Magazine reveals Revolution details: Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Konga
by Christopher Grant 
{ Jan 7th 2006 at 9:00PM }
While it's not exactly the kind of publication we thought would break all sorts of Revolution news, National Geographic Kids Magazine was invited by the Big N to test out the top-secret Revolution controller in Tokyo. They report, "The Revolution will be available later this year. You'll be able to use it with games you already have as well as with new games. Here are some old favorites and a few of the things you'll be able to do with this revolutionary new controller."
Wow! Let's break that down a bit:
- The system will be out this year. You can believe they got this straight from Nintendo and it is consistent with earlier rumors. 2006. Done.
- Backwards compatibility is of course something we've known about for awhile; however, the "old favorites" mention is so provocatively vague! They list The Legend of Zelda, Super Smash Brothers, and Donkey Konga. Question is, are they listing games or franchises? If they are listing games, does this mean the "old favorite" versions of these games (Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Melee) will use the Revolution controller to slash a sword or work as a shield? Nintendo recently said they "made no announcements" regarding such functionality. This of course does not mean there is no such functionality.
- If they in fact meant "old favorite" franchises, can we infer there are next-generation versions in the works? Did they get hands-on time using the controller? Are all three games in active production, complete enough to be shown to the press?
Fine, we admit: Nintendo has us wrapped around their precious little finger, making us feel like awkward teenagers, gaping at a pinup of the Revolution controller in our proverbial high school locker, swooning over every little nugget of news, knees buckling whenever Shiggy or Reggie open their mouths... how much longer can we stand it?
Read on for the rest of the images.
[Updated: Nintendo has stated this is "all still speculation." Boo!
[Big thanks to John for the images!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DOOM @ Feb 11th 2006 10:58AM
The truth about next generations graphic and nintendo
It's right in front of you if you have a copy of HL2, Doom3/quake4, or plan on building a level using the gears of war tech posted here: http://www.unrealtechnology.com/html/technology/ue30.shtml
Got to the part on [Distributed Computing Normal Map Generation Tool]
Ok please go and look at the comparable graphics card makers for all three systems. Infact nintendo is getting the same company that made the xbox360's graphics card.Look at the current crop of PC cards out there... Those are the same cards you can expect in your next gen system. Now tell me why would nintendo pay for an admittedly inferior card or peace of tech? I don't care how powerful they say the cpu is in truth it can never real compare to the power a graphic card possess for rendering graphics. Because it will have next gen physics and ai to deal with. Yes they did say their system is not all about power , but the claim of 2 to 3 times more power than the gamecube is correct and unfortuantely this is also the truth for all other next generation systems. So is sony and ms lying(if they are talking about games then yes). I mean really take the shader tech out of any xbox 360 game and you have an old xbox game with a slightly better ploygon count(thanks to the new updated graphics card). A 3d character for last gen was 2,000 polys on the high end. That means 6,000 polys for a character of this generation would be about right(2 to 3time more right). I mean the proof is right there on Valves,Epics and IDs tech pages. If you know nothing about normal mapping then please don't be fooled. They are using a trick that relies on a shader of some sort. This only requires about 2 to 3 times the power of a playstation 2 which is admittedly not as power as a gamecube on some points.
So you have to admit you'll need all of the extra ram on the graphics card just to render the frame buffer at hd resolutions. So if you don't have an hd or you got a sorry hd tv on the cheap they your paying for extra sharp games due to resolution when we all know that ati's pixel smoothing tech is unparrelled. This means even if you wanted a normal res game on an hd tv thing they have the tech to make it look good and run faster.
Also by droping the resolution that needs to be supported the game may actually run faster on the revo.
DOOM @ Feb 11th 2006 11:54AM
Sorry about that broken link.
http://www.unrealtechnology.com/html/technology/ue30.shtml
check out Distributed Computing Normal Map Generation Tool
This tech is supported by all of the next gen systems becuase it's nvidias and atis next battle ground for king of graphics.
To a certain extent it was used in res evil also on the cube.
