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Images: Nintendo Revolution Controller

By Nate Mook, BetaNews

September 16, 2005, 2:35 AM

Nintendo Revolution ControllerIn his keynote address Friday at the Tokyo Game Show, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata took the wraps off a complete redesigned wireless controller for the company's forthcoming Revolution game console. The controller works like a remote control in one hand, with an optional analog unit for two-handed gameplay.

Third parties can extend the Revolution controller with add-ons and game developers can choose to use as many features as they like. "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," said Iwata.

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By Lil J

edited Sep 27, 2005 - 10:15 PM

I don't know how Nintendo's popularity will be cause I've been a Nintendo fan for all my life and this gets me wondering how will they do on there sales?

Score: 0

By uliseto

edited Sep 21, 2005 - 8:56 PM

hey nintendo..... now you know how to impress me now.

Score: 0

By ronwerd

edited Sep 21, 2005 - 10:11 AM

some great info thanks

Ron
http://www.nintendorevolution.ca

Score: 0

By taranfx

edited Sep 19, 2005 - 8:33 AM

I dont understand y does nintendo launch such products which i love to buy & tht drills a big hole in my pocket!

Score: 0

By xoineg

posted Sep 19, 2005 - 12:44 PM

looks really cool. I wonder if they will make a gun for those shooting games.....

Score: 0

By TheBeastH6

posted Sep 19, 2005 - 11:52 AM

Alright chums, let's buy it.

Score: 0

By pawelf1

edited Sep 16, 2005 - 6:27 AM

what the **** is it?? lol ...

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:40 PM

It's Nintendo's new controller. Read.
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651275p1.html
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651224p1.html

Score: 0

By Fowlance

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 3:21 AM

Making a remote control as the game controller is revolutionizing the gaming industry!

Wait, don't televisions use those?

OH YEAH!

Nintendo... go back how you used to be, I used to remember playing those awesome video games... then you just.... lost it somehow... What happened...

Score: 0

By jojosupp

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 11:51 AM

You really are clueless. Read the extensive articles on IGN or 1up.com before you blurt out such immature statements. And for everyone criticizing the controller for being terrible with current games, if you did your homework instead of crying, you'd find out that a "shell" would be available for the controller to function like a more traditional gamepad.

Score: 0

By standupjack

edited Sep 17, 2005 - 7:44 PM

The wireless is RF. It even has a built-in WaveBird signal out of the box without any need for the clunky RF sensors.

The motion sensors are IR. There's two sensors, one on each side of the TV. There's definitely a PowerGlove element here, but also imagine the 3rd-party tilt-sensitive joysticks for NES and the EyeToy for PS2... only with improved reaction time and more precision... not to mention it apparently works. I'm thinking of it like a virtual stylus... and I'm a huge fan of the NDS stylus, especially in FPS.

As for how you'd play old-school NES games, turn the controller on its side, and voila! We have an old-school NES controller! I just wish it had more buttons like a y/x above the b/a, so you could play SNES ports without any add-ons.

Score: 0

By GoodThings2Life

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 11:03 AM

Heh, I was just telling a friend "It reminds me of the PowerGlove which simply didn't work... at all."

Ultimately, I think this is a bad move for Nintendo, but hopefully I'll be wrong and it will just help to create an overwhelming skillset for future band/orchestra conductors.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 2:04 PM

"Ultimately, I think this is a bad move for Nintendo, but hopefully I'll be wrong and it will just help to create an overwhelming skillset for future band/orchestra conductors."

lol. Me too. I really hope I'm wrong, and it is successful.

Score: 0

By guitardave78

posted Sep 17, 2005 - 10:56 AM

The thing is Nintendo have a habit of doing great great systems then messing up the marketing, or trying to be to clever. GameBoy works because of simple it is. N64 was great but became stupidly expensive to develop for. Same with game cube, custom discs made it expensive somthing like 3 times the price of the dvd discs to produce.
Although this is very innovative and in theory it is a great step forward, it is possibly to radicle for the current gaming generation. It also means that developers will have to work twice as hard to make games work with the new controller. So Nintendo will have multi platform releases much later, because developers will have to re design the control systems specifically for it. I hope it does well, but i feel this could be a step to far off the path for them. It would be sad to see them go the way of sega.
If only they had not screwed over sony when they were developing the cd rom add on for the snes!!!

