Topics

126

Nintendo Gaming / Nintendo should partner with Apple

« on: May 01, 2006, 09:04:13 AM »

Here's why:

1. It took 2-3 years and several revisions for the iPod to become the trendy juggernaut of the MP3 player market, but even the iPod was just a replacement for walkmans and discmans. Thus, it had a preexisting market gap to fill.

2. Nintendo has set themselves up to undertake a task in marketing which could very well be impossible: sell a console (which cannot be "revised" like the iPod was) with a weird name to people who never thought to buy a console ever before. Nintendo is trying to push into a market which doesn't even know Nintendo ever intended to offer them a product in the first place.

3. The iPod is HUGE in Japan. Apple in general is huge in Japan, in fact.

4. The Wii's online store could include iTunes and, thanks to the USB 2.0 connectors on the Wii, could easily connect to all manners of iPod.

5. Apple has established the market mindset which Nintendo is already seeking. Rather than try to do this all by their lonesome, Nintendo would have a MUCH easier time selling Wii's to existing iPod owners. In fact, pushing the Wii as an iPod accessory alone would work to Nintendo's benefit.

6. They have common enemies: Sony (MP3 players) and Microsoft (software).

7. The iPod double's as the Wii's storage medium, making it the ultimate memory card. Even the cheaper iPods offer 5-10GBs of storage space which you can take to friend's houses and such. Plus, no need to buy any other memory card for iPod owners.

They're almost the same market: the crowd that Apple sold the easy and convenient MP3 player to would be the same crowd Nintendo seeks to sell the console for the non-gamer. If the iPod helps establish the Wii up as a trend, then that $100 million Nintendo doesn't need to spend on advertising.

I think it'd be the smartest move they could make. They're already trying hard to emulate Apple. Why not step it up and enter into a mutually beneficial agreement with them?  

127

Nintendo Gaming / Weee!

« on: April 27, 2006, 06:25:16 PM »

One of the first things I though of when I heard the name (not safe for work)

I wonder if I was the only one...

128

Nintendo Gaming / Email Nintendo and tell them you HATE the name!

« on: April 27, 2006, 09:29:40 AM »

Their Official Comment Form

Let them HEAR how much we hate it!

129

General Gaming / Thank you, VGCats. Someone had to say it...

« on: April 10, 2006, 12:04:40 PM »

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/?strip_id=192

I never thought I'd hope for better marketing from a console which competes with my favored one, but I'd like this crap to go away in a goddamn hurry.  

130

Nintendo Gaming / The Rev should be a download center for DS demos

« on: April 09, 2006, 09:39:46 PM »

Think about it.

Games like Wario World on the GC offered GBA connectivity which copied a few Wario Ware mini-games to your GBA for you to try. AC did the same with NES games.

The demo download centers in stores are a nice idea, but what about people who don't live anywhere near one? I've already touted the merits of downloading NES, SNES and maybe N64 games to DS from the Rev's Virtual Console, but I can think of no better way to sell DS games then to let the Rev be the gateway to sampling any and all possible games.

The Rev could access these demos without any hardware changing or anything, just connect to the demo server which would be updated regularly with upcoming DS game demos.

First of all, it would give those of us who are REEEALLLY looking forward to a game something to whet our appetites.

Second, it gives DS owners the ability to test drive the games they want right from their own home, wirelessly and without hassle.

The closest DS download center to me is 45 minutes away. I'm curious about Brain Age but not THAT curious. It makes perfect sense to allow the Rev to be a download center: there's almost no cost to Nintendo, you download the demos as you want them and you can know which games you want to preorder before they hit shelves (or ship to you via Gamestop). You could even add yourself to a mailing list which announces when new DS demos are up for download.

Rev game demos would also be a welcome addition (the 360 already does this), but unlike MS, Nintendo has to consider connectivity to it's insanely popular handheld a big issue: this would just add one more reason on the growing list of reasons to own a Rev. I'm sure many people would buy one just for the Virtual Console and DS demos alone.

