# Nintendo Revolution Unveiled **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 16, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919 "2005-09-16T03:27:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/1 "2005-09-16T03:27:26Z")
It’s finally here! Well, sort of. They just [revealed the Nintendo Revolution controller](http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651275p1.html) at the Tokyo Game Show. Now all we have to do is wait a year (give or take) to buy the damned thing! In my opinion, they’ve definitely cornered the market on sleek with this one. I can only hope that it plays as good as it looks. I worry that it will be a little difficult to control, especially one-handed, but I’m hoping it’s just something that you get used to. My biggest complaint is that they’re making it in lime green, but not pink. Pfft. So what do you folks think? ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/2 "2005-09-16T04:33:24Z")
I can’t understand a word of this [Web site](http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2005/09/16/443527.html) , but they have a killer video clip showing people using the Revolution controller to fish, sword fight, conduct an orchestra, etc. _excited_ ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/3 "2005-09-16T04:42:59Z")
That’s… er. Wow. Not sure I’m quite ready for that. What happened to the plan to have the new system play any Nintendo game ever made (NES, SNES, 64, etc.)? Was that just a rumor because I really had my hopes up for that? ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/4 "2005-09-16T04:46:32Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > That’s… er. Wow. Not sure I’m quite ready for that. > > What happened to the plan to have the new system play any Nintendo game ever made (NES, SNES, 64, etc.)? Was that just a rumor because I really had my hopes up for that? According to reviews, this is still the plan. The new controller is able to be rotated 90 degrees and used as a traditional NES game pad. However, it sounded like these games will be downloadable, not able to be played off the original format carts. ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/5 "2005-09-16T05:18:18Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > However, it sounded like these games will be downloadable, not able to be played off the original format carts. That’s what I’ve heard, too- the Revolution will have a online link you can use to download classic Nintendo games. I imagine that creating a system that was compatible with four types of games (NES+SNES+N64+Revolution) would be costly from a consumer point. Interesting looking controller. Looks almost like a DVD remote. ---
**Author:** ![TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/51bf81/32.png) [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/6 "2005-09-16T05:26:36Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > What happened to the plan to have the new system play any Nintendo game ever made (NES, SNES, 64, etc.)? Was that just a rumor because I really had my hopes up for that? It’s really interesting how this rumor has mutated. The original, from Nintendo, is that they **may** offer the ability to download some original NES games **that were made and manufactured by Nintendo** , priced on a game-by-game basis. This has somehow turned into “You’ll be able to download every nintendo game evar!!!1” ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/7 "2005-09-16T06:51:58Z")
Okay, I’m piqued by the new controller, since it seems to have the potential to really open up some new gameplay ideas. On the other hand, I also think there’s a real concern about arm fatigue after playing with it after a while. Can’t Nintendo toss in a normal analog/digital controller for folks who just want to play games the hassle-free way? ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/8 "2005-09-16T07:04:10Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Okay, I’m piqued by the new controller, since it seems to have the potential to really open up some new gameplay ideas. > > On the other hand, I also think there’s a real concern about arm fatigue after playing with it after a while. Can’t Nintendo toss in a normal analog/digital controller for folks who just want to play games the hassle-free way? That, and – while it could just be my lack of game-designing mojo – it seems to me that this controller design will severely restrict the number of different game types we’ll see for this new console. How, for example, are you supposed to play a classic platform-style game (such as…hmm…well, I can’t think of it off the top of my head, but it seems to me Nintendo has had good luck with a certain line of launch title platformers before) by waving your hand around like a lunatic? Don’t get me wrong; the demo is cool as hell…but I’d imagine that after the 9,246th lightsaber fight or baseball game or fishing trip, I might long for the good old days of runnin’, jumpin’, and fireball-shootin’. ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/9 "2005-09-16T07:10:55Z")
> [@rjung](#): > > Can’t Nintendo toss in a normal analog/digital controller for folks who just want to play games the hassle-free way? If Nintendo doesn’t make one, I imagine some third-party vendor will. Vitrual katana duels with a remote control sound cool and all, but I think that more traditional games are better off with a more traditional controller. ---
**Author:** ![bubastis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d07c76/32.png) [@bubastis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bubastis)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 7:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/10 "2005-09-16T07:32:21Z")
When nintendo said they were going to revolutionise gaming with the new controller, I had imagined something akin to a bowl of jello that absorbed your thoughts, or some shit. This is cool, but not a “Revolution”. You could have a gyroscopic peripheral for any console. Nintendo really got its ass kicked in terms of innovation when the EYETOY was released. This seems to playing catch-up. Wasnt there a fishing game on dreamcast that used a controller in a similar fashion too? Plus, not so sure how comfortable the square design will be. Go hold your tv remote for an hour- not going to be easy, eh? Still, the ipod white console and controller is pretty cool, but again a little derivitive. ---
