Topic: What features should gamecube2 have?

[Ian Sane]

"Why do you guys want a fricken remote just to turn the system on and off? Are you too lazy to just press a button on your console?"

Hey I've wanted one of those for years.  It's a great idea.  The Gamecube has these great wireless controllers but you still have to go up to the console to turn it on which kind of sucks when the ideal situation would be to keep the controllers buy the couch and only have to go up the console to switch games.

"you know what else would be super sweet? the button to turn the system on and off on the N5 controller itself."

NO!  Then stupid jerks in multiplayer will constantly "accidently" hit the power button whenever they're losing.  A seperate remote is a much better approach.

"I'd also like to point out that if there is backwards compatibility, won't Nintnedo have to use the same controller?"

Nope.  They just have to have the same controller jack so that old Gamecube controllers and the new N5 controllers both work on the same system.

[Chode2234]

That would be silly to have the same controller ports, not going to happen.  YOu would have some developers developing games for the new controllers and some would decide they like the old ones better and design games for the old ones or something.  The beauty of console gaming is that everything is standard.

I would just make the systems backwards compatible and use a similar controller, or have an interface screen when the n5 detects an GCN game that would allow you to map buttons the way you want to on the new one.  

I just think its highly inprobable that we will see old controllers being used on the new system.  

It would be awsome though, I wouldn't have to buy new controllers next time around for multiplayer gaming.

[Ian Sane]

"YOu would have some developers developing games for the new controllers and some would decide they like the old ones better and design games for the old ones or something."

I don't think that would really be a problem.  Since the N5 would come with an N5 controller any developer that would do that would be shooting themselves in the foot and would screw over their own sales.  And I'm sure Nintendo can enforce a simple rule as "N5 games must use N5 controllers".  They do have some control over which games get released on their console.

Besides I don't really expect a big redesign with the next controller.  Just add another shoulder button and make a bigger D-pad and you're set.  In that case it could be like the PS2 which can use PS1 controllers.  

[BiGdOg189]

I agree that the remote idea is a pretty stupid idea. If they do do it then they aren't
going to sell it seperate so it would just make the gamecube cost more. What about the
people who aren't lazy, they are going to be paying more money for nothing.

[Ian Sane]

"What about the
people who aren't lazy, they are going to be paying more money for nothing."

Yeah cause that remote's going to add like $5000 to the price.  If you're going to be that much of a cheapass then why should they ship it in a box since that'll just raise the price?  A plastic bag would be much cheaper.  While we're at it lets ship it in pieces and have people assemble it themselves.  That'll really lower the price.

Odds are something so minor wouldn't affect the price at all.  The worst thing that would happen from adding a remote is that Nintendo might not make as much profit.  OH NO!

[Nintendo Gamecube]

Bah....I don't want a remote period...we got enough any ways. And thats a good idea about the plastic bags instead of boxes. More environmentally satisfying.

Seriously, you guys must be real lazy to not be able to push a button on a console. I was an awe for about 10 minutes as I saw a line of 10 guys agree to a remote just to turn a console on and off...haha. I just can't get over the fact of how lazy you guys are...It's almost sad. And if it makes the Gamecube cost $5 less, then I'm all for removing the damn remote. You can call me cheap, but it'll be better in the long run to convince my parents to get it.

[KnowsNothing]

Yes.  I call you cheap.  Yes.  I call me lazy.  Yes.  I want remote.  I want automatic game changer so i don't have to do it myself.  i want my couch and tv to come to me.  or better yet, i want the system installed in my brain so i can control the character with my thoughts.  and the screen will be in my eye.  i won't have to worry about bumping into things because i'm much too lazy to walk.  my means of transportation will be one of those electric scooters for old folk.  when i order a game online (to heck with stores, they require to much energy to go to), i want the game to magically appear in my hands free of charge because opening my wallet is to much of a strain on my arms, especially my wrists.  stupid wrists.

[Chode2234]

In all honesty, sarcasm aside, I think a remote is a natural progression if you have wireless controllers.  Its not that we're to lazy to turn it off, heck, we do it now, but if you are going to allow me to play from across my room, at least let me be able to turn it off from across the room.  When you increase the radius a player can be from the console you have to fully increase the radius, you can't give freedom in one aspect but then shackle me again with another.

Quote
but it'll be better in the long run to convince my parents to get it.

Nintendo gamecube, maybe you should try to convince your parents to hire a better summer nanny to keep you from spouting off like that again, you're degrading the quality of the board(s).

