Nintendo Revolution Controller Revealed!

[Vicman]

This is not an april fools joke. This is the actual thing.

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

The Revolution Controller Design Philosophy
"So why has Nintendo decided to brazenly break with tradition and the conventions of every other modern console in creating the Revolution controller? According to Mr. Miyamoto, it was part of a conscious decision to make something simple and straightforward enough to reach out to a new audience. "We want a system that takes advantage of new technology for something that anyone, regardless of age or gender, can pick up and play. [Something with a] gameplay style that people who have never played games can pick up and not be intimidated by. We wanted a controller that somebody's mother will look at and not be afraid of."

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/7552/closeup3uq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/1961/analog0du.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/1946/contandcons7xh.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/508/colors5to.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Folks, I'm sorry but Nintendo has lost it. Actual gamers aren't their focus anymore. It's all about non-gamers being their new audience. If there was ever a doubt that Nintendo can never regain what they lost and are purely focused on a niche market, this is proof. :wtf: :yuck:

[landstalkerx]

This is insane. No one wants to play video games with a controller that looks like a remote control for a T.V. Even a Genesis controller would be better than one of those.

[Vicman]

They just screwed themselves out of ANY serious multiplatform games.

How does anyone expect to play fighting games, sports games, first person shooters, driving games, action games, ANYTHING outside of overtly simplistic games with this thing?

So much industry hype over THIS? Give me a break!

[landstalkerx]

I don't see how it would cause problems for a first person shooter but as for the other genres go...

[Vicman]

First person shooters need quick reactions and good trigger fingers. When you're holding two pieces you can't put the needed pressure to run, swing around, shoot, dodge, throw a grenade, bash a guy in the head, and body roll all in near succession. Afterall there's no second analog stick, and only 2 buttons, 4 if you count that the analog attachment has a Z1 & Z2 button right underneath. FPS's were bad enough with an N64 controller, but at least you could get a firm grip since like all other controllers it was just one piece. This controller being essentially two pieces will make action gaming all the much harder due to balancing issues. Let alone that you're supposed move the remote around to aim with thus further confounding your ability to quickly multi-task in the heat of battle.

Nintendo's literally going backwards instead of forwards. Essentially supplying the original definition of revolution, to revolve, to come back to the begining.

[landstalkerx]

I see what you mean.

I just noticed that the analog stick looks exactly the same as GC analog stick. You'd think that they could at least come up with a new design for one of those.

[Vicman]

http://gfx.dagbladet.no/pub/artikkel/4/44/443/443527/kontro_art5.jpg

Here's a video of it in play: http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2005/09/16/443527.html

[GeckoYamori]

Gaming conservatives all over the world weep.

[StealthNinjaScyther]

I suppose the initial negative response isn't too surprising. I dunno, I really like it.

Seems the biggest gripe is that established game genres will have altered to be played with the thing. So what? Weren't a lot of these same people clammoring about how the industry isn't doing anything new?

I also don't see how the games would have to be simplistic to work with the controller. I don't really feel like extrapolating any of my ideas right now, but I can imagine games that using the seemingly limited control scheme could easily provide for a far more engaging experience than the current industry standard controller could provide.

My biggest concern is that the thing looks like it could be a little more ergonomic. It's a bit too square-ish.

[David J.]

I always had a feeling that gaming was going to 'evolve' to this.

Remember that PS2 commerical and it mentioned the Playstation 9?

[Vicman]

Take your TV remote and try fiddling with it like it was a controller. Can you NOT see how absurd it'll be to try and balance the thing in your hand while trying to do all sorts of things in all sorts of games?

The lack of ergonomics is just the start. Controllers should melt into one's hands not take precious time/focus away from the game. Sure goofy controllers like drums, maracas, guns, baseball bats, etc. are fun for certain types of games, but for regular games this is gonna be a nightmare. The half-baked ideas and the sheer of amount of impossibilities now unearthed by this controller really means that Nintendo is fine where it is and is focused on the casual/non-gamer.

Think you can enjoy a game of Street Fighter 3 on this thing? How about Virtua Fighter 4? Or any other non-simplistic fighting game for that matter. Just thinking about how established genres will work, and NOT have their control simplified or severely handicapped is a headache inducer.

There's such a thing as going too far in the 'innovation' camp and falling off the cliff into stupidity. Remember the power glove? The Super Scope 6? And other failed 'innovations'? This is a gimmick and will work for gimmick games. That's great as an add on but not as the main form of control. Anything intricate has now had it's controllability cut in half by the limits of this 'remote-controller'.

[Vicman]

Well it seems there will be compromise with normal controllers afterall. IMO that's good news:

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=60917

Eurogamer: How is the controller going to work with games that aren't designed specifically for the Revolution - multi-platform titles and so on?

