Viva La Nintendo
In a recent inerview with Meristation, Jim Merrick reveals some new information regarding the Nintendo Revolution. Firstly, he has confirmed that the Wi-Fi USB adaptor for online DS will also be compatible with the Revolution. It has the ability to turn a home computer into an instant wireless hotspot. So to play online games with the Revolution, simply plug the adaptor into your USB port, connect to the net, then set up the connection on the console.
The next bit of news is the Revolution's ability to download games fro mall regions. This basically means that us gamers in Australia will have access to the many "Japan only" game titles for download :D. Did you know that many Nintendo games never make it outside of Japan?
Merrick has also mentioned a "single pak" play for Revolution games. I would assume he means that only one console owner is required to own a game to verse another online or through a LAN connection, similar to multiplayer on the DS.
Here is the killer. Jim Merrick has stated that games played on the Revolution will have no significant graphical difference compared to other next generation systems. So the Revolution, in addition to price and innovative controller, will also offer great "on par" graphics. Very nice indeed.
The last thing he mentioned was that no Revolution games will be shown in 2005. This basically takes away all hope of some Mario 128 footage any time soon, I guess Ninty plan on torturing us a little longer :P.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Micro And DS Info
Well, the GB Micro will be available in Australia from thursday, and retailers are unpacking their stock. The Micro will be available in many colours at launch, with an extra faceplate to go with each. The silver Micro with black faceplate will be available everywhere. The black Micro with silver faceplate can be bought from EB games. And a red Micro with extra purple faceplate is only available at Toys-R-Us. The console will retail for $149.95, and will come with an extra lanyard (or wrist strap).
Here are some images of the red GB Micro, courtesy of aussie-nintendo.com:
Also, a confirmed MKDS and Nintendo DS bundle has been confirmed for Australian release. Remember the red bundle I posted a while ago? Well, that is for the U.S only, Aussies will get a similar package, except with a silver DS console and retailing at $199.95. A pretty great price, considering the console itself is worth $179.95, and the game is $69.95. You'd save a lovely $50 with this pack, so if anyone is ever thinking of getting a DS, now is the time :).
Well, the GB Micro will be available in Australia from thursday, and retailers are unpacking their stock. The Micro will be available in many colours at launch, with an extra faceplate to go with each. The silver Micro with black faceplate will be available everywhere. The black Micro with silver faceplate can be bought from EB games. And a red Micro with extra purple faceplate is only available at Toys-R-Us. The console will retail for $149.95, and will come with an extra lanyard (or wrist strap).
Here are some images of the red GB Micro, courtesy of aussie-nintendo.com:
Also, a confirmed MKDS and Nintendo DS bundle has been confirmed for Australian release. Remember the red bundle I posted a while ago? Well, that is for the U.S only, Aussies will get a similar package, except with a silver DS console and retailing at $199.95. A pretty great price, considering the console itself is worth $179.95, and the game is $69.95. You'd save a lovely $50 with this pack, so if anyone is ever thinking of getting a DS, now is the time :).
_Mario_Kart_DS_Bundle.jpg)
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Comparing Graphics: Gamecube VS PS2
Besides from loading times, does the PS2 version of Resident Evil 4 offer anything more than the popular Gamecube title? Thanks to Gladiator's post on Digital Share, there is a Korean gaming site which has a page comparing the graphics using ingame footage of RE4. Here is one comparison:
It may be hard to see much difference with the small images above, but the top image is taken from the PS2 verion, and Gamecube below. The Gamecube version has slightly better lighting (you can see further into the distance), and Leon appears a little smoother. But the PS2 graphics aren't bad at all, considering it has half the processing power as the Gamecube and can only produce 7 million polygons (Gamecube 15, Xbox 17).
For heaps more screenshot comparisons please click here.