[BoB007]

Ian Sane, why the hell should the N5 come with NEW controllers? They should just keep using the ones we are using for the Gamecube. Are you telling me that you dont think that its the most COMFORTABLE controller out of the all the systems ?

[Ian Sane]

I think the current controller is very comfortable.  Easily the best of the big three.  However there are still postive changes to be made.  The D-pad for example is nearly useless and the Cube controller is one button short of the other controllers which is bad for ports.  There's always room for improvement and I really doubt Nintendo wouldn't change it up in some way.

[Ian Sane]

Damn double post.  Screw you sh!tty ISP!

[NickNiteQ93]

  Massive tangles of wires doesn't seem very inviting with all those controller chargers, and unless the Big N figures out a way to somehow "snap" the chargers together to save space, I think the idea sounds good on paper, but would be a headache in real life.  Maybe, for the hardcore gamers, make a 4 controller charger with controllers on each side of a four-sided charger, each leaning inward slightly to give it a hip look.  That could solve both looks problems as well as space problems, and get rid of multiple cords.  If Nintendo can figure it out, I think they should attempt to include a rumble feature on said wireless controllers.  Capacity is a must this time around, as we're seeing larger and larger games.  On PC now, it's not uncommon to see games taking up 1 Gig or more, so I think Nintendo might want to scratch the smaller discs;  although, the smaller discs were pretty cool.  Along with that, we need either a larger memory stick type device or built in harddrive.  I'd prefer the memory stick, because it reduces the weight of the system (I tend to tote mine around alot), and plus it's more unique, as we all know the next gen Nintendo system will get smack for trying to be like everybody else.  Can't win for losing.  It's different, it gets smacked.  It's the same, it still gets smacked.  It's like the fat kid trying to slam dunk - no matter how fast he runs, how hard he jumps, his shorts will still fall off in mid-flight.  Also for the name, I dig N-Gen, for Next-Gen.  The Nintendo N-Gen, driving into the Next-Gen and beyond.....

[Cell]

All this talk about a memory stick/flash card versus a harddrive doesn't make any sense.  Not only are these things not mutually exclusive, but you can not surplant the functionality of a harddrive with any sort of flash memory.   Best thing Nintendo could do is have a partner company like Matsushita build them a small harddrive that's speedy, has a healthy cache, is silent running and stable/durable. Shouldn't be as difficult as it may sound.  The added weight to the machine should be negligible, especially considering that Nintendo would probably once again keep the power supply on the outside.  Now, I don't know what the exact chances of a few gigs worth of fixed flash-type memory being affordable by 2005/2006 are, but I know they aren't good at all.   For memory card use though, it should be fine.  

[norebonomis]

i love reading everyone's ideas, i'll divide my n5 wish list into sections

I. Storage
  hard drives are not just for saving game data, updates to games, mods and patches would be too much for a memory card, especially if you end up owning more than a few games. more likley both mediums should be used.

II. GB Player issue
   i have a good idea, i like the size/shape of the GBA SP, i don't own one yet as i am broke but anyway... why not make the next gameboy the gameboy player itself, you dock it with the nintendo and the games dock with it, it even gets a charge while docked. also, no boot disc to be able to play gb games through the n5. if the next GBA is mini-disc based, which i doubt but would none-the-less be seduced, then the n5 should simply be able to play them * i hope to buy i GB Player this monday, for some reason i thought they would be 99 bucks, but i just found out that they are half that price, whoo hoo!

III. Controller
    i personally love the GC controller, at first i thought it was too small and it hurt my hands, but i have now grown to it and feel it's design is next to flawless, as for remote power switch, how about putting it only on the bundled controller, extra controllers would lack the feature giving Player 1 controll (hehe) personally i don't like the idea of a remote power switch, i'm lazy enough as it is.

IV. DVD, MP3, etc.
   i for one of many was very dissappointed in nintendo's decision to exclude dvd support on the GC, sure consoles should be for gaming, but by 2005 the technology should be cheap enough that it would be stupid not include it, especially with the competitors allready winning in this. why not mp3, or other music format? not only would the n5 be a gaming console, but a jukebox as well, store all your music cds on it's hard drive, (i'd like to see at least 40 gigs here, yes hard drives are getting cheaper faster)

V. Online support
  duh online gaming is the future. it where gaming has been head twards since the birth of gaming. i'd like to see maybe 6 months of online time bundled with of course great online games at launch, i'm talking original nintendo titles, not remakes of age-old dreamcast games. i havn't played animal crossing yet but it looks great, and i can imagin and online verion beating the pants off of some bs online games by ps3 and x2. while we are at it why not hardwire some sort of web browser into the system, with and optional keyboard mouse. instant gaming help online. i look at this as a cross between puting a system like linux, which i know many fanboys out there see as pointless, and no pc-like qualities at all