So stop bashing the power of the system based off no info and lots of hype from marketing execs. Look at what is currently out there. Why wouldn't nintendo use this tech? Is it even possible for them to use it? That answer is yes! All of the hype behind the super chips in both the xbox and ps3 can not out due any chips made by ati or nvidia( for graphics). This almost amounts to a person getting a brand new nvidia card for 500 dollars and a value card for 200 dollars even though there is only a small percentage difference in frame rate at normal resolutions, yet the other card lets you run in 1200 by what ever and it only gets half the frame rate as the lower priced card ($200) in that mode...LOL Are you willing to spend 400 dollars on a system and 1500 plus on a new ok looking hd tv or use you 32 you already have and get a revo. I mean if you like spending all of that money just to get roughly half of the frame rate you would get on revo that may cost you just 300 to get the full experience and some really next gen game play then we all think you for paying off the cost of the sony ,MS r&d bill.
Hd is nice for editing graphics and it's cool for games, but the new controller is truly the most next genration thing i've seen. Tvio and a new dvd format is cool but I already have things that do those things... and the res on my dvds are fine? So why do i need that blue ray? More in game movies?
A new controller and new ways to play, along with the ability to finally rival a pc's fps set up is very exciting to me.
Online play for free! Just like my pc games i can run them thur the same net pipe wirelessly! And when the compain dies I can still play the game online WOW!
Then the oldschool thing... and the possiblilty of true replica controllers for each system. Every one that wasn't really hooked on those games play them down but after spending some time with them you'll remember what fun is. Those game where about skill.
Then we know quality games and new game industry expanding games are coming. The gaming for every one idea is one of the best thing that could possibly happen.
The game industry now is like a comic book store right now. It will only appeal to a certain type of people. but what about ofther stories and types of books? Nintendo is moving towards the borders book store idea of have every one covered no matter whats your interest. Hell maybe they should be setting up wifi there? I have to admit if you could meet a hot girl by playing nintendogs then how can you not be for what nintendo is doing? And for the alternative poeple out there please replace girl with(your sex pref...LOL). Also too there arn't that many hot girls in a comic book store. The coffee book store is happening some times.
Then you add the fact that "digital" bars are the next big thing. I mean it's instant messenger where you can get a real instant kiss and more if you handle your self right...LOL
I mean come on the hardcore gamers grew up. It'a funny but nintendo is finally growing up with us. Blood and violence is cool but what does that really have to do with good game play? It can make bad game play sort of intresting but for how long?
You know the answer just look at your stack of games and ask your self do i miss playing that game. Do i really want to master the techniques in this or that game? Do i even fien for the art style? Is auto lock on the hardest thing to master in this game. Is finding power ups the hardest thing in this game?
Andrea @ Feb 26th 2006 3:39PM
Hahaha yes, I think Nintendo has done it again! And What's with the Sony and Xbox fans on these forums? If you wanna dis Nintendo go run off to your little fanasy world where Sony or Xbox is even the slightest bit better than Nintendo. Besides all Sony and Xbox games are about is killing and who knows what else? At least Nintendo provides fun, innocent games that are fun to play and are just plain great. So get off this site Sony and Xbox fans!!!
t-nodz @ Mar 5th 2006 8:43PM
i think that nintendo has done it again. not too concered about the superpower of the system, just trying to make great fun games which it is so at. So all you criticizers of nintendo can go screw. The revolution is going to be a revolution. And if u r consered that the revolution controller doen't have enough buttons, thind about this- The X-box 360 controller has 18 buttons counting the 2 joystick buttons and each directional button. The revolution controller reconizes 6 movements-in, out, left, right, up and down. Combine this with A and all of these movements, and then B and all of them, and then A+B and the 6 movements plus the 2 Z's on the numchuck, and you got yourself a hell of a lot of ways to interact. Plus, don't u think it will be a lot more naural just to move the controller. Think about it, when u play, don't u sometimes move the controller as you play even though it doesn' do anything? Well with revolution, it will. Moving the controller by instinct will be how you play.
alimaster @ Mar 15th 2006 5:52AM
ninendo is classy and stylish. It is the games that count and ninendo have the most innovative games. im a true nintendo fan i own every nintendo machine. i also have other game machines like ps2 and xbox who are my little brothers but there always want ot play my nintendo machine. there is no doubt that Nintendo is more fun overall because of the fun multiplayer games. Hail to nintendo king of consoles.
Jebus Wankel @ Mar 26th 2006 11:46PM
They're bringing back Mario Paint! Sweet! IGN has confirmed it. I can confirm that is was awesome on the SNES even with the proprietary mouse.
