Nintendo unveils "Revolutionary" controller

[wienerdog]

http://www.nintendo.com/newsarticle?articleid=TfyOgnUc7zB-ZlzdQvMhKJOgS5LsR2nK

Wow, this is wild. It makes me laugh that this thing will allow for novice gamers who move their controller while playing games, as if it will have an effect, but now they won't look stupid. :)

[MD]

I am a big nintendo fan but this makes me scratch my head. I would expect another controller option or add on to the "remote" before the Revolution launchs. You will be able to download games from NES, SNES, N64, and Gamecube and I don't think they are going to take the time to recode them all to play with the new controller. There has been rumblings for a while now about a touch pad controller that you can set the buttons the way you see fit. We will have to wait and see I guess.

[Drorain]

Yah I'm gonna have to um...go third party on this one...Game Stop carries madcatz that should do me...

[wienerdog]

I don't know, this looks cool to me. I like the concept, and if applied correctly, it could be great. Walk around with one hand's movement, slash a sword or shot with the other. Could be fun, although I wonder if your arms would get real tired.

[colonel5]

they have an add on option already so you can play like normal... when i first glanced at it this morning i thought it was the worst idea ever... but then after reading about it i'd love to at least try it before totally writing it off (for tax purposes of course)

[MD]

There has to be something more.....there is not enough buttons to even play a Super Nintendo game.

Here is a little something for you SNES Rom players out there
http://www.lik-sang.com/info.php?category=207&products_id=4234

[MD]

According to an interview Nintendo is developing a shell to place the controller in so you can play 3rd party games and classics.

http://www.planetgamecube.com/news.cfm?action=item&id=6516

[Ryan8720]

I think I like it. Read the 1UP article (http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143782). They have some good insight.

[Rocketpig]

Intellivision should sue. Those controllers look dumb.

I'm sure Nintendo will make some cool games using that functionality, but I doubt many third party devs will, making the Revolution even more game-started than the Cube was.

[reuber1]

I'm actually extremely optimistic about this...at least more so than two upcoming systems that are doing exactly what their predecessors are doing now, just with prettier graphics. Honestly, video gaming needs a serious kick in the butt as far as creativity goes, and it seems that Nintendo is the only company taking that path towards innovation. I'm supporting them big time. I would rather shell out the likely 200 clams this system (that will promise innovation) will cost as opposed to the 300/400 for XBox 360 or the likely 400 for the PS3 that offers the same style of gameplay we've had for the last decade.

I think the video game industry needs to mature a lot more, and I don't mean release a bunch of M rated games...actually that's the opposite of what I mean. Most gamers are too hung up on playing a game that's E for everyone because "they're too cool" to do so; honestly it seems more juvenile to think that way. I've seen people at work pass up the most excellent games that run really cheap, due to lousy sales, because "it's too 'kiddy'" and god forbid they can't be seen playing something interesting. I think that games, and gamers themselves, need to grow up and expand their horizons. If anything, this is a sign of changes to come, you have to admit that.

[MD]

I don't know roobs. I love what nintendo does but I can't see me buying a revolution if they don't have the third party support again, I don't care how cool the controller is. GTA is probably one of the most innovative games to come out in a long time but was absent on Gamecube along with most Mature games. Nintendo can't ignore the market any longer. The average gamer is in their mid to late 20's. I am not saying don't create innovative E games, (like Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, ect.) just make sure you have a wide selection of games at launch, If they don't this may be one of the last Nintendo systems we ever see.

[D Lucks]

Yeah, with Resident Evil moving over to X-Box, their losing a lot of market from Nintendo's own country, Japan. With that also I think 360 is going to be a lot more popular then people think. Also from what I've seen so far the 360 controller is tops in my book so far. That damn boom-a-rang thing Sony is pawning off as a controller looks so uncomfortable. With the Revolution, it looks like if the game goes past 2 button it's not going to work. People just don't want to admit it, but Microsoft is doing something right for once! I'm a Mac-Head through and through, and I would be tickled pink if Windows fell of the end of the Earth, but they're on to something here. Something else to note. If Sony doesn't come up with an online service the PS3 IS GOING TO BOMB!!

[reuber1]

I don't know roobs.

I know reuber looks like reuben, like a reuben sandwich, but it actually is pronounced Ray-bur instead of roob-er; German name.