Score: 0

By Banshie1

posted Sep 17, 2005 - 9:51 AM

" I see a new headline in the near future: Nintendo Files Bankruptcy!"
If this Nintendo is so close to Bankruptcy why would they explore new consepts and ideas, I think there Nintendo is very intellegent with there new controller, "Get The Mario Sunshine 3, Now with game archive of Mario, Mario Controller!" $200

Score: 0

By gawd21

posted Sep 17, 2005 - 10:46 AM

Why would they? To try and stay in business.

Score: 0

By blackimp

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 6:58 PM

who even says "think outside the box" anymore?

Score: 0

By jojosupp

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 9:14 PM

Did you have something to say about the actual article? Keep flame-baiting, troll.

Score: 0

By GhoS

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 4:15 PM

At first I was upset because it looked too simple. However its actually quite advanced once you take time to read up on it at 1up.com or cube.ign.com
Also watching the video is helpful. I'm not sure if it will really entice the geriatric generation to play video games, but it certainly makes them easier to pick up and place.
Many movements seem more intuative. I look forward to giving it a test run. I think that will be crucial this time around, for Nintendo to have test units to show off how to use it.

Score: 0

By jojosupp

edited Sep 16, 2005 - 4:12 PM

Wow, I can't believe most of what I'm reading. You people are extremely close-minded and shallow. Go figure. This controller has a lot of potential. Do you even know what thinking outside of the box is?

...At least Nintendo has the balls to innovate the stale gaming industry.

Score: 0

By steeltitanpro

edited Sep 19, 2005 - 11:00 AM

you are so correct it isent even funny seriouly look at the nintendo ds its doing a hell of alot better than the psp in salles and how about nintendogs thats the best selling ds game to date so think twice about inovation

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 17, 2005 - 4:29 PM

A no-analog, remote-control-shaped controller is hardly what I would call innovative.

Innovation in games these days is not to come up with some proprietary gimmick and hope people go for it.

Rather, it's better hardware to allow for better graphics, better sound, and ultimately, a more realistic gameplay.

Of course, there's game play/strategies to consider too, but those are dependent on the individual games. I'm just talking about the actual system here.

Score: 0

By jojosupp

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 11:52 AM

What definition of innovation are you looking at? What you're really saying is: there is no innovation because it's all gimmicks and/or rehashes of the same crap with better technology.

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 18, 2005 - 2:08 PM

Yeah... the Cell processor is a rehash....

I'm on your side here. I just think you're overstating yourself a little bit. I've been a long-time loyal Nintendo fan, but I'm really wondering about this move.

I just don't see it catching on.

I had the same reaction to the NDS. It was a gimmick that was only slightly successful. I think the NDS is the only mobile system that could play an FPS, but that's about it.

They need to work more on _better_ hardware; not _different_ hardware. ...IMO.

**EDIT**
BTW, "better technology" is EXACTLY what I would call innovation ;-)

Score: 0

By jojosupp

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 9:00 PM

Things such as the Cell processor are innovations in the chip industry, not in the gaming industry. The gaming industry has, as of late, relied on releasing new systems with nothing more to offer than better sound, graphics, and storage.

Innovation in the gaming industry is the introduction of something profoundly new and different that affects the way games are played. The D-Pad was an innovation. The narrative-style immersion of Half Life was an innovative step in the FPS genre. The PS2 was not innovative. It is the PS1 with more power and the option for online play.

I think Nintendo deserves respect for attempting to change gaming as a whole, instead of offering upgrades to their present hardware, as Sony and Microsoft are doing.

Score: 0

By wincement

edited Sep 18, 2005 - 9:16 PM

Fair enough. I hope you're right.

Although this just locked in my choice to either XBOX 360 or PS3:
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/651/651720p1.html

I found that page oddly enough from one of Andrew Kismet's links. I'm a Nintendo fan, but I'm a Sonic fan first =/

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

edited Sep 18, 2005 - 8:30 PM

Erm... 'innovation' is a buzzword. Can we ignore it?

