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*Nintendo will probably have multiple colors for the Revolution. Five colors were shown at [[E3|E³]]: [[White]], [[Silver (color)|Silver]], [[Black]], [[Red]], and [[Lime (color)|Lime]].
*Nintendo will probably have multiple colors for the Revolution. Five colors were shown at [[E3|E³]]: [[White]], [[Silver (color)|Silver]], [[Black]], [[Red]], and [[Lime (color)|Lime]].


*The Revolution may have connectivity with the [[Nintendo DS]] and the next [[Game Boy]] system. ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' magazine has said this is likely in its [[July]] [[2005]] issue. A reported interview with [[Shigeru Miyamoto|Mr. Miyamoto]] seems to confirm this; however, the legitimacy of the source is unknown.[http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/content/news_archives/gen_nin.php?subaction=showfull&id=1118895694&archive=&s%20tart_from=&ucat=5 ]
*The Revolution may have connectivity with the [[Nintendo DS]] and the next [[Game Boy]] system. ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' magazine has said this is likely in its [[July]] [[2005]] issue. A reported interview with [[Shigeru Miyamoto|Shigeru Miyamoto]] seems to confirm this; however, the legitimacy of the source is unknown.[http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/content/news_archives/gen_nin.php?subaction=showfull&id=1118895694&archive=&s%20tart_from=&ucat=5 ]


*It has been suggested that the reason that Nintendo released the information about the real-space controller was because they caught wind of a "pitch" and "yaw" handheld extension of the EyeToy that was being considered for the PlayStation 3 and therefore released the information to avoid accusations of plagiarism.
*It has been suggested that the reason that Nintendo released the information about the real-space controller was because they caught wind of a "pitch" and "yaw" handheld extension of the EyeToy that was being considered for the PlayStation 3 and therefore released the information to avoid accusations of plagiarism.

Revision as of 17:18, 8 January 2006

Template:Future product

Nintendo Revolution
Prototype of the Nintendo Revolution
ManufacturerNintendo
TypeVideo game console
GenerationSeventh generation era
Lifespan2006
MediaUnspecified 12cm DVD format
GameCube optical disc
Online servicesNintendo Wi-Fi Connection

The Nintendo Revolution is the current codename for Nintendo's fifth home video game console and the successor to the Nintendo GameCube. Its main innovation will likely be its controller that responds to its own position and orientation in 3-D physical space in front of the television, a concept never before seen in mainstream consoles. Another innovation is that its slot-loading optical drive is the first that accepts both 3 and 5 inch discs, GameCube and dual-layered DVD based media.

The system was unveiled at Nintendo's 2005 E³ press conference and the game controller at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show by Satoru Iwata during his keynote speech [1] in September. Promotional material released at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show stated the console was scheduled for a 2006 release. In an interview with Nikkei Business, Iwata stated the Revolution will be coming out after April of that year, and that they are considering attempting an international launch [2] with no more than 14 weeks of difference between the first and last launching regions. [3] Nintendo has announced that more details about the system will be made public on May 9, 2006. [4] The latest sources point towards a November 2006 launch date. [5]

Nintendo has had a tendency to be coy with release of information regarding the Revolution, leaving some media outlets with the false idea that Nintendo was not prepared or did not have the intention to compete with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. Top executives at the company denied that and insisted that they were simply protecting their intellectual property from imitation by competitors before the system is released. Innovations (such as the inclusion of a D-Pad as standard, shoulder buttons, and vibrating feedback for controllers) have been widely disseminated following their mainstream arrival on Nintendo's machines.

Confirmed hardware and technology

CPU/GPU

IBM will be developing the CPU, codenamed "Broadway". IBM previously developed the processor in Nintendo's current system, the GameCube. One source has claimed that it is just an expansion on the Gamecube's CPU [6], although this has not been verified. Nintendo has also announced that Canadian graphics card maker ATI Technologies is developing the GPU, which is codenamed "Hollywood". Before the GameCube's release, ATI had bought ArtX, the company responsible for the GameCube's GPU and whose members were former Silicon Graphics employees involved with the Nintendo 64 graphics chip. Absolutely none of Hollywood's specs have been confirmed yet.

Connectivity

The Revolution will have built-in Wi-Fi, allowing certain games to be played online [7] via a wireless hotspot. Nintendo is providing an optional PC-compatible wireless router for use by consumers that do not already have access to a wireless connection. The accessory is also compatible with the Nintendo DS. While no Ethernet port is planned, Nintendo has suggested Ethernet may be possible for the system with USB via an adaptor.

