Posted on 09/16/2005 3:43:04 PM PDT by Sofa King
Though the Nintendo Revolution was partially unveiled at this year's Electronic Entertainment Expo, its controller is the final piece of the venerable hardware manufacturer's next-generation puzzle. Speculation about the device has run rampant, because its manufacturer has made a point of keeping it well hidden. Nintendo has chosen only to drop hints that it would be an integral part of the Revolution's unique gameplay experience.
(Excerpt) Read more at gamespot.com ...
It sure is different- but for no other sake whatsoever than being different. The right thumb can only reach the direction pad and one button, and there's only one analog stick (and not nearly enough buttons). That means that Nintendo is screwed when it comes to third party titles, and is severly limited in it's interface for it's first party titles.
It looks like Nintendo is trying to pull a virtual boy again, but this time with it's main console.
looks like something that I won't buy.
Too much playing games makes one's mind numb
I'm an old timer when it comes to home video games (Odyssey 100, Fairchild Channel F, ColecoVision, etc.), and part of what made me stop was the crappy controllers that Nintendo foisted on America along with the excellent graphics of their original console. Small and flimsy, not well suited for the hands of an Amrican man. This controller continues in the small, flimsy, non tactile (likely solenoid) tradition.
Give me a full size joystick that rests on a surface any day.
I've never advanced past Super Mario 3. The only thing that would impress me is some sort of wrap-around virtual reality game.
It looks really hard to use two hands on. How lame.
IGN's Look at the Controller's Possibilities
It's a comprehensive article. Read it.
That means that Nintendo is screwed when it comes to third party titles, and is severly limited in it's interface for it's first party titles
Nintendo is not screwed.. they will release a regular style controller that can be used on 3rd party games.. and how is a controller that can be used in a variety of ways limiting? I can't wait to play a first person shooter with this bad boy
I whole heartedly disagree. You still have the use of the Gamecube and whatever controller through the acces ports on top of the Revo. Not to mention the controller itself is expandable and upgradeable and it contains the same amount of buttons as the other two with its analog stick connection, and you can reach the A button and b button the controller, unless you arent nimble enough to use a regular remote control, then you shouldnt even try.
The device is shear genius.
The problem is that those possibilities don't make up for the basic functionality that it loses (especially if the motion sensitve stuff doesn't work 100% perfectly, rendering it useless for percise functions). It would be neat as a seperate, optional controller for some games, but as the main controller it has to work for a wider range of games, many of which won't be designed specifically around it.
Its simply isnt just a motion sensitive device. Turn it to its side its a classic controller. Attach the analog stick it becomes no different than any other controller out there, with no need for special programming for it. The device is an option for programmers not a mandate, it still has its primary function as a controller.
No different than any other controller, save for the fact the left and right sides are seperated by a cable, nothing tough about that.
Problem: Not everybody is going to run out and buy all of those upgrades and expansions. Since developers can't count on anybody having anything except the core controller that comes with the system, they won't design their games to use those expansions in any really important way, leaving us with the core controller as the main implement for controlling the games. Remember how the Gamecube-gamboy advanced linkup was supposed to bring about all sorts of neat innovation?
Also, with a controller, you're using two hands to hold it between. With the remote, you'll only have one, meaning that you'll have to rely more on your right hand to grip it. Your hand will have to be under the controller (as opposed to being more on the side with a traditional controller) which will slow down how fast your thumb can reach the buttons. I've yet to hold a television remote control whose buttons I could hit with the same accuracy and speed as a controller.
"Turn it to its side its a classic controller."
Which is useless for modern games.
"Attach the analog stick it becomes no different than any other controller out there,"
No. It will still have fewer buttons and only one analog stick, in addition to still being more cumbersome.
Nintendo will sell plenty of these to their loyal fans and curious hardcore gamers, but I don't see this thing catching on with the general audience. It seems gimmicky.
Personally I thought the N64 had a great controller. I never liked any games for it aside from the Zelda games, but the controller is neat. The Gamecube controller sucks. Snes was better than that.
It comes with the analog controller. So it isnt just the remote controller. Problem for 99.99% of developers solved.
The two hand thing is no difference than it is today with todays controllers, you will always depend upon you dominate hand no matter what.
Also if your like me you hold tv remote controls on the side with your thumb being the primary component for usage. I use a panasonic tv in my bedroom and it is about the dimensions of the nintendo main controller, with a toggle pad and numerous buttons, it was immediately intuitive to use, no hunting and pecking, heck it is extremely comfortable, and I am guessing that panasonic may have had a deal for developing that controller. If you ever get a chance to go out and find a panasonic tv that has a plain remote its abou 4-5 inches long and 1.5 inches wide and hold it and play weith it like its a nintendo remote, and you will see what I am talking about.
<<<<"Turn it to its side its a classic controller."
Which is useless for modern games. >>>
But not useless for a catalog of games dating back to the 1980's.
<<"Attach the analog stick it becomes no different than any other controller out there,"
No. It will still have fewer buttons and only one analog stick, in addition to still being more cumbersome. >>
It has 8 buttons, the same as xbox and ps2. And when is the last time you used two analog sticks for any game???
Forgot to add that its not useless for a catalog of games dating back to the 1980's because nintendo is offering them for download on the revolution.
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