Revolution's real name and final form to be revealed in May

by Vladimir Cole on Nov 28th 2005 8:15PM

revolution Color us unsurprised. Companies tend to make their major announcements at E3, and Nintendo's given very clear indication that they'll be doing the same this coming May with the following announcement, sent to us this morning under the subject of "Save the Date for Nintendo:"

"You're probably just starting to plan your time for 2006. With a mere 165 days to go (give or take), it's time to start thinking about next year's E3. Nintendo is most certainly thinking about it. So pencil us in. You'll hear all the incredible details about Nintendo's upcoming games and hardware, including our next home console, code-named Revolution. You won't want to miss it. See you there.

WHAT: Nintendo's E3 Media Briefing

WHEN: Briefing begins at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2006.
WHERE: Kodak Theatre (home of the Academy Awards), Hollywood & Highland Center, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028

WHY: You know why."

Let's do a little close reading.

"Mere 165 days to go" = understatement for emphasis. By announcing this far in advance, Nintendo's promising the grand finale unveiling. Contrast to TGS: we didn't know until a couple days in advance that the company intended to show the Revolution controller at Tokyo Game Show. The cards are all on the table now.
"code-named Revolution" = We'll finally be told the final name for the console.
"You know why." Cheeky monkeys.

We're a little bummed that the announcement won't be made at GDC in March. May's a long way away.

Tags: PS3, Wii, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (54)

SUH-WEET!!!

Hopefully E3 06 will make up for the disappoint that E3 05 was.

I can't wait to until E3...now I might have a reason to actually be there when the doors open instead of coming a couple hours later.

*NOTE* The pre-E3 press conferences never start on-time...so this thing will probably start from a half hour to an hour late.

I'm going to boot camp this May... crap!

That sent a shivver down my spine "you know why". again going back to the thinking that the Rev is nothing new, its old tech just in a new light.

Anyone else predicting Nintendo to say "so heres the Revolution *shows tech demos, final form, announces specs, price, everything*... and you can now buy one today". cue everyones jaws hitting the floor and rushing out to buy 1, or 2 at that price.
The single best day in gaming since the original NES.

Whats the bet we'll see something totally different on the table? ;-)

Yes!!!!!!

Finally, I'm so excited!

It would be funny if they actually revealed an NES, SNES, N64, and a GC all duct taped togheter

*Giggles Like a School Girl*

Nintendo better have a good FPS if they want to compete with the other consoles.

"...sent to us this morning..."

And what the devil have you been doing since then? Seems like the tipsters ain't the only cheeky monkeys around here : /

Nintendo will take my virginity on May 9th and they will surly take yours. If you are thinking to yourself "Thats impossible, I already lost my virginity" then you are dead wrong.

w00t! Too bad it's a while away though...

i thought it was coming earlier. oh well, i can wait. E3 2006 is gonna be all Nintendo

dont wory Blueman. it will have multiple FPSs using the pointer. which should more than compete with Perfect Dark Zero or anything that Sony will show us.

YOU'RE wrong, Mullinator. Chuck Norris will take your virginity!

wow. 165 days. seems like so long to wait.

*wimpers softly to himself anmd hopes for PS3 news in the meantime*

you kidding? I'd bet money on Metroid Prime 3 being a launch title. or near enough. Else Retro Studios will fear for their lives... *stokes facial hair appendages*

I hope it's still called 'Revolution'. That name is already ingrained in our minds. It's the best name out of all 3 consoles to come out.

As for FPS, they're not then end-all games. Some of them are fun, but most are exactly the same. Which is why MP3 should be the best FPS ever, it's just not the same as any other FPS.

"code-named Revolution"
I like the name Revolution, its different and rolls of the tounge pleasently. I like the idea of new names for new systems rather than, "Playstation: The Trilogy." I guess the Sony is trying to milk its brand recongition, thats why it was reletivly easy to sell the PS2, but I hope Nintendo keeps the Revolution name and not turn it to something stupid like its other code name "dolphin".

yeeeessss, it is....whheeee!!