Memory and game storage media

MoSys, whose 1T-SRAM memory technology was used in the GameCube, will again provide the RAM technology for the Revolution. Several sources have stated that the memory will be slightly tweaked/improved.

The Revolution will use standard DVD/CD size optical discs. It will have the ability to play DVD movies with an undisclosed add-on (most likely a hardware dongle). It will be able to hook up to a computer monitor (via component video) as well as a TV, but at this point in time, Nintendo is not supporting HDTV output. The standard output will be 480p. [8]

Design

Nintendo also has said the console will be "sleek", approximately the thickness of three DVD cases (pictures are of the prototype, which is three DVD cases large), thinner than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It will stand both horizontally and vertically. This new industrial design may also address remarks regarding the GameCube's unique look which many complain does not fit in amongst most home entertainment components. The console has also been stated to be a quieter system in comparison to the fan noise output by some gaming consoles and will also be more affordable than its competitors. [9].

Controller

File:RevolutionController.jpg
The Nintendo Revolution controller from various angles.

The Nintendo Revolution controller, unveiled at Tokyo Game Show 2005, has a shape reminiscent of a television remote control and operates like a mouse in three-dimensional real-space. The controller is also a reminiscent of the Nintendo 64 and NES in terms of the buttons.

The controller is a major departure from the last twenty years of console design. Two sensors near the television allow the controller to sense its position in three-dimensional space; other sensors in the controller itself allow it to sense its tilt and yaw. Players can thus mime actions (and receive "rumble pak" style vibration feedback) instead of simply pushing buttons. An early marketing video [10] showed actors miming such actions as fishing, cooking, drumming, conducting an orchestra, shooting a gun, sword fighting, and performing dental surgery. The video can be found here [11]. To communicate with the sensors, the Revolution's controller uses Bluetooth technology. [12]

File:Revcon screen006.jpg
The "nunchaku-style" analog stick peripheral (right) attached to the main controller

A digital directional pad is positioned at the top of the controller face, with a large GameCube-styled A button directly below it and a trigger on the underside acting as the B-button. Below the A button is a row of three small buttons: Start, Home, and Select. Near the bottom end of the controller are two additional buttons labeled lowercase a and b (labeled X and Y in promotional videos with the lowercase a and b able to be read when the controller is turned 90 degrees counterclockwise), suggesting that users can turn the controller 90 degrees and use it like a classic NES controller. Beneath these buttons are four lights which indicate which "port" is being used--at present, up to four players are expected to be able to play on a single Revolution console.

File:Revo con colour.jpg
The controller in various possible color schemes

The controller can also slip inside or be attached to peripherals through a proprietary port on its bottom end. A tethered peripheral with an analog stick and two shoulder buttons (labeled Z1 and Z2) will, according to Satoru Iwata, be bundled with the free-hand controller (letting the user play games "nunchaku-style").

A "shell" peripheral is also slated to release for the Revolution that will be "very similar in style and form to the Wavebird" [13]. The official name for this is the "Classic-Style Expansion Controller". According to Iwata, it is meant for playing "the existing games, virtual console games, and multi-platform games" (TGS 2005 keynote, 40:43). The freehand controller will slide into a hole in the top of the classic controller, and thus it will retain the freehand controller's position sensing capabilities. IGN has an article called "Understanding the Revolution Controller", which discusses the shell as well as includes a mock-up of what the shell might look like. [14]

Wikinews has related news:

Nintendo promises a wide variety of peripherals ranging from dance mats to analog game controllers. It is possible that they may be inexpensive enough to be bundled with games much like the rumble pack, expansion pack, and microphone for Star Fox 64, Donkey Kong 64, and Hey You, Pikachu!/Mario Party 6 respectively.

Mr. Iwata has confirmed that the sensors will be compatible with any television, including projectors.

Also, Miyamoto added before exiting the stage [of Japan's Digital Interactive Entertainment Conference], "there are still secrets to this controller, and these will be revealed next year."

It is speculated that Nintendo may opt to place a microphone into the controller, or possibly an add-on headset peripheral. Nintendo has continuously shown interest in voice-controlled/influenced games, as shown in the Nintendo DS title Nintendogs and the GameCube titles Mario Party 6 and Mario Party 7, which both use the GameCube's microphone peripheral. Nintendo has also stated that the odd real-time Japanese war/pinball simulator, Odama, will also use the GameCube's microphone peripheral for directing troops. Also, it should be noted that a microphone/headset could be useful for communication during online play, as that in the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Technical specifications

