Revolution Day

[El_Jonno]

The day has come. The Revolution is here. Stand back and be amazed:

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/651/651320/live-from-tgs-iwatas-keynote-20050915074553984.jpg

The controller seems to look like a futuristic TV remote. The controller has a glossy white iPod like design. You hold the controller in one hand and an attatchment in the other. The attatchments connect to the bottom of the controller. Iwata has shown an Analog stick attatchment. The controller itself moves like a mouse in 3D space, making it perfect for FPS's. Nintendo has future attatchments planned. More as it comes...

EDIT: Okay there's more.

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/651/651275/hands-on-the-revolution-controller-

3D Pointing: The sensors can understand Up, Down, Left, Right, Forward, and Backwards.

Tilt Sensitive: Controller can tilted or rolled on its side

Buttons Included: Has a trigger on its backside, face buttons, and a D-Pad

Multifunctional: Has an expansion port which can be used with different types of controller peripherals. Analog stick with two trigger buttons planned for left hand.

Wireless: Totally wire-free. Currently there are no details on the max distance, source or power, or otherwise.

Rumble Built-in: Included as a standard in all the controllers.

There where also some demo's. None used the Recolution's graphics but showed off certin features.

Demo #1: Point and Shoot
Like a laser pointer, the main controller was used to move a simple cursor on the TV screen and shoot square blocks for points. It was simple, merely colored lines in 2D, but effective. It was easy to get a feel for just how sensitive the device is -- it responded to all the movements quickly and smoothly. We did feel the need to use two hands, however, to steady it and improve accuracy, but that only lends to the idea of just how sensitive it is.

Demo #2: Fishing
Much more advanced than just a simple cursor, this revealed how the controller can navigate a 3D space, moving an object on the TV screen not only left, right, up, and down, but also forward and backwards with depth. Users simply use the hand cursor on the screen to pick up a fishing pole and dip its line into a pond full of fish. Like nearly all of the demos, this was very crude, so don't go imaging even fishing on the Ocarina of Time level -- this was like a coloring book with flat fish in the water. The visual medium wasn't the point, though. It was pretty intuitive to just reach forward with our virtual hand, pick up the rod, and then dip the hook into the pond and dangle it there. When a fish finally bit, the remote rumbled, which was the cue to tug back on the controller to catch it. As it was only a prototype controller, it was wired because rumble was not in the wireless versions yet.

Demo #3: Shock Stick
Like the first, this was to show how you can point and move something. It was a bit like the board game Operation, only instead of navigating tweezers you navigated a rotating stick through a two-dimensional cave. The skill was to keep a steady hand, collect coins, and don't hit the walls. Small springboards on the side would change the direction of the spin of the stick, which aided in creating a strategy for navigating around things.

Demo #4: Air Hockey
This blended basic pointing with something new: twisting. As you might imagine, players hit a puck back and forth by maneuvering their "hockey sticks" with the controller. The catch was that by twisting your wrist, left or right, you could angle the stick to send the puck in another direction. Twisting, in addition to hitting was actually pretty difficult in this demo. It worked to a point, but it also lacked the intuitiveness that a real table would have. It seemed mainly aimed at familiarizing us with the notion of twisting the remote to turn things.

Demo #5: Basketball
Again, this focused on laser pointer style controls. The game was to simply move a basketball around on the court, not by bouncing it, but instead dragging it by pressing the B-trigger in back of the remote to create an indent. The ball rolled into the crevice, and you could drag it towards the hoops. Then, with the A-button, you could reverse the indent, creating a hill and pop the ball upwards toward the hoop. It was a simple two-player game, but worked to show off the sensitivity of the cursor and how it was interacting with another player in the same space. Surprisingly, it was easy to keep track of where you were on the court, allowing for blocks and steals.

Demo #6: Toy Plane
Set in the watery hub of Mario Sunshine, this demonstrated that not all controls are created equal. The remote could be held like a toy airplane, fingertips support its base, which allowed the player to tilt it forwards to dip down, back to gain elevation, and twisted left or right turn. The objective was just to steer the plane through rings in the sky. Of course the first thing that came to mind was Pilotwings, so it's easy to see how these simple applications of the controller could be grown into something more complex. It was pretty intuitive to pull off dips and quick turns. Miyamoto joked that you could have a controller peripheral shaped like a toy plane to really make it interesting.

Demo #7: Where's Pikachu?
One of the crudest demos, the screen displayed a flat map with many Pokemon characters crowded together on it. It was a spoof on Where's Waldo, the famous find-the-needle-in-the-haystack illustrated book. The controller lent the ability to look left and right by just pointing the cursor across the map, but also zooming in by moving towards the screen (or zooming back out by moving away). One can imagine how a sniper rifle in a first-person shooter might take advantage of those kinds of controls.

Demo 8: First Person Shooting
So, we lied -- not all of the demonstrations were completely crude graphics. For the final demo, the one that most represented how a game might feel with the Revolution controller, Nintendo displayed what was apparently a test by the team at Retro Studios for what they could do with Metroid Prime 3. They stressed it was just a test, quickly thrown together in just a few weeks. For this, the analog control stick peripheral was used. We held it in our left hand to control the forwards, backwards, and side-strafing motions, as well as having access to triggers in back for scanning; meanwhile, the right hand used the main Revolution remote control to behave just like a mouse on a personal computer. It was a very natural application and felt pretty smooth, but since it wasn't a polished game it did feel a bit awkward at times, making us wonder what kind of things a developer could do to calibrate these kinds of controls for users. Nonetheless, the potential is huge for the FPS genre.

I know the controller looks akward, I know. But you have to remember the possiblities for such a controller. The tilt sensitivity makes it perfect for a FPS. You could even hook in another one to use like boxing gloves in a fighting game.

More pics

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/651/651275/hands-on-the-revolution-controller-20050915054927691.jpg

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/651/651275/hands-on-the-revolution-controller-20050915054930644.jpg

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/651/651275/hands-on-the-revolution-controller-20050915054945878.jpg

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/651/651275/hands-on-the-revolution-controller-20050915054952269.jpg

Comments?

[Griveton]

The range has been established at 15 feet.

Well, now the cat's out of the bag, and I really find it hard to digest. Nintendo is going out on a limb with this controller, and while it does seem like a nifty idea, I'm not too sure it's going to be a good one.

