Annotated Nintendo keynote [Update 5]
by Ross Miller 
{ Mar 23rd 2006 at 2:32PM }
We are getting
some reports from Joystiq staff Vladimir Cole and Christopher Grant while they attend the GDC Nintendo keynote. We'll
elaborate more later, but for now here's what we've got:- "Celda" on the Nintendo DS: Phantom Hourglass
- Sega Genesis and Turbo Grafx titles will be available on Nintendo Revolution's Virtual console.
- Hudson games, too.
- New name announcement is a no-Go (despite rumors and jokes to the contrary)--a press release did go out during the conference (as posted below in the comments) that still called the upcoming console "The Revolution."
[Update: It's up! Go here.]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Scott @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:35PM
As long as they don't bring back Tingle, I'm buying it.
Dirty Lizard @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:35PM
*Craps himself*
TOTALLY UNEXPECTED!!!1111
bv @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:36PM
SAN JOSE, Calif., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Nintendo President Satoru Iwata today challenged a crowd of game developers to think differently and take a fresh approach to the creation of video games. During his keynote address at the Game Developers Conference in San Jose, Calif., Iwata said Nintendo will provide developers with the tools they need to disrupt the traditional methods of game creation, much as the company already has. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050915/LATH122-b) (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050516/NINTENDOLOGO) These tools include the controller for Nintendo's next home console (code-named Revolution), which lets users control the action on their television screens through the motion of the controller itself. The controller lets game developers create new kinds of gaming experiences, ones that enhance the experience for hard-core gamers while making video games more accessible and less intimidating to novices. The new forms of innovative software that can be created by any size developer will be made available for download via Revolution's Virtual Console service. "This new approach is like stepping onto an unexplored continent for the first time, with all the potential for discovery that suggests," Iwata said. "No one else can match the environment we're creating for expanding the game experience to everyone. Our path is not linear, but dynamic." Iwata also announced partnerships with Sega and Hudson to offer downloadable access to their classic games via Revolution's Virtual Console. Revolution owners will be able to relive their past gaming glories from the Sega Genesis console by playing a "best of" selection from more than 1,000 Genesis titles, as well as games sold for the TurboGrafx console (a system jointly developed by NEC and Hudson). These games join Revolution's access to 20 years of fan-favorite Nintendo games from the NES(R), Super NES(R) and Nintendo(R) 64 eras. Iwata also revealed for the first time that a new game called The Legend of Zelda(R): Phantom Hourglass would be released for Nintendo DS later this year. Iwata, a game developer himself, revealed behind-the-scenes stories about the development of three key initiatives. For the industry leading Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, internal engineers and developers overcame a series of hurdles to make the system seamless and flexible enough to allow players to choose to play wirelessly either with friends or against unknown opponents. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection reached 1 million unique users in just 18 weeks -- nearly five times the adoption rate of the leading online game console network. He described a pivotal meeting in coming to agreement on development of the incredibly popular "brain games" in Japan. A leading Japanese scientist attached a sci-fi-looking wired helmet to a Nintendo staffer and then visually demonstrated stimulation of brain activity as the staffer played prototype software. Finally, he described the hundreds of sketches, dozens of prototypes and company-wide collaboration that led to the final form of the unique Revolution controller system, which resembles a traditional TV remote control. He called the related research and manufacturing costs of the new control system, "...our method to disrupt the market...realizing a new way to connect a player to his game."
tom @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:36PM
i bet you will be able to play it with TP and the revo somehow
Gonzo @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:39PM
And guess what.
It's already delayed.
Just kidding.
L @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:39PM
Downloadable Genesis and Turbo Grafx 16 games? Alright, this is officially gonna be the best system of all time!
Vagabond Artist @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:40PM
TurboGrafx 16 games
Sega Games
Hudson games
Nintendo games
OMG so awesome!!!!!!!
and then...
ZELDA ON DS!!!!
*dies*
Kevout @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:41PM
Genesis games on the Revoultion,, that is HUGE
slow news day @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:41PM
Genesis and TurboGrafx games? How retro cool. Sounds like Nintendo truly is using a Virtual Machine architecture. I wonder how they'll play...
Lectoid @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:43PM
Genesis and TB16 games too
HELL. YES.
BallzDeep @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:45PM
YES! Blazing Lazers and Alien Crush shall be mine!!1!
had2comment @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:45PM
Wow. Emulators ftw.
Datyedyeguy @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:45PM
Quoted from IGN's page:
"In a few weeks, you will play and see and understand our philosophy."
...ponder now!
32_Footsteps @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:47PM
I'm sorry, but I'm already starting on jokes about Turbo-Grafx 16 games. And when this finally happens? I can't wait to play Lords of Thunder and make Johnny Turbo jokes. Zark, indeed.
