Wii

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Template:Future product

File:NintendoRevolution.jpg
The Nintendo Revolution as shown at E³ 2005. Nintendo announced that this is just a prototype, and as small as it is, the final console will be even smaller.

Nintendo Revolution is the codename for Nintendo's fifth video game console and the successor to the Nintendo GameCube. The system was unveiled at Nintendo's 2005 E³ press conference, and while a release date has not been confirmed, it is expected to be released sometime during 2006.

Nintendo has been coy with the release of information regarding the Revolution, leaving some media outlets with the idea that Nintendo may not be prepared to compete with Microsoft and Sony. Top executives at the company deny this and insist that they are simply protecting their ideas, designs, and intellectual property from imitation by competitors before the system is released. Prior innovations (such as the inclusion of an analog stick as standard, wireless controller technology, and force feedback devices for controllers) have been widely disseminated following their mainstream arrival on Nintendo's machines.

Confirmed hardware and technology

Nintendo has announced that IBM has been working with the development of the CPU, codenamed "Broadway." IBM was previously involved with the development of the processor in Nintendo's current system, GameCube. Nintendo has also announced that Canadian graphics card maker ATI Technologies is involved with 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 made of former Silicon Graphics employees involved with the Nintendo 64. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata also announced that the Revolution will be backward compatible with GameCube games and have built-in Wi-Fi for online playing, provided by Broadcom Corporation [1]. Nintendo has announced they will provide an optional PC-compatible wireless router for use by consumers that do not already have access to a wireless connection. The accessory is reportedly compatible with both the Nintendo DS and Revolution. While no ethernet port is planned, Nintendo has suggested ethernet may be possible for the system with USB via an adaptor. MoSys, whose 1T-SRAM memory technology was used in the GameCube, will again provide the same technology for Revolution.

Nintendo has gone on record as stating that the Revolution will use standard DVD as its medium, and the Nihon Keizai Shimbun newspaper has added onto this specification by stating that the system will employ 12 cm optical discs. Nintendo later removed these claims from official press releases and hinted that they might utilize the new Blu-Ray or HD DVD technologies which Sony and Microsoft (through a planned upgrade) will employ in their next generation consoles. Nintendo would not be specific when asked about which format would be used, but confirmed around eight gigabytes of data would be the approximate capacity of a Revolution DVD. The Revolution will accept both Revolution and GameCube disks, a first for slot loading drives. It will also have the ability to play DVD movies with an "internal add-on". While all Nintendo consoles to date have expansion serial ports, none have been announced for Revolution. Other information states that Revolution will be able to hook up to a computer monitor as well as a TV. However, Nintendo has confirmed that at this point in time, they are not supporting HDTV output for the Revolution, however, 480p will be standard. [2] This may mean that the system will be unable to output HDTV at all, or it may mean that HDTV support will be at the developer's discretion.

Nintendo also has said the console will be "sleek", approximately the thickness of three DVD cases, and stand both horizontally and vertically, considerably thinner than the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. This new industrial design will also address remarks regarding the Gamecube and its "toyish" look which some have complained does not fit in amongst most home entertainment components. [3].

Known specifications

Due to the relatively early stages of development, specifications may change before the console's final release.

  • Processors:
  • Memory:
    • 1T-SRAM by MoSys
      • No further details.
    • 512 MB built-in flash memory
      • Replaces the function of an internal hard drive.
      • Will be used to store:
        • Revolution game save data
        • Downloaded games
        • Game demos
        • Patches or upgrades
  • Ports and peripherals:
    • Two USB 2.0 ports.
    • No proprietary serial ports announced.
      • All Nintendo consoles to date have a serial port.
    • Wireless controllers.
    • A single proprietary output for video and audio.
    • A dongle enabling DVD playback.
    • 4 Gamecube controller ports and 2 Gamecube memory card ports (for compatibility).
    • Optional USB PC-compatible 802.11b wireless router.
  • Media:
    • The first slot loading optical disc drive capable of handling both 12 cm and 8 cm proprietary optical discs (again, for GameCube compatibility).
    • 2 front loading SD memory card slots.
  • Networking:
  • Final version is to be smaller than the presented E³ prototype.