VI. slot/tray/flip top load
   i like the idea of a slot loading system, but what about backward compatablility? *would you be able to stick a mini-disc in a slot? i'd be scared too. i know there are adapters that extend a minidisc to be full sized, one came with my sony mavica cd digital camera. i think that either slot loading or tray loading would be ideal to protect the laser lens. slot loading definetly is more sexy

i hope i covered everything that went racing through my mind when i read this thread. please excuse my spelling, gramar, and run-on sentances  ^_^

[vroenis]

in agreement with so many others, nintendo shouldn't move from their games only focus.
if anything they should be more focussed - almost every game that comes out should be lannable.
i'm sorry to really harp on this, but it's so inline with nintendo's outlook on bringing people together.
lan is the answer and it will promote more installations (console units) from day one.

the other main element has less to do with the actual console, and that is to keep making awesome games... just a few more of them this time.

[KDR_11k]

1. Controller: Must have Rumble (it's a good way for more feedback from the games, imagine using rumble to depict a "Spider Sense"!). Wireless would be a nice touch, but is a large security hole (when you enter passwords or the like, anyone could catch your signal and get your password). They should add control methods the other consoles don't offer (maybe make the A-button double as a coolie hat?) just to give people that "only possible on N5"-feeling.
2. LAN: A lan-port will probably be standard on N5 devices if N's current experiments turn out good. This would of course allow online gaming via Gamespy as well (remember those negotiations?).
3. Media: The game media itself should be a non-standard format, preventing a lot of piracy. I like the small disks for their speed, with RlueRay tech one could probably pull off similar sized disks with enough capacity for the next gen. Loading mechanism isn't that important, but the current top-load mechanism allows removal of the disk without touching the sensitive surface. Playback of standard media (CD/DVD) should be technically limited, as it poses a high risk. If someone develops a mod-chip that uses the dvd-playback to play games, that would ease piracy. MP3 playback shouldn't be included. MP3 has license cost and OGG is better anyway.
4. HDD: If included, the HD shouldn't be a standard device. 2GB are more than enough for a gaming device, anything above that will get used for dumping disk-images onto it. Saves shouldn't take more than 1MB a piece anyway and patches shouldn't be allowed. You know, patches make the suits go "we don't need beta testing, if it's broke we just patch it!". This mentality should not be carried over to console gaming at any cost. Memory sticks are more durable, less noisy and easier to carry around. If you wish to go over to a friend you cannot take a HD with you, but a memstick fits into every pocket. And 128MB are enough for saves.
5. Online: This will probably be limited to basic online gaming. Web browsing is pointless anyway as your browser needs the same flaws (and ID) as IE6 to be compatible with most pages. If they need a browser, they should ask Opera Software. Voice com in games would be nice, but it takes a hell a lotta bandwidth. Contrary to Bill Gate's beliefs, not every single home in existence has broadband! Speech-to-text? Maybe...
6. Release Dates: Nintendo is one of the publishers that hate importing the most. So why are they also one of the few who need half a year to port a game over to Europe when the entire PC game industry releases nearly simultaneous in all countries? Importing doesn't happen for better prices (except for extreme cases) but because many games are simply not available in the "3rd gaming world"!
7. Price Point: Keep it low. Raising the price to make it comparable to the other consoles might add the look of "similar power", but a lower price allows more people to buy it. The GC barely fit into my budget, there's no chance in hell I could afford a machine at the XB's initial price tag.
Optional 8. Development: Maybe add a feature (or release it as a game) to make small games by yourself with less effort. Doesn't need the capabilities to create the next blockbuster game, but custom content creation is surely attractive, especially to all those people who have "a revolutionary game idea" (i.e. Counterstrike 2) but no real clue about game development. Also your own game is something better to brag about than "just" a new highscore... Hell, maybe even hold a contest for this thing! (By-effect: Allows the ad-phrase "Nintendo - Make the game!")
Irrealistic 9. Peripherial: Have you ever read "Megatokyo"? That peripherial for Dating Sims surely is interesting...

To sum it up: GC, just better

[vroenis]

just thought of something else -
the shift to solid state media.
by the time 2005 rolls in, i think it's toshiba who reckon they'll have a 5gb sd card.
stamp size games you can swallow?  i'd be up for it.
as long as access times are fast, i think a move from cd based technology is the go - wearing parts, 20 year old technology (23 by 2005) - can you imagine though?  you're whole game collection could fit in a cigarette case!
... (or something else small and more appropriate... just the first small thing i thought of... gar)

[Berny]

Nintendojo has reported that Iwata said that the next console will be a "... conglomeration of hardware and software." Are we going to be downloading games off the internet or will it have a hardrive or.... whatever.