Jim Merrick (Nintendo of Europe): We're producing a classic-style expansion controller, based on traditional designs like the Gamecube controller. It's like a shell with a hole in the top into which you slot the freehand-style controller, and then you can play third-party ported games, and retro Nintendo games you've downloaded.

So there's that option - but even while it's inserted into the classic-style shell, the freehand controller will still be able to sense positioning and so on, so there are more options too.

It's something that's just as true for the DS - not every game uses the DS's unique features. But some multi-platform titles do, like The Sims 2 for example. We hope other developers will do the same and look at ways their multi-platform titles can make use of the Revolution's features.

[Drixxel]

I'd like to try playing with one myself before I make any crazy judgements, but damn.. this certainly is a shake-up. Not too far from what I expected, actually - I just had the impression that both halves of the controller would be more or less symmetrical, with an analog stick on each. I'm assuming that Nintendo have tested this design extensively, so I doubt it will genuinely be physically uncomfortable to hold in the way they intend.

It's definately out there. I'll try to keep an open mind..

[dementia]

They just screwed themselves out of ANY serious multiplatform games.

You know, the thing does have 4 gamecube controller ports.

[crazyjoedavola]

Both the system and controller are extremely ugly to me, and I don't see how the controller could be anything other than an abomination. Having said that, I will reserve judgement until it actually comes out and I can give it a whirl. I've been pleasantly surprised before and it might just happen again, but seeing Nintendo's track record of late, I'm not holding out a lot of hope.

[Vicman]

They just screwed themselves out of ANY serious multiplatform games.

You know, the thing does have 4 gamecube controller ports.

I was aware of that, but when did the Gamecube have such strong 3rd party support? Anyways since they've now talked about a traditional controller shell in which to plug this remote-controller it's not as bad as if only having the remote to play games would have been. Nonetheless Nintendo seems to have admitted the obvious and are going for the untapped casual/non-gaming market instead of trying to outdo MS & Sony. Problem is that the causual/non-gaming market can be quite risky, especially when you're offering such a strange control scheme, and that market's desires change on a whim with each new gadget/toy/fad. It's a big risk to bank on this controller as a way carve out a piece of the market. All I know is that the more time passes the more I feel like Nintendo isn't aiming for my gaming desires.

[ROBOTRON]

Can I ask a dumb question? How do you play Streetfighter or an SNK fighter with that thing? I mean, D, DF F punch? How is it done???

[StRiDA CoL]

the Atari 7200 or 5200 I think had a remote control controller, so its nothing new

and Vic, Nintendo hasent lost touch, its Sont that has, The Prez of Sony said that the PS3 "isnt a game machine"

so overall its nothin new

[StRiDA CoL]

somewhat intresting

[Vicman]

Like I said, Nintendo is going back to begining. Making things simple and easy to grasp for non-gamers. The hardcore gamer isn't, and some say hasn't been, their focus anymore. I just hope they include the traditional controller shell in with the remote.

[Drixxel]

The more I've looked into this new design, the more excited I am about it. The tech demos evaluated by the 1UP journalist in the article give a good idea of the kinds of innovative game design possible because of this design. Ultimately, this kind of positional sensitivity could make control in a video game that much closer to reality. Sure, it's going to feel strangely foreign at first, but so did the first time you tried operating a joystick as a child.

The serious problem with this design is that only titles exclusive to Revolution will be able to utilize this controller positioning madness. Nintendo is going to need some very loyal third parties if they hope to have a large software library that takes advantage of what the Revolution offers (besides 1st party games, obviously).

Multiplatform releases are still a definate seeing as games don't need to utilize these features, and the controller can be reconfigured into a more traditional set-up (apparantly). As long as the Revolution hardware is able to compete with XBOX360 and PS3, there should be no problem with the Revolution handling mutliplatform titles. An issue I forsee is the lack of a tangible second analog stick, but seeing as the controller itself is made to operate in a similar way, I'm sure developers will be able to find a solution that will allow the game to be controlled similar to how it would be on XBOX360 or PS3.

2D one-on-one fighters look like they'll be pretty bloody impossible to play with any degree of precision with this controller. Agreed. But think about the many possibilities for game designs that will be impossible to recreate anywhere other than the Revolution. Presumably Nintendo have thought this all out very thoroughly if they're planning to make the Revolution backwards compatible with every Nintendo console previous, and these console software libraries included 2D one-on-one fighters. The controller does have an expansion port. Nintendo could theoretically come out with any design for a controller extension, including one specifically designed for 2D gaming.