RayBEEZ13 @ May 4th 2006 7:19PM
Oh come on people, get over it. They are all out there and they all are pretty sweet. If you don't like one then so what. You know what that means, you don't have to spend the 300-500 bucks, oh damn that sucks don't it. I personally will not by Nintendo anymore, but that's cause it's not for me. Yeah the games are fun, but they are geared more towards kids, not all of them but most. I like the more adult games that you get with the other systems. Nintendo will never go away because it has it's place. I grew up with it and I will love it when I have kids that can grow up on it as well. But in the meantime I like games like Quake 4, Elder Scrolls Oblivian, DOA 4, Condemed, Halo and so on. Come on people, get over the fight and realize that they all have a place in out world and for one, I'm glad they are all here.
Simon @ Jan 7th 2006 9:08PM
Using the controller as a sword in Zelda is reason enough for me to buy it. Anything more is a bonus.
spike117 @ Jan 7th 2006 9:50PM
Well this makes sense. Nintendo earlier stated that they were thinking of upgrading previous games. Many people thought that meant the graphics. It now seems that they meant the controller capabilities.
grey @ Jan 7th 2006 11:27PM
This is pretty cool for publicity, i dont expect everyone to get it right, but at least they showed it in a positive light.
Jake @ Jan 8th 2006 12:11AM
that's nothing that I wasnt expecting. we all new that the controller could do this.
mo @ Jan 8th 2006 7:09AM
Those descriptions in the screenshots above of what the Rev controller can do has got me more excited than literally dozens and dozens of screenshots and movies of next-gen games.
Got to hand it to Nintendo - they may no longer be market leaders but they still have a great deal of influence in the industry. Miyamoto said that the new controller will become the "industry standard" and there's no way that after gaming on this that I'd ever go back to playing on a traditional controller.
I'd fully expect Sony/MS to develop variations on the Rev controller. You just know that Sony is going to go for a dual set-up: analogue control in one hand (the "nunchuka") and the pointer in the other with the traditional X,O,∆,□ buttons in place of Nintendo's A button.
Jamie @ Jan 8th 2006 7:10AM
Sounds fantastic although I already kinda knew alot of that. One thing which is bugging me is with super smash bros. How many people can you have waving their limbs around wildly into the air?
Ninty are just asking for trouble lol. I guess you could use revo controllers AND normal controllers. oh yeah and how expensive will the controllers be? I saw a really crappy version of the revo controller another company is making and it cost 60$! how much will the official ones be?
brim4brim @ Jan 8th 2006 11:32AM
The other controller from splitfish uses infared not Nintendo's technology so it isn't accurate and only detects motion while pointed at a tv so it's useless and there overcharging like mad for the tech in it in the hope people will pay to try to experience what Nintendo have done as far as I can see it's nothing like what Nintendo's controller will feel like to use although Nintendo generally do overcharge for secondary controllers (wavebird or even the wired gamecube controllers anyone?).
Anyway reports from gamespot say the splitfish controller felt unreponsive and awkward while there's been nothing but good news about Nintendo's controller and it's ease of use so I guess the 3 years or so Nintendo have spent developing this thing have sorted out the bugs the competitors and knock offs can expect to have for the next while or at least until they rip apart a Nintendo controller and find out how it works.
Big Al @ Jan 8th 2006 7:19PM
Oh boy, Nintendo. Reinnovating ways to suck. Super Smash Brothers Melee: PERFECTION. The pinnacle of fighting games. Now look at this. Nintendo, you've done too much.
Superzapper2000 @ Jan 8th 2006 9:21PM
You don't have to use the Rev controller on the games you can still plug in your Gamecube controller and use them.Most new rev games will have both options.The real way to suck is opening your mouth before you think.
Big Al @ Jan 8th 2006 9:54PM
>You don't have to use the Rev controller on the games you can still plug in your Gamecube controller and use them.Most new rev games will have both options.The real way to suck is opening your mouth before you think.
I'm flipping you off with my mind. Okay, let's take an example that already exists: Donkey Kong Jungle Beat. When played normally, the game is terrible. A bland monotonous platformer. THe real way to suck is rebutting before you think.
Shagi @ Jan 9th 2006 12:04AM
1. If the revolution is only slightly more powerful than the gamecube, why not just release the controller for the gamecube?