Nintendo has released very little detailed information at present concerning the technical specifications of the Revolution console. According to a recent interview with Nintendo of America's Jim Merrick, Nintendo may never release a complete system specification, citing that the exact technology is irrelevant, and has little bearing on how "satisfying" the gameplay is [15]. The Revolution is likely to be less expensive than Sony and Microsoft's next generation consoles and the only console sold at a price higher than it costs to produce (in other words, Nintendo will make a profit for each console sold). Some details have however been released by Nintendo and other third parties involved with the console:

  • Processors:
  • Memory: 88MB 1T-SRAM and 16MB DRAM
  • Ports and Peripherals:
    • Two USB 2.0 ports.
    • Wireless controllers.
    • Possibly a single proprietary output for video and audio.
    • 4 Nintendo GameCube controller ports and 2 Nintendo GameCube memory card ports (for compatibility).
    • Optional USB PC-compatible 802.11b wireless router.
  • Media:
    • Slot loading optical disc drive compatible with both 12 cm and 8 cm proprietary optical discs (again, for GameCube compatibility) as well as standard DVD discs. The proprietary optical discs will hold 4.7 GB (single layered) and 8.5 GB (double layered).
    • 2 front loading SD memory card slots.
    • Nintendo has announced that the Revolution will have a content ratings system in its console, having age restrictions as follows: PEGI 3+, 7+, 12+, 16+, 18+, and ESRB EC, E, E10+, T, M, and AO.
  • Networking:
  • The final version will be smaller than the prototype presented E³, which was described as being "about the size of three stacked standard DVD cases".

Features

Backwards compatibility

The Nintendo Revolution has reportedly been designed to be compatible with Nintendo GameCube software and most peripherals. Standing vertically, the top of Revolution has four GameCube controller ports that will allow the system to be compatible with ordinary GameCube controllers, Nintendo's wireless Wavebird controller, the DK Bongos, the Nintendo GameCube Game Boy Advance cable, and the Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix dance pads. It also features two memory card slots that should be fully compatible with all generations of GameCube memory cards ("Memory Card 59", "Memory Card 251", and "Memory Card 1019") and the Nintendo GameCube Microphone. The Nintendo Revolution is designed to accept the tiny Nintendo GameCube discs through the same slot-loading disc drive that will accept standard-sized Revolution game discs and DVD movies; this is a first for slot-loading disc drives, which typically only accept discs of one standard size. Nintendo is no stranger to backwards compatibility, as the Game Boy Advance can play older Game Boy Color and original Game Boy games, and the DS can play Game Boy Advance games. However, it is unclear if it will have the high-speed port required for use with the Game Boy Player accessory, but it is unlikely because of the difference in the Revolution's and the GameCube's size (a rectangle against an almost quadratic footprint with different measures).

Virtual console

Nintendo has announced that Revolution will have the ability to play many or all Nintendo-produced Nintendo 64, SNES/Super Famicom, and NES/Famicom games; the software may be recompiled or emulated but will be offered via the Nintendo online download service. Satoru Iwata refers to this feature as the "Virtual Console". According to a Japanese press release, "all downloaded games will be stored on the 512 [MiB] flash memory built into the system. To prevent illegal copying, downloaded games will feature a proprietary DRM system."[16]

Nintendo announced that the downloadable games may be redesigned, recompiled, or emulated. It was also said that although the gameplay would stay the same, it would be possible "that with Revolution, we may be able to see the old games with new looks." This may be compared to the 1993 SNES release Super Mario All-Stars, a single cartridge containing several classic Super Mario Bros games with updated graphics. Some 3D games may "look sharper when played on Revolution." [17] However, Jim Merrick, a European Nintendo president, claimed N64 games played on Revolution will have a better frame rate, but that there would not generally be any other significant graphical improvements. If the technical aspects of Revolution also go well, "[Nintendo is] discussing the possibility of having older games like Mario Party playable online." Also said by Merrick, there's a possibility for users to download games from others regions, a feature important to European gamers who could download (for example) Super Mario RPG from an American server.

Although no specifics have yet been released, there will be fees associated with the "virtual console" feature. Nintendo has suggested that they may give some of the downloadable games away with Nintendo products or through other special offers.[18] It is also unknown what specific titles will be available or whether third-party developers will release their older games for the Revolution, although it has been said that Nintendo is in talks with these developers for this purpose. Yuji Naka, the designer of Sonic the Hedgehog at Sega, said in an interview with Famitsu, "It's also great that we'll be able to play Famicom and other games via download. I hope Sega games will be playable as well." He also said similar in a recent interview with Nintendo Power. Currently, Nintendo could release more than 200 potential titles (and if, like it has been rumoured, the Revolution is indeed compatible with the Game Boy Player accessory, then over 90 percent of Nintendo's back catalogue could be playable on the system (excluding Virtual Boy software).

