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Wii

Official Release on Revolution Controller

by Daniel Bloodworth - September 15, 2005, 8:16 pm EDT
Total comments: 25 Source: Nintendo

See what Nintendo has to say about Iwata's speech and the Revolution.

UPDATE: A webcast of Nintendo President Satoru Iwata's keynote address at the Tokyo Game Show will be available Friday morning, September 16, 2005 at the following address:

http://www.irwebcasting.com/050916/03/index.html

NINTENDO REVEALS 'REVOLUTION'-ARY CONTROLLER IN KEYNOTE SPEECH

Innovation Key to Broadening Games Audience

TOKYO, Sept. 16, 2005 – Every gamer who plays. Every one who used to play. Even those who have yet to play, Nintendo is your bet.

As the cornerstone of his speech today at the Tokyo Game Show's annual event, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata elaborated on the theme of the company's aim and proven ability to broaden the population of video game players. Two shining examples highlighted in his keynote include the smash-hit sales of the highly innovative Nintendogs™ game for the portable Nintendo DS™ system, and the new controller that will be central to the company's upcoming console system, code-named Revolution.

Nintendo breaks with more than 20 years of video game history by abandoning the traditional controller held with two hands and introducing an all-new freehand-style unit held with one hand.

The intuitive, pioneering interface allows players to run, jump, spin, slide, shoot, steer, accelerate, bank, dive, kick, throw and score in a way never experienced in the history of gaming.

"The feeling is so natural and real, as soon as players use the controller, their minds will spin with the possibilities of how this will change gaming as we know it today," explains Satoru Iwata, Nintendo president. "This is an extremely exciting innovation – one that will thrill current players and entice new ones."

When picked up and pointed at the screen, the controller gives a lightning-quick element of interaction, sensing motion, depth, positioning and targeting dictated by movement of the controller itself.

The controller also allows for a variety of expansions, including a "nunchuk" style analog unit offering the enhanced game-play control hard-core gamers demand.

The response from all major publishers worldwide has been extremely positive. Beyond its other innovations, the new controller gives third parties flexibility, allowing them the option to use as many or as few of the controller features as they desire. In addition, incorporated technology will easily allow games from the NES®, SNES®, N64® and Nintendo GameCube™ generations to be controlled in familiar fashion.

Nintendogs for the DS, a virtual and sophisticated dogfest, has taken the gaming world by storm, already selling more than 1.5 million units in Japan and North America combined. The game, just as Iwata believes the Revolution controller will do, is exciting current game players and attracting hordes of new consumers into the playing world.

Talkback

Yeah, and those IR-based wireless controllers Sega made for the Saturn really proved that wireless controllers just don't work.

BlackNMild2k1September 15, 2005

I think the power glove was a good idea that was realized a little too early. It came across as a gimmick and no body likes a gimmick. It was apparently just a stepping stone to what we have seen today...

This is the power glove reborn into the remote controller(1up's words not mine face-icon-small-wink.gif). The technolgy is right and the time has come to give a good idea a real chance.

But that leads to another question...
just as we have seen one failed Nintendo creation reborn into something more modern and acceptable, will we see it happen again?

will the virtual boy get a technological makeover, such as something similar as to what was seen in the Nintendo On video. Just as Nintendo has been quietly reworking the idea behind the powerglove, is it really so far fetched that they aren't working on virtual boy 2.0 right now? 3-d space, motion tracking & independant left/right control has all been acheived, whats to stop the addition of a headset for an all inclusive "3-D" experience?

But thats the end of my mindless babbling, its all nonsense anyway... right?

The OmenSeptember 15, 2005

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But thats the end of my mindless babbling, its all nonsense anyway... right?



Actually, no. Robert Rodriguez said some time back a prominent video game company was well into introducing holographic type games. I hope it isn't Sony.