2. You can emulate all of Nintendos old platforms for free.
3. Advertising in National Geographic kids sorta points to their target audience.
The revolution is the only platform doing its best to encourage me not to buy it...why is this?
Ritz @ Jan 9th 2006 2:28AM
1. Because, there are still going to be improvements. Just because your overwhelmed with numbers coming from Microsoft and Sony, it doesn't mean Revolution's graphics won't have a marked improvement. On top of the fact Revolution's hardware will be specificly designed to understand the controller's input. Why not just redesign and re-release the Gamecube? You might argue that's what Revolution is, an enhanced and improved upon Gamecube.
2. Agreed, but sans whatever improvements Nintendo may or may not chose to include with them, the virtual console isn't meant to be the system seller, but a nice bonus.
3. Maxim magazine recently had an interview with Mr. Miyamoto discussing the Legend of Zelda. Could it be that, gasp, Nintendo is trying to target everyone?
If your not impressed with the controller, I guess that warrants less interest in the system, as it won't be the massive polygon pusher Sony and Microsoft are supporting. But I'm willing to spend less money than the rest for different ways to play. I guess that's why the DS is still outselling the much more powerful PSP at the moment.
And yes, I am a Nintendo fan, sue me.
Probot @ Jan 9th 2006 2:33AM
@Big Al
You last comment doesn't make sense on any level. You said Smash Bros. wouldn't be as good with the Rev controller. Superzapper2000 says you can still use the GC controller. Then you say that DK Jungle Beat sucks with the GC controller. What the hell does that have to do with anything? Just use the conroller that works best for the game! How hard is that?
Anyways, I don't think is such a big deal. Nintendo already said it was going to be launched in 2006. Why does hearing it from NGK make it any more credible? I think Joystiq's speculation about them seeing old demos and being told what to expect is probably right. Why invite them to Tokyo? I expect this is just the first in a publicity campaign aimed at non-gaming audiences.
Jago @ Jan 9th 2006 3:12AM
Ok let's settle this...Big Al is a moron...next topic.
"Ninty are just asking for trouble lol. I guess you could use revo controllers AND normal controllers. oh yeah and how expensive will the controllers be? I saw a really crappy version of the revo controller another company is making and it cost 60$! how much will the official ones be?"
Unlike MS who overcharges for their accessories ($100 for a USB wifi adapter...can we say ripoff), this is Nintendo we're talkin about...they will either pack in a controller with some of the games or bite the bullet and take a loss on the them.
GlitchCog @ Jan 9th 2006 8:10AM
They are not going to add any features to old games. I was saying this before with Twilight Princess. Just because everyone thinks it'd be cool and wants it to happen doesn't mean it will.
Besides, it wouldn't be cool to adapt to old games. Old games were made for old controllers.
This is just some over-zealous writer combining the inarticulate information from Nintendo regarding the backwards compatability with the new features. Nintendo probably said,
"The Revolution controller lets you control games by moving your hand. Also, the Revolution will let you play old games."
Then the writer just got creative and combined the two statements just like fifty other retarded video game news people did with Twilight Princess.
Marc @ Jan 9th 2006 6:32PM
My God, all of u out there who are criticizing Nintendo, lay off! If u prefer Sony or MS over Nintendo fine, but I'm sure this section is for Nintendo Revolution FANS!
Any way I personally think Nintendo's doing a great job, and I do think it would be wise of them to allow us to use Gamecube controllers or Revolution controllers.
And with pricing, Nintendo always gives a reasonable price (look at the launch price for most of their systems alone). An extra controller will probably sell for $30, not $60 (keep in mind, an entirly different company is making the mockup controller).
Lastly with the graphics that some are worried about, don't worry. Sure, the graphics might not come close 2 Sony or MS, but so what. If u love Nintendo, u buy the system for the games. Plus Nintendo's consoles always destroy their previous one in graphical power so it won't be a enhanced vesion of the Gamecube.
