Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 05, 2005, 03:07:05 AM
The GameCube Portable (mock-up of course) has been made, and I must say, it is quite sexy. Nintendo should be taking notes....
Clicky
Post by: raptorspike on May 05, 2005, 05:05:25 AM
Post by: Mario on May 05, 2005, 05:27:42 AM
1) Games would continue to be developed for GC until 2010+ since they're really being developed for the new thriving portable GC, but also playable on our GameCubes we all have, and if Revolution is backwards compatable, that too, everyone wins.
2) The handheld would have an instant library of critically acclaimed games.
3) Developers would be guaranteed success of almost any game since they have three different platforms to sell the game on (GC, GC Portable, Revolution all play the one disc)
4) PSP would be deemed irrelivant
I actually think Nintendo might do this, it would be a very good way for the next Gameboy to co-exist with Nintendo DS, though the big problem is whether it's actually possible, and what the price would be. Just imagine Pokemon XD is in fact an awesome huge 3D true Pokemon game, it launches with the GC Portable, it could be the highest selling game ever. Okay enough rambling.
Post by: couchmonkey on May 05, 2005, 06:51:22 AM
Post by: Hostile Creation on May 05, 2005, 07:00:27 AM
Personally I still want some 2D games. But something like this (except done properly) would work for Nintendo.
Post by: Ian Sane on May 05, 2005, 07:32:02 AM
Post by: Pale on May 05, 2005, 09:22:26 AM
Now, if they combined a portable GC with some new technology then it would be a sweet bonus and I'm sure they would sell like crazy.
Post by: RickPowers on May 05, 2005, 09:36:24 AM
Simple. The LCD is recessed in the lid a few millimeters. If you examine the pic, you'll see that the LCD is not flush with the front of the housing. There's plenty of room for the controls when the lid is closed.
As for the "weird stuff" on the outside of the lid, it's transport controls for a media player, using the top side of the lid as a "Stealth OLED" screen. Basically a clear plastic that the OLED display shines through. When closed, you can see that it's playing an Utada track, possibly off a memory card, since GD-ROMs can't be burned.
It's a fake, but the attention to detail is astounding.
Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 05, 2005, 09:50:54 AM
As for the people who are not convinced of it's profitabilty....I believe I made a thread discussing this awhile back, and I'm to lazy to repeat what I said, so I'll have to get back to you on that.
However, I will say that the money is there!
Post by: kennyb27 on May 05, 2005, 10:24:44 AM
Try "It supposedly has."
Am I the only one who doesn't like this design at all?
Post by: Rancid Planet on May 05, 2005, 08:46:35 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: RickPowers
It's a fake, but the attention to detail is astounding.
Agreed. I can't quit staring at this thing. What a really good fake.
The button placement is great, the screen placement, everything. It's just amazing really.
Post by: KDR_11k on May 06, 2005, 04:40:14 AM
Post by: Cap on May 07, 2005, 01:12:38 PM
thats a pretty nice mock up though.
Post by: raptorspike on May 07, 2005, 02:26:30 PM
1) Do not make it a portable MP3 player. that is way overdone
2) If you decide to make the 2GB drive for it, make it an after-market option.
3) no widescreen lcd?? I want to be able to play Star Fox Adventures in it's true aspect.
Other than that, it's a genius idea. This is a whole lot better than the PSP, because there is an already established library of games.
Post by: TMW on May 07, 2005, 03:59:35 PM
Post by: Savior on May 07, 2005, 10:41:08 PM
Its competing with the PSP, it needs to add some other functions...
adding MP3 capabilities would be an interesting choice. An Extension of the Play Yan, or just partner with Apple. Apple suddenly gets more iPod/iTunes customers.
Its fake though, but nicely done.
Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 07, 2005, 11:16:06 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: TMW
I'd be amazed if the battery lasted any longer than 4 hours.
I would as well, but if something like this were really in creation, I would think Nintendo would try to solve that problem as best it could.
I provided a link to a thread discussing the possibilities of a PGC, and how it could continue to sell GC software clear into the next next generation. Also, if marketed right, it would allow the DS to previal in a "land" rid of the PSP (thwarted off by the PGC), yet not in direct competion with it's counterpart.