I do hope Nintendo does have a wider launch selection, this is very true (the GC's was disappointing), but I don't want them to give in and start releasing a bunch of M rated games for the sake of "looking cool".

To me, it seems that Nintendo is more committed to innovating, where Microsoft and Sony are more interested in generating a profit.

[Broacher]

>>GTA is probably one of the most innovative games to come out in a long time but was absent on Gamecube along with most Mature games. Nintendo can't ignore the market any longer. The average gamer is in their mid to late 20's.<<

This is a big reason why I, and many other parents support the GC, despite it's relatively ancient hardware heritage. No other system offers as much 'im-mature' variety for kids. Ironically, the 'mature' label as applied to games, is the same as for films, magazines-- almost nothing to do with emotional or social maturity, only catering to the base of the brain---shoot, swear, maim, kill, sex for sex sakes.

That said, I recently asked a couple of clerks at EB World what they thoughts on the Nintendo, from the retail front lines. Nintendo certainly isn't dead yet. Sales are still strong with GC stuff and their new handheld, but yeah-- the market is mostly kids. As for hardware, the one thing they told me about Nintendo gear is that it's very reliable. In the last year they had one return on a Nintendo system, none on any refurbed games-- but that certainly wasn't the case with PS or XBox. Maybe it's because they know their market is kids that they make these things to last.

My son and I read the reviews of the test demos today and while highly skeptical when he first heard it, he's actually now quite intrigued.

Myself, I think Nintendo has an important 'good guy' position to play in this industry. By introducing a new interface that widens the appeal of gaming to be much more appealling at a family level, they're helping to keep that alive and maybe push it out front-- where I actually think it should be. As a parent, I'm grateful for this platform.

I find it funny how diehard gamers can be so protective about their controller mastery. Sure, it often takes many years of thumb and fingerwork to get these skills, but then it's such an adolescent male attitude that technology should be 'hard to master' that this is the obvious 'wall' that Nintendo has to break through if it's going to revolutionize the industry to any significant amount.

Reminds me of all those graphic designers/web designers who begin lamentations whenever a new, easier, technical solution is introduced into our workflows. Some get really upset when things that are really hard, suddenly become child's play.

And child's play is what gaming should be about. Myself, I can't wait to see more child's play, and less 'maturity' in the game stores. It's long overdue. I'm not saying ban the bloodbaths and the sleaze emulators -- but let's get some balance into this medium-- for the rest of us 'immature' folks.

[MD]

I am a gamecube owner and I love what nintendo does, that being said I have to disagree with most of your points broacher. I am not saying that nintendo should make more mature games but they should change their practices a bit and allow more third party developers to create games for their systems. When the system was released they promised them toting Eternal Darkness. (a very cool game btw) but then the well dried up and there are only a few more Mature titles since then. Right now they are at least 3 million units behind XBox and many millions behind Sony. With the next system the gap will widen if they don't do something.

There are strong comparisons between apple and nintendo. Both companies at one point were kings of their industries and have since tumbled to the bottom. They are the innovative leaders that every other companies copy and emulate and they stand behind their products by offering 1 year warranties (something almost no other electronic companies do.) The difference is apple has seen the light. When they developed the ipod they had a choice, keep the device mac only or open it up to the other 97% of computer owners. The gamble payed off huge, not only are selling millions of songs and ipods people are taking a second look at macintosh computers. Now it's Nintendo's turn. By opening their systems to all third party titles, they will have most of the games ps and xbox owners have plus a stable full of the greatest video games characters ever created. Nintendo would be back on top where they belong....they just have to change with the times.

And child's play is what gaming should be about. Myself, I can't wait to see more child's play, and less 'maturity' in the game stores. It's long overdue. I'm not saying ban the bloodbaths and the sleaze emulators -- but let's get some balance into this medium-- for the rest of us 'immature' folks.
I couldn't agree more and thats what would happen. Let nintendo do what it does best - make innovative and fun games. Most of my gamecube library is nintendo made games. Metroid, Mario, Zelda, Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Pikmin - All fantastic games. But a little diversity is all I am asking for.....I want my GTA along with my Mario :D

[reuber1]

I think one thing we all can agree on, is that Contra III is a masterpiece.