First, they're alienating gamers. While I'm all for change and improvement, completely changing the design of a controller is a risky proposition. I do wish them the best, but I see major complaining from a lot of people.

Second come practical issues. If you've used floating 3D input devices before, they can be quite annoying if they're not designed correctly. In the heat of the moment, a lot of controller moving is done when a game is engaging, which will take some time getting used to. Also, there's the consideration of button placement. It seems that Nintendo is going to close more than one door to certain genres through the use of this controller.

In short, the thing has potential. I can't deny it. It is a new thing for gaming consoles (though 3-D modelling has used a similar systems for years), and sounds like a fun idea to play with. However, I am worried about the practical issues, as well as the limitations that might be imposed on the system. Also, I wonder how much will this cost...

By the way, I'm slightly reminded of what Microsoft tried to do with the Sidewinder Dual Strike several years ago (minus the cordless and TV-remote likeness aspects). Though that controller didn't deliver as expected, I keep thinking it's a solution that's better suited for the idea of 3D gaming.

[f1rst children]

It sounds like a combo PowerGlove/Lightgun.

They say the easiest use will be for FPS, but it seems they mean more of the lightgun, House of the Dead style shooters than something like Halflife. Secondly, it doesn't seem to have nearly enough buttons for an FPS, which is already limited enough with the buttons on current controllers with more buttons.

Secondly, I agree with the risk. The industry does need creativity, but it's not always responded to well. You can at least count on the number of pre-orders going down as people might not be willing to prepay for something so radicallly different until they've gotten a chance to try it out at a Bestbuy or EB.

[Spilled Milk]

well I have high hopes for this..I am a fangirl and will always be one.... but I mean..yeah atfirst the controller really confused me...but everyone who has played with it has given it a great review and tons of praise...even like...biased people...and well..yeah..thats my thought

[Dirty Harry]

The controller looks weird, there, I said it. But I'll also admit that after seeing more pictures (of the red one! *drools*) I really want one, if only to try it out.

Something that worries me though is this whole "attachment" thing; I can already see Nintendo milking us for all we're worth by coming out with attachment after attachment, requiring each to play a different game.

But other than that, my only worry is button placement, a little stange, right? But I'll reserve my "OMGZ, THIS SUCKS" until I get my hands on one.

(Not to say I didn't immediately go the hell off in IRC, when I first saw it... "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO")

[Griveton]

It sounds like a combo PowerGlove/Lightgun.

They say the easiest use will be for FPS, but it seems they mean more of the lightgun, House of the Dead style shooters than something like Halflife. Secondly, it doesn't seem to have nearly enough buttons for an FPS, which is already limited enough with the buttons on current controllers with more buttons.

Secondly, I agree with the risk. The industry does need creativity, but it's not always responded to well. You can at least count on the number of pre-orders going down as people might not be willing to prepay for something so radicallly different until they've gotten a chance to try it out at a Bestbuy or EB.



Actually, with the analog stick addon (which they better sell in the package), it doesn't sound that bad. You have a total of eight buttons (two shoulder buttons in your left hand, four in the directional pad, the A button, and hopefully a trigger button in your right hand), which are just two buttons less than what you normally use for a console FPS (ABXY, B/W, L/R, sticks for Xbox, and Circle Square Triangle X, L1/L2/R1/R2, sticks for PS2), and if you count those unreachable A/B buttons (which aren't so bad for something like changing firemode or turning a flashlight on or something), you do have the 10 buttons most FPS do with without any trouble.

[AqueousMessage]

I cannot wait to loose this controler in my couch cushions. "Damnit! MOM, HAVE YOU SEEN MY CONTROLER?!" I really wanna try it, though. It looks pretty cool but it could be the downfall of all things Nintendo. I'm gunna go pray.

[Zero]

This is a real leap for Nintendo. One either of faith, or one that'll send them to the pits. :sweat:

Personally, I think it's a mistake, since controllers can be a real hit or miss taking into fact that they affect all games that'll come with the Revolution. However, I hope for the best.

[Ghostmaster]

what the hell is this thing it looks awesome, figures nintendo would come out with something like this.

[f1rst children]

Actually, with the analog stick addon (which they better sell in the package), it doesn't sound that bad. You have a total of eight buttons (two shoulder buttons in your left hand, four in the directional pad, the A button, and hopefully a trigger button in your right hand), which are just two buttons less than what you normally use for a console FPS (ABXY, B/W, L/R, sticks for Xbox, and Circle Square Triangle X, L1/L2/R1/R2, sticks for PS2), and if you count those unreachable A/B buttons (which aren't so bad for something like changing firemode or turning a flashlight on or something), you do have the 10 buttons most FPS do with without any trouble.

I wouldn't mind if they did the pointer up like a flight-stick, with say, a trigger or two on the underside and a button and maybe a hat switch on the top. More buttons = more options = better to have and not need them than vice versa.

Frankly, console FPS are still limited even with 10 buttons (12 if you count clicking in the analog sticks). They usually try to skirt this by limiting what you can do, ie only 2 weapons, no run/walk, no prone, no lean, etc. It's hard to take a genre designed for 100+ keys and compress it down to 10. Still, it seems right up Nintendo's alley to go for refined simplicity than for expansiveness. Different gaming philosophies.

I also noticed that Gamecube controllers will be compatible with the Revolution, so Nintendo has hedged their bets. Even if the controller turns out to be a bust (hopefully it won't), they can still re-package it with a "normal" controller, ala MS with the Controller S, without it ruining the system. Plus, many questioned the stylus on the DS, and it seems to be doing alright.

Still, it's gonna be something I have to try out in person before I buy.

[Griveton]

I wouldn't mind if they did the pointer up like a flight-stick, with say, a trigger or two on the underside and a button and maybe a hat switch on the top. More buttons = more options = better to have and not need them than vice versa.

Frankly, console FPS are still limited even with 10 buttons (12 if you count clicking in the analog sticks). They usually try to skirt this by limiting what you can do, ie only 2 weapons, no run/walk, no prone, no lean, etc. It's hard to take a genre designed for 100+ keys and compress it down to 10. Still, it seems right up Nintendo's alley to go for refined simplicity than for expansiveness. Different gaming philosophies.