Hey sweet! Maybe the real name of the Revolution will be Dolphin!

Well I wouldn't be surprised if the name follows the same kind of convention as they have been using for the CPU and Graphics card. The reason those have been codenamed "Broadway" and "Hollywood" according to Nintendo was because they are the entertainment centers of America and much of the world. I don't have any idea how they could use that but it is just a thought.

Personally though I would prefer it if they stuck with the "Revolution", it just sounds so good. However I can understand why they might not want to actually name it that. I mean it would be hard to make any systems released after sound any better.

Oh yeah Tamo, you didn't get the memo? Nintendo's sent out the official name earlier than that. Its Called... The Nintendo Enlister. Thats the twist. They give you a controller that forces you to move your arm to play. So your arms will become muscular. Thats where online comes in. A camera accessory will take a picture of your new found "guns", and send it to Mr. Miyamoto. He will pick the strongest of us, and fly us to Kyoto to fight the real next-gen war. You didn't know that?

Heh.

Mullinator: good job shamelessly ripping off a chuck norris joke, making it completely not funny, and passing it as your own.

Seeing that "Mario 128" was going to be on Gamecube I'd bet on Metroid Prime 3, Mario 128, and Super Smash Bros. to all be launch titles(or within a monthor two). I see it being released in September/October with plenty of very good first party games available at Christmas.

I still think Nintendo's has just one more trick up their sleeve. Who knows?

Just imagine�in a short while�we might be viewing footage from the next Smash Bros�

Just one word: Sweet� ;)

GCN's GPU was called Flipper, a reference to the Dolphin codename. I wouldn't be surprised if Broadway and Hollywood referred to Revolution's final name. That said, it's a pretty big contradiction to the whole "Nintendo is games only" thing...

Clearly, there's some confusion. The _GAMECUBE_ was codenamed "Dolphin," not the Revolution.

The Revolution's codename is "Revolution." We know nothing about its final name.

I seem to recall something about the 64's codename being "Project Reality." Someone wanna confirm/deny that?

6. Many playable games to be seen.
7. Free classic NES games already installed on system
8. The OTHER revolutionary feature revealed.
9. Super Mario 128
10. Nintendogs and Mario Party

There's a lot of talk about how advanced graphics is trumping gameplay and how Nintendo's innovations are going to save us, but personally, I sorta like fancier graphics. I've always been interested in the story-telling ability of video games more than anything else and plan on getting a 360 because better graphics and better sound really do make more immersive and powerful story telling possible (e.g. the cinematic experience of Call of Duty 2 on a big screen TV) -- well, that plus the joy of fragging someone on XBox Live. In other words, Nintendogs and Animal Crossing really don't cut it.

Likewise, I can see a lot of people getting a PS3 for the same reason. Furthermore, Revolution or not, I think the PS3's going to dominate Japan at least just because it provides folks with a cheap Blu-Ray player.

Where the Revolution can really gain some market share is to sell itself to folks like us as a second console system. No amount of innovation will ween me from my over-powered graphics, but if the Revolution is cheap enough, I might be tempted to pick one up just to see if the wand really works. $199 would be acceptable but a $99 launch price would be amazing. Here's hoping that Nintedo can pull it off.

That's so heartwarming! All you Nintendo fans seem so happy. I truly am glad for you. Now if only Sony would give us PS3 enthusiasts something to be enthusiastic about.

Did anyone catch that they said the word "Hollywood" about 10000 times? Maybe this is me just looking to hard for an easteregg but maybe this is a theme they will be integrating for with their hardward. Just thought it was an interesting tid bit

The Nintendo's new console name will be, "Showstoppa" and HBK will be it's official spokesperson, just kidding! Can't wait to see it.

I have 360 Premium now, Revo is next for my gaming hardware. =)

As for PS3? I am not sure yet. I know I will have for a 'Showstoppa', but I doubt I will get a PS3 anytime soon after its launch.