[norebonomis]

 look at the internet, it is changing human culture. why? because you can say anything you want, and if someone at the other end chooses, they can see/hear/read what you think. i think that all industries should take a lesson. i love the idea of creating your own games. i watch the geeks in my school's computer lab making their own levels for marathon. i tried it and it was FUN, i don't personlly like fps, but FUN!!!! imagine where online gaming takes you into a world you create, and you can visit other's realities too. surf to a gamer's ip address and logon to their console , think of the community development going on with open-source projects, video games have always been seen as the future. it's games that push computers to their limits. Arthur C. Clarke said something like "in the future we will all live on the internet, and download ourselves into cloned human bodies to experiance the real world as entertainment" IMAGINE, there is so much that the gaming industries could bring to society! ok, i am stoned right now, so just ignore this post

[BlackGriffen]

Lots of ideas... Here are mine -
1. Wireless networking, standard - How cool will it be to take you GC to your neighbor's house, and you only have to hook it up to a TV, and your read for LAN gaming? Even better, put a base station so that both houses are in range, and you can do LAN without unhooking your N5 from your TV.

2. Wireless networking (perhaps just bluetooth?), on the next GBA - Makes interfacing N5 with the next GBA quick and painless. Include a boot disc with every GBA (GBA games + emulator should easily fit in N5 RAM) and then you'll really have a reason for people who buy a Ninty handheld to buy an N5. This raises serious possibility of pirating games, though. As long as the wireless network is properly encrypted, it shouldn't be a problem...

3. Hard to pirate medium - I don't care what, I don't care how, as long as it's cheap to mass produce, and difficult to pirate.

4. PVR capabilities - Ninty missed the boat on DVD's, and the $20 DVD consortium fee won't be worth it next gen, IMHO. PVR (think TiVO) capabilities would be a big selling point, and is something Sony and MS are probably going to do. Nintendo will be in trouble if they miss the PVR boat. This will necessitate a hard drive.

5. Easy to develop for - It didn't help Ninty this gen because of Sony's head start. It could be an advantage next gen, though, if the dates when devs receive kits are close enough. Sony, fortunately, looks to be leaving this door wide open with the Cell initiative.

6. Easy to develop for* - Keep improving developer relations!

7. *Wishful Thinking* Dual read head disc drive - I don't know how practicable this idea is, but the potential for doubling bandwidth (and thus potentially halving load times) is mouth watering.

8. Optional Base Station - For hooking the wireless network to the internet. Can either do two flavors (56k modem and broadband) or combined. That, or just sell a 56k modem base and build in an ethernet port.

9. Mature Brand - Nintendo's kiddy friendly image is an asset, despite some opinions to the contrary. Nintendo needs to do what Disney did with Touchstone pictures, and make a mature brand that appears to be independent of Nintendo. This may also require that Ninty remove the explicit name branding of it's console (not sure how I feel about this one, honestly, because it could hurt N5 sales).  (credit where credit's due, someone brought this up in another thread, but I mentioned it years ago).

10. Backwards Compatibility - This is a must if the lifespan of the NGC will be as short as rumored. We don't what the loyal base feeling burned, especially any late adopters.

11. Portable LCD Screen - probably too pricey to include, but would be nice to have this accessory available from the get go.

I don't think that I've listed anything that is too far out there.

BlackGriffen

[Rich]

Hey, what about compatability with newly announced DS. I'm sure Nintendo could use three screens for something. So maybe we will get some DS compatible games, or maybe DS+GBA compatibility, although i really cant see anyone needing four screens its still an option.

[Draygaia]

-backwards compatibility (um there is)

-playing cd and d/l music for adding music to games or games like DDR

-harddrive and use of mem cards.  To me its great to have two places to save.  We don't know how vulnerable the harddrive or mem card can be so one of them serves as backup.

-connection with DS/Next GB and also being able to play GB on the bigscreen.  No more buying multiple stuff for GCN/GBA connection.

-more space on a game disc

-flat but still small shape.  That way it will look like and awesome laptop shape with the lcd screen.

-a drive that opens the same way but you lay the disc in the system like a pc disc tray so there are no worries of disc scratching with the middle holder

-online parts already on the thing.  Then you would only need the wire to plug into the wall.  Lan is also important.  I also want the online part to be free.  It should be free.  Why do you have to pay in xbox live?

