Damn Iwataton - I have a busy day tomorrow and it's making me stay up..
Right now, I would like nothing more than to have a test run with this. I just NEED to see how it works and how comfortable and functional it is. Upon first glance, it doesn't seem that comfortable to hold at all when you tilt it for NES games. The Gamecube controller was rounded and moulded perfectly for your hands, and you just wanted to keep on holding it. This one doesn't seem to be anything like that, especially when you're playing with it tilted. It looks long and angular, and not inviting to hold tilted. But, of course, I have to hold it to find out. Another concern for me is it being split for the analogue stick and actual controller. It just seems so, ahh, unstable? If they were connected together it would feel more...I don't know...when you're using the analogue stick in this set-up it seems like you'd have to keep your left hand completely steady to keep it stable, and it doesn't seem to comfortable. If there were some way to connect both parts then it would seem a bit more...solid, comfortable, and you wouldn't have to worry yourself with the analogue stick being fixed in place. I don't know - I'm somehow having trouble voicing my thoughts. Again, ALL of these concerns could be debunked when I get my hands on it, but for now I'm unsure.
OK, on to next topic - how it will function. This game could define multiple genres for the console. Think of ADVENTURE games - wow, it will just make them feel countless times better than on any other console. It's just perfect for adventure games. And RPGs. And FPSs. And RTSs, and quite a few other genres. But it seems to me like it will be quite a bit less functional for some genres like action games and fighters. I know that Nintendo has thought about this, and I'm probably jumping to conclusions, but it doesn't seem like it will cater to some major genres as well as traditional controllers.
Of course, as you guys said, the attachment can fix all of this, but to what extent should all these attachments be released? No one would like to pay extra for them just to play a certain game, and then there's the problem of only part of the userbase having it, which limits developers. It could be packed in with the console or the game, which is a good idea. Pack it in with any game that needs it and price them $10 more w/ the attachment, and a lower priced one for anyone who's got it, but you still then have to pay extra to get the attachment. If they go crazy with attachments and pack them in with games then it will be a disaster.
This brings us to functionality. It has, what, 4 functional buttons with the analogue attachment (not including the D-Pad, which I don't feel should be usd as 4 buttons - maybe only 1). I think they should just add 2 more on either side of the big A button. That solitude A button is just too little, and 2 more buttons won't make it feel more intimidating in any way. I know MP2 was retooled and made possible, but I'm willing to wager that it wasn't intuitive at all. And it was probably a major retooling, which 3rd parties won't undertake. Speaking of 3rd parties - I heard all their niceties, but I have a sinking feeling that it won't translate into heavy hitter franchises. We'll get support from Konami - DISNEY soccer... And Crystal Chronicles, etc. Unless Nintendo makes some deals and seriously concentrates on making their life as easy as possible.
And I know that you won't have to flail the controller around extravagantly, but probably even simple wrist movements over time will really take their toll. But I expect Nintendo has tested this to death, so I don't have concerns there. What I don't want is Mario jumping by tilting it up or slashing in Zelda with the controller. That would just be something that is useless compared to the potential it has.
I have many more thoughts, but I've forgot them now and it's very late - I'll post later.
Topic: The Official IWATAON Speech Thread (Read 184004 times)