So let's hope Nintendo reps read PGC. I think this would be too good of an idea to pass up.

131

General Gaming / Neo Famicom controller adapter?

« on: April 08, 2006, 03:39:27 PM »

Anyone know if the Neo Fami has an adapter to work with standard NES controllers?

The unit itself has two 9-pin controller ports to work with the controllers which come with it, but not the ones which would connect to a standard NES.

Any ideas?

132

General Gaming / "Oblivion" gets 4 1/2 yawns on a scale of 5

« on: April 08, 2006, 03:10:06 PM »

This is probably the most over-hyped game I've ever seen. Rather than use paragraphical format, I'll just go down the numbered list:

1. An expansive consistent world is neither expansive nor consistent if the game pauses for 4-5 seconds every 20-30 steps your character takes to load the surrounding area and 10-20 seconds whenever you go through a door of any kind and for 2-3 seconds when you pull out a different weapon. This game LITERALLY sacrifices gameplay in favor of graphics.

2. There's no point to photo realism when everyone and everything in the game is FUGLY. My friends and I tried unsuccessfully for 10 minutes to generate an attractive female character but could not, eventually going with a giant cat-man (furries rejoice!).

3. Within the first 4-5 hours of the game (if you just plow through it), you only actually encounter 5-6 different types of enemies. Giant rats, a generic goblin model, some sorcerer types and that's about it. I have a hard time understanding how a game can boast great graphics and have so little variety in the enemies.

4. Combat is BOOOORING. Block, wait until whatever it is hurls itself against your shield, then mash the attack button until it's dead. Or just run up to it and mash the button. You can heal yourself easily enough and mana regenerates on its own so why bother being careful?

5. NPCs are so stiff and deadpan that it's freaky. Not only do the eyes and mouths look incredibly unnatural, but the characters and their facial expressions look stiffer and more lifeless than the entire cast of Episode 2 combined. They also seem to not have neck joints since they cannot turn or tilt their heads at all.

6. The interface is clumsy. When it's possible to steal something by accident, you can tell that QA wasn't being all that it could be.

7. The story is bland and generic. Patrick Stewart voices an NPC who dies in the first hour of the game and I think that was their only selling point.

8. It's possible to pick up crap which has no value and no purpose. Some might enjoy this aspect as it allegedly adds to the immersion factor, but rather than littering the world with worthless crap, immersion could have been upped substantially by adding more enemy variety and NPCs which aren't dead-ringers for mannequins.

It's a pretty game, but it suffers from so many unforgivable ailments that I'm insanely glad I ordered my friends to rent it so we could convince another friend not to buy it for the PC.

133

Nintendo Gaming / Ouenden Friggin' RULES!

« on: April 08, 2006, 02:21:09 PM »

Basically, it's Donkey Konga on the DS with a plot, one which ranges from wonderfully absurd to heartwarmingly touching.

It's fun, it's loud, it'll keep you tapping your toes all the time while you're playing. My only qualm with the game is that it absolutely demands to be played on a TV with an audience. Much like Wario Ware, this game just screeeeeeeams to be watched, which is why I'd sacrifice a goat to see a Rev version (and a US release would be awesome as well).

I will, no doubt, be encouraged to go through to ensure that I get an A on every song (or S, if the rating is possible).

To summarize the gameplay, numbered circles will appear on the touchscreen. Around each of these numbered circles is a thin ring which will gradually close around the circle. Your job is to tap the circle when the ring connects with it. The numbers indicate combo chains which must be done in order. In addition to taps, you have slides, which will require you to tap a point, then slide the stylus along the slide (which will appear on the screen) all the while keeping the stylus within the circle which is indicated as you slide along the touchscreen. Often, the circle will reach the end of the slide and bounce back, forcing you to move the stylus back down the slide repeatedly.

The taps and slides will appear on the touchscreen in specific patterns and combos, all in perfect harmony to the music and the Ouendan "cheer squad" which is doing what resembles a cross between a dance and a martial arts routine in the background.

