I agree with many points already provided. I think what is important to consider is looking at Nintendo's past history and also using simple logic that anyone could assume and probably be right about. Simply looking back to the GCN we see this happen:
-Sony touts its proprietary hardware as being both unique and the most powerful
-1 year later both MS and Nintendo release their consoles, both utilizing more traditional architecture
-MS goes for a brute force path with more or less powerful computer parts thrown in their "console"
-Nintendo goes more customized, attempting the best bang for your buck approach with a well rounded console
In the end the most unique and different console architecture (PS2) was never fully utilized due to its difficulty to develop for and some bottle necks that surfaced. On the other hand the more traditional architecures (Xbox, GCN) clearly had more graphical prowess then the PS2, with the Xbox being the clear victor in the end. As far as I see it Nintendo took the smartest route here with a more balanced machine that could be fully taken advantage of rather easily. The Xbox, while more powerful, was basically a PC in a box that was a lot more powerful but also a lot more pricey.
What I think must be pointed out here is that the more proprietary/non mainstream architecture never lived up to what it was expected to do. The "PS2s" of this next generation are the PS3 and, to a lesser extent, the Xbox 360. I believe you can already see the underwhelming graphics in the first generation of 360 titles due to the difficulty of properly using the hardware to its fullest. I'm guessing with 7 SPE's the PS3 will be undoubtably even harder to fully utilize. I bet the Nintendo is keeping with their same tried and true strategy of delivering a balanced, well rounded, and easy to utilize architecture in the Revolution. My guess is a powerful single CPU, a very competant GPU, and plenty of speedy RAM. Where sales are more key earlier on in a consoles life span the Revolution will be using far more of its true potential as compared to its competition.
As has been said in the past, you should never underestimate Nintendo. I remember being worried for some reason that the Cube would be the worste graphically and the difference would be huge. Nintendo, being their modest selves, has a track record for downplaying the tech specs of their consoles and focusing on the games and other essential aspects pertaining to the actual playing of the games. This makes perfect sense when you think of why they are hesitant to release tech specs. They are waiting to actually show it in action. They want people to get the overall picture and concept behind it. I can see why they were hesitant to show the controler in the first place. Without software to back it up they are open for sucker punches from nay sayers who can use the lack of actual games as an opportunity to freely slam their concept. While the controller is a big part of their plans for the Rev., it is only a peice of the puzzle. So by simply looking at the strategy this past/current generation and comparing it to those of the next generation the possiblility of the newer architectures to never show what they have promised seems far more likely.
Most importantly though is this simple fact: with most everything technologicaly driven Time = Advances. For the Revolution this will be no different. By the time it launches it may have an entire year on the Xbox 360. This fact alone sets my mind at rest. Remember:
1. PS2 with it's proprietary architecture releases with a high price point.
2. 1 year later GCN releases with a familiar yet streamlined architecutre at a lesser price point
3. the GCN turns out to be more graphically powerful then the PS2
End of story
Oh and as far as the PS3 goes, my gut feeling is that in time it will prove to the be the most powerful console graphics wise and will be the new Xbox of the last gen graphicaly speaking when comparing it to the other two consoles (with the 360 and Rev. being very similar)
Topic: "the graphics...barely better than those on Gamecube" (Read 44596 times)
