy views about the Gamecube accordingly, Mister self-proclaimed hardcore gamer.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Palshife]

The part about the medal was just me rambling. The second line is from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[justchris]

I think the problem with your statements stems from an assumption that Nintendo is targetting the casual market to the exclusion of the hardcore market.

Which, when you think about it, doesn't make sense. I mean, seriously, how many casual gamers do you know who care about FPSs? The FPS genre is the baby of the hardcore gamer, and they go on and on about it. Too many 'gamers' think their kill count in random FPS Y is the proof that they're a gamer. And what do you hear from Nintendo execs about the controller? How great it will be for FPSs, a genre that has traditionally been targetted almost exclusively at hardcore gamers.

To get an idea of what Nintendo plans, I think the DS is the best example. Nintendo isn't going after the casual market to ignore hardcore gamers, they're going after the casual market because it stands to make them money. The casual games, like Nintendogs and Brain Training cost Nintendo less to make, and sell just as well as games targetted at the hardcore market. Not to mention they can make 2 of those games while working on just one hardcore game. What's more, releasing those games doesn't cost them the hardcore market at all, because they can still point to a Zelda or Metroid currently in progress.

In fact, if you pay attention, Nintendo is really just telling hardcore gamers what they want to hear. Listen to what they're saying. 'We're going to make games that everyone can play, whether you're hardcore, a kindergartner or a grandmother.' Except, this is what they've always done. Make games targeted at everyone, not limited to a specific market. However, because this philosophy has given them a 'kiddie' image, they're saying it as if it's something new, to stir up the Nintendo fans who are hardcore gamers, and say, "We're changing, really we are. See, we're gonna focus more on gameplay than graphics, cause you like playing games. So not only will you have your hardcore gaming experience, but now you can play with your girlfriend, too." Which, again, is exactly what they've always done. They're just trying to put a positive spin on what some people, for reasons I'm not entirely clear on, see as a negative.

Nintendo is not going to dumb down a game just to make it more accessible. Instead they'll release a kitty simulator that costs them $15,000 to make along with the $30 million dollar 3d adventure the hardcore market thrives on. This means they get good press, they get the hardcore fans on their side with an improved control scheme for a game that's everything they can imagine, and they get casual gamers in droves for a game that's simple and fun and inexpensive.

Nintendo is going to try to do what they did in the 80's so well, be all things to all gamers.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[mowph]

[Non-gamers] may not be going into GameStop, but they're probably going into Best Buy. They can see it on display there.

Good point -- and I can guess which system is going to get more attention from non- or semi-gamers. In the display case and at demo terminals, the Xbox 360 and PS3 really aren't going to look any more interesting to non-gamers than their current generation counterparts. Everyone knows what kids hunched over a control pad looks like -- Nintendo invented THAT in the 80s.

On the other hand, with its fundamentally changed human interface, Revolution demos are guaranteed to stand out, even to non-gamers in neutral settings like department stores. ("What's that guy doing swinging that remote control like a fishing rod? Now he's aiming and shooting it like a gun?")

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[chrismcdirty]

My point exactly. If you've seen the Nintendo promotional video, you'll have definitely gotten this point. Sure, they all look like douchebags playing it (and, sure, they're overacting), but you still wanna see what's so exciting to make them act like douchebags.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Anonymous Coward]

At least it disproves the troll's claim that nobody owns the Gamecube exclusively. So yes, it does set the gold standard.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Anonymous Coward]

Or it would if it were true.

Netcraft backs up the original claim, unfortunately for you.

Gamecube is dying.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[PeelBoy]

Just a note. True hardcore gamers don't call them selves hardcore and they don't shun games based on stupid things like colorful graphics, the lack of an M rating, who makes the game, or any of that kind of bull shit. A true hardcore gamer likes to play games. Fun games. It doesn't matter if it's GTA3 or Animal Crossing. If all you like to play is Halo and GTA3 you're not hardcore. You're just another typical, average gamer. These fucks who think they are hardcore then turn around and make fun of Nintendo for being kiddy are not hardcore. Period. I have a hard time even calling them gamers. Wannabes and posers are more fitting words to use. Just my opinion.

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[Senzei]

Whoosh

Re:We shall see, personally I have my doubts

[cornface]

Zoooom!