It's all in Japanese, but it's quite easy to glean what all of the functions are, as well as what's happening in the stories going on on the top screen. Also, after beating a level, you can hit the option in the lower left corner to replay it and duplicate your score so you can watch the story on the top screen instead of playing.

Total of 15 songs with 4 difficulty modes each (easy, med, hard and insane), and I've yet to beat the final level in med, which features "Ready, Steady, Go", one of the many intro themes for Full Metal Alchemist. I recognize some of the Japanese songs from the J-Donkey Konga, but most of them are new.

I only have one cart, but it also offers co-op and vs. multiplayer (multicard, of course). Overall, excellent game and the only successful concept in a rhythm game I've ever seen on a handheld yet.  

134

Nintendo Gaming / FIRST REV SCREENSHOT SCANS!!!!!

« on: April 07, 2006, 12:01:08 PM »

Screenshots removed, sorry.

Red Steel

Details: (thanks to Trip1eX)

-Game development started shortly after E3 2005. Ubisoft saw and demoed the controller before E3 2005.
-Ubisoft Paris took their idea directly to Iwata and Miyamoto, and were given the go ahead. After that meeting they were given prototype controllers. The article states that Ubisoft worked "closely" with Nintendo's engineers in Japan on the title
-Game Informer mentions that while conducting the interviews with Ubisoft, they were handed the "latest version" of the controller

-During the beginning of the game, you are encouraged to use your weapons ruthlessly, but as the game progresses you become more proficient and strategic. This gameplay idea led Ubisoft to decide to give the game a martial arts setting. "Enter the Yakuza"
-The first third of the game will be all about being "brutal by necessity"
-You will be less precise and favor more devastating weapons (machine guns)
-As you progress and become more precise, smaller guns will be used
-"The goal...is to use five bullets to kill five enemies"
-"When fighting with this level of skill, the music and sound effects will reflect it, remaining calm and peaceful"
-"When you fight brutally, the sounds around you grow increasingly more intense"
-"Audio feedback"

-Freeze shot: by fighting effciently you fill the Freeze Shot gauge...fighting chaotically causes to decreases
-When the gauge is filled you can hit a button to momentarily stop time, and then target specific locations on enemy bodies
-Headshots thus are tempting, but non lethal shots, such as shooting guns out of enemy hand, can be more beneficial
-By defeating high ranking leaders who command others and sparing their lives, you will be rewarded. He will offer you respect and help (guns, help, new weapons, alternate paths, etc)
-Respect plays a MAJOR part in the game

-Flailing your sword isn't a smart idea
-Specific motions with the controller will trigger combos (in the final game)
-Tracing an X in the air, for instance, will unleash a devastating attack
-You can stop these combos at any time by simply pausing your own movement. So if you do something that leaves you open to attack, you won't be screwed
-New moves will be taught to you by two mentors in the game
-One will teach you gun tactics, and another will teach sword tactics
-If you don't show the proper respect to them, they won't help you
-Friendly/respectful interaction is tied to the controller
-You signal "yes/no" answers by nodding the controller up or down or shaking it from side to side
-You show extra respect by bowing to the masters
-Ubisoft is still coming up with other interactions
-"You can act disrespectively as well: there are no cut scenes in the game - all conversations take place in game, as in Half Life 2. However unlike that game, characters wont keep prattling on if you walk away from them. They will react angrily to your imputent behavior"
-Staying in the master's good graces is key: they give you missions that can be tackled in any order
-You track down the gang leaders and try to turn them to your side. If you don't, they will join Tokai's (the main villian) gang
-You have to prove you are worthy to them by battling them and sparing their lives.
-You will need as many of them with you as possible to face Tokai. Without their help, you'll have a rough time when you finally face him
-You turn gang leaders to your side by besting them in battle and stopping a deadly blow miliseconds before it strikes
-Training sessions are offered by the two masters so you can hone your skills


