First they removed component video support from the GameCube; now Nintendo has confirmed that the Revolution will not be supporting high definition video outputs, such as 1080i and 1080p. Sony and Microsoft have already announced support for such formats with their respective next-gen consoles.
Nintendo of America supplied the following comment on this issue:
"There currently are no plans for Nintendo Revolution to support high-definition video output. We have thoroughly considered the best means of video output for the system and are dedicated to delivering the best hardware possible to meet the demands of our consumers. Please stay tuned for more details on Nintendo Revolution to be revealed soon."
-- Perrin Kaplan, VP, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Nintendo of America
At this point, it remains unclear what resolutions Nintendo considers to be high definition. For instance, the 480p format is not enabled on most older television sets, but since it is only a progressive-scan version of the standard 480 line resolution, it is often not considered to be "high definition". Since GameCube supports 480p output (although new hardware units do not included the required interface), Nintendo may support at least that format with the Revolution. This possibility is further bolstered by the fact that the Revolution prototypes at E3 2005 featured an output jack that looked exactly like the now-removed "digital output" jack on the GameCube.
Quote
one thing thta bothers me is that not having it will reduce sales...reducing profit...which may cost mroe then including the port for five dollars more.
Quote
Originally posted by: steveyThis for me is good news. I hate HD television, there just a scam. Intel they make a HD TV the size of a non HD TV at near the same price or under grand I'm not buying. HD is not this or next gen but next next gen
QuoteWhat I suggest is that Nintendo looked at the video out options available and instead of coming to Microsoft and Sony's conclusion that Hi-Def has to be included 'for fear of losing customers'. Nintendo might have came to the conclusion that while HD would be nice it doesn't offer enough bang for the buck, yet. Since Sony and Microsoft position themselves, more so then not, as 'hardcore' gaming systems, they can't afford to pass up "new" technology. They might look inferior otherwise. Nintendo on the other hand doesn't need to make that decision since they focus on how well a game plays and how much fun it is to play a game, rather then just best graphics / best specs.
Originally posted by: PaLaDiNQuoteIsn't HDTV the "best means of video output for the system" and the "best hardware possible"? What do they mean by "best"? Is there something better? Or is the keyword "possible"?
Originally posted by:
Perrin Kaplan, VP, Marketing & Corporate Affairs, Nintendo of America
"We have thoroughly considered the best means of video output for the system and are dedicated to delivering the best hardware possible to meet the demands of our consumers."
QuoteMyself i'd say it fits perfectly. Nintendo's strength is its game making capabilites, right? Unless you are a 'diehard' Nintendo fan you don't buy any Nintendo console or handheld because they out spec the competition. You buy Nintendo hardware because it has games you can't get on either "superior" system. So to me, rather then making Nintendo look 'out-of-touch' it solidifies to me that Nintendo is in touch with what their core (not hardcore) gamers want. Very similar to how a Microsoft press statement about supporting Live!, HDD, 5.1, and Hi-def would reassure "you" that a Microsoft system is what "you" want.
Why in the hell did Nintendo have a press release to say they wouldn't have a feature? With online they just let consumers figure it out for themselves. It doesn't make sense. It doesn't fit with Nintendo's MO. People say Nintendo is stupid but there's a certain consistent kind of "stupidity" they indulge in, and this is not it. I don't get it.
QuoteHonestly Ian.... is there any doubt that Twilight Princess won't be a massive seller? So how much would HD really increase sales of that game? Very few, since many do not own HD tv yet. As much as you many not want to admit it, Hi-Defintion is not a core feature yet. It's not going to increase sales that much because it is a hardcore feature. If you need 'hardcore' gaming, i'm sure Nintendo would point you to Microsoft and Sony. Their bussiness is making core games, games that don't cater to only the hardcore, but to everyone. You can't tell me you're only going to buy Twilight Princess only because it is a visually impressive game. Or to put it another way.... Do you honestly think Nintendo will try to out spec the PSP (or PSP2) with whatever the GBA's successor is? Hell no.
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
So Nintendo is pleasing their fans by providing less options now?
Quote
think Nintendo will try to out spec the PSP
QuoteOh they've talked about Revolution the console, just only in clues and riddles. My working guess is that there are multiple "revolutions". 1) Something regarding their controller 2) Something regarding Revolutions design/connections (and not just wi-fi everything) 3) "But, the advantage in our technology will also relate to areas that have no direct bering on gameplay" 4) Rather uninteresting to us but easy and low cost development 5) "Those of you who consider the possibilites of combining (?? ebident? can't figure out this word) content with an internet connection and a wireless connection and our flash memory, may begin to make educated guesses on what game experience we might be constructing."