Besides from loading times, does the PS2 version of Resident Evil 4 offer anything more than the popular Gamecube title? Thanks to Gladiator's post on Digital Share, there is a Korean gaming site which has a page comparing the graphics using ingame footage of RE4. Here is one comparison:
It may be hard to see much difference with the small images above, but the top image is taken from the PS2 verion, and Gamecube below. The Gamecube version has slightly better lighting (you can see further into the distance), and Leon appears a little smoother. But the PS2 graphics aren't bad at all, considering it has half the processing power as the Gamecube and can only produce 7 million polygons (Gamecube 15, Xbox 17).
For heaps more screenshot comparisons please click here.
Friday, October 28, 2005
A Step Forward
The Nintendo Gamecube, a home console more powerful, and able to produce superior graphics and faster loading times than the PS2, still came third in this generation of console wars. With sales a little behind the Xbox, though making more profit, produced smaller sales numbers for Nintendo. The main reason for this, claims president Satoru Iwata, is the late release date. It was due to the late release date that took away a large proportion of the Gamecube's success. So why do Nintendo plan on launching the Revolution AFTER the Xbox 360 and PS3?
In the latest edition of Nintendo minute, IGN interview NOA's vice president of corporate affairs Perrin Kaplan, and ask that exact question. Below is Kaplan's response, with the important points in bold.
Our strategy is to provide unique and innovative experiences to consumers first and foremost -- especially you, our core game players. That's a pure innovation and quality commitment and is what we believe we've stood for over all these years.
If that timing means we can be within a similar time frame to the other competitors that would be nice. But we won't compromise on quality. I think most consumers agree this makes the best sense not only for business but for the long term satisfaction of those who've remained loyal and have enjoyed playing our products for years.
In terms of launch dates, I think it will become clear as we enter 2006 when Revolution and PS3 will launch. So, to assume one is before or after another may not make sense.
Mr. Iwata's previous comments about the PS2 lead over other systems were truer during the current generation of hardware than they will be of the next. Why? The Nintendo Revolution will be an entirely different experience than the other two systems. On purpose. In the few bites of information we've already shared -- from virtual console capabilities to the amazing controller -- we're into providing experiences no one has ever had before, and in gaming, specifically. Just read some of the write-ups on the controller from those few who've demoed it and you can see for yourself how innovative and exciting it is.
Sony and Microsoft are still very focused on being the central hub for the high-end multimedia user.
When Revolution launches next year, we know you'll be very thankful that we devoted every second of time spent making sure it's perfect.
The Nintendo Gamecube, a home console more powerful, and able to produce superior graphics and faster loading times than the PS2, still came third in this generation of console wars. With sales a little behind the Xbox, though making more profit, produced smaller sales numbers for Nintendo. The main reason for this, claims president Satoru Iwata, is the late release date. It was due to the late release date that took away a large proportion of the Gamecube's success. So why do Nintendo plan on launching the Revolution AFTER the Xbox 360 and PS3?
In the latest edition of Nintendo minute, IGN interview NOA's vice president of corporate affairs Perrin Kaplan, and ask that exact question. Below is Kaplan's response, with the important points in bold.
Our strategy is to provide unique and innovative experiences to consumers first and foremost -- especially you, our core game players. That's a pure innovation and quality commitment and is what we believe we've stood for over all these years.
If that timing means we can be within a similar time frame to the other competitors that would be nice. But we won't compromise on quality. I think most consumers agree this makes the best sense not only for business but for the long term satisfaction of those who've remained loyal and have enjoyed playing our products for years.
In terms of launch dates, I think it will become clear as we enter 2006 when Revolution and PS3 will launch. So, to assume one is before or after another may not make sense.
Mr. Iwata's previous comments about the PS2 lead over other systems were truer during the current generation of hardware than they will be of the next. Why? The Nintendo Revolution will be an entirely different experience than the other two systems. On purpose. In the few bites of information we've already shared -- from virtual console capabilities to the amazing controller -- we're into providing experiences no one has ever had before, and in gaming, specifically. Just read some of the write-ups on the controller from those few who've demoed it and you can see for yourself how innovative and exciting it is.
Sony and Microsoft are still very focused on being the central hub for the high-end multimedia user.
When Revolution launches next year, we know you'll be very thankful that we devoted every second of time spent making sure it's perfect.