Multiplayer:

-Split screen multiplayer with traditional deathmatches
-Totally original multiplayer modes Ubisoft is not revealing yet. Wait until E3
-They didn't talk about Nintendo Wi Fi (NDAs). Full details haven't been revealed yet
-Revolution works by placing a small sensor bar either above or below any TV
-You can stand at any angle and not lose any accuracy. You can even take your controller to a friend's house and instantly start playing without syncing up the controller
-"Perhaps most impressive is the fact that although splitscreen reduces the amount of onscreen space you are playing in, you don't have to make smaller movements - you can gesture as wildly as you want, and it won't interfere with the other player's onscreen quadrants

Game Informer's hands on:

-The two triggers on the front of the analog unit activate ducking and jumping. The analog stick controls movement, and the revmote controls aiming. No rails.
-Level consisted of shooting ranges that popped out from behind cover
"Aiming with the controller is as simple as using a laser pointer. You point your hand at a target and hit the trigger on the underside of the controller to fire
-"Unlike other FPS games, which tie the camera and aiming together, Red Steel's camera follows your aim with a slight delay. If, for example, you point to the edge of the screen, the camera will turn to re-center on your view after a second. With the sensitivity of the controller, a standard FPS control would move too much, potentially making the player feel ill
-"Thanks to the improved reaction that the controller offers, the team can create gunfight scenerios that would be extraordinarily diffilcult with a standard controller"
-Most console FPS games limit their enemies to horizontal planes to prevent player frustration, but targets on a verticle plane are just as easy to hit with the Revolution controller
-You can aim at a target as quickly as you can move your hand
-In the demo targets popped up on rooftops and in second story windows, as well as behind cover points on the ground, and all were equally easy to hit
-While you can quickly shoot enemies anywhere on screen, Red Steel never feels in a light-gun game - this is a true FPS, one that feels like it has drawn from the best of both the PC and console shooter worlds

-According to lead game designer Oriola, it takes roughly three seconds to turn completely around around in most console shooters, while it takes about one-quarter second in a PC game. In Red Stel, it takes one second

-AI characters will care for themselves. They will go for cover, attack you while you're reloading. They focus on risk management
-"They won't walk around a table to get to you. They will simply jump over the table"
-"The benchmark for their intelligence and aggressiveness, says Oriola, is the PC title F.E.A.R., which has widely been praised for it's AI"

-Destructable environments. There's a pic of a giant explosion on a carm with gang members being thrown left and right by the blast. Nice effects. The lighting on the explosion and the store signs is pretty good
-GI: we found Red Steel most enjoyable to play while standing up
-Straffing is extremely easy and effortless
-"Aiming felt similar to using a PC mouse, and it's possible to quickly explore every direction in a three-dimensional space with quick gestures"
-"In the finished game, you will be able to push forward with the controller to knock over an object to use for cover, pull it backwards to reload, and twist it to lead behind walls"
-Lob grenades with the controller, or roll them on the ground like a bowling ball
-"gangsta style" shooting is cool
-Total immersion. Feels like you are living the game

-GI: the Revolution is real
-Andy: It could change the very way all gamers are played now and forever  

135

Nintendo Gaming / Revmote: hands on (old article) and...REGGIE LIKES MMORPGs!?!

« on: March 29, 2006, 05:34:23 PM »

Chris Morris of CNN's review on the controller.

For the lazy, he loved it.

Also, this REALLY sparked my attention...

Quote
Reggie Fils-Aime, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Nintendo of America, said he hopes to see another type of game really take off with the Revolution.

"I hope [massively multiplayer online games] are really explored on this system," he said. "That's a genre, from the home console standpoint, that really hasn't been explored very well."

I have to admit, I didn't see that coming. I wonder if Reggie was hinting at things to come...

[And I think, as Mr. Iwata hinted at yesterday as well, the idea of that next Tetris concept, that next simple game that’s very fun, is also something, in theory, that could be developed for the Virtual Console download TYP: So we can hope to see new games through Virtual Console? Ohara: I think that there are possibilities for that.]