John @ Jan 11th 2006 3:57PM
First off people who seem to think bad about the Nintendo Revolution you need to understand, Nintendo doesnt care if they are at the top of the list, they just want to make a gaming console that can include everyone of all ages. Second, if you are going to buy a system just for the graphics it has, then you are not a gamer. Third, the Nintendo Revolution controller is a very innovative idea that should have been thought of before. Although some problems may occur with the controller, you still get to play a game in a whole new way. Instead of just pushing a button, you can use motion to act out certain things for example: Fishing, drawing, punching and even perfoming dental operations. When the Revolution hits the shelves it will be the start of a whole new way of game playing. So if you are going to complain about Nintendo's next console, then do it somewhere else!
Magera @ Jan 12th 2006 8:32PM
One thing that everyone seems to be either forgetting or Ignoring (esp MS and Sony fans) is that Miyamoto (spelling?? That head guy anyway) said that the revolution would be able to be comparable to the xbox 360 and playstation3 graphics?... So the system may not be technically as powerful yet has the capabilities to compete graphically with both the new systems...
The difference being that the games being made don't NEED to be graphically inhanced to be good... Hence the new game style. Games don't need the graphics because gameplay is what is important...
Unlike MS xbox 360 and Sony playstation 3... what do they have??? OOOOHHHHHH they have GREAT graphics....
So, apparently the "LESS POWERFUL" Nintendo Revolution can achieve the same standard in graphics but nintendo aren't really giving two hoots about graphics because they don't need to.
..........
One other thing, HDTV.... why do you people make this a point in deciding what system you are going to buy????
You DO realise that it'll be at least 4 - 5 years before HI-DEF games will come out.... All others will be standard... ("OH look at my 1 game that has 1080i graphics")... whoopdido. that'll be just 1 game in hi-def over the next 4 - 5 years....
By that time they'll be releasing the next gen console anyway.
As you can tell... yes I'm a nintendo fan. But I DO have to admit, i didn't bother bying a GCN because it just wasn't appealing to me..... I got a PS2 instead (mainly because of the DVD player as I didn't have one at the time).
At least now however the revolution IS appealing. Althought once I get the Rev, i'm sure I'll get either PS3 or 360... i'll just wait on those two to see which one turns out to be better. (but I can garentee they'll be nowhere near as fun as the revolution), just more then likly have a different range of games that will appeal to me that the revolution doesn't have.
Chris @ Jan 15th 2006 2:28PM
No, Nintendo didn't say the graphics would be comparable on a HDTV, they said they would be comparable on a standard television. You think that no games will support HD, have you even looked at the XBox/360 collection? More and more lately are supporting it with the XBox (Halo 2, SSX:OT, etc), and every 360 game so far does.
toothpick @ Jan 16th 2006 4:02PM
i love nintendo way more than microsoft or sony because of the classics like mario and zelda. u gotta love 'em. i dont care about hi-def as long as the games r good.
toothpick @ Jan 16th 2006 4:03PM
i love nintendo way more than microsoft or sony because of the classics like mario and zelda. u gotta love 'em. i dont care about hi-def as long as the games r good.
toothpick @ Jan 16th 2006 4:07PM
i love nintendo way more than microsoft or sony because of the classics like mario and zelda. u gotta love 'em. i dont care about hi-def as long as the games r good.
Turndawg107 @ Jan 16th 2006 6:53PM
Okay, here's the deal. WHO FREAKING CARES ABOUT HD GAMING AT ALL?!! Jeez! What is SOOO special about HD gaming that (supposedly) refusing to support it has doomed Nintendo? Not to mention only a handful of people actually OWN HDTVs! Also, Nintendo is currently the only company meking money on the system itself. Microsoft and Sony waste sooo much time and money coming up with wildly expensive gadgets with one thing in mind: make the graphics look good. I don't know about any of you, but I believe it is time to once again change the way we play video games(Just so you know, the belief that Revolution would only be 2-3 times as powerful as GCN was a rumor proven false). If you can't actaully have a positive reaction about the controller, then just throw your computer mouse away, seeing as the Revolution controller is just like that except that it works in one more dimension. If you really don't like it, then just get a freaking shell extension, conveniently shaped in a similar manner to the wavebird wireless. If you STILL don't appreciate the technology, then get this forum and play your crappy little Plainstation or CheXbox. Period.
pedro @ Feb 5th 2006 1:23PM
Nintendo is the best because of it's games not cause of the graphics remember super smash bros. on 64 it was agreat game and people didnt complain about the graphics. I guess xbox will have a 360 backtwist for its failure. Sony will stay number 3.