**Author:** ![BraheSilver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ecccb3/32.png) [@BraheSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BraheSilver)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/11 "2005-09-16T07:43:36Z")
The Revolution has ports for GameCube controllers. Presumably those’ll be for playing Gamecube/N64/SNES games, but they’d be crazy to not allow developers to use them. They’d lose that entire market for cross-patform games. [picture](http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/522/522559/igncubes-nintendo-revolution-faq-20050525023043410.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/12 "2005-09-16T12:53:34Z")
Ah, I see the secondary directional controller in the second link. That makes me feel a little more grounded. I still need a little more proof of the goodness of the system. I don’t want to be like the smucks who got suck with Virtural-Boys. ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/13 "2005-09-16T13:58:43Z")
Wow… that looks… … even stupider than the GameCube design… … which was worse than the odd-looking but oddly-effective N64 design… … which was worse than the SNES controller, which quietly became the basic template for virtually every non-Nintendo console gaming controller made since, until this new generation. Just… wow. I am NOT looking forward to waving-my-arm-around games, and this opens all SORTS of possible ways that they could screw up classics. It’s definitely a new idea, that’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/14 "2005-09-16T14:15:57Z")
[http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143782](http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143782) From what I hear from a Halo-playing friend who got his hands on it… it’s DARN good for FPS. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/15 "2005-09-16T15:50:59Z")
> [@BraheSilver](#): > > The Revolution has ports for GameCube controllers. Presumably those’ll be for playing Gamecube/N64/SNES games, but they’d be crazy to not allow developers to use them. They’d lose that entire market for cross-patform games. > > [picture](http://cubemedia.ign.com/cube/image/article/522/522559/igncubes-nintendo-revolution-faq-20050525023043410.jpg) New info from [EuroGamer.net](http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=60917): > [@](#): > > "Eurogamer: How is the controller going to work with games that aren’t designed specifically for the Revolution - multi-platform titles and so on? > > Jim Merrick: We’re producing a classic-style expansion controller, based on traditional designs like the Gamecube controller. It’s like a shell with a hole in the top into which you slot the freehand-style controller, and then you can play third-party ported games, and retro Nintendo games you’ve downloaded." Hurry up, next summer!! ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/16 "2005-09-16T15:52:35Z")
> [@E-Sabbath](#): > > [http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143782](http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143782) > > From what I hear from a Halo-playing friend who got his hands on it… it’s DARN good for FPS. You have a friend who actually got his hands on the Revolution? :eek: _stares in awe_ …Can I touch you? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/17 "2005-09-16T16:07:09Z")
Intriguing idea. Cooler than I thought it would be. Yeah, I’d love to see what it does for shooter control. My biggest concern is arm fatigue. There’s a reason that 3-D mice have never caught on for general consumer use: After about 15 minutes you get really tired of waving your hand around in the air. I think Nintendo is going to have a real problem with next gen content. I’ve talked with colleagues who have worked with both the Revolution and the 360 dev kits and the word I’m getting is that the Revolution is significantly less powerful. “Gamecube Plus” one guy called it. This means that there’s not going to be much porting from the PS3 and the 360. Now with the standard controller being so different that’s a further obstacle. (Yeah, I saw the bit about a more conventional controller being available as an add-on. But only a fraction of Revolution owners will own one, further diminishing the potential market for a port.) Nintendo has alway suffered from a lack of titles. This time around it will probably be worse. ---
**Author:** ![Catalyst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/18 "2005-09-16T16:53:34Z")
Hey, just be glad they didn’t go with [my design](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v237/rogueistari/controller.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Yumblie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/76d3ee/32.png) [@Yumblie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yumblie)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/19 "2005-09-16T17:03:20Z")
I’m intrigued, but it’s hard to express any sort of opinion without seeing actual games. It’ll be interesting to see how the next Mario and Zelda will be played. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2005, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919/20 "2005-09-16T17:15:44Z")
Okay, I’ve been reading reports on a private industry board from people who are at TGS and have handled the controller. Early reports are that it totally kicks ass for FPS play and that it’s very intuitive to use. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nintendo-revolution-unveiled/321919.md?page=2)