136

Nintendo Gaming / Indie games are possible for the Rev...

« on: March 24, 2006, 05:34:15 PM »

From TYP's interview with Ohara:

Quote
TYP: What kind of downloadable content can we expect for the Revolution (laughter) or is that an E3 answer as well?

Ohara:   We’ve already talked about the Nintendo Virtual Console that’ll be going with the Nintendo Revolution and the types of downloads you’ll be able to do with that. Of course yesterday we announced that the Sega Genesis games will be downloadable on the Virtual Console, as well as the Hudson games for the TurboGrafx, so, at this point, that’s the type of downloadable content that we can talk about. And I think, as Mr. Iwata hinted at yesterday as well, the idea of that next Tetris concept, that next simple game that’s very fun, is also something, in theory, that could be developed for the Virtual Console download

TYP:   So we can hope to see new games through Virtual Console?

Ohara:   I think that there are possibilities for that.

I can't help but wonder if Nintendo intends to be the "podcast" station of gaming as well.

Basically, indie games would be submitted by their creators and sold for a nominal fee on the virtual console store. It would be a great way for many dev startups to get their feet in the door as well as for Nintendo to find new talent as a game grows by leaps and bounds in popularity (which I assume would mean that it's a good game).

I'm speculating, yeah, but the cards are certainly on the table.

137

Nintendo Gaming / Preorder MP3...

« on: March 13, 2006, 07:25:28 AM »

Gamestop Preorder

I doubt the price and release date are accurate, but it's still worth noting that it's up there.

138

Nintendo Gaming / Umm, Metroid rip-off?

« on: March 11, 2006, 08:51:20 AM »

The description says:

"The game features its main character Jenosa Arma a bounty hunter. 48 hours ago a distress signal was sent from a remote research lab studying a virulent organism identified as the “Scurge”. Scientists have been studying its remarkable metamorphic and energy abilities. Jenosa Arma has been commissioned by a black-ops cell from the government to investigate and salvage any research technology from within the facility. She is armed with top-secret projectile gauntlets and a prototype battle suit."

Unless I'm missing something, this is the raw epitome of a Metroid rip-off...

Or was this an April Fools joke which Gamestop took seriously?

139

Nintendo Gaming / Official MP Hunters Site

« on: March 07, 2006, 12:55:07 PM »

Official Site

It's up and has some nice details on the game as well as loads of video.

140

Nintendo Gaming / Rev attracts "Indie" developers

« on: February 24, 2006, 11:16:14 AM »

No, not from India (well, maybe).

Cheap Dev kit + innovation = talent comes out of the woodwork

Looks like this might have been their plan all along, and it's working.

"Over the past few days, various news regarding development kits for Nintendo’s next-generation home console codenamed Revolution have been trickling in. For one, the expected price of a single development kit is roughly $2000 -- much less than even Sony’s PSP. Numerous developers are now receiving more finalized units and are coming to realize that the Revolution’s graphic capabilities are less of a concern -- but that’s beside the point. More importantly, this means that smaller, independent developers can afford to make games for the Revolution; development is both less expensive and timelier. Nintendo most likely banked on this fact with hopes of attaining more Indie-developers willing to make projects exclusively for their system -- and apparently it's beginning to work."

One of these dev companies only has 16 people and yet they intend to bring a game to the Rev. I like their concepts as well.  

[-You can't direct link to them here for the same reason the gonintendo.com guy had to take them down... sorry.-]

141

Nintendo Gaming / Magazine Scans with Loads of Info: Rev, TP, MP:H, etc.

« on: February 18, 2006, 08:13:10 AM »

-You can't direct link to them here for the same reason the gonintendo.com guy had to take them down... sorry.-

Some pretty interesting stuff, including a bunch of pictures I'd never seen of TP, some interviews with Capcom about RE DS and a lot more.  

