Topic: Revolution Redesign

[BigJim]

I agree that the Cube was redesigned to some extent, it just wasn't external. Some of the chip fabrication was shrunk in the model without the component output.

It was done to save costs, as most redesigns are. The new look (if they get one) is just marketing. There's a cost benefit to get them on the newer unit.  

[Ian Sane]

"I don't know if the 'Cube could be considered enough of a failure for Nintendo to totally disavow it, Ian. If that were the case, Nintendo's fetish for cost-cutting would probably not have backwards compatibility with the 'Cube."

Backwards compatibility fits in well with the download service.  The Rev is every Nintendo console in one unit.  That has huge marketing value.  Plus as spazzed as Nintendo sometimes is they KNOW people would freak if they didn't include that feature.  They are penny pinchers but sometimes they clue in.  I don't think it's bad for Nintendo's image to have Cube backwards compatibility.  But I do think then pushing an out-of-date console that most people didn't want when it was current would look bad.  I think it would make them look really clueless.  "Why is Nintendo still pushing THAT thing?  These guys must be totally out to lunch."

[Ceric]

After reading this and thinking about it.  It would make sense for Nintendo to do the whole migration thing.  Listen to this scenario.  Nintendo with the next GBA instead of redesigning the wheel.  By the time it should come out there should be a way to give it the power of the Cube in one easy energy conserving package.  Throw in the API's to keep it backward compatible with the GB series.  Then they could decide to use the small GCN optical disc or (which would be more there fashion seeing the DS carts)  have SD that is about the same size.  Then using the Rev as an intermediary let you take you GCN Games and play them on the new GBA.

[Requiem]

i remember my former self started this exact discussion.


I might dig it up, but basically there are many reasons why going with the GC's optical disks as the Next GBA's medium would be smart.

[Ages]

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"Will there be a redesing of the GameCube"

There was a redesign for the NES and SNES but not the N64.  The first two consoles were big so Nintendo tried to milk them for all they were worth after they were replaced by a newer console.  But the N64 was considered a "failure" and thus Nintendo pretty much completely abandoned it the second they got the chance.  The Cube is in the same boat as the N64.  I figure the second the Rev is out the Cube will disappear.  There's no point redesigning a console that was never that popular to begin with.  It wouldn't spark any new sales and the console itself has a negative image that it would be best for Nintendo to disassociate themselves from as soon as they can.

Actually, the reason the N64 and Cube havent been redesigned because they were designed by NCL.  The NES and SNES were designed to fit the markets they were sold in.  In 95, NCL took over and chose not to redesign the systems, instead choosing to differentiate the marketed models by color (ie. no spice for us).  Nintendojo had a conversation on the design of the NES and consoles released thereafter in this interview.

[Requiem]

Ok, I found it.

Good read

I don't know if I stand by my official GEUSS that the PGC (Portable GameCUbe) will be unvield 2006, but I know it will come into frutation some time.

If you really don't want to read it all (although it is intriguing), then here's a breif summary taken from Exit or whatever. He pretty much somes up what the major advantages are.

Quote
1. Expands GC library. Game Boy has excellent 3rd-party support and if the next gameboy was a portable using the GC media and same internal software/chips the games would be INTERCHANGEABLE. This way anyone who wants a new Gameboy gets a killer full-3D system that already has hundreds of games and current GC owners will see their library grow exponentially over the life of the portable as the GBA developers take advantage of the new market on the handheld. This is a MAJOR advantage and a key reason it might become reality.

2. Expands Revolution library. It has been clearly stated over and over that Rev will be backwards compatible with GC games. This means that Rev will have disc-based media but not necessarily the SAME media and most likely completely different media such as hd-dvd capacity discs. It's not hard to make a disc drive read two types of discs, see your combo cd/dvd drive. If the Rev has backwards compatiblity with GC and the GC has a new GB portable version then Rev OUT OF THE GATE has the current Gamecube lineup and a nice growing library of Portable GC games being steadily released. Nintendo's biggest problems with consoles have been thin libraries early-on so this kind of functionality can MAJORLY address a problem Nin has had in the past.

3. It's cool. The DS is cool because of its unique features/games and backwards compatiblity with GBA cartridges. That was probably included on DS so the next GB wouldn't have to have that. If the next GB is disc-based then adding a cartridge slot would be a bit cumbersome and also the screens/video hardware would be different. A portable GC would immediately blast the PSP's specs out of the water. GC has better specs than the PS2 and the PSP is not even a PS2.

4. It's in line with previous Nintendo thinking. The Super GB on SNES and the GBPlayer on GC are add-ons that gave console owners the ability to play portable games at home. Rev would have this built-in from the get go. Having THREE SYSTEMS all play the same games concurrently would be amazing and a brilliant way to increase software sales.