The DS will die however, unless updated again, while the PGC could last until 2010 and beyond.
Click Here
Post by: Caillan on May 07, 2005, 11:36:12 PM
Quote
The DS will die however, unless updated again, while the PGC could last until 2010 and beyond.
Why would the DS die? I think it's most dangerous period was when it was launched prematurely and didn't have enough games. If it stopped selling then nobody would be developing for it now. But it's got a great selection of titles comming up, and the mysterious WiFi capability is still yet to be revealed. I really hope Nintendo does't kill the DS so soon.
My thoughts on a portable Cube can be found here. I remember once Bill pointed out why the PSP's control stick wasn't a good idea: it will eventually come loose or wear out. With a console you can buy another controller after a few years but that won't work with a handheld. It would be the same with a portable Gamecube.
Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 08, 2005, 12:55:55 AM
That's a good point about the wear and tear of the hardware. It's going to have to last.
Basically, at some point in time, your going to have to deal with it. Handhelds, like consoles, are only going to become more complex. So, why not deal with that fact now instead of later?
Post by: Caillan on May 08, 2005, 01:55:31 AM
Even if the DS doesn't stick around until 2010, I'm sure it will be here for a few years yet. I don't think Nintendo would launch another portable within the next two years unless the DS is mysteriously crushed by the PSP. For a start they need to focus a lot on the Revolution in the time close to it's launch, and secondly I don't think they're willing to try and support three systems when they could support two instead.
I don't buy the 'deal with it' argument. If nobody can make a heldheld that will last as long as its lifespan then it just needs to be simpler. Screw complexity. Having said that, I'm sure there's something Nintendo could do which Sony just hasn't. Like have an easily replacable control sticks or use something like a trackball or a touch screen instead.
Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 08, 2005, 04:25:41 AM
I wasn't saying that if you bought a handheld with 2 joysticks and they broke off two years after, that you should DEAL WITH IT. No...that's absurd, and I think noone should have to go through that.
There already supporting 3 systems RIGHT NOW! All this 3rd pillar talk is going to come in handy, one way or another.
Post by: stevey on May 08, 2005, 05:12:37 AM
Post by: Dasmos on May 09, 2005, 05:30:48 AM
How long has the GBA been in comission?? I think it was 2001 sometime or maybe 2002? All i am trying to say is the general consensus is people think the DS is the new Gameboy.....i have heard many of my friends (I put them in their place!!) saying that it is the next gameboy....How long is the GBA gonna last side by side with the DS....certainly i don't think another year or two (making its lifespan approx. 5 years)..
An example The PSX was still being developed for when the PS2 came out.....but who can say it co-existed side-by-side? It didn't....people may have still bought games for it, albeit past games because there was no decent game for them after the PS2 released. It was considered inferior and slowly the support dwindled and it was seemingly dead.....
I think something similar will happen with the GBA.......on the DS you can play GBA and DS games so why not buy just a DS? The GBA is inferior and although may try to co-exist with the DS it simply will not happen....
So if there is a true successor to the GBA coming in the near future, it will no doubt have the same affect on the DS as the DS had with the GBA.
Post by: Nile Boogie on May 09, 2005, 10:24:14 AM
Post by: hudsonhawk on May 10, 2005, 12:41:49 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Nile Boogie
What I find to be so intriguing is that the 2Gb hard drive is just enough to load the entire disk to memory thereby saving countless amounts of energy by not having to spin the disk.
Right, because hard disks certainly don't have spinning discs inside of them....
Sorry to burst your bubble, but not only will this never happen, it wouldn't be that great if it did.
- GC games aren't optimized to conserve energy, so most games would eat your battery for dinner.
- Nintendo wouldn't be able to guarantee a quality user experience - tiny fonts, split screen multiplayer, etc. These games are optimized for a large TV; it's already difficult to play these on those little flip-top screens; a handheld screen is another 40-50% smaller than that.
- No multiplayer. Multiplayer is key to Nintendo's portable market, and you'd be effectively stripping it out of the product (since there's only a couple games that use the GC's net library - the rest are all split screen / multi-controller setups that wouldn't be translatable).
