Author Topic: So is Nintendo stupid enough to make the controller use normal, non-rechargable batteries? (Read 23379 times)

NotSoStu · « **on:** September 24, 2005, 07:24:53 AM »

Looking at the pictures, the panel on the back has me worried... Wireless controllers that use normal batteries like double-As are nothing but trouble. A rechargable one would be a much better choice. I mean, they could even use the USB ports to recharge the controllers since they can supply power.

Artimus · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2005, 07:45:02 AM »

Yeah, the Wavebird is nothing but trouble!

NotSoStu · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2005, 07:56:38 AM »

Ah, but it really is nothing but trouble.

When GBASP switched to rechargables, did you see anybody saying "Wow, I wish this could use normal batteries?"* The only time anybody would even think of such a thought would be when they were on an airplane or something and the ride was longer than GBASP's battery life. But with a console, you're always next to a place where you can recharge. I see normal batteries as a major step backwards. Wavebird is a great controller, but a rechargable one would be even better.

*Believe it or not, that grammar is correct...

Bill Aurion · « **Reply #3 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:04:06 AM »

The Wavebird uses regular batteries, I'm never using it again...

(Seriously, it's not a big deal if it lasts as long as the Wavebird...And the controller we've seen is merely a prototype...)

Pale · « **Reply #4 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:15:05 AM »

BUY RECHARGABLES FOR THE WAVEBIRD!

You see the argument all the time in digital cameras. Honestly, back when I was forced to sell them every day, more people preferred cameras that used AAs to ones that had their own rechargables. Why? Because they could buy a rechargable set for them yet still have the option to throw in regular AAs in a pinch...

An example from real life...

I haul stuff over to friends' houses all the time to play games. I bring wavebirds quite frequently and never remember quite how much charge my rechargable AAs have left in them. Sometimes they run out mid game, but my friends always have some extra non rechargable ones to throw in. Woo!

We've recently started playing FF:CC again. It makes me happy. Well, last time we were playing, one of our SPs died... what does that mean? We had to quit playing while it recharged... BOOOOOOOOO!

Artimus · « **Reply #5 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:15:58 AM »

Considering this is a year or so away from market, and Nintendo is very big on lithium, I'd say lithium is exceedingly likely. But if you're getting 100 hours per 2 AAs, it's hardly horrible.

Artimus · « **Reply #6 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:17:06 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
We've recently started playing FF:CC again. It makes me happy. Well, last time we were playing, one of our SPs died... what does that mean? We had to quit playing while it recharged... BOOOOOOOOO!

Why didn't you just play while it charged? Get an extension chord of an outlet wasn't near.

KDR_11k · « **Reply #7 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:18:50 AM »

Li-Ion batteries have a limited lifetime so Nintendo is making sure you'll be able to use the Rev when you pull it out of your closet in 20 years. Plus AAs are cheaper and as such better suited to low-cost devices.

Mario · « **Reply #8 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:23:39 AM »

I don't like this at all. I don't actually use my WaveBird all the time, only when i'm sitting far away or with obstacles around and don't want to deal with a cord, it isn't the main controller I use for GC, so it's not that big of a problem. Having to put batteries in my Revolution remote every week is just going to be annoying, and when word gets around about this problem it's only going to turn people away. Not allowing it to be recharged and forcing us to buy batteries would be absolutely stupid.

Artimus · « **Reply #9 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:40:15 AM »

I think if you're playing 100 hours a week the problem isn't the batteries.

BigJim · « **Reply #10 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:41:40 AM »

It's like we've fallen into a parallel dimension where rechargables can't be had at reasonable prices.

The On/Off button on the controller wasn't enough. Now we must have our batts replaced/recharged for us without thought.

Smart ass aside, a dock would be nice anyway (optional or not). I rather prefer a dock with regular rechargables so they can be easily replaced if/when they crap out.

Edit: Or when they die mid-game. Hate that!

Mario · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:43:37 AM »

Exactly, what are you going to do when the battery runs out? We can't always have spare ones right there. "Not playing" is not an option, i'm buying a Revolution so I can play it.

Epitaph · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:52:54 AM »

I have no problem with this I have a wireless keyboard and wireless mouse. I change my keyboard batteries maybe 2 a year and my mouse batteries need recharging maybe twice everymonth. Although the mouse has a docking station they use nickel metal hydride batteries. So I can change the batteries whenever they decide to die keeping my hardware good for years to come. Just take a ipod for example, everytime the batterie dies you need to pay to send it in and get a new over priced batterie. Wouldnt you rather have replaceable batteries that you can change on the spot whenever its needed. I mean who wants to have to plug in there consol if you can just have a 2nd set of batteries ready to go when your playing.

Artimus · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2005, 09:23:50 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
Exactly, what are you going to do when the battery runs out? We can't always have spare ones right there. "Not playing" is not an option, i'm buying a Revolution so I can play it.

Chances are it'll just require two batteries. Most batteries come in 4packs. You could...oh...maybe...SWITCH THEM?

Good lord people are stupid sometimes. I hope the Rev IS lithium, I expect it will be, but seriously...

stevey · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2005, 09:50:57 AM »

"Having to put batteries in my Revolution remote every week is just going to be annoying"

every week!? I hope they go with the same power thingy as the wavebird, I had my wavebird since it came out and only had to replace the battier onces after 2~3 year (well twice but that dosen't count because I kept it on for a whole week.) and 28 long games I replayed a lot that a lot better than my sp/ds that I have plug in 3~4 time to beet 1 game!