100+ Keys? What the hell kind of games you play? With few exceptions, I rarely need more than 20 keys for a PC game, and this counts the movement keys, which a joystick replaces. Plus, joysticks allow you to run or walk at your leisure, much more elegantly than having a shift key. Leaning and going prone are usually part of more complex games, and rarely done in normal FPS, either in console or in PC. Not that it matters, since, say, the excellent Ghost Recon 2 controller scheme allows you to do a lot with just those buttons. I have very rarely felt like the controller limits what I can do (with the exception of aiming. The mouse is still the king), and maybe it's just that I'm accustomed to using a mousewheel instead of the 1-10 keys, but I don't even feel like changing weapons is a chore.

However, your flight stick idea doesn't seem all that bad, and wouldn't be hard to implement to the revolution control scheme.

[Linuts]

Nintendo has always been the leader in controller designs. The D-pads and rumble packs you see in a lot of other consoles are all borrowed from Nintendo's designs. Sure, they had their downfalls like the PowerGlove and that Bazooka thing (which only did bad because no game developer took advantage of them), but with what I've seen of this controller/remote so far, this looks to have all the potentials to change the way we play games all over again.

And hey, at least they are trying to finally take the leap. From what I've heard from PS3 and XBox360, the only things they plan to change is better graphics and computing power :p.

[Zushio]

Personally I LOVE the controller, and can't wait for it to come out. I also like the fact that I might finally have something as functional as a keyboard and mouse in a console shooter, aim with the controller, walk with the analog. I <3 WADS.

[Ritalin]

I wanna know... how do you use the D-Pad and A/B buttons at the same time? This seems like a horrible controller design, but even some extremely biased people are saying it isn't that bad when you actually use it, which I plan to seeing as how I am getting a Revolution anyway :XD:. Seriously though, how would you hit all those buttons? Sounds more like limiting gameplay to make things simpler... when it didn't need to be.

With this design, unless they release a special attatchment, which like others have said will probably be the milking point Nintendo will use, especially knowing how their marketing techniques are, fighting games are a no-go. FPS already isn't that great on consoles because of the lack of buttons/controller layout, but I can see some really inovative games coming from it like what the DS tried to do (but is so far not doing anything spetacular with the touch screen+games).

I know! Duck Hunt Revolution! That's what this controller was made for! :D

[El_Jonno]

I wanna know... how do you use the D-Pad and A/B buttons at the same time? This seems like a horrible controller design, but even some extremely biased people are saying it isn't that bad when you actually use it, which I plan to seeing as how I am getting a Revolution anyway :XD:. Seriously though, how would you hit all those buttons? Sounds more like limiting gameplay to make things simpler... when it didn't need to be.

With this design, unless they release a special attatchment, which like others have said will probably be the milking point Nintendo will use, especially knowing how their marketing techniques are, fighting games are a no-go. FPS already isn't that great on consoles because of the lack of buttons/controller layout, but I can see some really inovative games coming from it like what the DS tried to do (but is so far not doing anything spetacular with the touch screen+games).

I know! Duck Hunt Revolution! That's what this controller was made for! :D


Did you notice that if you rotate the controller 90 degrees it works just like a NES controller? Hmm? I wonder if that was the idea?

[Dirty Harry]

http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651559p1.html

Holy crap.

That case idea owns.

All my doubts have been vanquished, even if it is just a mock-up, Revolution wins at controllers.

[animefreek_CM]

AF is very skeptical of this controller. I don't know whether to love it or hate it.

On the one hand, different attachments for the controller is a very good idea. I'm thinking a shifter for racing games. That would be really cool.

On the other hand, I lose my controllers enough as it is! Within the past two months, four brand new wireless controllers have mysteriously disappeared. What will happen if I buy a Revolution? I'll be buying three new attachments a week.

[El_Jonno]

AF is very skeptical of this controller. I don't know whether to love it or hate it.

On the one hand, different attachments for the controller is a very good idea. I'm thinking a shifter for racing games. That would be really cool.

On the other hand, I lose my controllers enough as it is! Within the past two months, four brand new wireless controllers have mysteriously disappeared. What will happen if I buy a Revolution? I'll be buying three new attachments a week.


You'll be doing that with any console, everything's wireless.

[animefreek_CM]

I guess you have a point, but what I was trying to say was that I will lose more since the attachments are smaller.

[GWS923]

and if you count those unreachable A/B buttons (which aren't so bad for something like changing firemode or turning a flashlight on or something),


See below.

I wanna know... how do you use the D-Pad and A/B buttons at the same time? This seems like a horrible controller design, but even some extremely biased people are saying it isn't that bad when you actually use it, which I plan to seeing as how I am getting a Revolution anyway :XD:. Seriously though, how would you hit all those buttons? Sounds more like limiting gameplay to make things simpler... when it didn't need to be.

With this design, unless they release a special attatchment, which like others have said will probably be the milking point Nintendo will use, especially knowing how their marketing techniques are, fighting games are a no-go. FPS already isn't that great on consoles because of the lack of buttons/controller layout, but I can see some really inovative games coming from it like what the DS tried to do (but is so far not doing anything spetacular with the touch screen+games).

I know! Duck Hunt Revolution! That's what this controller was made for! :D


Did you notice that if you rotate the controller 90 degrees it works just like a NES controller? Hmm? I wonder if that was the idea?


This is exactly what nintendo had in mind. Turn the controller and use those small two buttons. You are not expected to use those while holding the controller normally.


I am more excited for the revolution than for any other gaming system ever.

I think the controller is perfect. Nintendo will win the respect with this innovation that it's been deserving for years.

Go screw yourself, xbox. No one intelligent likes you anyway. (A playful joke. Don't kill me over this one).

[Miaka Lee]

Looks fun and confusing at the same time. Oo0o I can't wait. How many attachments are the planning on put out for this thing? Less or more than GC? I have to be prepared if I want to play the good games.

[Griveton]

See below.

Go screw yourself, xbox. No one intelligent likes you anyway. (A playful joke. Don't kill me over this one).


Um, I meant during normal course of play. If you move the controller 90 degrees and use both hands, you can't use the attachment at all. It's quite obvious that those buttons will come in handy for the NES gaming aspect (though I'm yet to see how will SNES or N64 games be played with that controller... I'm going to guess through the purchase of an attachment).

