Nintendo Revolution Controller Revealed

[Paul]

Well, it's certainly intresting...

[bakerster]

Looks like a remote to control a bomb.

Personally, I dont like it. Its too much newness, not enough originality.

[Timan Veteran]

Only thing that might appeal to me when it comes out is the price... if it shows up to be the cheapest console like the GC was.

[Dotdot]

At first I have to say I almost died in shock, wasnt expecting this, didnt like the idea of a remote style controller or anything.... but

Im starting to realise that this maybe one of the boggest break thrus yet, from what Ive read the controller is very sensitive to movement and has been used intelligently in some of the tech demos.

Im now thinking how AMAZING it will be to play Goldeneye and other FPS like Perfect Dark etc with this set up.

The best way to look at it is like a kind of mouse, but not restricted by any plain it can tilt turn and move any way it likes.

Think using the Analog attachment to move whilst looking around with the controller, tilting to weave and dodge bullets

I now def think that once this hits and devs get to grips with it we could be looking at some very fun times with the revolution....

I know I,ll be gagging to try this not only with FPS games but Fighting / Adventure and more, eg. Soul Calibur :D , Mario, Zelda and more :)

[Dazzla Veteran]

First impressions (read first 5 -30 seconds) were "What on earth are they thinking!?" As I imagine the majority of other people have thought. After having a while to digest it, you can pretty much conclude that multiplatform titles won't really be appearing on Revolution.

I can imagine EA are thinking "How the hell are we gonna port Fifa or Madden to that?" and rightly so. I don't think in terms of control or it's technical ability this is going to be the console for multiplatform games. I imagine someone would own either the Xbox360 or the PS3 then compliment it with the Revolution if so desired. I don't think anyone would go into purchasing a Revolution for playing the regular genres that you'd get on the XBox 360 or the PS3.

Not only are you going to have completely unique games which haven't been possible before, but it's going to (dare I say it) revolutionize some old genres. Imagine Tennis, Golf, Baseball etc. Man, because this thing operates in a true 3D space you can swing the controller like you would a racket, a club or a bat. That alone breaks a barrier between people who don't play games and gaming. It's a far more approachable prospect, instead of "press X to hit is soft, O to hit it hard, L1 for a dipping shot" and so on, you simply have "swing the controller at the ball"; instant approachability.

Those were just a few examples, I can envision games like Zelda and Metroid working equally as well. Just read the impressions of the metroid demo, using the analogue attachment to move forwards and backwards and strafe, then the "remote controller" to look around by tilting it. I think that would work absolutely fantastically, allowing a greater level of control with something more akin to a mouse, but a more intuitive mouse.

I can understand why people on tech forums are all "wtf, that looks crap" because they're going to be a small percentage of the market Nintendo are now going for. You can't blame them, look at the games which they're offering on the DS, they're hitting people who've never played games before, and a lot of people at that. Opening doors to these people who are put off by either the game content or the way in which it's controlled.

Technologically it's pretty damn cool as well. The way it detects 2 things, the movement forwards, backwards, left and right in the 3d plane. Then it detects the tilt as well, fantastic. If used correctly it'll completely change the way we play games, as well as opening it up to a much wider audience then was ever possible before. Xbox360 and PS3 will attract the same gamers, and maybe a few more simply because of gaming becoming slightly more mainstream as the years go on. But this opens up a massive market which the PS3 and the Xbox 360 simply will not appeal to. The danger of this is alienating the "regular/harcore" gamer, I can see the "quirkiness" putting off regular gamers, but I think you just need to open your mind a little. I for one would enjoy something like Virtua Tennis on the Revolution a lot, lot more than on the Xbox360/PS3; even if they looked inferior. Simply because the interaction between the gamer and the game is so much more special.

I'd have a sit back and think now, how the form of control will affect the games you currently enjoy. Some will simply not be possible and perhaps too much hard work, so I can see this putting off some developers/publishers but that goes with the territory. The DS done the same to some developers initially, but I think with the DS they captured a pretty unique market and hopefully the Revolution will do the same. I just didn't know how long we can keep making the same games over and over again except with a bit of spit and polish.

For those who haven't seen it, it's definitely worth viewing the video of it in action:

Video of the Revolution Controller in action

Not everyone is going to like it, but Nintendo isn't trying to please everyone, it's trying to please everyone else. People will be happy with their PS3's and Xbox 360's then there'll be people that have never played a game in their lives buying Revolution. The coming generation is going to be very, very interesting.