Pale · « **Reply #15 on:** September 24, 2005, 09:55:53 AM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus
Quote
Originally posted by: Pale
We've recently started playing FF:CC again. It makes me happy. Well, last time we were playing, one of our SPs died... what does that mean? We had to quit playing while it recharged... BOOOOOOOOO!

Why didn't you just play while it charged? Get an extension chord of an outlet wasn't near.

Given the situation, that isn't possible. The gamecube link cable covers up the plug for the AC Adaptor.

BigJim · « **Reply #16 on:** September 24, 2005, 10:34:32 AM »

Rechargable AA's with a dock (if you don't already have a charger) seems like the best of both worlds. A custom pack that can't be easily replaced or swapped out on the fly would be the real annoyance, IMO.

Rancid Planet · « **Reply #17 on:** September 24, 2005, 01:56:32 PM »

I just can't believe they have those "15 minute AA chargers" now. When I got mine the best they had was 8 hours. Then right after I bought mine they released the 4 hour unit. Then they had 2 hours, and now they have a freaking charger than does 4 AA batteries in 15 minutes! BASTARDS!

Granted I need them most for the CD player in my car. But I'd like to keep it that way. C'mon the SP and the DS sport the right type of battery for this job. Why not put it in the controller? I think there is a good chance they will. And they better do it.

DO IT.
DO IT.

UncleBob · « **Reply #18 on:** September 24, 2005, 02:32:10 PM »

Personally, I'm hoping (although not expecting) AA's.

See, here's the problem with rechargable batteries. They die too. But ten years down the road, is Nintendo still going to be selling replacement batteries for the SP and DS? What about 15 years? 20? I can still play my NES with the 4-Player Satellite or my Virtual Boy because it takes batteries that I can go buy at Wal-Mart. Will I be able to show my grandkids how neat my DS was back in the day?

trip1eX · « **Reply #19 on:** September 24, 2005, 04:11:11 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: BigJim
Rechargable AA's with a dock (if you don't already have a charger) seems like the best of both worlds. A custom pack that can't be easily replaced or swapped out on the fly would be the real annoyance, IMO.

No doubt. I use rechargeable AAs in my Wavebird. I don't see the big deal here.

Switchblade Cross · « **Reply #20 on:** September 24, 2005, 06:44:45 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: UncleBob
Personally, I'm hoping (although not expecting) AA's.

See, here's the problem with rechargable batteries. They die too. But ten years down the road, is Nintendo still going to be selling replacement batteries for the SP and DS? What about 15 years? 20? I can still play my NES with the 4-Player Satellite or my Virtual Boy because it takes batteries that I can go buy at Wal-Mart. Will I be able to show my grandkids how neat my DS was back in the day?

I don't see why they woulden't still sell replacements. Though they have stopped now, it wasent but a year or two ago that NES and SNES controllers were still available on their online store, and New N64 controllers are still available there. Seeing as the NES was 1985, and the Rev is slate for 2006, its stands to reason that replacement batteries would be available well ino 2020.

But, in all reality, I see a mixture of the two. Perhaps a bay for standard AA batterys, where you can also place an optional Nintendo brand rechargabe battery pack. Not to dissimilar to the deal with the Xbox360.

Mario · « **Reply #21 on:** September 24, 2005, 07:33:50 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus
Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
Exactly, what are you going to do when the battery runs out? We can't always have spare ones right there. "Not playing" is not an option, i'm buying a Revolution so I can play it.

Chances are it'll just require two batteries. Most batteries come in 4packs. You could...oh...maybe...SWITCH THEM?

Good lord people are stupid sometimes. I hope the Rev IS lithium, I expect it will be, but seriously...

What happens when you're using the last two from the pack? It'd be an absolute disaster.

BigJim · « **Reply #22 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:17:42 PM »

You're supposed to recharge the first two. LOL. All this drama over batteries. How will we survive the horror.

Artimus · « **Reply #23 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:29:11 PM »

Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
Quote
Originally posted by: Artimus
Quote
Originally posted by: Mario
Exactly, what are you going to do when the battery runs out? We can't always have spare ones right there. "Not playing" is not an option, i'm buying a Revolution so I can play it.

Chances are it'll just require two batteries. Most batteries come in 4packs. You could...oh...maybe...SWITCH THEM?

Good lord people are stupid sometimes. I hope the Rev IS lithium, I expect it will be, but seriously...

What happens when you're using the last two from the pack? It'd be an absolute disaster.

That's not even worth an answer it's so childish.

Mario · « **Reply #24 on:** September 24, 2005, 08:39:13 PM »

Because there is no answer, it would be a disaster, plain and simple. This could be THE mistake that ensures Nintendo is third place for another generation. When someone finds themself in that situation where they have friends come over to show off the Rev to and you have no batteries lying around, they are going to dismiss the console pretty damn quick and word will spread. With Revolution so far they've done everything right, I don't want a silly mistake like this to throw everything off.

Yes, I do expect them to be rechargable too, but it hasn't been confirmed

News:

Author Topic: So is Nintendo stupid enough to make the controller use normal, non-rechargable batteries? (Read 23379 times)