Thursday, October 27, 2005
GPX2 Verses PSP
Sales of the Playstation portable are already looking grim, with the console holding about 25% of the Japanese handheld market. Up against the Nintendo DS, GBA SP and GB Micro, Sony are already finding it hard to maintain its sales. But up until now, Sony fanboys have always boasted about the PSP's ability to play movies and music. While the N-gamers argue that the same fuctions can be performed on the DS at a lower cost (using add-ons), it is true that the PSP produces better quality media, though at the cost of low battery life (pun intended).
Well, here comes the new GPX2:
This new portable media centre is pretty amazing. Here's some info:
- Has dual core 'ARM920T, ARM940T' CPU
- Plays games, movies, music, photos, ebooks.
- Has a high resolution 3.5" screen
- Plays MAME, SNES, Genesis and PC Engine ROMs
- Ability to upgrade firmware from official website.
- High speed USB 2.0 transfer for files
- Only uses 2 AA batteries, but still giving about 8 hours of movie playback and up to 14 hours of mp3 music.
- Comes pre-installed with Linux
Specs taken from official site:
- Dual CPU Cores ARM920T : Host processor ARM940T : Video Coprocessor
- NAND Flash Memory 64 Mega Byte
- Dimension 143.6mm* 82.9mm*34mm
- Weight 161 Gram (Without Battery)
- RAM SDRAM 64 Mega Byte
- SD flash card storage
- O/S Linux
- Display * 3.5" TFT LCD (Hardware : 16.7 Million Colors / Software: 260,000 Colors)
- 320*240(QVGA) resolution
- MPEG 4, Dvix 3.11,4x,5x, and Higher, XVID, WMV(7,8,9 Later On) Playback.
- MP3,OGG,WMA(Later On)
- MAX video resolution 720*480 at 30fps
- Bit Rate Video Max: 2500 Kbps ~ Audio Max: 384Kbps
- Caption SMI
- TV-OUT Support
- Stereo(L+R) audio
- JPG, BMP, PCX, GIF, PNG images
The console costs around 179 U.S dollars, about $240 A.U. Pretty decent seeing as it can play multiple roms, has high quality video playback etc. Though it lacks on game graphics due to being an emulator, you can consider it a "4 in 1" handheld console.
What do you guys think? Does this thing have a chance against the PSP in terms of portable media? It is certainly very powerful and efficient in terms of video playback. If you buy two 2000 mAH rechargable batteries, I reckon you can watch movies for up to 15 hours before the need to recharge. Quite a nifty gadget indeed :P.
Btw, the console should be about to launch in the States, there are no details on an Australian release date though.
Sales of the Playstation portable are already looking grim, with the console holding about 25% of the Japanese handheld market. Up against the Nintendo DS, GBA SP and GB Micro, Sony are already finding it hard to maintain its sales. But up until now, Sony fanboys have always boasted about the PSP's ability to play movies and music. While the N-gamers argue that the same fuctions can be performed on the DS at a lower cost (using add-ons), it is true that the PSP produces better quality media, though at the cost of low battery life (pun intended).
Well, here comes the new GPX2:
This new portable media centre is pretty amazing. Here's some info:
- Has dual core 'ARM920T, ARM940T' CPU
- Plays games, movies, music, photos, ebooks.
- Has a high resolution 3.5" screen
- Plays MAME, SNES, Genesis and PC Engine ROMs
- Ability to upgrade firmware from official website.
- High speed USB 2.0 transfer for files
- Only uses 2 AA batteries, but still giving about 8 hours of movie playback and up to 14 hours of mp3 music.
- Comes pre-installed with Linux
Specs taken from official site:
- Dual CPU Cores ARM920T : Host processor ARM940T : Video Coprocessor
- NAND Flash Memory 64 Mega Byte
- Dimension 143.6mm* 82.9mm*34mm
- Weight 161 Gram (Without Battery)
- RAM SDRAM 64 Mega Byte
- SD flash card storage
- O/S Linux
- Display * 3.5" TFT LCD (Hardware : 16.7 Million Colors / Software: 260,000 Colors)
- 320*240(QVGA) resolution
- MPEG 4, Dvix 3.11,4x,5x, and Higher, XVID, WMV(7,8,9 Later On) Playback.