Still, that Sega is all about bringing Genesis titles to this does impress me. I wonder if this covers Sega Master System games as well. Maybe Nintendo could go really old-school on us and get the rights to the Intellivision, the 2600, and the ColecoVision.
tom @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:47PM
to bad we didnt see a new name, oh well
JodyAnthony @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:47PM
Nintendo just made me their bitch. seriously.
Malkuth @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:47PM
"Celda"
roflmao
Dude is ZELDA with "z" like the Zorro.
Jago @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:48PM
@ Tom:
You been living under a rock dude? They said earlier this week that TP will have limited functionality and in another interview Miyamoto hinted to the boomerang.
nsomneia @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:48PM
i was already in love with the revolution
but now .. . i'm speechless.. .
i'm just so .. . happy .. . haha
best news of my day .. .
thank you joystiq
JaSoN! @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:48PM
i'm think number three is spot on.
twilight Princess and the Phantom Hourglass interconnectivity through the Nintendo Revolution.
but I don't think nintendo Wifi shares a lot with myspace.com like Itawa said. i can see where they're coming from with the friends list thing but unless the service is expanded with revolution i think it's far far too limited.
as you may have guessed i have no wifi friends.
jeremotion @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:48PM
im gonna get a colonic irrigation just before E3, just so that theres a ZERO chance ill poo my pants
Nick @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:49PM
that would be sweet if they had jj and jeff for download lol what was the jp version called? kato and ken? lol those were the days
Raynor @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:50PM
The patents already suggested the emulation for other game systems/handheld systems, but this is sooo cool to hear it confirmed right from the Big N's mouth.
I cant wait for this thing. Its so innovative and next-gen(the controler and what not) yet holds so much nostalgia with it!
Dirty Lizard @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:50PM
I was so excited when I heard about Zelda DS.. It's just not right.
Badtz @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:50PM
Engadget has a spy photo that claims the new name is the Nitnendo Go. I'm surprised Joystiq isn't running the same story.
http://www.engadget.com/2006/03/23/nintendo-revolution-nintendo-go/
steveg @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:50PM
So no new name for Revolution (yet). No US release date for Revolution (yet). No hard price for Revolution (yet). No US release date for DS Lite (yet). No new color announced for DS Lite (yet). Very little new info, kind of a crappy keynote, really. Im not unhappy about what they are offering, but this and the Sony keynotes were kinda crappy.
Ryan @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:51PM
Indeed a true revolution.
Paul @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:51PM
Crap, this could lead to the destruction of the universe.
If Genesis does waht Nintendon't, and Nintendo Revolution plays genesis games, that means that Nintendo does what Nintendon't. That paradox could destroy the universe, although the destruction may be smaller and limited only to our galaxy.
woejilliams @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:52PM
download to the revolution and transfer the game to the DS. can you imagine it!!!
BPMΩ @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:54PM
Um, when they said Hudson, they probably meant TurboGrafx-16 at the same time. The TG16 was made by both NEC and Hudson. No need for a seperate bullet-point for Hudson games.
ian @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:54PM
Yeah I've been waiting for this key note, and that wasnt really much new info. I'm glad theres a new portable zelda, and that there will be seaga games, but that cant be all surely :(
Still getting a revo but coulda done with a bit more info
Kevin @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:55PM
Let's get Sega Saturn games on there... Nights into Dreams!
The only thing is that I bet Sega has no allegiance so I wouldn't be surprised if Genesis games pop up on XBLA... how wait... they already are (street fighter 2)
Ross Miller @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:56PM
Badtz--
look 2 stories down, we already ran it.
u748 @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:59PM
This is great that Nintendo has got the backing of Sega and others for their virtual console. Can't wait to relive childhood dreams all over again.
I seriously hope that not the complete list of companies backing this retro gaming download, since there are even more great games released by other companies during the 8bit 16bit era. Bring on Square!!
On the other hand, I can't stop and wonder whether if companies are craze to not also consider the downloading retro gaming on Xbox LIVE! arcade as this will greatly broaden the total userbase. Also take into account that MS has deeper pockets that will be able to land bigger contracts than Nintendo, and isn't this what it's all about? Squeezing us gamers dry with contents created decades ago without spending any additional penny?
Just a thought.
GreG @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:02PM
Zelda Pics
http://blog.wired.com/games/
Sunny @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:03PM
Oh my gawd, to play my old PC-Engine games again wow I am thinking Nintendo got it right... Damn I am gonna have to pre-order and line up a day before anyone else does to make sue i get it now...
Sunny
Princess Zelda @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:03PM
Wow, I had a Turbo Grafx as a kid that thing had some great games most of which I could not afford :(
but now I can :)
I never had a Sega Genesis but I look forward to playing their game catolog.