142

Nintendo Gaming / MP:Hunters video and "cast"

« on: February 15, 2006, 01:04:00 PM »

Homina, homina...

This might be a hair premature, but this might replace Marathon as my all time favorite FPS.

Damn...

143

Nintendo Gaming / LoZ: TP delayed until Nov...

« on: February 13, 2006, 07:24:35 AM »

Ack...

Best Buy has it slated for Nov now.

Unless they're full of it, looks like TP will be a Rev title (kinda).

144

NWR Forums Discord / The Grossest Thing You can Post without being Banned

« on: February 13, 2006, 05:51:13 AM »

Exactly what the title says: do your worst.

I'll start with something tame: Man Faye.

145

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS, first impressions

« on: February 10, 2006, 09:58:29 AM »

-Cheesy voice acting and live actors are back from the PS1 version.

-Tank controls are back, except that holding L pulls out the knife (ala RE4) and it's ideal for knocking zombies down with a gun and finishing them with a knife.

-Door loading sequences are in, but can be skipped by pressing a button.

-180° turn is in for quick escapes.

-Rebirth mode = 80% more zombies, 0% more ammo (at least that I've found, thus far).

-The knife slashing scenes are quite intuitive, but they happen without warning when you enter a room so you seldom have time to ready the stylus. Tapping the screen will stab while dragging a finger/stylus across will result in a slash. Enemies killed in this fashion can drop items and upon returning to the same room, the knife scene may start again, possibly giving you the chance to replenish items, so long as you're quick on the draw.

-Ink ribbons are back (boo!).

More as it develops...  

146

Nintendo Gaming / RE:DS, I want to know more...

« on: February 02, 2006, 06:57:06 AM »

Anyone heard anything about the co-op mode, in particular? This is the main selling point of the game for me, as I love co-op play but only if it's well-implemented.

So, anyone have any information on what to expect, or possibly a video of co-op play? I'd like to imagine solving puzzles with multiple people and fending off hordes of zombies, but I've learned that applying my expectations of the game to the game itself is often a recipe for disappointment.

-SB

147

NWR Feedback / Some of the "True" ads verge on porn...

« on: February 01, 2006, 08:09:20 AM »

One of the girls in the "True" ads is wearing a camo daisy-duke and has it half way slid off, practically showing bush.

I have nothing against porn, but this site is rapidly becoming unsafe to surf while at work, or while around carriers of the X/X chromosome.

Could the ads be toned down a bit?

-SB

148

Nintendo Gaming / The DS has officially arrived...

« on: January 27, 2006, 09:08:04 PM »

...Because Snood has recognized it!

It sells for $9.99 retail, multi card wireless play (which makes no sense), but I just thought it was proof that the puzzle market is officially on the DS.

Found my copy at Bestbuy, but I've never seen it anywhere else...

-SB  

149

Nintendo Gaming / What if Nintendo controlled Bandai/Namco?

« on: January 19, 2006, 07:47:27 PM »

Flash back to SW2K1 for a moment. Before Wind Waker was unveiled, Nintendo fans around the world believed that the tech demo featuring the ultra-realistic Link and Gannondorf duking it out would be the graphical style for the next LoZ game.

Then, economically speaking, Nintendo made one of the biggest mistakes I've ever seen a company make: convince thousands (likely millions) of players who were interested in buying their console to not buy it. IGN reported that, on the day of WW's unveiling, the greatest shift of players from the GC forums to the Xbox and PS2 forums occurred, with the inquiries about the PS2 and Xbox from posters who had formerly remained on the Nintendo forums doubling and tripling.

IGN is one case of this, but I have no reason to doubt that similar trends were occurring everywhere.

Now, before you get upset about me bashing WW, know that this is not what I'm here to do. I loved WW (though I'll eat my pants if Twilight Princess doesn't outsell it...), I'm only pointing out how much of an effect you can have on your market before your potential customer base has been solidified in its buying decision (ie before your and your competition's products have been released).

Flash forward to the present time.