[Gaius Baltar]

put it on my blog, thanks,

http://indiehead.blogspot.com/

[Dotdot]

How can you not understand me? Have you even watched them use the thing yet. In a fighting game swinging your arms around for hours and hours would get tiring no matter how trained you are. Playing an FPS and moving your wrists around constantly as with your arms would get them stiff and tired.

586533509[/snapback]

Well I hate to point out the obvious but isnt the fact that kids sit indoors all day playing games one of the biggest reasons its slated?

Maybe, just maybe Ninty have thought of this and I imagine they will have and thats basically getting kids to enjoy video games that arent just exercising the brain and thumbs, but actually require REAl physical movement of the body... i.e exercise

[Epimetheus]

First impressions (read first 5 -30 seconds) were "What on earth are they thinking!?" As I imagine the majority of other people have thought. After having a while to digest it, you can pretty much conclude that multiplatform titles won't really be appearing on Revolution.

I can imagine EA are thinking "How the hell are we gonna port Fifa or Madden to that?" and rightly so. I don't think in terms of control or it's technical ability this is going to be the console for multiplatform games. I imagine someone would own either the Xbox360 or the PS3 then compliment it with the Revolution if so desired. I don't think anyone would go into purchasing a Revolution for playing the regular genres that you'd get on the XBox 360 or the PS3.

Not only are you going to have completely unique games which haven't been possible before, but it's going to (dare I say it) revolutionize some old genres. Imagine Tennis, Golf, Baseball etc. Man, because this thing operates in a true 3D space you can swing the controller like you would a racket, a club or a bat. That alone breaks a barrier between people who don't play games and gaming. It's a far more approachable prospect, instead of "press X to hit is soft, O to hit it hard, L1 for a dipping shot" and so on, you simply have "swing the controller at the ball"; instant approachability.

Those were just a few examples, I can envision games like Zelda and Metroid working equally as well. Just read the impressions of the metroid demo, using the analogue attachment to move forwards and backwards and strafe, then the "remote controller" to look around by tilting it. I think that would work absolutely fantastically, allowing a greater level of control with something more akin to a mouse, but a more intuitive mouse.

I can understand why people on tech forums are all "wtf, that looks crap" because they're going to be a small percentage of the market Nintendo are now going for. You can't blame them, look at the games which they're offering on the DS, they're hitting people who've never played games before, and a lot of people at that. Opening doors to these people who are put off by either the game content or the way in which it's controlled.

Technologically it's pretty damn cool as well. The way it detects 2 things, the movement forwards, backwards, left and right in the 3d plane. Then it detects the tilt as well, fantastic. If used correctly it'll completely change the way we play games, as well as opening it up to a much wider audience then was ever possible before. Xbox360 and PS3 will attract the same gamers, and maybe a few more simply because of gaming becoming slightly more mainstream as the years go on. But this opens up a massive market which the PS3 and the Xbox 360 simply will not appeal to. The danger of this is alienating the "regular/harcore" gamer, I can see the "quirkiness" putting off regular gamers, but I think you just need to open your mind a little. I for one would enjoy something like Virtua Tennis on the Revolution a lot, lot more than on the Xbox360/PS3; even if they looked inferior. Simply because the interaction between the gamer and the game is so much more special.

I'd have a sit back and think now, how the form of control will affect the games you currently enjoy. Some will simply not be possible and perhaps too much hard work, so I can see this putting off some developers/publishers but that goes with the territory. The DS done the same to some developers initially, but I think with the DS they captured a pretty unique market and hopefully the Revolution will do the same. I just didn't know how long we can keep making the same games over and over again except with a bit of spit and polish.

For those who haven't seen it, it's definitely worth viewing the video of it in action:

Video of the Revolution Controller in action

Not everyone is going to like it, but Nintendo isn't trying to please everyone, it's trying to please everyone else. People will be happy with their PS3's and Xbox 360's then there'll be people that have never played a game in their lives buying Revolution. The coming generation is going to be very, very interesting.

586533706[/snapback]

Damn it you said it, however one thing you said bugged me. you said crossplatform games will be rare on the Revolution. That is inaccurate, remember they put those four GCN ports there for a reason. :D The GCN controller can still hold its own when dealing with crossplatform games, I mean what's the difference between the Xbox 360 PS3 (PS2/PS) and the GCN's controller? Not much my friend, games will be easily ported to the Revolution because of those four little ports.

[Julius Caro]

The controller is UGLY, imo, but I like its features !!

[Epimetheus]

I got you both beat. :D

https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=372777

[Kerm]

Personally, I dont like it. Its too much newness, not enough originality.