As for your Xbox comment, you suck. :p

[El_Jonno]

See below.

Go screw yourself, xbox. No one intelligent likes you anyway. (A playful joke. Don't kill me over this one).


Um, I meant during normal course of play. If you move the controller 90 degrees and use both hands, you can't use the attachment at all. It's quite obvious that those buttons will come in handy for the NES gaming aspect (though I'm yet to see how will SNES or N64 games be played with that controller... I'm going to guess through the purchase of an attachment).

As for your Xbox comment, you suck. :p


A shell could possibly make those playable. If I were Nintendo, I would lauch with these things:

Hardware
2 Remote Controllers
2 Nun-Chuck attatchments
1 Standard Controller shell
3 Free game downloads

Just thinking.

[Zushio]

I saw a picture of an attachment with the 4 SNES buttons, so that might be the solution.

[Ojisan]

Seems pretty slick, and my initial apprehensions are completely alleviated with this, which shortly before reading I actually thought of:

"The second is a conventional controller cradle/shell"

http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/651/651559/understanding-the-revolution-controller-20050916041026412-000.jpg
(IGN mock-up)

I didn't like the idea of not having a firm grasp on one solid piece, yet the 3D input seems delightful. Light Saber Duels!

[GWS923]

Um, I meant during normal course of play. If you move the controller 90 degrees and use both hands, you can't use the attachment at all. It's quite obvious that those buttons will come in handy for the NES gaming aspect (though I'm yet to see how will SNES or N64 games be played with that controller... I'm going to guess through the purchase of an attachment).


Right, I see. I was just thinking that those two buttons would probably be too hard to reach during normal play. As in, they might ONLY be used during a 90 degree turn. Who knows though.

As for your Xbox comment, you suck. :p
:)

A shell could possibly make those playable. If I were Nintendo, I would lauch with these things:

Hardware
2 Remote Controllers
2 Nun-Chuck attatchments
1 Standard Controller shell
3 Free game downloads

Just thinking.


Definitley should come with some free game downloads. I agree. Unfortunatley, I feel like 2 nunchaku controllers and one standard shell might be a little much. They could do it, but I feel like the price wouldn't remain so low.

[Griveton]

A shell could possibly make those playable. If I were Nintendo, I would lauch with these things:

Hardware
2 Remote Controllers
2 Nun-Chuck attatchments
1 Standard Controller shell
3 Free game downloads

Just thinking.


Which was basically the same thing as what I said.

As for the initial package, my money's on you getting one revolution controller. Probably also the nunchuck. The wording in the article seems to imply any and all peripherals as non-standard fare. I really doubt anything else will come with the console. these things look like they're not going to be dirt-cheap. $40-50 for the controller won't be a surprise, and I'm expecting attachments at $15 to $20, not counting the shell. So I really doubt Nintendo adding more than the required to play to the console, especially in light of the competition. As for the game downloads, they have nothing to lose with that.

[Luggles]

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6140/wheel20dr.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3146/gun7ns.jpg

[Dirty Harry]

Those... are the coolest things I have ever seen.

But about how much they're going to cost, I could see a controller running 35-40, and the cases/attachments 20-30, based on functionality.

I just don't see them going for a full 50 with the consol controller, Nintendo likes to keep their stuff cheaper, or so it seems to me.

But I only really posts so that I could say how much those images kick ass.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

While the design and all is 'unique' to say the least. I suspect that even seasoned gamers will have some trouble. but for me It'll all boil down to one thing, games. I don't want to make the same mistake I made with NGPC.

[Luggles]

Everybody will have problems adjusting to the new controller, but "seasoned gamers" are the ones who would welcome the new system with arms wide open, CASUAL gamers are the ones who are gonna reject it, without a doubt.

[GWS923]

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/6140/wheel20dr.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/3146/gun7ns.jpg


Those aren't... real, are they? If they are. I just don't know what to do with myself. I'm elated.

[El_Jonno]

Those are some good controller concepts. I just shows what this console is capable of.

[Jedinator]

Ok. I just have one question for all of you. What do you think third party game companys are gonna do with this? I mean for the freaking gamecube some games just didnt come out because the controller was different and now this???? Im just saying that not to many games will be coming out for the revolution. I do like the Idea for the controller but I dont like the shape. The gun thing is awesome though. And the steering wheel.

[Griveton]

Ok. I just have one question for all of you. What do you think third party game companys are gonna do with this? I mean for the freaking gamecube some games just didnt come out because the controller was different and now this???? Im just saying that not to many games will be coming out for the revolution. I do like the Idea for the controller but I dont like the shape. The gun thing is awesome though. And the steering wheel.



Well, it might be that ports will have a hard time coming out, especially if the accesories are optional. However, chances are that publishers will choose not to use the Revolution's controller potential, and just use enough to make the game controllable, or make use of the shell.

Even then, this might be offset by first and exclusive third party games. Nintendo used to be very, very discriminative in which games it would allow, and that made Nintendo consoles have much less games than the competition. This partially led it to it's downfall and it's "kiddy" tag. Back then, Nintendo had nothing to back up their elitism. Now, well, this controller changes things. Now Nintendo's policy might reap benefits.

The more and more I see this controller, the more I'm thinking it has a shot at being successful.

[Jedinator]

Well Im not buying a revolution until I play one. The controller just looks to weird, but it could be cool.

[UZ_white]

I love this controller. I see why there is such an odd design for it now. It transforms. When I saw the port I just thought it would end up attaching via cable, not turning the entire controller into a gun. This thing is Kick Ass.

[Jedinator]

The gun thing is cool but I dont get how the steering wheel works. It looks like a pain in the to switch gears.

[Erigion]

The gun thing is cool but I dont get how the steering wheel works. It looks like a pain in the to switch gears.
It's modeled after manumatic transmissions in today's cars. They have buttons on the steering wheel to shift up and down, right side for up, left side for down. You keep your thumbs on the gas and brake with your index/middle fingers on the shifters.

[Dimesion 12]

well, i would have to say i am impressed. If the revolution were coming out sooner than i would attempt to get it for christmas. So now i will have to get a temporary job after christmas, save enough money, buy the revolution and quit my job.