Features

Nintendo has been working to make it clear that it wishes for its new console to provide more than simply better graphics over its predecessor. It is still not yet known how they will achieve this, but it is speculated and believed that it may provide new methods of interaction through its controller which has yet to be unveiled.

Some online argument ensued 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 [4]. A website called 1080up.org was also formed specifically for lobbying Nintendo to include the feature.

Backward 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 the original 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 Nintendo GameCube discs through the same slot-loading disc drive that will accept Revolution game discs and DVD movies. However, it is unclear if it will have the high-speed port required for use with the Game Boy Player accessory.

Virtual console

Nintendo has announced that Revolution will have the ability to play all the Nintendo-produced Nintendo 64, SNES/Super Famicom, and Nintendo Entertainment System/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 flash memory built into the system."[5] To prevent illegal copying, downloaded games will feature a proprietary DRM system.

Nintendo announced that the downloadable games may be redesigned. 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." Some 3D games may "look sharper when played on Revolution." [6] If the technical aspects of Revolution also go well, "[Nintendo is] discussing the possibility of having older games like Mario Party playable online."

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.[7] It is also unknown what specific titles will be available or whether other third-party developers may release their older games for the Revolution, although it has been said that Nintendo is in talks with these deveopers 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." Currently, Nintendo could release more than 200 potential titles.

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. 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.

Games in development

See List of Nintendo Revolution games.

Many games featuring Nintendo's classic franchises, such as Mario, The Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, Metroid, Super Smash Brothers and Donkey Kong, have been announced. 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. Third-party developers such as Sega, Konami, Capcom, UbiSoft, Square-Enix and Bandai have also pledged games for the system.

Rumors and speculation

File:Nintendo-revolution7.jpg
A possible Nintendo Revolution logo and 5 different colored prototype Revolution systems
  • Nintendo has confirmed multiple colors for the Revolution. Five colors were shown at E³:
  • The Revolution may have connectivity with the Nintendo DS or Nintendo's next handheld system (seeing as Nintendo says that the Nintendo DS is not the next Game Boy system). Nintendo Power magazine has said this is likely in its July 2005 issue. A reported interview with Mr. Miyamoto seems to confirm this; however, the legitimacy of the source is unknown.[8]
  • Several publications are citing an anonymous source inside Nintendo that claims the system will be renamed "Revo". The source has released images of what could be the official logo (a stylized R), images of a slightly smaller system and as well as some advertisement material. Currently, there is no evidence substantiating such claims.[9]
  • A rumor on its specs: "... the console will boast four 2.5 GHz IBM G5 Custom cores, with 128 KB of level 1 cache and a 512 KB shared level 2 cache, while the graphics will be powered by a dual core ATI RN520 chipset, with 16 MB of on-board eDRAM for the frame buffer."[10] Current rumors from the same website provides new, as well as contradictory, details to the first report: "The specifications [...] suggest that the system will be powered by two 1.8Ghz IBM PowerPC G5 processors, a 600Mhz graphics chip from ATI and a 7.1 Digital Sound chipset. The console will apparently sport 128MB of high speed 1T-SRAM as main memory, along with 256MB of slower DRAM, while the graphics chip has 12MB of on-board high speed RAM. 6GB proprietary DVD-size discs, designed by Panasonic, would be used for Revolution's games."[11] The contradictions make it evident that some, if not all the information presented by this source, is incorrect.
  • There is speculation that there will be 50 games ready for launch. A third Super Smash Bros. game is said to be bundled in with the Revolution. Iwata also said he would push for an online Smash Brothers to be a launch title.
  • 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 512MB of internal storage.
File:Nintendo Revolution ad.jpg
An ad speculated to be leaked for the Nintendo Revolution suggesting a release period close to the Sony PlayStation 3.
  • A new Kid Icarus game was hinted to be in development by Shigeru Miyamoto in an interview with IGN.
  • Mario Revolution is likely to be the long developed Super Mario 128, considering comments by Mr. Miyamoto.[12]
  • Pilotwings 3 may be slated for a Nintendo Revolution release, after being cancelled for the GameCube.
  • Konami may be in the proccess of developing two projects for Revolution.
  • A Killer Instinct game may be in development for the Revolution. [13]
  • An ad circulating on the net states "A new experience is coming. The revolution starts March 2006". This could be a potential release date. Another rumor previously suggested a November 2006 release.
  • Considering a patent filed by Nintendo July 21, 2004, it is possible that Revolution may feature anything from holographic graphics to a dramatically different way of generating images.[14] To further the hologram rumor, an undisclosed Japanese game company (assumed to be Nintendo) may have invested $300,000 into a 3D hologram project conducted by NASA "with the intention of finding out whether or not the technology could be applied to gaming experiences."[15]
  • 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, GameCube and Revolution titles. A website does state that a technology called NURB <-- NURBS? User:CyberSkull -->is being developed by Nintendo, which could bring graphical capabilities up to the PS3's level. [16]. Keep in mind that this is not confirmed. The same website claims that Cube Environment Mapping [17] will also be used.
  • Nintendo or a third-party company may develop an Ethernet port accessory compatible with the system's USB 2.0 ports.
  • The 512 megs of flash memory is likely to be employed via SD Media which is used in digital cameras and other portable devices.