- MP3,OGG,WMA(Later On)
- MAX video resolution 720*480 at 30fps
- Bit Rate Video Max: 2500 Kbps ~ Audio Max: 384Kbps
- Caption SMI
- TV-OUT Support
- Stereo(L+R) audio
- JPG, BMP, PCX, GIF, PNG images
The console costs around 179 U.S dollars, about $240 A.U. Pretty decent seeing as it can play multiple roms, has high quality video playback etc. Though it lacks on game graphics due to being an emulator, you can consider it a "4 in 1" handheld console.
What do you guys think? Does this thing have a chance against the PSP in terms of portable media? It is certainly very powerful and efficient in terms of video playback. If you buy two 2000 mAH rechargable batteries, I reckon you can watch movies for up to 15 hours before the need to recharge. Quite a nifty gadget indeed :P.
Btw, the console should be about to launch in the States, there are no details on an Australian release date though.
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Nintendo: Pioneers Of Gaming
I just came across this article posted at revo-europe.com. It was a response an editor received after posting an article about the Revolution's weaknesses. The editor obviously thought it was a worthwhile article to be posted, and he agrees on most of its points. In my opinion it was a very good read, here is the editor's reply below:
Recently, a reader e-mailed me about my thoughts on the Revolution, naturally they weren’t too happy about the conclusions drawn by the article, saying that ultimately, it’s “the games, not the names” that make a console. A truer word was never spoken. The Revolution comes from the House Of N, who are responsible for many of the best games of this generation and the last, and look like they’ll continue the legacy onto the next generation.
Firstly, let’s talk Mario; a character that divides Nintendo fans right down the middle. Some say that he is the greatest asset that Nintendo has, others say that he is a liability; a dinosaur left over from the mascot-dominated Megadrive and SNES era that has long passed us by.
I couldn’t disagree more.
The Mario games, whether or not they have been great innovators, have always proved some of the most enjoyable on the home gaming and handheld gaming scenes. The games are consistently high-quality, facing many rigorous quality checks prior to actual release. Such high standards naturally produce superior games that never fail to entertain on many different levels, whether it be with time-honoured themes or that fantastically addictive “just one more go” gameplay. Mario is a powerful asset for the Revolution and any console that hosts a Mario game, with excellent franchises such as Mario Golf and Tennis, Mario Party, and the new Super Mario Strikers game, the Revolution will have a formidable catalogue of Mario-themed titles to suit many different tastes.
Secondly, we can cite the new and exciting gyroscopic control device that promises to push forward in the new generation. The extra dimension added to play by the new input method will be something akin to the analogue stick pioneered by Nintendo nearly ten years ago and is sure to open up entirely new methods of play hitherto unimaginable for modern gamers. The technical ins and outs don’t really hold much interest for me –much as the technology behind analogue didn’t a decade ago, far more important is the application in games and how my experience will improve as a result. Sure it looks odd and stands out like a sore thumb when placed against the PS3’s “Batarang” and the featureless plastic hand of the Xbox 360, but hell, the N64 controller has to rate as one of the strangest looking controllers of all time, and I had far more fun with my N64 than I ever did with the sedate and symmetrical PSone handsets.
Finally, and probably most important of all, the Revolution will be a great machine because Nintendo themselves are its pioneers. Blazing a trail of evolution across four home formats, they have been the creative pathfinders for the gaming community and the benchmark against which other, lesser titles are measured. Buy any Nintendo brand game and you are guaranteed to take home a high-quality piece of software that will more than stand up to any of its competitors. The rigorous quality testing and high standards over this and the last generation have ensured that Nintendo’s consoles have had a steady stream titles that are a cut above the competition. Stand the intricacies and clever world of Metroid Prime against the brute force and ignorant universe depicted in Halo and I know which one I would choose every time. Compare the free roaming charm and depth of Mario and Zelda to the classless Grand Theft Auto and the often soulless and repetitive deluge of adventure games on the PS2, and there is no contest in terms of design and execution.