It's different, unique, and, after reading all the sources on it, especially:
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651224p1.html
I can see how this will drive Nintendo forwards. If it fails, oh well, but I don't see it happening. Even my grandmother expressed interest in playing games with this, and she can't even use a DVD player. It's going to work because the PS3 and X360 have NOT released better hardware - they've released the SAME hardware with faster chips. It's same-old-same-old versus same-old-same-old versus new and interesting.

Who would you bet on? The one that can produce the flashiest graphics (which we've been seeing for 5 years now) or the one that tries something new?

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:51 PM

"It's going to work because the PS3 and X360 have NOT released better hardware - they've released the SAME hardware with faster chips."

To emulate a response to one of my comments: What definition of "hardware" are you looking at?

I'm not talking about the plastic shells that surround the system. I'm talking about the hardware that drives the system. The "faster chips" fall into that category...

The fact that your grandmother expressed interest in it is another reason why I don't think it will be successful. It's a gimmick that will attract the un-knowing masses, but serious gamers won't go for it because of its limitations.

"Who would you bet on? The one that can produce the flashiest graphics (which we've been seeing for 5 years now) or the one that tries something new?"

Umm... have you seen the graphics demoed on the PS3? They are PHENOMENAL. We certainly haven't seen them for 5 years now.

I would bet on the one that can produce the "flashiest" graphics for two reasons:

1. That's very high on the list of gamers' criteria for a good game.

2. Departing from the norm is a dangerous move in any business. When a company does that, they risk people not wanting to adjust from something that has worked well for them. In other words: Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

Again, I really hope I'm wrong about ALL of this, and that it is all successful.

Score: 0

By Niro

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 2:53 AM

" A no-analog, remote-control-shaped controller is hardly what I would call innovative."

Look again...there IS an analog stick you attach to the remote...matter of fact, that plug on the back is made for addons, so who knows what hardware designers will think of for the remote in the future? Motion sensor...and if you flip it on its side to hold its side...it becomes an old style nintendo controller..that's not innovative??

Double check the definition of innovation...improved hardware specs for better graphics and sound alone is NOT innovation.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 2:01 PM

I know there's an attachment. I can see pictures too.

My point is that by default, it has no analog directional-control. You have to use it as an "addon."

I really think Nintendo should have stuck with the GCN style controller, but that's just my opinion. I don't want to bash Nintendo or anyone else.

You're certainly entitled to like the controller. I have no problem with that.

Score: 0

By irdepesca572

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 3:41 PM

Wow, sure is different. Let's hope it's good and is RF.

Score: 0

By zeroclash

edited Sep 16, 2005 - 1:21 PM

remember that the controller allows them to sell attachments for other controllers so you don't "need" to use it with just the analog attachment you could in theory add a n64/snes controller to the remote

Score: 0

By Jacen

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 3:13 PM

Just when you think Nintendo couldn't get much worse, they prove you wrong. I'm still a fan of the X-Box style controller.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 17, 2005 - 4:26 PM

Same here. I think the GCN controllers were Nintendo's best...

Score: 0

By trevnhl

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 12:25 PM

agreed

Score: 0

By kholdstare

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 2:09 PM

well at least nintemdo is trying to do something different then what sony and microsoft are doing in just building the same old style console that has been around for the last 20 years. its just like the PS3 controller you don't know if it will be good or not till you try it

Score: 0

By dsulls

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 1:30 PM

I think a lot of you guys are forgetting the 4 Gamecube controller ports that can be found on the console itself. This controller can open up some cool possibilities (if done right), but if any company wants to port their games over to the Revolution and doesn't feel like using the new controller they can simply port them with the old gamecube controllers in mind - Yes including fighting games.

Score: 0

By tommybpoker

edited Sep 16, 2005 - 11:43 AM

The new code for 30 extra lives in Contra is Volume Up, Volume Up, Channel Down, Channel Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, Rewind, Pause.

I think this could possibly be a great concept, but I think we'll need to see it in action before we can really judge it.

I hope this will be better than the Power Glove though. I had a hard enough time beating Glass Joe with that blasted contraption when I played Mike Tyson's Punch-Out.

Score: 0

By gawd21

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 11:26 AM

I see a new headline in the near future: Nintendo Files Bankruptcy!

Score: 0

By aysung

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 11:19 AM

Vaguely reminiscent of the NES's Power Glove...

Score: 0

By DigitalSin

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 10:33 AM

Considering most Nintendo games revolve around making anime chars dance around or growing a virtual pet, im sure this controller is fine.