[AqueousMessage]

Reading more about this controler, I'm really leaning towards loving it now. The only thing that I know is gunna piss me off is that Nintendo is gunna be a cash-munger and sell all these games that you have to buy in order to play the game. It's gunna be FF: Crystal Chornicals all over again.

Side Note:

VGCats strikes again! (http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=165)

[Kaito Fujiwara]

I agree, and on the note of the controller, I've decided to nickname it "nunchuku"

[El_Jonno]

I agree, and on the note of the controller, I've decided to nickname it "nunchaku"


Too late. That's what Nintendo calls it.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

are you serious?

[UZ_white]

Yep. The "Nunchuk controller" is it's official name.

And I'm still not sure why VGcats hates Nintendo so much. Seriously, I've only seen about 10 issues and all of them were smashing Nintendo.

[Zeek]

they better make a backup shell for this thing otherwise I won't buy a revolution how does this work with old games.

[Erigion]

Turn the controller sideways and you have a NES remote, add the shell and you can play SNES, N64 games, and Gamecube games.

[Mystic_Spike]

the revolution controller in action:
http://www.gamesradar.com/news/default.asp?pagetypeid=2&articleid=37358&subsectionid=2504


The first time i saw the controller i was like WTF? but now im starting to think that it's gonna be the best thing ever to happen to videogames...
only time will tell....

[DarkKanti]

And I'm still not sure why VGcats hates Nintendo so much. Seriously, I've only seen about 10 issues and all of them were smashing Nintendo.

Wrong. In fact, it's quite the opposite, the creator of VGCats has openly confessed to being a Nintendo fanboy!

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little bit excited to see what games come out for the new controller. Still it's an iffy idea at best. I always feel like a battered wife with Nintendo. As much as they beat the shit out of me, I still love them.

See?

And in earlier, comics he makes fun of XBox, while keeping more true to Nintendo. As the comic goes on though, he does begin to accept XBox, but it seems his allegiance to Nintendo is never truly broken.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

...now THAT'S loyalty

[UZ_white]

Well, I never liked VGcats anyway, so how the hell would I know?

And movies=good. Drool.

[Kaito Fujiwara]

what's your beef with 'cats?

[darylcrowe]

they better make a backup shell for this thing otherwise I won't buy a revolution how does this work with old games.
If you are talking about gamecube games, then there is a panel on the side of the revolution which opens up to show 4 controller ports. in which you can plug your gamecube controllers in

[Dimesion 12]

alright, now thats pretty cool. I think that nintendo has really prepared themselves for this one. They seem to have a lot of backups just in case. Although, i think it will do just fine without all the backups.

[Jedinator]

Well I must say. That this will be the coolest system of the next gens.

It will be the cheappest.

You can download old nintendo games

And I think it will be the most revolutionay system of them all.

Lets face it, the 360 didnot turn the industry around. It just has better graphics. I expect the same for the PS3.

[Zeek]

well said but if that wern't enough smash bros is going to have another game for it.

[Jedinator]

Yeah with more players I bet. That would be cool.

Anyways, I think that the whole tilt technology thing is ingenious. If they utilize it well it will be super awesome. I am very excited for this. And the multiple colors for the system are cool.

[Zeek]

Omg yes it's truly become virtual reality.

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

I am getting more and more excited about the Revolution as I hear more and more things about it. First it was the DLing ability of old games...truly awsome for long-time Nintendo fans like myself, and now its the backups...wow, they are really making a great and truly "next gen" system here. Im thinkin its gonna be the best Nintendo system since the SNES.

[Jedinator]

Yeah everything about it so far has been great.

Including the Price, Its estimated to be like $200 to $250. That is like half as much as a 360. And to think I thought it might have been dumb at first.

[Zeek]

plus Nindendo finnaly got smart and made an online support system for most of the multiplayer games. Can you say smash bros online?!

[Jedinator]

Hell yeah. Smash bros. is gonna be CRUNK!!!! Wow I said crunk... anyways you will be able to take out your anger on everyone now man. Whoop some anus.

Check this out.

http://www.answers.com/topic/nintendo-revolution

Scroll to near the bottom and there is a bunch of pictures.

https://brajah.com/cgi-bin/pxy/nph-d.cgi/010110A/http/media.cube.ign.com/articles/653/653867/imgs_1.html

And those attachments look sweet. They are mock ups but nintendo should make em.

Edit: Sorry I did this at school and I needed a proxy so for now until I fix it, the username for the proxy is proxy and the password is brajah.com sorry bout that

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

oooooh, Smash Bros. online....ok, now I'm totally sold on this...specially the price, $200??? hell ya, im gettin 1!!

[Jedinator]

Yeah the price is great for what it is. Anyways has a nyone looked at my pics???? The gun attachment is SICK!!!

[Zeek]

I wish it looked more like the socom. but it's still cool

[Pedro The Hutt]

Why would you need a gun attachment? You can point and aim just as well with the regular controller.

[Jedinator]

Have you heard. More info on red steel, and possible for more games. To throw a grenade you actually press abutton and then make a throwing motion with the controller. You can also roll grenades thwe same way. Cool eh?

[Zeek]

Why would you need a gun attachment? You can point and aim just as well with the regular controller.

it just feels more badass to have the gun attachment but you're right there really is no reason for it.

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

Have you heard. More info on red steel, and possible for more games. To throw a grenade you actually press abutton and then make a throwing motion with the controller. You can also roll grenades thwe same way. Cool eh?

Oh man, theyre really making this system as interactive and VR-like as possible arent they? Wow, im totally gonna dig the Revolution

[(V)]

OMG i realy want this. I love the online options it has, YUM SNES.

[Dirty Harry]

Sure, they've announced Red Steel, and it looks great and all.

Put now they've also announced another Dragonball Z fighter?

That is going to appear on the PS2 as well?

Odd. I guess I just expected more games that would make good use of the unique controller to be announced before freakin' DBZ.

I mean, if the same game is coming out on the PS2, how much can they really use the controller for?

[sohryu]

The controller for the Revolution looks kinda complicated. Technology and I don't get along too well. >.>;

I'm buying one for a friend of mine, but I'll pass on one for myself. <3 Sony and all. ^_^

[Dirty Harry]

The controller for the Revolution looks kinda complicated. Technology and I don't get along too well. >.>;

I'm buying one for a friend of mine, but I'll pass on one for myself. <3 Sony and all. ^_^

Complicated? Are you a dunce?