Originally posted by: ruby_onix
My main problem with this whole thing is that...
We really don't know the first thing about the very nature of the Revolution.
Nintendo refuses to speak about it. So how are we supposed to know if this is a good thing or a bad thing?
Quote
Originally posted by: BigJimQuote
Originally posted by: steveyThis for me is good news. I hate HD television, there just a scam. Intel they make a HD TV the size of a non HD TV at near the same price or under grand I'm not buying. HD is not this or next gen but next next gen
Are you in the US? Go to BestBuy.com. You can get a 27" HDTV for $330. Pricing parity is not as far off as some people seem to think.
QuoteVirtually no stores would carry them even if Nintendo did. Don't forget how 3rd rate the Gamecube is considered to be.
Originally posted by: Bloodworth
Just like they knew what they were doing by making you buy component cables online instead of in the store when you buy your system, right?
Quote
Originally posted by: nolimit19
trust me...i dont think nitendo is perfect. i get down on nintendo as much as anyone, but nintendo is a business and business isnt about market share or "image" as much as it is about profit margins.
Quote
Originally posted by: chlupe
And Nintendo posted its first loss in a long while a few quarters ago because of its dwindling market share. So think about that.
QuoteSo Nintendo should just throw everything out the window, make $299 systems, increase load times by 2 minutes, release "The Man Game w/ Mario", and, of course, make systems with flimsy DVD drives so that they DRE and self-destruct after warranty. Sorry, but No, Nintendo doesn't need to be come a hipster. Sure, they won't be the "cool" kid everyone wants to hangout with, but we know what happens to cool kids now don't we?
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"Virtually no stores would carry them even if Nintendo did. Don't forget how 3rd rate the Gamecube is considered to be."
The fact that the Cube is considered "3rd rate" proves Bloodworth's point that Nintendo doesn't always know what they're doing.
QuoteWell I would say its not the same argument, the purchasing motivation on component cables comes from the users end (i.e. Buying an HDTV). Where as the purchasing motivation for the BBA comes from the software developers end. In both cases, though, the purchasing motivator is very low to next to non-existant. You know, presumably you more then anyone, if someone had developed more then just Fantasy Star it would have sold BBA's just like Nintendogs sold DS systems. The fact that Nintendo wasn't interested in creating online games yet is no reason that 3rd parties couldn't and shouldn't take advantage of the ability.
"If there was real demand for the componet cables Nintendo would know because differnt people would keep order them, and they are the only place to order them."
This is total Nintendo logic. Next you'll tell me there was no demand for Cube online games because of poor broadband adapter sales.
Quote
You know, presumably you more then anyone, if someone had developed more then just Fantasy Star it would have sold BBA's just like Nintendogs sold DS systems. The fact that Nintendo wasn't interested in creating online games yet is no reason that 3rd parties couldn't and shouldn't take advantage of the ability.
Quote
Originally posted by: Bloodworth
Nintendo's biggest motivation is in limiting the cost of developing games at those resolutions. They're likely also concerned about the performance trade-off. The problem is that they're once again acting like they're leading the industry. They think they're doing licensees a favor by keeping the costs low, but they don't seem to take into account the concept that games like Madden will be put on their competitors' systems as well, and as such, EA will have already spent that money.
Quote
Graphics sells systems , if not we be stuck still with the Atari 2600.
Quote
Originally posted by: BloodworthQuote
Graphics sells systems , if not we be stuck still with the Atari 2600.
True, but HD is another ballgame. This is a graphical step that a lot of people simply won't be able to take advantage of. Plenty of people buy their TVs from garage sales or from friends that are upgrading, and would never consider spending more than $100 on a set even if they're willing to spend a lot on games.
The rumors about the Revolution being underpowered are completely based on assumption and Nintendo's "bad habit" of trying to give realistic estimates about their machines' performance, which people suddenly compare to MS and Sony's bloated numbers. But the numbers don't matter even if you are a graphics junkie, unless you can actually see a difference in the graphics. The PS2 was supposedly more powerful than the GameCube on paper, but GameCube games tend to look better overall.