Could you have used this controller back in the day to play Ikari Warriors? River City Ransom? Contra? Pssshhh...yeah right.

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 10:33 AM

Ew. I'm sorry. That's just my first reaction. I've been a Nintendo fan since the NES, but that's just... ew.

And I really hope they aren't planning on useing IR tech for it. That would completely suck. But that's certainly what it looks like when you look at the front of it. =(((

I hope it surprises me and is really awesome, but for now... I'm not liking what I'm seeing.

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

edited Sep 18, 2005 - 8:34 PM

You like NES? Turn it 90 degrees...

also it's WF, not IR. Read some articles before you groan and complain.
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651275p1.html
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651224p1.html

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:58 PM

I wasn't suggesting we go back to the NES controller... that would be like downgrading a PC from Windows 2000 to Windows 3.11. ...absolutely useless.

I'm glad to see it's RF. I'm not groaning and complaining. I'm entitled to my opinion just as much as you.

Score: 0

By guitardave78

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 10:10 AM

I am a nintendo deveotee. Always buy there systems. But always have to resort to buying the sony one about 2 years later.
I think we can safely say goodbye to nintendo after this one. The DS is junk compared to the psp and this is going to be to radicle for hte playstation generation to bother with.
All hail the future Super Mario Playstation edition
(sonic anyone??)

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:36 PM

Jesus Christy, go play a DS before comparing it to the PSP. It is superior outright.

You ahven't actually named any problems with the controller. Go visit IGN and read all their "Revolution Controller" articles before you do any further whining.

Score: 0

By IoN_PuLse

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 10:18 AM

Have you ever played a DS? It's the only way I'd ever play a FPS on a handheld, I certainly wouldn't on a PSP. I also don't like the 3 hour battery lifetime on the PSP, and my DS has gone over 10 hours before needing a recharge...

Score: 0

By ramday

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 9:40 AM

How the hell do you play Street Fighter with that thing??

Score: 0

By itanshi

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 9:35 AM

i'm not one to blatantlt critisize something based on a pic, but x_x how am i to play fighting games with this?

does seem abidextrous compliant tho mm thats neat

Score: 0

By mlevit

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 8:49 AM

The information I believe many of you are missing (and what jshurst mentioned) is that:

1. The left controller attachement isn't part of the actually controller, it’s just the right one.
2. The right controller uses senses etc to understand what you're doing i.e. when you want to slash a sword u just have to do the slash movement with your controller.

Some people call it revolutionary, others call it stupidity. But we'll all just have to wait and see.

Score: 0

By voodoohaust

edited Sep 16, 2005 - 10:20 AM

So what ?? You still don't answer about fighting games. If I want to make a low kick + high kick + middle punch attack how am I supposed to do it ?? Kick and punch the controller so it can sense it ??

For now I am sure of two things : I'll have a ps3 at home and won't have a 360 (unless my boss get me one). For Revolution it's wait and see....

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:37 PM

http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651224p1.html

Read.

Also, there is the possibility of a classic-style 2x3 button layout addon. If you love fighting games so much, buy that with it.

Score: 0

By mlevit

posted Sep 17, 2005 - 3:06 AM

I never said it was a good idea, but probably for those games you would recieve an addon just like seen in the picture but this time it would have 4 buttons for those kicks etc and the controller would move the player.

Score: 0

By jshurst

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 8:28 AM

I have to say, I really like the look of the system, but that controller is weird... kinda looks like it will work like the gyro mouse ( http://www.gyration.com/ )

Score: 0

By philton

edited Sep 16, 2005 - 7:57 AM

Am I correct in assuming, from what I can see, that this is an IR controller rather than RF? I wonder how well that will work if not pointed directly to the IR pickup.

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:37 PM

It's RF. Ignore the IR-styled end.

Score: 0

By straes

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 7:00 AM

I'm not liking the look of this one. I was really hoping Nintendo had designed some revolutionary new controller, not turned a dvd remote into a controller.

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:40 PM

FFS, read some articles before judging on appearance.

http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651275p1.html
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651224p1.html

Score: 0

By wincement

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 10:53 PM

Once is enough. You don't need to post the exact same links/comments 15 times.