[StRiDA CoL]

well 1up said it takes a while to get used to to but in the end its really good with first person shooters

[Vicman]

Ultimately, this kind of positional sensitivity could make control in a video game that much closer to reality. Sure, it's going to feel strangely foreign at first, but so did the first time you tried operating a joystick as a child.

Try this: take your remote and hold your arm out for about a minute while rotating the remote left and right, up and down. Does your arm tire out? Now try this for 5,10,15,20 mintues? If you don't see the potential for Carpel Tunnell Syndrome developing you're not thinking this all the way through. Our thumbs were made for the adaptive movements and quick reactions that normal gaming pads offer. Our wrists and arms weren't. The only saving grace in this news to me is the traditional Gamecube-esque controller shell that they've promised & the use of GC controllers. Here's hoping I'm not forced into having to use the motion sensors/gyroscopic controls for most NR games.

[Dartagnan1083]

I wouldn't go on 1up's deductions for reaction.
1up is among the absolute bottom-of-barrel of communities. . .along with Nintendo.com and Gamepro.com

As for the controller. . .we all remember the powerglove.
But I think Nintendo has the knowhow to make it work.

I can see FPS games where you use the analog stick for directional movement, and the infa-red for aiming.

New weapon based fighters could employ the infared for command input (I belive there's a video out there of someone that trounced the max-difficulty of Soul Calibur using the DC fishing controller).

This can also bring all kinds of new possibilities into the fold with a whole new level of interactivity.
I don't know why I'm in the minority about this.
From what I've heard, 3rd parties are pretty interested (japanese ones at least).


Oh. . .and here's a video that isn't shitty
http://cubemovies.ign.com/cube/video/article/651/651334/revolutiontrailer_091605_qtlow.mov

[j_factor]

Ultimately, this kind of positional sensitivity could make control in a video game that much closer to reality. Sure, it's going to feel strangely foreign at first, but so did the first time you tried operating a joystick as a child.

Try this: take your remote and hold your arm out for about a minute while rotating the remote left and right, up and down. Does your arm tire out? Now try this for 5,10,15,20 mintues? If you don't see the potential for Carpel Tunnell Syndrome developing you're not thinking this all the way through. Our thumbs were made for the adaptive movements and quick reactions that normal gaming pads offer. Our wrists and arms weren't. The only saving grace in this news to me is the traditional Gamecube-esque controller shell that they've promised & the use of GC controllers. Here's hoping I'm not forced into having to use the motion sensors/gyroscopic controls for most NR games.

Have you ever played a light gun game?

[16bitter]

Those whining are being short-sighted and missing the point in my view -- the idea is that this is NOT more of the same, just as was always promised of this system. Now, of course, we see people acting as if it's terrible.

To me, it looks like the next step -- at the very least it has great potential. I think Nintendo could take over the market again by expanding and reenergizing it through their innovations. If the games can match up to the ideas of the base controller/console, then this will be an awesome experience -- something that Sony and Microsoft will not easily emulate if it takes off.

The uniqueness may just be a huge hit. I can see this being THE toy or gift next year.

I like Nintendo's boldness. I'm sick of the same old crap, and gaming was and is starting to lose me -- I still love the older gens, but I'm seeing little reason to line up for an Xbox360 myself.

This? Now this I feel excited about. Hopefully its potential will be realized in the software.

[Drixxel]

Try this: take your remote and hold your arm out for about a minute while rotating the remote left and right, up and down. Does your arm tire out? Now try this for 5,10,15,20 mintues? If you don't see the potential for Carpel Tunnell Syndrome developing you're not thinking this all the way through. Our thumbs were made for the adaptive movements and quick reactions that normal gaming pads offer. Our wrists and arms weren't. The only saving grace in this news to me is the traditional Gamecube-esque controller shell that they've promised & the use of GC controllers. Here's hoping I'm not forced into having to use the motion sensors/gyroscopic controls for most NR games.

There's the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome with any repetitive strain on the wrists. The risk is dramatically reduced if one puts into action correct operational techniques.. for instance, the act of typing on a keyboard definately has the potential to develop you a nasty case of carpal tunnel syndrome, unless of course the wrists are properly supported. In the case of the Revolution, much of the action will likely involve pointing the controller at the television to interact with the madness onscreen, and if you were to sit a reasonable distance from the television and have your elbow rested on your knee, you could leisurely be playing a game with minimal wrists movement. You're not going to have to move your wrist much to cover the span of the television.

Vicman, if you insist on staying completely loyal to the tried and true, I suppose there's no swaying you. You posted not long ago that article dealing with the stagnation of the games industry.. I assumed that you were all for a shake-up in gaming, but your damning of the Revolution has me a little confused as to where you stand. Where do you forsee gaming going in the next twenty years? Photoreal graphics controlled by a Dual Shock 2?