- But most of all, it just wouldn't make them any more money. Like it or not, Nintendo makes a ton of money by optimizing old games for the new generation and reselling them; I just don't see what their vested interest would be in doing this. Would it drive GameCube sales? Sell new games? It didn't work for the TG16 Express. It didn't work for the Nomad. This is no different.
It's just so wraught with problems, it's not going to happen; end of story.
Post by: KDR_11k on May 11, 2005, 09:40:41 AM
Post by: La_Mard on May 11, 2005, 10:49:56 AM
Include the "there's a massive rumor floating around the internet" quote by Reggie and I do not think that it takes much more to be quite sure that this new GB might very well be capable of doing quite a bit.
there are risks both ways, but it seems much more reasonable to take the risks for the benefits in Mario's post than to fold to the in-the-long-run petty issues you stated. The win-win-win situation for third parties having not just one system, but three possible systems to sell their software on, one with an already pre-existing userbase is more than reason enough. It's also an extremely brilliant political move for Nintendo considering their needing to win third-parties back over.
Besides, backwards compatibility isn't 100% guaranteed to be problem-free, but if it's even remotely close it's a much better thing than none at all.
Oh, and also I just don't care for your cynicism. There are always pros and cons but the pros definitely win in this case and one should actually take them into consideration as well before coming to a conclusion.
Post by: Don'tHate742 on May 11, 2005, 10:52:30 AM
Like you said they would have to optimize old games for the new generation...that takes time and money. They could possibly sell just as many to those who haven't pick up a Cube (there are lots), while not hassling themselves with the things needed to make a new game.
Also, I for one haven't bought all the good games for the cube, and I'm thinking that I won't till at least the launch of the REV. Having a PGC to play around with would make for an even greater incentive.
Plus, the time not spent making new 'old' games, could be better spent making completely new games that I would be very interested in.
As for the Multiplayer aspect, I'm hoping at least that the solution could be based on the Wavebird. Make each hand-held a 'wavebird' in essence and you've solved HALF of the problem. The other problem would be to somehow have each screen used.
I bet people would still buy the old multiplayer games due to the fact that the REV can play them. I don't expect this to be launched until after the REV (I did at one point think it could be launched next year, but that's not a good idea). And if the REV sells through, having the next gameboy with GC compatibility would be a marvelous link between consoles.
People will already have the ability to play the same games on the REV with no additional costs. That alone can make up for no old multiplayer support. In addition, Nintendo is just as known for it's Single-Player games as it is for it's Multi-player games (even more so this generation). So I doubt there would be any major complaints.
It works anyway you slice it (though multiplayer is a bit off). I've said it before and I'll say it again, the ONLY problems is the cosmetics and overall effecientcy of the product.
Post by: La_Mard on May 11, 2005, 11:26:19 AM
could it be at all possible, that they could (since there would have to be a cartridge slot for backwards compatibility) make a boot-cartridge to initiate WiFi in the new GB that would in essence, make the system use other close-by GB's as if they were simply other controllers plugged into the Gamecube? (when it came to Gamecube games)
Hmm....why not?
Wouldn't that solve the multiplayer issue with backwards compatibility?
Post by: Nile Boogie on May 11, 2005, 11:53:47 AM
Post by: La_Mard on May 11, 2005, 12:01:43 PM
The picture is definitely fake but I do believe that Nintendo does have the intention to make this happen and knows that it would only serve to benefit them. I wouldn't worry.
EDIT: I just saw Don'tHate's wavebird comment. That does sound like a better idea. Good one DH!
Also, you could have a zoom feature for the multiplayer screen problem. It would have to be not unlike TV's when it comes to attempting to fix formatting differences but then it would have to be more advanced and allow for you to actually make the square or rectangle that would be made to fit in the entirety of the screen. Of course there would be the problem of pixelation but on a tiny screen it wouldn't make too much of a difference. The only real problem would be when the match is over and it reverts back to a menu screen (you wouldn't be able to see it all) or even any little cinematics or replays during gameplay (ala Mario Tennis). This seems impossible...
...but then again there could be a quick-switch button to switch back to normal for that little amount of time, then to switch back for more gameplay!
Again, not perfect but better than nothing.
Sweet.