It has like, 5 buttons.

A

B

START

SELECT

And some trigger on the back I think.

Yeesh, it hasn't been that simple since the NES.

[sohryu]

Complicated? Are you a dunce?

It has like, 5 buttons.

A

B

START

SELECT

And some trigger on the back I think.

Yeesh, it hasn't been that simple since the NES.
Dude, controllers were meant to be held sideways. It isn't a freaking TV remote! Such an awkward place for the trigger... I'll never like that control. Stupid Nintendo >.>

[Dirty Harry]

Dude, controllers were meant to be held sideways. It isn't a freaking TV remote! Such an awkward place for the trigger... I'll never like that control. Stupid Nintendo >.>

If only Nintendo knew!

By making the controller simpler and easier to pick up and play, they are actually scaring away the people they're trying to get to buy the system in the first place!

But really. With the supposed shell and all for the controller, I don't see how it's going to be all that much more complicated than a PS2 controller really.

I mean, not all games will need to take advantage of the TV remote style gameplay.

[sohryu]

meh, they're getting my money either way. Stupid Nintendo fanboys. D:

[Niner]

http://things.wordherders.net/archives/revolution-controller-at-a-glance-20050915061358181-000.jpg

Actually, it looks to have 12 buttons. That's a lot. And it still looks like a friggin' TV remote. Total fail.

[sohryu]

http://things.wordherders.net/archives/revolution-controller-at-a-glance-20050915061358181-000.jpg

Actually, it looks to have 12 buttons. That's a lot. And it still looks like a friggin' TV remote. Total fail.
HA! See that, DH!?!? 12 buttons

So very, very complicated.

[Dirty Harry]

You bastards counted the directional pad as buttons.

I suppose we should count every degree of rotation the control can make as a button too.

INFINITE BUTTONS

[Zushio]

I honestly don't think that each direction on the D-Pad counts as a separate buttons, and there are two A buttons and two B buttons, which, from what I gather are exclusive. Meaning that if the big A button on top and the B trigger are active, then the other two aren't.

The way I'm counting it there are 9 buttons (if you include the entire D-Pad as one button), but of those 9 only 7 are active at any given time. Now a PS2 controller has 13 buttons (1 D-Pad, 4 face, 4 shoulder, 1 start, 1 select, 2 stick buttons), an XBox has 13 as well (1 D-Pad, 6 face, 2 triggers, 1 start, 1 back, 2 stick), the GCN has 9 (1 D-Pad, 4 face, 3 shoulder, 1 start).

Really, the only thing simpler than the Rev controller is the original NES, with it's 5 buttons. Oh, and the SNES has the exact same number of buttons. Also, the Sega controller might be simpler, I can't remember what one looks like.

[Pedro The Hutt]

Whatever happened to the "less is more" ideology? Spoiled fanboys.

Anyhow, the original Mega-Drive controller had five buttons. D-pad,Start, A, B & C. Later on that was upped to eight with the X, Y & Z buttons so you could play Street Fighter on it.

Anyway, I don't see your concerns, Nintendo is the longest running competitor in the console market, they know perfectly well what they're up to.

[Jedinator]

Damn right they knoiw what they are doing. And I dont get why the number of buttons is that big of a deal. I mean the more the buttons the more comfusing it gets. I think that the controller has the perfect amount of buttons.

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

Who the hell cares how many buttons it has? Seriously, most games would only make use of certain buttons, not all of them, and if a game needs all those buttons, then they're there. Im down with the revolution, even if the controller has a million buttons...

[Jedinator]

Well that is exactly what i was trying to say. "It dosnt have enough buttons" so the **** what.

[madpierrot]

Seems like this thread should be renamed "Wii Day"

http://www.gamespot.com/news/6148462.html

[f1rst children]

I think it sounds pretty stupid. I'll just stick to calling it the revolution. I mean it's supposed to revolutionary right?

Wee means something small or insignificant. It means urinating. It's something that this little piggy did all the way home. It's something annoying kids who can't act yell in a Star Wars prequel.

Maybe the French will like it or something. In the meantime I, like Peter Griffin, gotta take a wicked yes.

[Pedro The Hutt]

I find it nothing short of brilliant. XD It's the happiest console out there now!

[kyubichan]

The name is funny. Weeee... or rather, Wii! >_O

[Elric]

Man I got so used to it being the Revo/Revolution that Wii is just..... odd.

[jiffyjimbothe3]

Man I got so used to it being the Revo/Revolution that Wii is just..... odd.
I agree, when I first heard it, I thought it was a joke.

[Niner]

'grats, Nintendo. You have now officially killed any interest I'd had at all in buying your new console.

gg.

[Zushio]

I like the new name.

I will from now on and always refer to it as the Nintendo WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

[Phate]

Wii is a pretty odd, if rather dumb name.

However, I don't really care. I don't invest my money in video game consoles based off their name; I do it because good games are available on them. It'll also have Zelda. So there.

Losing interest in it because of its name is retarded. Just keep calling it Revolution or even just plain old 'Nintendo'.

[Erigion]

I'm so getting two of them just for the name.

"Hey, wanna see my Wiis?!"

"Meet Wii 1 and Wii 2"

"Wii, Wii, which do you wanna play?"

[sohryu]

It's a very suggestive name. I had to pee within two minutes of reading the article. :/

[General Suburbia]

Oh.

I thought it was some kind of reference to the console wars. Wii = WWII.

Yeah?

And I hate "analysts," "experts" and "expert analysts" who always make reasoned predictions on anything. Since when where they ever right? They should just shut up about any new speculations and effects that the name change could bring.

[Pedro The Hutt]

I'm so getting two of them just for the name.

"Hey, wanna see my Wiis?!"

"Meet Wii 1 and Wii 2"

"Wii, Wii, which do you wanna play?"

Not a bad idea anyway, it would still be much cheaper than getting a single PS3. XD

[kyubichan]

Well, the GameCube was originally called Dolphin.

[Jedinator]

Wii? Alright the system is gonna be cool but how fruity. That is one of the weirdest things ever. Man... they should have kept it the revolution....