Nintendo has rented the Kodak Theater for their pre-E3 press release (a picture, if you're curious). Obviously, they're making a big deal about the Rev and everything that comes with it, but no one rents this theater without due cause (it doesn't come cheap).

Prior to their merger with Namco, Nintendo owned a large stake in Bandai. They also owned shares of Namco. The simple bit of speculation I'm offering here is this: what would happen if Nintendo announced that, with a new controlling interest in Bandai/Namco, all next-gen and handheld games from the gaming giant are now Rev/DS exclusive? That includes Tekken, Soul Caliber, Tales, ALL of Shonin Jump and Gundam (there are many more, but those are just some of the biggest titles worth mentioning).

One might argue that it would be detrimental to Bandai/Namco if all their games were restricted to Nintendo hardware and it would...were we not in the middle of a generation change. That's the beauty of the situation: when Nintendo dropped its bomb about Wind Waker, no one had yet been locked into buying a GC so it was a terrible idea to give them incentive not to (I don't care if you liked WW or not, if you can't understand why the game would be a turnoff to the average gamer, I'm not going to try to convince you. Bottom line is that Nintendo could have used their money and money is still money, even from graphics-whores).

They could turn the same situation into their biggest blow to the PS3: revealing that a number of titles which some would have seen as a reason to BUY a PS3 into Rev exclusives, effectively changing the mind of potential buyers and convincing them to buy a Rev. The PS2 didn't win this past generation because it was better hardware or had better exclusives: it won because it was the game console for someone who wanted anything. RPGs? PS2. Sports? PS2. Action? PS2. Adventure? PS2. etc. etc. There were exclusives on the GC and Xbox which made them worth owning, but no one can deny that the PS2 won and won big by simply having the biggest game library.

Right now, Sony is going to do everything they can to push Blu-Ray (Sony's proprietary media format) into the average household. This means that support for the PS2 is probably going to be nearly nonexistent, as every game released for the PS2 instead of the PS3 is one more reason not to bring Blu-Ray into your home. The first round of PS2 games were actually PS1 games which were moved over to the PS2 in the interest of not releasing their game on a fading console. The point is, in this next round of console releases, everything resets back to zero. Releasing games on the PS2 because it has the largest userbase is no longer an issue (and like I said, Sony will do everything it can to push Blu-Ray, just like it is for UMD, and that means pushing all would-be PS2 launches to the PS3).

I know Nintendo has stated something along the lines of not being "in competition" with Sony and MS. Anyone with a simple grasp of economics knows this is impossible. Simply put, when you're competing for the money of your customers, you're competing with EVERY POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE. Videogames are competing for the money of their customer against any and every possible alternative which their potential buyers might spend their money on: movies, music, cars, drugs, sex, etc. This defeatist attitude of "no competition" is either admission of defeat or it's a facade. I'd like to believe it's the latter. I'd like to believe that Nintendo doesn't feel it's only worthy of patronage when its would-be customers happen to have enough left over in their entertainment budgets for a Revolution game.

So yeah, it's all speculation, but in my defense, I'm speculating based on the facts which are already plain to us.
Nintendo didn't buy stock in Bandai without an intention to make use of that control. Why would they? If it's money return they want, they could invest that money in new companies like they've been doing all along and chance upon the next "Pokemon". I'm sure there's a very good reason they chose to invest in Bandai, I just think it would be great if this was it.

The announcement that many popular franchises previously thought to be PS3 exclusive will instead be Rev exclusive is damaging, but it's 100x more damaging when that announcement is made before anyone has actually made a purchasing decision regarding the PS3 or Rev. It would be identical to the WW announcement, except that it would be beneficial to Nintendo and a detriment to Sony and MS.

It's not going to happen: it's too good to be true. However, I maintain that it would likely be the most incredible move Nintendo could make when it comes to securing 3rd party support for the console and convincing potential buyers that the Rev will be the best choice when it comes time to spend their hard earned $$$.

-SB