CG @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:03PM
#30,
The XBL Street Fighter 2 was not a Genesis game. First of all, the SF2 series is made by Capcom. Second, Genesis only had SF2: (Special) Champion Edition. The XBL one is SF2 Turbo: Hyper Fighting. The only home version of this was on SNES. But I'm sure they're porting the arcade version to XBL and not the inferior SNES one.
DG @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:06PM
You know, if this thing could emulate Saturn games, I don't think I would be able to be happier. I've gone through three Saturns now and I refuse to buy another. All that, just so I can play pop-up infested, low-res Daytona USA.
Adding Genesis games is a big deal. Hopefully they'll run off of flash memory ROMS as well as as downloaded content. TG16 is okay, I guess, but really, who is dying to play Bonk?
SuicideNinja @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:06PM
@BPM, actually it could mean any Hudson games (like Solomon's Key...there's a bunch more I can't think of at the moment). Remember that Nintendo only has licenses to it's first part games; they have to work with the old publishers/owners to get the others. Tecmo, Acclaim, Capcom, etc. I can't possibly see why they would say no though.
Maybe we'll get even more lucky and the Revolution will be able to get Saturn and Dreamcast emulation going with it as well. Sega may never make another console, but I miss them a lot. I liked the games available on the Genesis much more than SNES games. So I'm all about unkilling Sega, even through Nintendo.
Nintendo, you are my hero!
liteweight @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:07PM
MS has deeper pockets that will be able to land bigger contracts than Nintendo
I think you have no idea how deep N's pockets are...
they are deeper than what bill gates cares to dump into the xbox
DG @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:11PM
36: For all intents and purposes, the Turbo edition SF games on SNES and Genesis were the same. Street Fighter II Turbo was on SNES while the Genesis had Special Championship edition. Both games included the arcade versions of Champion Edition and Turbo. The only difference between the two, besides sound and graphics, was you could change the speed level of Champion Edition on the Genesis, but not the SNES version.
I thought the XBLA version was the PS2 revision that came out last year? Hyper Street Fighter II? I could be wrong.
Borat @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:15PM
I don't think it would be possible for Nintendo to offer downloadble Saturn games. Not enough space obviously.
Feep @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:17PM
It's no longer just wishful thinking. If the Nintendo Revolution can somehow bring me Nights Into Dreams (insert random capital letters as needed), I might have to travel to Japan just to honor Iwata-san at a traditional shrine.
rico @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:19PM
I really did not expect nintendo to give out a lot of information because its GDC but I did expect them show a little of what the new controller can do. A pre-E3 demo, just to build a little more excitement before the big show. But I guess I'm going to have to wait. The compatability with old sega games is cool but nothing really revolutionary. Most people are amazed by it but I think if Sony did this most people would say "What is so next-gen with old Sega games"
Kyle @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:20PM
Wow. Just wow. This news is so much better than the friggin real name for the Revo: NEW DS ZELDA!!!! GENESIS GAMES! WOOOT!!
Jago @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:21PM
"lso take into account that MS has deeper pockets that will be able to land bigger contracts than Nintendo"
But Nintendo has much more credibility in the gaming industry...so you have to take that into consideration too.
Doom3 @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:21PM
Ok ps3s only hope to compete with this is neogeo games...LOL I was just showning my friend screen caps of samuri showdown 4 the best ver IMHO. But dayum I always wanted a turbo grafx and I wonder if this covers the super cool super grafx and their version of strider? Man 2d came back with vengency 4 real dayum... It's funny that putting money into games rather than exotics chips yeild way more hype?
Ninja spirts you have to play that..
the last bonk or any of the bonks..
Now all I need is a ds lite that completly folds over to look like a atari lynx...
Man are there alot of good games that went unplayed on the turbo grapfx... I mean dayum Nintendo has sega/sammy , nec, hudson all on their side. The neogeo is still out their guys come on you know you need samuri showdown! Oh you guys forgot about the gunstar heros and rolling thunder and many more... Man I'll actually be playing this system alot... And the controller shells are going to make so much sense... The turbo grafx controll is just like the rev controller and a gensis shell will fit right over the rev controll and they will all be wireless... boy...
Jago @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:22PM
"I don't think it would be possible for Nintendo to offer downloadble Saturn games. Not enough space obviously."
You're probably right...unless they find some kind of way to compress them and run without being a problem.
Avi @ Mar 23rd 2006 3:26PM
Not the news everyone was hoping for, but some news that was quite unexpected. I wonder, though... If Nintendo's roping in defunct competing platforms for the Virtual Console, are they just gonna do Sega and NEC and call it quits? There's a few other dead consoles they could add in there, like the Jaguar or even the 7800. Or maybe... Do I dare to even hope for it... Virtual Neo Geo?