[Pedro The Hutt]

Why would they do that? There isn't a gamer left in the world by now who hasn't heard of the Wii. XD Even if only because of that the name change has been an overwhelming success.

[Ghostmaster]

I remember reading on one website that the Revolution or rather Wii, was going to be called The Nintendo Pyramid. Oh but Wii is much better name...... :migrane:

[Pedro The Hutt]

See? It's not all that bad. XD

[Erigion]

I have a question. Are you people so shallow that a console's name plays such a great part in choosing which console to buy?

[General Suburbia]

I have a question. Are you people so shallow that a console's name plays such a great part in choosing which console to buy?
Of course, but I think it'll work the other way around. People will buy the new console because of the gay name. It's hilarious, kinda like how everyone began buying Barbie again because she dumped Ken. Hilarious.

[Erigion]

Of course, but I think it'll work the other way around. People will buy the new console because of the gay name. It's hilarious, kinda like how everyone began buying Barbie again because she dumped Ken. Hilarious.
You're comparing gamers with girls who buy Barbies?

[General Suburbia]

You're comparing gamers with girls who buy Barbies?
I'm a gamer. I bought the surfer doll...although it wasn't for me.

[Jedinator]

I have a question. Are you people so shallow that a console's name plays such a great part in choosing which console to buy?

You make it sound like we are gonna take this thing on a date.

I actually like the name now. I will say "I would like to reserve a Nintendo WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

[Pedro The Hutt]

I'm sure there's going to be nothing short of a race to form a "Knights who say Wii" guild/clan when the Wii's first major online game hits the shelves. XD

[UZ_white]

I have a question. Are you people so shallow that a console's name plays such a great part in choosing which console to buy?

Yes, yes they are.

They prefer the incredibly innovative and original names that Microsoft and Sony used which involved putting numbers onto the old names.

[f1rst children]

I have a question. Are you people so shallow that a console's name plays such a great part in choosing which console to buy?
I'll still buy it if it comes out at ~$250 or so, but that doesn't mean the name isn't Wii-tarded.

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

I have a question. Are you people so shallow that a console's name plays such a great part in choosing which console to buy?

Only if the console's name is as gay, stupid, and borderline retarded as "Wii".

Ill still buy it though, just cuz 1] im a nintendo fanboy and 2] its gonna be the cheapest next-gen on the market.

[Pedro The Hutt]

I'm not sure if a name can like other names. >.>;; It's not exactly alive.

But personally, they could name it whatever I place, with prices rumoured to be between $100 & $200 you'd be silly to pass up on this one.

[Jedinator]

I'm sure there's going to be nothing short of a race to form a "Knights who say Wii" guild/clan when the Wii's first major online game hits the shelves. XD

You are 100 percent right that there will be a race. Ha... how funny. Also i enjoyed the Wi-tarded.

Anyways, I can get use to they name. i already like sayig it so hey. If the name hurts the sales that is gay.

[Dirty Harry]

I like the "It's all a lampoon" theory and that at E3 we all get punked and they announce the super-cool name that they've had hidden away...

... please. ;_;

[sohryu]

I like the "It's all a lampoon" theory and that at E3 we all get punked and they announce the super-cool name that they've had hidden away...

... please. ;_;
* sohryu pats DH

It's okay. Just imagine that it's still the Revolution instead of some gay ass peen name. ^___^

[Dirty Harry]

* sohryu pats DH

It's okay. Just imagine that it's still the Revolution instead of some gay ass peen name. ^___^


IT'S NOT GAY! ;_: >:|

WIIIIIIII.

[Pedro The Hutt]

Yeah! Consoles have no gender!... for one thing.

[Erigion]

And here we go, first impression of the Nintendo Wii from Time Magazine.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1191861,00.html

And some worthless accompanying commentary from Gamespot:

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2006/05/07/news_6149308.html?part=rss&tag=gs_&subj=6149308

[Pedro The Hutt]

Awww.. I wanted to dance the hula for Miyamoto-san. >.>;;

Ehem, nothing but good news in that article. =D

[AqueousMessage]

My top five "Wii" inuendos:

5. My Wii comes in different colors
4. My Wii has a hard outer shell for protection
3. I can play with my Wii in my living room
2. My Wii is wireless

1. My Wii is motion sensitive

[Tyrdium]

Coverage (http://www.joystiq.com/2006/05/09/engadget-and-joystiqs-live-coverage-of-nintendos-wii-e3-event/) from Engadget and Joystiq.

*drool*

[Jedinator]

I have to say *drool* as well. man the ds lite and the Wii are gonna be amazing.

[Akimichi Choji]

I have to say I don't like the name, but the wii is definately one my have to get list when I get a job....

[Jedinator]

Well go to gamespot.com and there is a bunch of video. the video for twilght princess is awesome. there is also a short clip of metroid prime 3. It loooks sweet.

Also the controller is tilt sensitive on both parts. On the nunchuck and the remote. the shooting of the arrows is looking good.

[Demonshadow9]

Well I saw some coverage on g4..yes I know it was g4 but I didnt feel like surfing the web.Mario galaxy was it? It looks AWESOME , granted I love mario but still .

[f1rst children]

The swinging of the controller for the tennis game looked like fun.

Plus new Duck Hunt!
Will someone PLEASE let me shoot that stupid giggling dog? I hate that guy!

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

The swinging of the controller for the tennis game looked like fun.

Plus new Duck Hunt!
Will someone PLEASE let me shoot that stupid giggling dog? I hate that guy!

New DUCK HUNT!? OMG, YESSS!!!!! WHoooohooo, its comin back. I love that game

[SonicTHP]

Metroid Prime 3 is frikin' awesome. I played it at E3 along with Sonic Wild Fire wich is fun but needs a little work. The Virtual Console is also very nice, but since the controller only has 7 buttons (A B X Y L R Z, two analog sticks, and a d-pad) the liklihood of Saturn games being on it is lowered. First thing I did when I played Sonic on the Wii is put in the level select code and beat the game.

All in all, the Wii really is a winner in my eyes. More so than I thought before.