Notice that they mention the fact that the Kodak theater is the home of the Academy Awards. Perhaps this has something to do with the graphics capabilities. I also find it strange how polite the letter seems with quotes like "Pencil us in" with Reggie Fils-Ami as marketing head I though that they would go with a more aggressive marketing attitude. Seems strange is all.

I'm kinda bummed about this news - I honestly didn't think it would take that long. What the hell are GC owners going to get between now and then? Sure, Zelda coming along someday, but what else?

I think Nintedo should speed this sh1t up - it should be released in May, not revealed.

Am I the only one that feels I know more, or at least the same amount, about the Revolution as the PS3. Sony has got to get on top of this game... we're all over the PSP and we want to know more about the PS3. I've got to decide which is going to be the second console in my home... the PS3 or the Xbox 360.

i always thought that N5 was a much better name then revolution

�code-named Revolution� = We�ll finally be told the final name for the console.

--

Yeah.. no shit.. it's going to be called 'Revolution'

Same thing with the DS.. they used the code name so long, it had traction, people knew what it was.. what? .. you think they're going to call it N5 or something?

What if it�s really not that cool? What if�All said and done - after E3 � the revolution ends up being just another console with a gimmicky controller that just doesn�t work correctly....you all are thinking it�s the coolest sh*t ever and you don�t even know what it is....

How exciting... but I also hope the Name Revolution will be the same.. cause they already made a logo and all and I get the Logo cause The RevOlutiOn Has the picture of a Cube disk and There new disk..

Well KLind, guess I'll have to play more than you so I will be the chosen one *Manaical Laugh*.
I personallly would like to have all systems, though my bank account disagrees, but Nintendo's new system would be nice to have a name that doesn't involve numbers of some kind. We want a sucessor, not a sequel.

Nintendo already has a "Revolution" section on nintendo.com

98% chance that the system will be called "Revolution" based on that fact.

I am 99% sure that 'Revolution' will not be the final name of the system. If you visit Nintendo's homepage, you'll plainly see that it says CODENAME: Revolution; that and the fact that Reggie and friends have reiterated 'Revolution' is not the final name a thousand times over in the press.

I've heard everything from Monolith, Shift, On, Next, and N5, but in the end, my guess would be something of an abbreviation -- i.e. DS, NES, SNES, N64, GBA... why not just start from the getgo with something easy?... maybe RS or NRS.

I'm sure we'll probably hear more news before May, but even if we don't, there's rumors that the "Revolution" will launch globally within a month after E3, while the hype is still hot. I guess only time will tell.

Yeah but DS and NES still stand for something. It is that Something that we are curious to find out in relation to the new system.

I like "revolution" but as someone said - what comes after that? "Revolution2" or maybe "Revalation"?

Maybe, Nintendo also want to start building automatic system loyality by using the same name starting from the next system (ie PlayStation 1/ 2 - Xbox / Xbox 360) it is possible they are going to use a name that does lend itself to a "2" being slapped on the end in 5 years!

Though as it is Nintendo, I doubt it - they like to be different - although the success of GAMEBOY / GB POCKET / GB COLOR / GB ADVANCE / GBASP etc has obviously shown them brand loyalty and mucho income. Maybe they will look to brand a future system along the lines of GAMEBOY (which is as "famous" as PlayStation").

The could just be all fashionable like a band and just call their new console "Nintendo" (eponymous) ;)

The GameCube was called Project Dolphin until a few months before launch. The proof is on every system, controller, and game. All parts are coded "DOL-001", "DOL-002", etc, meaning the name switch was rather late (previous systems used NES, SNS, NUS (N64), DMG (Dot-Matrix Game--original Game Boy), and AGB). In fact, the name GameCube wasn't decided until a few days before the inveiling. Yamauchi (former Nintendo president) argued hard for it to be called the StarCube...and they say he wasn't going senile...