-I can't believe none of you thought of this yet.  I would like twice the amount or more than 4 controller slots.  After than all you need is multiple TVs to connect to.  Also if there can be more players Nintendo can release a device like the PSX/PS2 for multiple players.

-I would also like a keyboard and mouse for the console.  This way PC developers can atleast stick to their PC game engines and create it with the same developers on the console exactly like the PC.

-Control (well here it goes) Well I would like to take the DC controller and give it the feel of the GCN.  Then I would like the d-pad and joystick to be in the same places.  I want the d-pad bigger like the DC (8-way seems ok just keep it different than another joystick).  I also want the joystick to move more circular feel when rotating it (it has a polygonal border).  I would switch the c-stick and buttons position.  That way you have two joysticks aligned and the d-pad and buttons aligned.  The buttons well either Nintendo creates a new set of button styles or keep it like the SNes.  START and SELECT buttons to be in the position of the GCN XY buttons.  Instead of a c-stick I would replace it with something like the c-buttons on the N64 but instead of buttons I want a PSX/PS2 d-pad replacing the c position (this will make FPS if not on the keyboard and mouse a dream like Goldeney on the N64) or you can keep it a joystick but the same joystick as on the left side.  I also want to keep the same L/R buttons from the GCN.  I also want two GCN z buttons but also make them like scrolls on the mouse (in an FPS you can keep using your thumbs to move while you change weapons).  I would also want underneath buttons for your middle finger.  I would also want it to have tilt technology (could be used as a steering wheel).  I would also want built-in rumble and it would be wireless but you can still plug in a wire to charge the rumble.  An on/off button like a remot control would be cool too only if you press it again to turn it there will be a message asking "Are you sure....?" then "Did you save...?" or if you have to save somewhere it will say "Do you want to save first...?", etc

-add-ons are interesting.  An add-on would probably be a DVD player if people want.  This way they're cheaper than stand-alone dvd players and you can decide if you want it with the system or not.

-I want developers from both console and pc to hugely support the thing and with exclusives.  Xbox has PC game support, and PS2 has console game support.  It would probably work better with the apextreme.

-Damn good launch.  Maybe a game or two from every game type category release at launch.  I also want a big game to come out.  Zelda or Mario adventure games as launch is huge.

[bmfrosty]

There seems to be little real reason to do more than scale up the processors (cpu video and audio) to higher clock speeds, add more memory, enable (and enforce) higher resolutions for the sake of HDTV comaptibility, and make tweaks to the controls to make the gamecube viable for the next generation.  (select button and z2)

Only real additions that I'd make would be to change the serial ports on the home console to USB 2.0 and make wireless controllers not standard, but clip on. Instead of plugging in a reciever to the controller port, plug in an antenna, and make the controller either accept a wire, or a battery pack and transmitter (cradled).  USB ports for USB mass storage devices (thumb drives or usb hd for storage), allow a file on the usb drive to be created that emulates a gc mem card, sell as a perepheral a usb-to-gcmemcard adaptor.  USB keyboard and mouse also become compatable for games that it makes sense for.

Lan adaptor comes with console (also usb?) and nintendo buys gamespy stock to help set up xbox-live like service.

Nintendo does not support DVD on this console.  This will lead to piracy.  Console must only be able to read the custom NGC and N5 media.  

But in reality, the only things that need to happen if Nintendo wants to be number 1 next gen, is Square-Enix must announce FF and DQ/DW to now be a N exclusive series, and Rockstar must announce that the next two GTA games will be N exclusive for at least a year.

--bmfrosty

[bmfrosty]

oh
The advertising.

All big officials and press releases continue to state that it's not about the power of the console, but about the fun of the games, except for one official who will brag endlessly about how amazingly powerful the console is.  Whenever a competitor starts talking about numbers, he'll talk about numbers, and his numbers will *ALWAYS* be bigger.  If sony says the PS3 can part the Red Sea, the nintendo braggart will start talking about how the N5 can part the pacific and atlantic and can even move continents.  But remember that the only way nintendo will ever say this is through the braggart, and he will be as unofficial as it comes.

Ninty is already pulling the nostalgia trick with the famicom series for the GBA.   It will continue to do so.  In addition to it's new commercials, it will use 80's vintage commercials with new game footage spliced in.  In addition to "Who Are You?" it will also use "Now Your Playing With Power"

-bmfrosty

[KDR_11k]

I doubt we'll see ANYTHING standard in the N5. Especially USB.