[PsychoSaiya-jin]

Metroid Prime 3 is frikin' awesome. I played it at E3 along with Sonic Wild Fire wich is fun but needs a little work. The Virtual Console is also very nice, but since the controller only has 7 buttons (A B X Y L R Z, two analog sticks, and a d-pad) the liklihood of Saturn games being on it is lowered. First thing I did when I played Sonic on the Wii is put in the level select code and beat the game.

All in all, the Wii really is a winner in my eyes. More so than I thought before.
Please tell me more about Sonic Wildfire and how it is different to the other Sonic games :D

[SonicTHP]

Please tell me more about Sonic Wildfire and how it is different to the other Sonic games :D

Ahh, a Sonic fan like myself. This was right next to Super Mario Galaxy and I couldn't call myself a Sonic fan if I didn't play Sonic over Mario now could I?

Anyway, the controls are a little odd at first but they are intuitive. You play the game with out the nunchuk/analog stick attachment and just with the Wii-remote. You hold it horizontally, with teh d-pad on the left side and the 1 and 2 buttons on the right. The game is kind of on rails, in that there is a certain way Sonic will go during thew stage and he automatically accelerates. You tilt the controller to the left and right to move him, and you pull back on the controller (tilting it upward) to slowdown/back up. You shake the control downward to do a speed boost and to activate your homing attack (more on that later). You press the 2 button to brake/stop and release the button to jump (not that you can just tap the button for small hops that will keep your speed up relatively well).

There are rings scattered throughout the stage as well as these little red orbs that fill up a meter down in the lower right hand of the screen. You basically try to fill up this meter so that you can use the speed dash move where you go much faster for a period of time though you can still get hit but you can also control yourself. The only problem I really had with teh controls was that it was not as sensitive as I would have liked. It seemd like there was only two settings for the left and right movement which were move to left or move to right. It was very hard to make fine adjustments with teh controller, something I hope they remedy in the final version. The jumping does take a little getting used to, but if you are used to Sonic games, then it shouldn't take too long. For enemies, when they appear near you, a target appears on them, at first green then when you are in the air and close enough to them, it turns red, indicating you cna shake the controller to hit them with the homing attack. It works well, as the pacing of hitting one enemy to the next is the same as previous games.

The level itself was a mix between a beach with tropical vegitation and some ancient ruins. There was some water that had some nice reflection effects as Sonic ran in and next to it. There were spears that were being launched from an unknown adversary which you had to avoid. There were crumbling pillars as well as ones that would suddenly jut up from the ground that you cna either jump onto and over or simply steer around. You also run up walls and such in old Sonic fashion, and at one point you are shimmying along a wall avoiding more spears and spikes that shoot out of the wall (causing you to lose 20 rings at a time). It feels like a Sonic game, the 3-D ones, but a Sonic game most definetly. It still seems pretty early in development, but I am excited for it, and that's all I need to know.

If you have any more specific questions just let me know. I also played the PS3/Xbox 360 one (with the new telekinetic character "Silver the Hedgehog"), but perhaps that is best saved for another topic.

[Pedro The Hutt]

Most of that was also on IGN.. but it's always nice to get some first hand opinions.

[Ghostmaster]

I must say this system is gonna rock. I didn't even know what to think of it because no one showed any games or anything. There are some awesome games coming out and that controller is sick. You got Zelda, Mario Galaxy, Red Steel, Super Smash Bros Brawl and a ton more. Gonna be awesome. Doesn't mean i'll buy it but i certainly want to play it.

[Zeek]

The games look awesome and the price is just amazing for what it is a true acomplishment on nintendo's part.

[RuKiAsShAdOw]

Yes, I believe Nintendo will truly rule the next-gen era. Its the most affordable, it has great games(so far that we know), and it has innovativeness with the controller and the downloadable NES and other old games. You have my vote Wii!!!

[Zeek]

this thing is gonna make ps3 and 360 look like a joke.

[Pedro The Hutt]

Oh I wouldn't know about that. It might make them look a bit "samey" compared to their respective predecessors. But they're still quite potent little machines.

[UZ_white]

Oh I wouldn't know about that. It might make them look a bit "samey" compared to their respective predecessors. But they're still quite potent little machines.

Potent little machenes that'll run you 1000$.

[Jedinator]

well, not quite $1000. But I do totally understand your exageration, they seem like they are 1000. Damn.... I really do think that PlayStation is screwing themselves over with the PS3.

So I heard that it was gonna be $250? The Wii that is. But I was under the impression that it was $150. What is it?

[Zeek]

beats me I don't care either way I'll still buy it.

[Jedinator]

Yeah either way its still wicked cheap, but If its 150 i am gonna poop my pants.

[Tyrdium]

It'll probably launch at at $200. Just like the NES, SNES, N64, and Gamecube.

[Jedinator]

Sound logical. I am gonna save uo for 200.

[Javer]

Damn, I oughtta get a better-paying job and fast.

Sounds like these things are gonna cost a fortune, especially with all the delicious, irresistible games . . .

[Jedinator]

Yeah, the Wii is definatly gonna be my first next gen console purchase. SOOOOO CHEAP!!!

Rumor has it that reservations for the Wii will not start until like august or september!!!!

[Pedro The Hutt]

Erm... I think it's up to individual shops to decide that. I know some people who have already pre-ordered their Wii at their local games retailer.

[Jedinator]

really?? Well EB was talong a call list cause they call and tell the people the day that you can reserve one.

[SonicTHP]

Did anyone realize that the Wii was going to support fan made games?

Proof. (http://wii.nintendo.com/hardware.html)

[Pedro The Hutt]

That's awfully conciderate of them really. o.o This will give new and starting teams the exposure they need to get a chance in the gaming business.

[SonicTHP]

And now Reggie is el presidente.

Link (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3151041)

Hmm, very interesting. Nintendo is not quite the same as they used to be...

[Jedinator]

Did anyone realize that the Wii was going to support fan made games?

Proof. (http://wii.nintendo.com/hardware.html)

THATS AWESOME!!!! I am excited... and i totally agree with your sig. She is a babe.

[f1rst children]

Nintendo Announces Japanese Price - ¥25,000

LINK (http://www.videogamesblogger.com/2006/05/25/nintendo-announces-japanese-wii-price.htm)

Translates to ~$225 US.

[GWS923]

Check out what Japan thinks of Wii:

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/710/710131p1.html