Although Nintendo games may not be everything that players expect and want, they never fail to delight on a variety of levels; from the charming personalities of the Pikmin to the blisteringly good fun to be had with four friends and Mario Kart, every Nintendo game exudes quality and refinement from every polygon and pixel. It’s a standard that many envy, few copy and that none can reproduce.
The Revolution has so many different factors in its favour that will hopefully make it much more of a success than the last two generations. From Mario to Metroid, Pikmin to Players Choice, F-Zero to Zelda, Nintendo have the potential to take on all comers and regain the crown that has slipped over the last few years as many pretenders to the throne squabble pointlessly over sales figures and market share.
After all, it’s about the games, not the names, and Nintendo are matchless.
Iun Hockley talliswolf@hotmail.com
I just came across this article posted at revo-europe.com. It was a response an editor received after posting an article about the Revolution's weaknesses. The editor obviously thought it was a worthwhile article to be posted, and he agrees on most of its points. In my opinion it was a very good read, here is the editor's reply below:
Recently, a reader e-mailed me about my thoughts on the Revolution, naturally they weren’t too happy about the conclusions drawn by the article, saying that ultimately, it’s “the games, not the names” that make a console. A truer word was never spoken. The Revolution comes from the House Of N, who are responsible for many of the best games of this generation and the last, and look like they’ll continue the legacy onto the next generation.
Firstly, let’s talk Mario; a character that divides Nintendo fans right down the middle. Some say that he is the greatest asset that Nintendo has, others say that he is a liability; a dinosaur left over from the mascot-dominated Megadrive and SNES era that has long passed us by.
I couldn’t disagree more.
The Mario games, whether or not they have been great innovators, have always proved some of the most enjoyable on the home gaming and handheld gaming scenes. The games are consistently high-quality, facing many rigorous quality checks prior to actual release. Such high standards naturally produce superior games that never fail to entertain on many different levels, whether it be with time-honoured themes or that fantastically addictive “just one more go” gameplay. Mario is a powerful asset for the Revolution and any console that hosts a Mario game, with excellent franchises such as Mario Golf and Tennis, Mario Party, and the new Super Mario Strikers game, the Revolution will have a formidable catalogue of Mario-themed titles to suit many different tastes.
Secondly, we can cite the new and exciting gyroscopic control device that promises to push forward in the new generation. The extra dimension added to play by the new input method will be something akin to the analogue stick pioneered by Nintendo nearly ten years ago and is sure to open up entirely new methods of play hitherto unimaginable for modern gamers. The technical ins and outs don’t really hold much interest for me –much as the technology behind analogue didn’t a decade ago, far more important is the application in games and how my experience will improve as a result. Sure it looks odd and stands out like a sore thumb when placed against the PS3’s “Batarang” and the featureless plastic hand of the Xbox 360, but hell, the N64 controller has to rate as one of the strangest looking controllers of all time, and I had far more fun with my N64 than I ever did with the sedate and symmetrical PSone handsets.
Finally, and probably most important of all, the Revolution will be a great machine because Nintendo themselves are its pioneers. Blazing a trail of evolution across four home formats, they have been the creative pathfinders for the gaming community and the benchmark against which other, lesser titles are measured. Buy any Nintendo brand game and you are guaranteed to take home a high-quality piece of software that will more than stand up to any of its competitors. The rigorous quality testing and high standards over this and the last generation have ensured that Nintendo’s consoles have had a steady stream titles that are a cut above the competition. Stand the intricacies and clever world of Metroid Prime against the brute force and ignorant universe depicted in Halo and I know which one I would choose every time. Compare the free roaming charm and depth of Mario and Zelda to the classless Grand Theft Auto and the often soulless and repetitive deluge of adventure games on the PS2, and there is no contest in terms of design and execution.
Although Nintendo games may not be everything that players expect and want, they never fail to delight on a variety of levels; from the charming personalities of the Pikmin to the blisteringly good fun to be had with four friends and Mario Kart, every Nintendo game exudes quality and refinement from every polygon and pixel. It’s a standard that many envy, few copy and that none can reproduce.