Controller

It has been reported that Nintendo may reveal, what is speculated to be Revolution's largest innovation, the new controller at the Tokyo Game Show [18]. There is a rumor from a magazine in Japan called "The Diamond Weekly" that the new console's controllers will not have the traditional A and B Buttons or the D-pad, which have been present since the NES era in the mid-1980s. It is also worth noting that Nintendo has, since 2001, invested a great deal of money and resources into the company Gyration, which focuses on creating controllers for the PC using gyroscopes. Nintendo has previously included motion-sensors in the game cartridges for titles in the Yoshi, Wario Ware and Kirby franchises. Speculation suggests that the wireless controllers will use an enhanced form of the RF technology present in the Nintendo Wavebirds or may even connect via a Wi-Fi connection. Heavy use of haptic devices is also a possibility, such as the ability to change temperatures or "push" back at the user, depending on the game.

In Issue #144 (April 2005) of Game Informer, there was a brief reiteration that the Revolution's controllers would indeed be touch screens in similar fashion to the Nintendo DS. However a later issue briefly stated that the controller might not be touch based but gyroscopic. However, at a June 2004 analyst briefing in Japan, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stated, "We have no intention of making a two-screen console akin to the [Nintendo] DS." He did not specifically confirm or deny the possibility of a touch-based interface.

During E³ 2005, Nintendo's Chief Marketing Officer Reginald Fils-Aime stated "[Nintendo] announced the ability to download and play the best NES games, SNES games, N64 games, in addition to Revolution games and GameCube games; if you put those controllers all lined up together, they're all very different. So think about what kind of device is going to allow you to play all those different types of games. It's pretty interesting." This could imply that the controller is customizable in a way that can emulate the designs of the older systems' controllers.

Reginald Fils-Aime was recently interviewed by EGM where he stated that even if "[EGM and its fans] haven’t seen the controller [it] doesn’t mean that no one else has." This suggests 3rd party developers have already seen the enigmatic controller for Nintendo's next gaming system.

New information suggests the controller will be conventional enough to play third party games ported from other systems along with being able to provide control for the older games provided through the Virtual Console feature. Nevertheless, it is still evident that the controller will be significantly different from those of other Nintendo systems. The Revolution will include four GameCube controller ports. It is worth noting that the GameCube controller ports and GameCube memory card ports have their own covers, so that one could be opened and the other left closed. This may suggest that a user could play a GameCube game while using their GameCube memory card, but choose to use the Revolution's controller, or vice versa. It was believed that Nintendo was going to show the controller at E³ 2005 — however, it did not. It has since been established in interviews that the controller is still being designed. [19]

See also

References

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