[Ian Sane]

"Actually, the reason the N64 and Cube havent been redesigned because they were designed by NCL. The NES and SNES were designed to fit the markets they were sold in. In 95, NCL took over and chose not to redesign the systems, instead choosing to differentiate the marketed models by color"

Hey, you're right.  I didn't even think of that.

How interesting that the consoles NOA designed were hugely successful but the NCL designed consoles underperformed.  Maybe the Japanese guys shouldn't be dictating how to market something in North America, hmmmm?  How does it make any sense for guys who live on the other side of the world to make desicions regarding North America?  I wonder what Nintendo's justification for that decision was (probably penny-pinching knowing them) because it really is a pretty silly thing to do.

[Guitar Smasher]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't both PS2 and Xbox the same in Japan as in every other region?

[BlackNMild2k1]

I believe they were talking about NINTENDO....

[blackfootsteps]

Sort of off topic but...

Does the fact that the Revolution features a front loading disc drive have any implications for the console's ability to play imported GameCube games with a Freeloader?

[wandering]

Quote
How does it make any sense for guys who live on the other side of the world to make desicions regarding North America?

I'll give a better example than the ps2/xbox one: Coca-Cola. Making something look the same across all regions increases brand identity.

[Guitar Smasher]

" I believe they were talking about NINTENDO...."

I believe you missed my point.  I'll let this one slide.

[KDR_11k]

blackfootsteps: Depends on whether Nintendo decides to break Freeloader compatibility. Generally games are allowed to let disc changes happen (multidisc games) and if the Gamecube emulation is accurate and Nintendo decides not to break Freeloader compatibility the Rev would still allow you to use the FL.

[Ian Sane]

"I'll give a better example than the ps2/xbox one: Coca-Cola. Making something look the same across all regions increases brand identity."

Coca-cola isn't technically the same everywhere though.  For example Coke in Canada tastes different than Coke in the US.  I find it very noticable when I drink a US Coke.  In Vegas they even have a place where you can try different Coke flavours from around the world.  When I went to the Azores they had 1.5 L bottles of Coke.  In Canada we don't have that size.  We have 1 L bottles and then 2 L bottles with nothing in-between.  I'm sure some sort of market research determined what different sizes appealed more to different countries.  Hell you notice this with lots of things.  McDonalds has different menus in different countries.  The food is even different between the US and Canada.

Yet Nintendo of Japan feels they can decide that a purple Cube is going to fly in North America?  There are some advantages to having a universal look but every gamer in North America thought that the purple Cube was a questionable design choice from the get-go.  If NOA was given some say they probably would have used black as the main colour because unlike NCL they know the stigma that the colour purple has in North America.

If Coca-Cola wanted to go into a market where the colours of red & white together represented evil, they would change their look for that market.  If black was a negative colour in North America, Sony would have changed the colour of the PS2.  And the Xbox isn't a good example because in Japan it's a total flop.

[KDR_11k]

We had 2L bottles but then the bottle deposit laws came into effect and the 2L ones were phased out. Now we only have 1L and 1.5L, except for Cherry Coke, which comes only at 1L (used to come at 1.5L too but those bastards discontinued it).

[BiLdItUp1]

Bah, Liter bottles. I've decided that they're pointless - they get flat way too soon; unless you're on a budget or are catering or are gonna finish the day you open, 12oz/330mL cans or 12oz glass is the way to go.

ANYWAYS - yeah, Microsoft and Nintendo both messed up with their hardware designs and both have to start listening to their regional subsidiaries more, especially Nintendo. I feel like NoA has been castrated, and they were the only subsidiary with any sort of power (NoC, NoE, and NoAus have all gone out to lunch long ago, methinks.)

Also - I don't think a Rev redesign is in the works. They're standardizing all their console looks to the Rev look. Just take a look at the DS Lite - pretty much exactly the same as the RevMote. That right there tells me we're not gonna have too many changes of the Rev design, before or after launch.

[Guitar Smasher]

"Yet Nintendo of Japan feels they can decide that a purple Cube is going to fly in North America? There are some advantages to having a universal look but every gamer in North America thought that the purple Cube was a questionable design choice from the get-go. If NOA was given some say they probably would have used black as the main colour because unlike NCL they know the stigma that the colour purple has in North America."

Couldn't they just design one console that will appeal to all regions?  Get NCL and NOA and their other divisions in on the design process.  There, now you have easy indification/image as well as a console fit for each region.  It works for Sony.  Why not for Nintendo?

[blackfootsteps]

Quote
Originally posted by: KDR_11k
blackfootsteps: Depends on whether Nintendo decides to break Freeloader compatibility. Generally games are allowed to let disc changes happen (multidisc games) and if the Gamecube emulation is accurate and Nintendo decides not to break Freeloader compatibility the Rev would still allow you to use the FL.

Thanks KDR, that made perfect sense, I didn't consider multi disc games.