Score: 0

By azz0r

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 6:46 AM

bqwwhahwahwa

Score: 0

By dumaiso

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 5:41 AM

After reading the review made by 1up.com I think it probably is going to replace a mouse for games, what a common controller cannot do.

http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143782

Score: 0

By shy_one

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 5:37 AM

This conroller doesn't look very good to play with and i do like the idea having your hands seperated instead of bunched up one a one piece controller but this doesn't look comfortable at all but untill i actualy get to try it out thats all the bad things i'll say about it other than they didn't mention batery life.

Good news is they did say that third parties can add on to the device so you never know one realy good add on could make it a lot of fun to use.

Score: 0

By deadmonkey

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 5:30 AM

Check this video of it. Looks pretty cool providing Nintendo get a lot of games to make it worth the price (whatever that may be)

http://media.cube.ign.co.../651/651334/vids_1.html

Score: 0

By shy_one

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 5:47 AM

After watching that teaser video it made me remember the old nintendo glove hopefully this works a lot better than that did.

Score: 0

By UTAKER

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 4:51 AM

it must be just a rumour! how is one supposed to seriously play a game with this! lol

Score: 0

By Andrew Kismet

posted Sep 18, 2005 - 8:38 PM

http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651224p1.html

Read.

Score: 0

By Purgatory

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 3:41 AM

Well, it's certainly different... And, to be fair, I guess I can't say whether or not it's any good (or better than the others) until I've tried it and gotten used to it, but... from looking at it, all I can do is utter "wtf" repeatedly.

Score: 0

By kevinmook

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 3:00 AM

Uhm...

OK?

That just doesn't look usable. I have not liked *any* of Nintendo's controllers starting at N64, and this looks like it won't help their track record.

Score: 0

By shy_one

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 5:41 AM

The N64 controllers were great expecialy liked the z button on the bottom you could play many areas in games one handed if you wanted to.

Score: 0

By TheMiracle

posted Sep 16, 2005 - 7:46 AM

N64 Was Far, the bes controller i've Use, In fact, i have one connected to the Computer, The "Analog" is the Most Precise Stick Of al controllers I Know.-

Score: 0

By Jwec

posted Sep 17, 2005 - 4:44 AM

There is always the arguement between Nitendo fans, with there 'they think outside the box' arguement and people who think that Playstation or xBox is better. I admire Nitendo as a company they are probably one of the best companys around its just that i dont think that people themselves think that much out the box and when they go to buy a next-gen console at £250 odd pounds they can either go with the revolution that could be very good but you never know or you could take one of the other two that we already know will be good consoles, even if they are not 'Revolutionary' (sorry about the pun)

Score: 0

By BazzaM

edited Sep 21, 2005 - 2:26 AM

Hardcore gamers will dig either the Xbox or PS3. Nintendo freaks will dig the Revolution no matter what.

As far as trying to reach a broader market, I think Nintendo has the right idea. I can't see a whole family getting together and playing Gears of War or some other ultra violent game, but I do see them having a blast interacting with Mario and friends with the new Revolution controller. Nintendo is simply reaching out to a market base largely ignored by the other consoles, plain and simple. Will it do well? That depends on their marketing strategy, and even more importantly on pricing. Something tells me that the Revolution will be considerably cheaper than either the Xbox or PS3, which will make it a more viable option for the casual gamer, non-gamer, and downright poor bas**** who won't be able to afford the alternatives.

On a personal note, I am very excited to see what all three consoles come up with, and intend on owning them all.

Peace.

Score: 0

By pezking12

edited Sep 27, 2005 - 6:50 PM

I like it.
Just curious....if this does revolutionise the gaming world and set sales of Nintendo alight etc, whats to say the the PS3 & XB360 can't easily release their own version of the controller ?
I'm not sure how it is integrated in the system, but if so they can then steal any differentiated advantage back from Nintendo. Then, if the PS3/XB360 are "better" machines, users would have the best of both worlds, thanks to Nintendo's innovation.
Yes...I'm aware of patents, but "alternative" versions are easily released.
The idea is great, but they should ensure the alternative standard joypad and hardware works well to.

Score: 0

By violator72

edited Oct 6, 2005 - 7:33 AM

None of us have used it. The people at 1up have. They said it's good. Case closed. Next!!!

Score: 0

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