As for previous Nintendo codenames:
Project VR32 -> Virtual Boy
Project Reality -> N64
Project Atlantis -> GBA
Project Nitro -> Nintendo DS
(Note that DS parts are all labled "NTR", again showing that the decision came rather late).

Also, the system will not be called NES, or UNES, much as I would like that. Since the N64 (well, since Acclaim said they couldn't call it "Ultra 64"), Nintendo has gone for a worldwide naming scheme. In Japan, the NES and Super NES were known as Famicom and Super Famicom. There's no way Nintendo would use two different names this time around, so I doubt we will see a new NES.

Im guessing it will be called the RS. I remember it being an old hoax name but DS and RS. they're both going to link together in a very big way.

who knows.

Do they really need to wait until E3 06 to reveal the final name? Or are they afraid Sony will steal that too :D

I kinda like revolution and its form but whatever its nintendo's choice.

May 06 "unveiling" probably means a JPN christmas launch followed by US shortly after and EU a couple of months later.

Here in the UK we'll be lucky to see it by Easter 2007 then.

I am not happy about this news, they are taking too long, it is obvious that they have no games for it ready and that "revolution" third party developers aren't pulling their weight quickly enough.

There's hardly any point talking about this revolution any longer if we are not going to see it for another year and a half, sod them.

Good job Nintendo is supporting the DS, I feel that is the only hardware they are properly supporting now with any worthwile game releases, it's their only remaining life line for now...brave

I wonder how many more DS hand-helds people will keep buying as long as nintendo keeps changing the colour of the outside case...they have learned from Sony well.

MS messed up with the 360 faceplates thing, they should have released different coloured 360 every six to nine months (starting with silver of course) and they would probably sell even more units.

As a buying public goes the majority really are gullible and the big three have made exploiting us down to an artform with all the previews, leaked pics of upcoming hardware, promises and coloured "limited edition" hardware.

I happen to like the name Revolution, but honestly, I think they'd probably do better just to call it 'The Nintendo'. Everyone knows what a nintendo is. Everyone. You can't beat that kind of name recognition.

Revolution is the perfect name for the console; they should keep it. I can't wait for E3...maybe once all these people who's only ammunition is 'the graphics won't be as pretty as the other systems' will finally see the games make use of the new controller concept - and actually see...*GASP* INNOVATION...and then proceed to STFU with all the badmouthing. I don't care about the graphics; I enjoy my DS because the gameplay is new, fresh, innovative, and fun...not because it looks like a hybrid between late-era N64 3d.

Based on speculation and humor here are my picks for a new name
1. Nintendo Stargon (Since there are stars in the entertainment industry and the system is shaped like a polygon)
2. NintendOcean (Ocean is by hollywood, right?)
3. Xtreme Nintendo (so devs don't have to think of clever names, we can have Xtreme Tiddlywinks, Xtreme StarWars, Xtreme Shuffleboard PRO)
4. Nintendog (new form factor is AIBO!)
5. GameDodecahedron (12 FACES OF FUN)

I dunno, I really hope they keep Revolution, it sounds good.

Exploiting?

Yeah yeah, it's a conspiracy, petecchia. It's your money and I would hope that you are intelligent enough to decide on what to purchase yourself; I mean, Nintendo/Sony/Microsoft aren't holding a knife until your throat.

How did Nintendo learn to change the form-factor/color from Sony? They've been doing it since the original Game Boy.

Play It Loud? Game Boy Pocket in it's plethora of colors? Game Boy Color, not surprisingly, in a plethora of colors and special editions... If anything, you have the teacher/student idea backwards.

Why do people get so emotional about these consoles? Are the companies in question are really that good at making you want their junk?

I am pretty psyched about this news. May '06 means we'll probably be getting it within a few months of that date. I still have the DS to get games for, and some PS2/DC games I'm missing. Also gives us with the GameCube time to play all the way through Zelda, Odama and Chibi Robo.

I would love it if they kept the Revolution name.

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Revolution's real name and final form to be revealed in May

Reader Comments (54)

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