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Controller, Technology
**UPDATED 11/4/05**
The innovative new Revolution controller was finally unveiled to the public at
September's Tokyo Game Show. While it looks like a remote to the casual eye, anyone who picks it up and plays a game with
it will immediately see that it is far more than something used to channel surf. For complete information on the controller,
go to the 'HOME' channel and click on the channel link for the controller from there.
On the morning of their annual pre-E3 press conference, a Nintendo spokeman claimed
that the Revoltion will only be "two to three times" more powerful than the GameCube. Nintendo has since rescinded that
initial statement. We now estimate that Revolution will be far more powerful than that. Satoru Iwata, President of Nintendo,
has stated that the graphics on Revolution "will not be inferior in any fashion" to the PS3 or 360. Also, because the Revolution
will not be HD capable, it will require substantially less raw power to output it's graphics than the competition. Thus, the
framerate will be exceptional, and the graphics will be beautiful, using less power than the competition.
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| Nintendo finally embraces mainstream multimedia... Some might call it "selling out". |
System, Features
The Revolution was designed to be a low-power, quiet, affordable game system.
Because of these features, The Revolution will be substantially less money than the competition, and the cost substantially
less to develop games for. Thus, greater third-party support, less expensive games than the competition, and much faster loading
and boot-up times.
The Revolutions software will play on 5-inch optical discs, (think DVDs), using
a self-loading media drive. Also, the 3-inch GameCube discs also play through that same drive.
For storage, the Revolution has 512mb of built-in flash memory, with the option
of buying memory cards later for added space.
While the Revolution does actually play DVDs, a first for a Nintendo console, we
will be required to purchase a remote (sold seperately) to play them. Otherwise, as the company states, we would have to pay
extra for the console, while "most households own one or two DVD players" already. Fair enough.
Backward Compatibility, Classic
downloads
Dubbed the Revolution's secret weapon: In addition to featuring a GameCube literally
built into the top of the console, assuming the system is in it's stand, Nintendo has designed Revolution to be a virtual
console. We'll be able to download over 20 years of Nintendo games, from NES, Super NES, and Nintendo 64. All of these systems
titles will be available for download when Revolution launches at the end of next year.
There is one little catch though. In addition to these games obviously not being
free of charge, (expect to have to buy cards at retailers with pin codes that you enter when you connect your Revolution online
to download), not all games from those three systems will be available. Nintendo would have to work out a deal with every
single third party publisher in order to make third-party games available for download. Also, don't expect all first-party
games to be immediately available. Nintendo will only have all of the bestsellers ready for download. And don't expect them
all to be flowing out like Niagra. Nintendo is gonna milk this baby like they did with the Classic NES series for GBA. Remember
that? Yeah...talk about a rip-off.
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| Notice how GameCube is literally built into the top of it? Yeah...we think that's cool too. |
Release Date, Price Point
***Added 29 January 2006***
Nintendo has confirmed that Revolution will launch globally within 14 weeks in
America, Japan, Europe, and Australia. Not only that, but the company has also promised that it will be launched in North
America prior to this Thanksgiving, meaning before November 25th. With this highly ambitious and timely release, Nintendo
will ensure that Revolution has as much of a chance as the PS3 to enjoy a hugely successful holiday season.
What Nintendo is also promising is, as expected, Revolution will cost substancially
less than Xbox 360 and especially PS3. Nintendo will neither confirm or deny that Revolution may be as affordable as $200
come launch day. Though this may seem low to you, remember that GameCube was also $200 when it was launched back in November
of 2001. Some analysts are even speculating Revolution could even be $150. Though highly unlikely, we must keep in mind that
Nintendo fully intends to utilize the "value card" in the next generation as formidably as it can. Expect no higher than $250,
and no lower than $150 come launch day.
Focus, Name
***Updated 29 January 2006***
Revolution isn't just a revolution for gamers, it's a revolution for Nintendo
itself. With the Revolution, Nintendo hopes to not only change the way videogames are played forever, they hope
to change their console approach forever. Obviously, with the GameCube, there was and still is some incredible software to
be played, but the system ultimately failed to dominate the market. Instead of the Xbox eating away at Sony's market dominance,
the Xbox chewed up a lot of Nintendo's share. Obviously, with the Revolution, Nintendo is determined to make sure that doesn't
happen again. By appealing to not only their devoted fanbase, Nintendo hopes to draw in people from all social groups and
expand videogames beyond anything yet achieved.
Finally, people continually speculate and wonder about the name 'Revolution'.
It's a codename. It always has been, and it will continue to be, until Nintendo reveals the real name for it's next console.
You're probably all hesitant to believe that because Nintendo originally promised that 'DS' was simply an internal codename.
Then, months went by, and Nintendo decided to go with the codename because the sub-names they were thinking of, "GBX" and "XGB"
were too close to 'Game Boy', and Nintendo was determined to make sure everyone understood that the DS was not a continuation
of the Game Boy line. They seem to have done a good job with that. We probably won't find out the new systems real name until
at least GCD 2006 in March, or more likely E3 2006. But hey, it's worth the wait, isn't it?
-SCP
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