Some see Nintendo trying to pattern the most successful strategy used by the music industry against illegal music downloads. Since computers have been powerful enough to emulate past-generation home consoles and the Internet provided an easy, fast, and widely accessible distribution path for ROM images (a file which contains the data for a game which can then be played via an emulator), illegal ROM downloading has been common among a segment of fans of old games. The music industry's most successful method of reducing illegal music downloading has apparently been to offer consumers a way to download music legally for a small cost, as in the case of Apple, selling music in their iTunes music store for a general price of $1.00 USD. If Nintendo is successful at utilizing this model, they may be able to reduce illegal ROM downloading and open up a new revenue stream. This backward-compatibility feature also stands as a new unique selling point against the Revolution's competitors.

The unveiling of the new controller has also shed some light on the functionality of the backwards compatibility; specifically, when held sideways, the controller resembles the NES controller; on the left is a D-Pad, in the middle are Select and Start Buttons, and there are two buttons on the end serving as "A" and "B" buttons.

Nintendo recently filed a patent on the interface of the virtual console ([19]), suggesting that it will be a full emulator, as opposed to using re-written games, and that it may be possible to have extra features such as new characters added to the game.

Parental controls

The Revolution will feature parental controls, prohibiting young viewers from viewing inappropriate content. This allows parents to set the age level of the system, and when a disc is inserted, it will read the content rating encoded on the game discs; if this rating is greater than the system's age level setting, the game will not load unless the user correctly enters a password to override the setting. For instance, a game carrying an ESRB rating of M for Mature, which is intended for those over the age of 17, will not play on a system that is set to only allow games rated E for Everyone (ages six and older).

This will be found in all systems released around the world; it is confirmed that the European units will use the PEGI rating system [20], North American units will use the ESRB rating system [21], and units for the Japanese market will presumably use the CERO rating system. It is unknown what effect this will have on importing and playing games from one region on another region's machine; since Nintendo's consoles are also region locked, it is likely that whatever method importers use to circumvent the regional lock-out would have to override the parental lock-out as well.

Some politicians have expressed that they are pleased with this concept. For instance, an article listed on Nintendo's website claims that the governor of Washington state, Christine Gregoire, feels that it "gives parents more information and more control over what video games their kids play and at what age."[22]

However, this may prove unreliable as most parental control systems have a very easy way to reset the password, in case one forgets the password. This method is usually, in fact, in the instruction manual, and therefore, most anybody could bypass a parental lock. Details are currently unknown. The Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3 video game consoles will feature this as well.

Games in development

Main article: List of Nintendo Revolution games

Many games featuring Nintendo's classic franchises, such as Mario (most likely the long awaited Mario 128), The Legend of Zelda, Metroid and Super Smash Brothers, have been announced. It has also been hinted that older games such as Kid Icarus will be on the Revolution as well, though as of most of the Revolution's details this has only been based on speculation. Nintendo has also announced that it is in the process of developing an entirely new and original franchise to be added into the Nintendo universe, although all other details about this project are unknown at this time. It has been speculated that the new franchise might be more mature than most previous Nintendo games. Square Enix is working on a sequel Crystal Chronicles title, Ubisoft is releasing Splinter Cell 4 on all major consoles including Revolution, and has announced an exclusive FPS and another non-exclusive game. The exclusive title is being coined off as a 'Doom' clone. Blitz has announced that Possession will come to all three next-gen consoles. Koei and Namco/Bandai (merging) have made announcements that they will make games for Revolution but not what games yet. Also, Camelot has announced that they are currently working on a Revolution RPG. This game could possibly be a sequel to Golden Sun: The Lost Age. Killer 7 producer Goichi Suda, aka Suda 51, has confirmed that Grasshopper Manufacture is planning to make a Revolution game. [23] According to Game Informer, Hideo Kojima is developing a Revolution game with the team from Kojima Productions that developed Metal Gear Acid. [24] A new video game company called NIBRIS is said to make an exclusive game called "Raid Over The River." It will be a futuristic overhead shooter. On December 8, 2005, Electronic Arts officially declared its support for the Revolution.