Re:Is he from Nintendo or NAMBLA?

[siegesama]

I'd guess it meant something more like "Loving Sons"

Revolution Controller Rumble

[funny-jack]

I seem to recall that there has been some debate as to whether the Revolution controller will contain rumble. From the article:

...and try some fishing by 'feeling' fish nibble on the line (via a rumble effect)...

Just thought I would point that out.

Re:Revolution Controller Rumble

[Rallion]

It could be an attachment.

Re:Revolution Controller Rumble

[Spaceman Spiff II]

No I'm pretty sure that the rumble is built in. Almost positive. What I'd really like, though, is some sort of gyroscopic feedback that stops the thing in its tracks, or at least provides resistance depending on what's going on in the game. But I don't think that's feasible.

Re:Revolution Controller Rumble

[PeelBoy]

Yeah I was thinking the same. Perhaps if it wasn't wireless and maybe a little bigger (would need larger gyro's no? I have no idea).

It would be pretty neat. Like in a driving game you could have it provide some resistance while turning or if the road was wet and the car slipped in the other direction the controler could pull the other way and you'd have to try to hold the car steady. That could be pretty neat.

then again if there was a cord you wouldn't have nearly the freedom you have with wireless even if it was a 20 foot cord it might still be really annoying.

I hate wired controlers now. Especially after I got a wavebird (for the Cube) and an Xbox 360. I just love wireless controlers.

Revolution Name

[superpulpsicle]

"Revolution, it should be noted, is just a code name - the system's official name will be announced next year"

For once they have a good name and it's just the codename WTF. They should stick to it. Sounds a hell lot better than gamecube of N64.

Re:Revolution Name

[MaineCoon]

Macintosh was just a codename, too. It stuck. Who knows, maybe Revolution will stick around.

Re:Revolution Name

[|/|/|||]

I think "Nintendo DS" was originally a codename also.

Re:Revolution Name

[Morgon]

Its codename was 'Nitro'

Re:Revolution Name

[Spaceman Spiff II]

Hm, I haven't heard that before. Nintendo "DS" was also the code name, and it did in fact stick.

Re:Revolution Name

[Morgon]

Sorry m'friend.
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/ nintendo-ds-bounty-008802.php
Look at any DS type story around March '04 and you'll see the same :)

Re:Revolution Name

[Spaceman Spiff II]

Huh, I don't know what that's all about. I guess we're both right then!

From IGN:

Q: Is 'Revolution' the final name of Nintendo's new console?
A: No. Nintendo confirmed at E3 2005 that the title 'Revolution' is a codename. A final name for the new console has not yet been selected. It should be noted, however, that the company said the same thing of Nintendo DS, which ultimately proved to be the handheld's official name.

Re:Revolution Name

[KDR_11k]

"Revolution" is probably the most pretentious name you can give an appliance.

Re:Revolution Name

[PeelBoy]

GameCube doesn't sound TOO bad.. I mean think about it... "Play Station"?!?! Seriously. WTF? If GameCube is retarded PlayStation is seriously retarded.

Hey lets all go to the play station!!! wheeeeeeeeeee haha.. they might as well have called it the fun station or the play pin or play area. That sounds like the section of the room I have for my 3 year old daughter to play in lol.

XBox?

I don't know. GameCube sounds as good or better than the competition if you ask me. Not great. Not horrible. N64 was pretty bad though. Atleast it doesn't sound like a kids play area.

Re:Revolution Name

[damsa]

What's interesting is if you look at the model number for the DS on the back it says model number NTR-001.

Re:Revolution Name

[xtieburn]

Nitro was definately a name used in development. However, there were only rumours suggesting it was a name for the console itself, it was just a codename for the project that led to the DS. (They had to call it something before coming up with the design that has two screens.) The DS name took off and quite frankly sounds less like a title to an episode of power rangers.

I think the confusion comes from the fact that DS was in use before an official name had been chosen so really both Nitro and DS were codenames DS was a codename that stuck. So its still a valid point though im not so sure how likely it is that Nintendo will do the same with the Revolution name.

Speaking of bitch slap...

[Anonymous Coward]

I just want to bitch slap that damned anime smile off of TMM's face...keyboard...whatever.

Same article we've been seeing for months

[dividedsky319]

Anyone else notice that basically the same exact article is being written over and over and over again?