[j_factor]

You know what else had a controller that didn't look like a video game controller? Nintendo Entertainment System.

[Drixxel]

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8857/understandingtherevolutioncont.jpg

Can you dig it? The image is an IGN mock up, but this is the kind of thing the expansion port on the Rev controller could allow for.

[lordofduct]

I am very excited about it... a complete REHAUL in the idea of what console gaming is.

Just like the DS this is a completely new and innovative way to play a video game... guaranteed NEW games. You guys ever play XY/XX for the DS... expect very new ideas to be coming out of this. I am very very very excited

The only thing I am concerned about is if they want to do the thing where they have older games playable (GC, N64, SNES, NES...) they are definately going to have to supply a different controller. So I am pretty sure one will come.

[Melf]

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8857/understandingtherevolutioncont.jpg

Can you dig it? The image is an IGN mock up, but this is the kind of thing the expansion port on the Rev controller could allow for.

Wouldn't that kind of defeat the whole purpose of this new controller though?

I don't see any problem playing NES and SNES games with it, since it's more or less the same thing. I do see problems with multiplatform games, especially those that require many buttons to use. I don't think most 3rd party companies are going to be willing to redo the controller scheme for every one of their games just for the Revolution. We saw the nasty 3rd party support the GC had, and this might cause the Rev. some problems down the line. We'll have to wait and see to be sure, but I'm not entirely convinced of the benefits of this controller, especially when it has all kinds of gadgets to add on, almost as if Nintendo sees the limits of the controller from the get-go.

[16bitter]

We saw the nasty 3rd party support the GC had, and this might cause the Rev. some problems down the line.

That goes both ways this time. If Nintendo releases some truly hot games that innovate this will become THE hot item. I really believe that.

The controller makes Nintendo's goals clear enough -- not to compete with Sony and Microsoft and, no, not to create a "niche" market. Their true aim, so far as I can see, is to redefine what the market is and in so doing take it back over.

They aren't going to want a bunch of ports -- that's why ths controller is what it is. They want stuff that nobody else has, and if they lead the way both as far as software and market creation then third parties will jump on board. I think they will get quite a few anyway, as the controller has to be as exciting to true game artists/designers as it is the gameplayer.

[j_factor]

Kojima, Naka, Mikami, and some guy from Ubi Soft have all gone on record complimenting the controller design and saying they were excited to use it.

My frothing demand increases!

[Sega Uranus]

At first, I thought it looked silly and confusing, but then I saw the video that was shown on Attack of the Show, and all I can think of now is what 16Bitter said!


I was worried about Fighting games, untill the "shell" was announced.

I also think that Sport games (with the exception of Football, and Soccer) will be fun for people who don't like sport games like ME!

[StRiDA CoL]

Whos Makami?

[Drixxel]

Ol' Shinji Mikami is the creator of the Resident Evil franchise, among other things. He's also had his hands in Viewtiful Joe and Devil May Cry, so basically his works are keeping Capcom's higher ups fat and happy.

http://www.vgcats.com/comics/.. next-gen console mockery, for those that have not seen it.

[j_factor]

http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1084&Itemid=2

Well here's comments from a bunch of game-making-type people. I'm not sure what crawled up Lorne Lanning's ass and died, but everyone else has something interesting to say.

[Sega Uranus]

Wow, what a nice read... except for Lorne, a big WTF in his direction.

[ROBOTRON]

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8857/understandingtherevolutioncont.jpg

Can you dig it? The image is an IGN mock up, but this is the kind of thing the expansion port on the Rev controller could allow for.

Now I might be able to live with that thing. :shock:

[Drixxel]

In that article j_factor linked to, David Perry's opinion on the controller.. kind of confusing. His disappointment seems to come from his wish for a console's controller to be as malleable as possible to allow for any number of changes to the interface, with swapable face-plates that clip on to the controller offering both new control options and/or limiting others.. I don't know, that sounds exactly what could be possible with the Rev controller as it is. The thing could work with any number of controller shells or expansions, be it a track ball, throttle slider, touch screen.. maybe ol' David Perry just didn't realize this at the time he wrote as he makes no note of the existance of the controller's expansion port which would give him the freedom he so desires for creating his own customized game interface.

It's reassuring to see that the optimists outweigh the poopy pants in that article.

[StRiDA CoL]

Tommy Tallarico's response was just basically mine...without some teenage slang and getting really mad at Vic :lol:

JK man JK

[ary incorparated]

Yeah whi ever played card fighters you have to fight aggainst Mekami and that game was the bobomn But sore neo geo pocket had a but ugly graphics it could have done ways better.is this a reminder to the DC with VMU or what?.