586533691[/snapback]

Riiiight, too much 'newness' but not enough originality... :/

[robertobaggio2k]

thats ugly whos gonna wanna play a game with somethin thats like a tv remote control :s

[x-byte]

Damn it you said it, however one thing you said bugged me. you said crossplatform games will be rare on the Revolution. That is inaccurate, remember they put those four GCN ports there for a reason. :D The GCN controller can still hold its own when dealing with crossplatform games, I mean what's the difference between the Xbox 360 PS3 (PS2/PS) and the GCN's controller? Not much my friend, games will be easily ported to the Revolution because of those four little ports.

586533716[/snapback]

You are forgetting that mainstream buyers probably won't own a GC at all and therefor not a controller. As Iwata himself said, there will be an attachment on the maincontroller that will be more like a regular controller.

[Dazzla Veteran]

Damn it you said it, however one thing you said bugged me. you said crossplatform games will be rare on the Revolution. That is inaccurate, remember they put those four GCN ports there for a reason. :D The GCN controller can still hold its own when dealing with crossplatform games, I mean what's the difference between the Xbox 360 PS3 (PS2/PS) and the GCN's controller? Not much my friend, games will be easily ported to the Revolution because of those four little ports.

586533716[/snapback]

But I'd be surprised if they bundled a GC controller with the Revolution (perhaps they will, perhaps that's their way out of the MP problem) because if there was no GC controller as standard then developers can't design games to use it.

I'd hope one of 2 things, a GC style controller to be included, or a more traditional controller included. But I don't think either will happen.

[Dotdot]

Screw the GC controller, get me a SNES one bundled LOL. Ninty will probs have some sort of budget GC controller available at launch. I wouldnt be suprised to see a GC controller with Revolution printed on it.

Mind you it would certainly be in Nintys interest to do an MS (.e S-type and standard pads) on us and release a version of the GC controller maybe with there tilt technology incorporated, or maybe an N64 style pad with a Tilt Pack instead of the Rumble Pack lol.

Ninty have always listened well to the end user, and I seriously wouldnt be suprised at all if this isnt catered for, if not at launch then certainly in a window of about 3-4 months after the launch :)

[Dogan]

For example, you could slash an in-game sword by actually swinging the controller from side to side

That's cool!

[Rishdeep]

Stream the video here: http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/15/news_6133335.html

There's a short teaser demonstration video and it just looks awesome. It's such an innovation that I'm really excited about using it - just think of using it in FPS games - with the sensor acting like a flashlight for example. Shear genius on Nintendo's part. Let's just hope it has the games to back it up.

[golazo]

the more i hear about this the more interested i get

[AlphaPrime]

Really?!?

Analogstick - move

left-hand: aim and shoot

586532871[/snapback]

Wouldn't the right hand be used for shooting (unless you were left-handed)? It'll be like this:

Analog stick add-on = Move, change weapons, jump, etc.

Remote stick = Aim/move camera, shoot

Anyway, Nintendo are going to need good games to support the console. Metroid Prime 3 would be nice as a launch title.

[Martyn]

It's an original idea so Nintendo deserve a lot credit for that, especially since that there isnt much originality in the world today. Personally I would prefer to use a controller with two hands, but thats just opinion. I like the slash and aim idea though.

:)

[masterren]

Video is also here: http://media.cube.ign.com/articles/651/651334/vids_1.html

[benjeeeboy]

Already a thread: https://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=372777&st=0

[Druw]

wont this make games just too god damn simple? i mean u point it wer u wna go,its like its made for kids or sumthin.i personally think it looks like crap like my tv remote,and with those silly attachments...god.ps3 and nintendo have ****ed me off with their stupid controllers,and no im not an xbox fanboy cos i have 3 ps2s and 2 ps1s. and a nes a snes and a gcube.

[Morgan]

I think it looks horrid. Nintendo just keeps disappointing me again and again...guess I should be happy that it doesn't look like the double ended dildo that the PS3 has...

[Laughing-Man]

Wait why do you people have a problem with Nintendo using the GameCube controller again. Sony used the Dual Shock in the PS1 and PS2 and there no complaints. Suddenly Nintendo decides to use its GameCube controller with its next console and there are all sorts of problems.

Let me guess, when MS and Sony come wout with controllers with tilt sensing technology, pinpoint aiming, etc. it is suddenly going to be so awesome and cool then?

If third parties do not want to use the new controller with their multiplatform games, they just use the GameCube controller. It doesn't take rocket science to figure that out.