Rumors and speculation

File:Nintendo-revolution7.jpg
A possible Nintendo Revolution logo and 5 different colored prototype Revolution systems

Hardware and specifications

  • The GPU is believed to be being developed by the same team formerly known as the Californian firm ArtX which developed the graphics chip of both the GameCube and its predecessor, the Nintendo 64, before being purchased by ATI. "Hollywood" may be a Flipper "Turbo", a micron die-shrunk version of Flipper overclocked to 324 Mhz. The eDRAM capacity and per-clock performance characteristics remain identical to the Flipper.
  • The Revolution may support a physics processing unit, with 32 MB of RAM. It will link to the CPU, GPU, and controller.
    • Additionally, Jim Merrick of NoE stated that the hardware specs won't be released far from the Revolution's launch, if ever. This is an attempt to put down the importance of specifications (which are now almost certain to be low), and the fact that non-gamers, an audience they're trying to reach, may not care.
    • In another statement Jim Merrick claimed that "there would be no significant difference between the graphical abilities of the console compared to other next generation systems".
  • Nintendo has been strongly hinting that not every major feature with regards to the Nintendo Revolution, and specifically its controller, has been revealed, likening it to the way that they first only revealed the fact that the Nintendo DS would have two screens, and only later revealing that it had a touchscreen, microphone, and wireless capabilities. According to Nintendo of Europe's Jim Merrick, they "have not shared everything that there is to know about Revolution or its controller.
  • Recently some patents filed by Nintendo were discovered, indicating that the Revolution may support "emboss bump mapping", a technique used by many game developers to achieve bump mapping effects with less resources.
  • On December 30, 2005 Nintendo released to a few select news sources that the Revolution will sell for less than $299. [25]
  • An interview at Spanish website Meristation suggests that the controller will provide force feedback, possibly through the use of gyroscopic technology.

Games

  • There is speculation that there may be up to 15 games ready for launch. A third Super Smash Bros. game with online play is said to be bundled in with the Revolution.
  • Mario Revolution is likely to be the long developed Super Mario 128, considering comments by Mr. Miyamoto. [26]
  • Pilotwings 3 may be slated for a Nintendo Revolution release, after being cancelled for the GameCube.
  • Raid over the River, a game developed by NIBRIS, based in Poland, is currently being developed exclusively for the Nintendo DS and the upcoming next-generation Nintendo console. NIBRIS has found a Publisher for both systems.
  • Mr. Miyamoto said in an EGM interview that he is thinking of making a Pikmin game for Revolution.
  • Third-party developers such as Activision, Atari, Capcom, Midway, Sega, EA Games, and THQ have made positive comments about the Revolution and will most likely be supporting the system, but have not announced any specific games themselves.
  • Konami may be in the process of developing two projects for Revolution.
  • Classic Sega titles may also be made available for download, in addition to classic Nintendo titles. This potentially includes titles released for the Sega Master System, Sega Genesis/Megadrive, Sega CD, Sega 32x, and Sega Saturn. Some of the CD-based games would need to be either stored on external SD cards that the Revolution supports or delivered on optical discs, given the system's expected 512MiB of internal storage. These rumors were sparked by comments made by Sega on the Nintendo Revolution.
  • Nintendo may utilize an internally developed proprietary visual distortion method to be applied to all of the games compatible with the Nintendo Revolution, including NES, SNES, N64, and GameCube titles.
  • Because of the style and features of the controller, it may be possible, to play NES games that use the NES Zapper, such as Duck Hunt and Hogan's Alley. It is also be possible to play games that used the SNES Super Scope.
  • It has been rumored that the Nintendo Revolution will have the ability to download Nintendo DS video game demos that will be able to be received on the Nintendo DS.
  • There have been rumors on the Internet about a first person shooter called "No End Soon". [27] If this is true, this could possibly be the exclusive FPS that Ubisoft is making. [28] It is interesting to note that if one brightens up the video, an object that just might be the transceiver for the controller can be seen above the TV. [29]

Absence of high definition

Online arguments commenced when Nintendo of America's Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Perrin Kaplan, announced there would be no HD support for their upcoming system. Kaplan stated beautiful graphics and innovative gameplay could be achieved without HD and that abstaining from the technology would help keep the cost of games down. In reaction, major Internet based magazines like IGN.com organized letter writing campaigns to protest against Nintendo regarding the decision and urging consumers to take action [30]. A website called 1080up.org was also formed specifically for lobbying Nintendo to include the feature but so far nothing clear has come from it.

Miscellaneous

  • Nintendo will probably have multiple colors for the Revolution. Five colors were shown at E³: White, Silver, Black, Red, and Lime.
  • It has been suggested that the reason that Nintendo released the information about the real-space controller was because they caught wind of a "pitch" and "yaw" handheld extension of the EyeToy that was being considered for the PlayStation 3 and therefore released the information to avoid accusations of plagiarism.
  • Nintendo or a third-party company may develop an Ethernet port accessory compatible with the system's USB 2.0 ports.

See also

References

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