Topic: Iwata: Revolution Backwards Compatable and Wi-fi out of Box

[Artimus]

First details here:

http://www.planetgamecube.com/news.cfm?action=item&id=6091

I'm really getting more excited now  

[vudu]

I don't support IGN.  Can you give me the gist of what it says?  

[Artimus]

*rollseyes*

No. I'm sure PGC will have it soon.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

Heres the basics:

-In a few months the DS's "online" will start, it'll be free and the flagship game is Animal Crossing DS

-The REV will be BW comp with the the GCN, will have Wi-fi out of the box, probably on the same network as the DS and will be using a CPU from IBM code-named Broadway and a GPU from ATI code-named Hollywood

-Also a new Zelda trailer was shown

[couchmonkey]

Yay for backwards compatibility!  Now it's basically a sure thing that traditional games can be developed for the Revolution...unless Nintendo really takes special steps to prevent that, which would be retarded.  I feel a great sense of relief.

I'm also very happy to hear that both DS and Revolution are going online.  I've been waiting a long time for this.

[Bill Aurion]

Now everyone will shut up about online!  YES!

Backwards-compatibility is icing on the cake, as now I won't need to find room on my surge protector for the Rev... <_<

[Avinash_Tyagi]

BW comp was expected regardless of the changes to the REV, all the REV would have to do is to be able to emulate a GCN environment.

[Artimus]

Avinash, it's the controller that was the question mark.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

And again that's still means nothing, you could have to attach the GCN controller to the Rev in order to play GCN games, all it would need is a compatible port.

It would stand to reason anyone with a GCN game would own a GCN controller.

[ruby_onix]

"Broadway" is now officially the gayest codename for a console's CPU ever.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

I think it was chosen because the GPU is Hollywood, so having the movie capital of the US and the Theatrical capital of the US together seems to go together.

[PaLaDiN]

What it does mean though is that there is SOME way to play ALL GC games on the Rev.

Which means I never again want to hear anybody bitch about the Rev being too revolutionary for its own good. You can all shut up.

What I find discouraging is the whole "interactive entertainment" thing. And the whole "online" thing. Dammit. I don't want any of that crap... I just want good games!

[RickPowers]

I don't know why people are assuming that the GameCube controller will be compatible or even necessary to play games on the Revolution, and I'm not sure why we have it in our story.  Seems like a poor assumption to me.  There could be a whole new controller, but as long as it had at least as many buttons as the GameCube one, every game should be playable.

[Artimus]

I absolutely agree. The idea of needing a GCN controller is about as backwards as you could go about it. The controller will be compatable.

I edit the original post so it now links to PGC.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

Yeah but the question remains will the REV controller have the buttons necessary, so far that's still up in the air

[nemo_83]

Quote
Originally posted by: RickPowers
I don't know why people are assuming that the GameCube controller will be compatible or even necessary to play games on the Revolution, and I'm not sure why we have it in our story.  Seems like a poor assumption to me.  There could be a whole new controller, but as long as it had at least as many buttons as the GameCube one, every game should be playable.

I was just about to mention the reference in the planetgamecube article that says we will be able to use Cube controllers.  I think it is a bad idea for Nintendo to use the GameCube controller on the Revolution.  It is like endorsing a criticism of the Revolution controller.  I see no reason why the Revolution controller won't be able to play GameCube games.  It would be like saying you would rather use an N64 controller to play the Master Quest.

[Avinash_Tyagi]

If the Revolution is as different as Nintendo has been hinting at the REV controller may not be capapble of playing the GCN games

[Ian Sane]

Logically one would assume that since Nintendo feels it's important to have backwards compatibility that it's important to have a flexible controller as well.  By including backwards compatibility Nintendo is acknowledging that people still like and want the traditional way of playing games.  If they didn't there would be no point in having the feature.  So since Nintendo knows that people still like the traditional way it makes sense to allow the Rev to play traditional games.  If the Rev is too different to play Cube games without the need for the old controllers then it makes no sense to even include backwards compatibility.

[Don'tHate742]

I don't get it....why are you guys mad about being able to use a cube controller for cube games? It's great IMO. Now I don't have to buy more REV controllers to play multiplayer. Which means I don't have to go through the trouble of hooking back up my GC so I can play a game or two; I simply bring my Cube controllers to the REV....problem solved. It's like a bigger bonus for all those cube owners. I made the assumption that REV controllers can play GC games, but I am almost positive that it will. It'd be a stupid move if they didn't allow it.

Anyways, that is a small issue, and an issue for us gamecube owners already (few exceptions noted). I think talking about WiFi is a much more important issue. Do I have to have a wireless router to play LAN? Can I just place my REV a relative distance away from my friends and play like the DS does now? What about hooking up to the "Nintendo Live"? Will Super Smash Bros. LAN ever be released?

[Avinash_Tyagi]

Quote
If the Rev is too different to play Cube games without the need for the old controllers then it makes no sense to even include backwards compatibility.

Why? Don't a majority of GC owners have a GC controller?

[Famicom]

So with conformation about backwards compatibility and the Rev being computer monitor compatible, does that mean we'll be able to enjoy higher res GC gameplay? If so, they just gave a mighty playtime extention to my entire library....

[Artimus]

This is ridiculous. I don't see any reason to pay extra money to include a controller port. What if you DON'T own a GCN but would like a game and cannot afford a controller? Silly assumption with no basis other than random speculation.

[Don'tHate742]

Why would they market the new system to their own fanbase? They know the vast majority of people that own a cube are going to buy the REV. Putting backwards compatibility may help get the rest of the stragglers, but in terms of sales that doesn't change things much. Backwards compatibilty's main purpose is to continue the sale of GC software throughout the REV's life (see PSone). This is only possible if you don't need the previous generations controller to play. It is the only way to successfully stretch out the Cube's life. Also, if Nintendo decided, they could make a portable GC which would make the REV ultra appealing. Why? becuase they can just take the disk out the GCP, plot it into the REV, and continue playing.

It seems very likely to me, but the first step must be allowing the REV controllers to play GC games.

[odifiend]

I can't believe so many people are complaining over backwards compatibility.  Many of playstation owners shell out for the multitap, and many xbox owners bought the dvd playback kit.  My point is if a twenty dollar (or less) controller is the price of admission to backwards compatibility, consumers aren't bad off.  Remember that non-gamecube owners are still essentially getting to consoles in one here, not to mention that we still don't know if a GCN controller is essential for BW comp...

[RickPowers]

OK, first, I don't see where anyone is "complaining" about backward compatability, nor where people are "mad" about using a GameCube controller on Revolution.  I have simply said that Iwata's keynote said NOTHING about Revolution being backward compatible with anything other than SOFTWARE (which was implied).  We're simply debating the merits of whether you could use GameCube controllers or not.  Personally, I don't see it happening, but it's certainly possible.