There's no new information about the controller... or the system... this is basically just someone else who got to try out the demos from the TGS.

I get excited when I see news on the Revolution linked on Slashdot... but when it's the same article talking about how Revolutionary the controller is going to be, I get disappointed.

Re:Same article we've been seeing for months

[PeelBoy]

Saying that a redundant article is redundant gets you modded redundant. Write that down.

Re:Is he from Nintendo or NAMBLA?

[Anonymous Coward]

It is likely that his name is Fils-Aimé, but the accent was probably lost in translation. That would translate to "Beloved Son". My aunt's name is Jeanne-Aimée and it basically means Beloved Jeanne (Jane). Those kind of names are unusual but not unheard of.

moron

[Anonymous Coward]

hey how about doing some of your own thinking for once??

Heres some EVIDENCE to the contrary of what you've been thinking.
How about reading this article. Its called "5 New Things That Will BLOW YOUR MIND". It was written in October of this year. And look, I pointed you to the number 2 thing.
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1 118338-2,00.html

there's some news coverage for you!!

how about this article to blow your other myth...
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact /myths.html

I ABSOLUTELY hate it when people open their mouths and crapola comes out.

I only own a gamecube and am 26 years old. I chose to purchase the gamecube over the other systems because I can get practically all the other games on xbox or ps2 for gamecube, but I can play metroid and zelda also.

and nintendo is going for the 1-100 age old market. not just the 12 year olds.

do yourself a favor (you wont look so foolish next time). do some research.

Re:Is he from Nintendo or NAMBLA?

[Anonymous Coward]

It translates as well loved son or perhaps favorite son.

Re:Is he from Nintendo or NAMBLA?

[Anonymous Coward]

Man, it'd be so awesome if France never existed. Imagine that, just sitting here, sending our taxes to the queen, hoping the people in England elect good people to Parliament for us. Sweet.

Oops, wrong genre!

[Stormwatch]

When it comes to console shooters, I'm terrible.

*groans*

Who else HATES when people say "shooter" meaning first-person shooter, rather than a shoot 'em up?

Re:Oops, wrong genre!

[DeadScreenSky]

*raises hand*

But we are part of a dying breed, of course...

Re:Oops, wrong genre!

[Anonymous Coward]

Shoot 'em ups are dead. Get over it.

Re:Oops, wrong genre!

[Anonymous Coward]

Shoot 'em ups will never be dead...

All your base are belong to us...

Re:Oops, wrong genre!

[Stormwatch]

Shoot 'em ups are dead. Get over it.

As long as there people like Kenta Cho , shmups will never die!

Re:Oops, wrong genre!

[xtieburn]

Not really the wrong genre. Hes just not specified what area of the genre hes refering to.

Shooter is a really general title I mean think about Quake that is as shooter as you can get. Its only not a shoot'em up because of its perspective.

Essentially shoot 'em up and FPS are sub genres of the shooter genre.

You should be grateful 2D shooters have there own sub genre. Platformers seem to have been totally over run by 3D platforming. Mention platformer to people these days and there all with the Lara Croft and Prince of Persia. Hasnt been a decent 2D platformer outside Mario and Sonic (on the hand helds they're still 2D) since Pandemonium.

New Hot Coffee for GTA?

[rolosworld]

does this mean Grand Theft Auto will have a new Hot Coffe mode? it could be girl (forward,backward,rumble,up,down,left,right...turn ), boy(forward,backward,up,down,left,right...turn) oriented?

not just excited

[Lehk228]

i'm not just excited... i am HARD

Not even an original troll...

[Hitto]

You'll be modded down because you're repeating the same tired old schtick as any anti-Nintendo fanboy : "mods only like Nintendo", "it's for kiddies", "mario sucks", "hardware sucks".

Allow me to say that you sound very smart when you spout off years-old bullshit.

Plus, and Minus one.

[Hitto]

Yes, the "it's for kiddies" line is mostly used by the insecure teenager crowd.
But then again it's no reason to think you're more mature because you play Nintendo.

Personnally, I enjoy my Nintendo systems a great deal, but I'm certainly NOT gonna base my VIRILITY on TOYS.

the real name is....

[Anonymous Coward]

Ninja Pirate Gamesphere 361.4