Nintendo Revolution Pics

BigBlue · #1 (**permalink**) 05-19-2005, 09:05 PM

Extreme compatibility was one of the few tidbits revealed about Nintendo's next-generation console, the Revolution. In a nod to the success of retro-gaming, Nintendo plans to make the Revolution compatible with every game the company has ever created.

"We designed the Revolution to be a virtual console, capable of downloading 20 years of Nintendo content", crowed Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. That includes games created for the NES, Super NES and N64, but not the GameBoy or DS. Those downloadable games will be stored on an internal 512megabytes of flash storage, or through a user-supplied SD card via an expansion slot.

The Revolution will also include a CD-sucker style DVD drive that will play the small GameCube optical games, DVDs and CD music, along with Revolution-specific games on a new 12cm DVD-sized disc. That could prove problematic, however. My experience shows that the sucking mechanism can scratch CDs and game disks, which could lead to a wide number of game returns and unhappy players.

When it ships in 2006, the console itself will be no bigger than three stacked DVD cases. Unlike Sony and Microsoft, two companies that laid bare the entire technology of their upcoming platforms, Nintendo refused to release any more details on the system. "Look at this as a puzzle game," teased a cagey Iwata.

Rather than focus on raw power, Iwata claimed the Revolution was much easier to develop for, calling it "simpler, faster and less expensive than any new system." He went on to position the Revolution as a place where "big ideas can prevail over big budgets." He also showed a few seconds of Metroid 3 for the Revolution, but the graphics were uninspiring and looked little different from today's games.

Sharpshooter · #2 (**permalink**) 05-21-2005, 01:51 PM

Looks like Nintendo are falling behind PS3 and Xbox 360, fast. Looks like they might go the same way as Sega and stop devloping consoles, as they can't sell them. The Gamecube didn't help as it didn't have extras, like a DVD player, and made it unpopular.

It's a good idea to let people download 20 years of Nintendo history, but it wont win a console war, especially if the consoles graphics are only slightly improved and, possibly, the other specs inferior too.

BigBlue · #3 (**permalink**) 05-22-2005, 02:25 PM

I'm not sure I would write-off Nintendo so quickly. They've done well over time, and they still have the best-selling game system ever (Gameboy). Their focus is not on specs, but on playability. They have some tremendous properties, like Mario and Zelda, that will continue to sell because of their reputation alone.

If games were all about graphic performance and specs, why would so many people still play card games, or Scrabble, or chess for that matter?

My point is, its a bit market and there is room for a lot different consoles that focus in different areas.

And in all honesty, how many people really use their PS2 or Xbox as a DVD player? I'll bet that an overwhelming majority of people have a regular DVD player for that.

sasimi · #4 (**permalink**) 05-23-2005, 02:34 PM

I believe ps2 and microsoft are gonna take the lead. But if microsoft out runs sony. Then the government willl step in to prevent a monopoly. Microsofft would pretty much own 2 major businesses then. PC, and Consol. So my vote is for ps3.

Red Devil · #5 (**permalink**) 05-23-2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sasimi

I believe ps2 and microsoft are gonna take the lead. But if microsoft out runs sony. Then the government willl step in to prevent a monopoly. Microsofft would pretty much own 2 major businesses then. PC, and Consol. So my vote is for ps3.

What? I'm confused here. How exactly are the government going to step in? And what would they do? Prevent people from buying Xbox 360? And I doubt Sony would lose out that much. They have such a strong hold on the market that the PS3 would have to be a huge failure for them to "be outrun". Looking at the PS3 specs, I doubt that'll happen.

While Nintendo's consoles are always worth playing, I cant see this one being a huge success if it cant match up to the other two in power. A lot of people are so obsessed with games looking nice that they'll just buy an Xbox 360 or PS3 because of the superior graphical power. Then again, N64 was far inferior to PSone in specs but still managed to compete with it. You never know with Nintendo. I'll wait and see what it has to offer before passing judgement...

Since I hate Xboxes and have a PS2, i'll probably be getting a PS3 this time round. The Nintendo revolution may be worth getting later when the prices drop a bit.

And yes, I do use my PS2 as a DVD player.