EpitaphSeptember 16, 2005

This controller will be great for fighting games. Using a gestures patern you will just swing the controller like your character moves. It will be really easy to remember how to do those crazy combos.

theRPGFreakSeptember 16, 2005

Once again, I renew my vows and give Nintendo my 100% support. I cant wait for this system face-icon-small-happy.gif

TOYSeptember 19, 2005

I wish I had the faith you guys do. I have every Nintendo console ever made, but this one is gonna kill em. This controller sucks. It's just my opinion, but I think they are shooting themselves in the foot. Again!!! I have a Ds, it's great for Gba games, but I have NO desire to play games with a stylus, which is why I barely touch the thing since I got the PSP. I know the REV has ports for Gamecube controllers, if I can use one of them on Rev games then Ill buy it, If not, then I'll probably pass on the REV.


TOY

Bill AurionSeptember 19, 2005

Ahaha, PSP...Wait, you're serious...

MarioSeptember 19, 2005

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I know the REV has ports for Gamecube controllers, if I can use one of them on Rev games then Ill buy it, If not, then I'll probably pass on the REV.

You can, and there's a traditional controller as well, do some research before spouting your ignorance.

TOYSeptember 20, 2005

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Ahaha, PSP...Wait, you're serious...


Very, The best thing about the DS is Mario. I played it and enjoyed it but then again I didn't need the stupid stylus, except for the bonus games, which I dont mind.

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do some research before spouting your ignorance.


First off, Im far from ignorant, and I have heard of a more traditional controller, now show it to me. I haven't seen anything saying you can use the GC controllers on REV games, so thats nice to hear.


TOY

Hostile CreationSeptember 20, 2005

"The best thing about the DS is Mario"

Then you obviously have no idea what you're talking about. Did you get Mario and Yoshi and just quit trying after that?

KDR_11kSeptember 20, 2005

I think he sold his DS a few weeks after launch. Kinda pointless, I mean it's obvious that a system doesn't use its full potential that short after launch. So he has played none of the games that came out later.

I think pronouncing a system dead because of the launch lineup is ignorant. Calling the system pointless because the launch games sucked even after better games are released borders on malicious.

TOYSeptember 20, 2005

I didn't sell the DS. I don't sell anything. Are their any good games that dont reqire the stylus?

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I think pronouncing a system dead because of the launch lineup is ignorant. Calling the system pointless because the launch games sucked even after better games are released borders on malicious.


I didn't say any of that, I want a joystick or the cross pad, call me old fashioned.

Im not really impressed with the REV controller, but their has to be more to it than that, the thing has no buttons. I'm just tired of Nintendo trying to change the world instead of giving the gamers what they ask for.


TOY

KnowsNothingSeptember 20, 2005

I'm a gamer, and I'm asking for Nintendo to change the world.

I realise I'm being an ass right now, but just because YOU don't want a stylus or YOU don't like the Rev's controller doens't mean GAMERS don't. Grr blanket statements.

Bill AurionSeptember 20, 2005

There are racist comments against styluses in this topic!

31 FlavasSeptember 20, 2005

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Originally posted by: TOY
I didn't sell the DS. I don't sell anything. Are their any good games that dont reqire the stylus?
Go ahead, give some of the stylus games a try. I recommend Pac-Pix, Meteos, Kirby: Canvas Curse, Advance Wars Dual Strike, or even Pokemon Dash or Feel the Magic. Upcoming titles include Trace Memory (i.e. Another Code), Lost in Blue, Lunar, Castlevania, Phoenix Right, and of course Metroid Hunters.

That's 12 titles that make good use of the stylus. Pick one of them and make your peace with the stylus. Otherwise, sell your DS. I mean, you won't play PC games without a mouse, now would you? So, get over what ever it is you don't like about the stylus and enjoy the games available. I'm not saying you have to abandon "traditional" games or input methods, but comon, you have to give the stylus chance. You bought a DS, didn't you? So make use of it, you won't regret it.

KDR_11kSeptember 20, 2005

Are their any good games that dont reqire the stylus?

Doesn't that defeat the point of the DS? The DS is there for touchscreen-using games, the GBA is there for games that don't need it.

Advance Wars can be played without the stylus and JUMP Superstars should be played with your fingers only. Castlevania will require it only for the bosses.

Ian SaneSeptember 21, 2005

"or even Pokemon Dash"

Oh man. Don't mention THAT game to try to sell someone on the DS.

You see that a lot when people try to sell someone on a system. They list every sorta okay game they can think of. That just makes a system look weak, like you have to pad the good games list with mediocre stuff. It's like including Pokemon Colloseum as a reason to get a Cube. Just list the REALLY good titles that everyone absolutely must own. That way the person tries out the really good stuff first and has a strong first impression. If you list everything then that person's first impression might be pretty poor. It looks bad if you recommend someone try out an average game. They might think that that's the best the system has.

If it's not a potential Game of the Year candidate don't suggest it as a "must play" game. Do you want TOY to play Pokemon Dash, hate it, and then ditch the DS?

"Doesn't that defeat the point of the DS? The DS is there for touchscreen-using games, the GBA is there for games that don't need it."

That only applies if you believe that "third pillar" nonsense. The DS is the replacement of the GBA. If it isn't then where are all these GBA games Nintendo is working on? The DS is capable of playing stylus and "normal" games so it should play both. Regard the stylus as an extra feature to the Gameboy design rather than a replacement. The fact that the DS improves on what was there before instead of just being different is one of it's best points.

vuduSeptember 21, 2005

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Are their any good games that dont reqire the stylus?
If you like strategy games, I'd highly recommend Advance Wars Duel Strike. The game is awesome both with and without the stylus. My input method depends on where I am when I'm playing and what my particular mood is at that time.

It would probably be a good way to start because it's 100% playable without the stylus (except for the RTS mode, which I haven't touched yet, so I can't say much on it), but it's also great with the stylus. It'll give you another opportunity to try a stylus game and if you don't like the method, you can still play without.

nickmitchSeptember 21, 2005

Meteos actually doesn't require the stlyus. But you have to be quick!

KDR_11kSeptember 22, 2005

That only applies if you believe that "third pillar" nonsense.

Nah, I subscribe to a theory called "installed user base" that says there's a lot more money to be made with a GBA game than a DS game.

Sure, if the game uses 3d the DS is the better choice as the GBA can't do that but when you've made essentially a GBA game there's no reason to make the game available to only a fraction of the handheld users out there. After all, all DS users can use GBA games but very few GBA owners can use DS games.

vudu: The action mode can be played without the stylus but you lose the ability to move and shoot in different directions. It's like playing Robotron with one stick.

31 FlavasSeptember 24, 2005

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Originally posted by: Ian Sane
"or even Pokemon Dash"

Oh man. Don't mention THAT game to try to sell someone on the DS.
Ian, you've played Pokemon Dash, I assume? Or are you making a judgement call that the game HAS to be bad because it's POKEMON.

The games I listed, I listed because they make good use of the stylus (I own them or have played them) and there for would sell the concept of using the stylus to game well. I mean the stylus IS the reason why you'd buy a DS, in the first place. I don't think you'll find much you'll like, otherwise. It's not a standardized game system like PSP. If thats what you want, standardized portable games w/ better graphics, then get a PSP.

Ian SaneSeptember 26, 2005

"Ian, you've played Pokemon Dash, I assume? Or are you making a judgement call that the game HAS to be bad because it's POKEMON."

I'm making a judgement call that the games has to be bad because every reviewer that exists sh!t all over it. It has an average ranking of 49.9% on Gamerankings and the highest review score it received was 70%. I don't play many bad games because I read reviews to keep myself away from them. This isn't something like Luigi's Mansion where the reviews vary from really good to average. This ranges from average to absolutely horrible. This is the lowest reviewed Nintendo game ever made so recommending it to anyone makes no sense.

KDR_11kSeptember 26, 2005

Ian is right, it's rated 3.1% lower than Pokemon Channel.

Bottom 10:
1. Pokemon Dash 49.9%
2. Pokemon Channel 53.0%
3. Mario Party Advance 57.9%
4. Yoshi Topsy-Turvy 60.5%
5. Mario Pinball Land 61.3%
6. Kirby Air Ride 63.0%
7. Classic NES Series: Donkey Kong 64.0%
8. Custom Robo 64.5%
9. Mario Party 5 69.7%
10. Star Fox: Assault 69.7%

DasmosSeptember 27, 2005

I have played it and I don't like it, and by good use of the stylus do you mean repeatedly drawing on the screen to make the pokemon run? If so that is a pretty bad example, not only is it boring, it's tiring.

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