The Revolution has so many different factors in its favour that will hopefully make it much more of a success than the last two generations. From Mario to Metroid, Pikmin to Players Choice, F-Zero to Zelda, Nintendo have the potential to take on all comers and regain the crown that has slipped over the last few years as many pretenders to the throne squabble pointlessly over sales figures and market share.
After all, it’s about the games, not the names, and Nintendo are matchless.
Iun Hockley talliswolf@hotmail.com
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Three Weeks Left Until MKDS
Four new Mario Kart DS videos have surfaced at the Spanish Mario Kart website, JeuxFrance. They were posted at aussie-nintendo.com, along with ther final boxart for the game. Here is the boxart:
I guess it is a little plain, but as the saying goes, don't judge a game by its boxart... or something like that. Anyway, here are links to the four new videos:
Video 1:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_8.avi
Video 2:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_9.avi
Video 3:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_10.avi
Video 4:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_11.avi
The first video features Mario, riding a bulky looking kart on what looks like Mario or Peach circuit. Notice the quality of the graphics, and the smoothness of gameplay presented in the footage. His turns are nice and smooth, and the graphics certainly look realistic. The shell item looked very easy to use, though it travelled very slowely when shot. Hopefully it won't be as bad as the N64 green shells, where the player to actually catch up to one after he shoots it.
The next video shows a battle game, similar to the "Shine" mode from Mario Kart Double Dash. It seems the objective is to collect as many shine items as possible, then use whatever means neccessary to steal them off each other. The background could make you a little dizzy, but the idea of having a battle on a cake, or cookie, or whatever it is, with a hole enclosed by boost pads in the middle, certainly looks interesting.
The third video is another Shine battle, demonstrating a different arena. This one resembles a giant Nintendo DS console, with the top half slanted to increase driving difficulty. The game ran similarly to the second video, except this time the player controller Luigi comes first. The concept of having 8 players duking it out in various battle modes is awesome, it will be great to verse friends in such a way. I believe this is the first time there is an 8 player battle option in any Mario Kart game.
The last video was the one I found to be most interesting. This one shows DK riding what looks like a motorcyle kart. The way the player keeps crashing into walls is hillarious (DK must hate him). The stage itself seems tricky, players navigate their way up a steep snowy mountain top. There is also a new item shown, the bullet thing (sorry about the terms) fro mearly Mario games. Acting like a cross between a boost and chain chomp from Double Dash, DK was thrusted forward like there was a guided rocket pushing him from behind :D.
Well, only 3 weeks left until the game is released in Australia. I am personally arguing with myself, whether to buy this game on release day, or purchase a GB micro next week (launching on November 3rd). I only have enough cash for one, and will probably buy the other in a month or so. What do you guys think? Should I get a Micro first, or buy MKDS and purchase a Micro at the end of this year?
Four new Mario Kart DS videos have surfaced at the Spanish Mario Kart website, JeuxFrance. They were posted at aussie-nintendo.com, along with ther final boxart for the game. Here is the boxart:
.jpg)
I guess it is a little plain, but as the saying goes, don't judge a game by its boxart... or something like that. Anyway, here are links to the four new videos:
Video 1:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_8.avi
Video 2:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_9.avi
Video 3:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_10.avi
Video 4:
ftp://www.jeux-france.com/Nintendo_DS/Mario_Kart_DS_11.avi
The first video features Mario, riding a bulky looking kart on what looks like Mario or Peach circuit. Notice the quality of the graphics, and the smoothness of gameplay presented in the footage. His turns are nice and smooth, and the graphics certainly look realistic. The shell item looked very easy to use, though it travelled very slowely when shot. Hopefully it won't be as bad as the N64 green shells, where the player to actually catch up to one after he shoots it.
The next video shows a battle game, similar to the "Shine" mode from Mario Kart Double Dash. It seems the objective is to collect as many shine items as possible, then use whatever means neccessary to steal them off each other. The background could make you a little dizzy, but the idea of having a battle on a cake, or cookie, or whatever it is, with a hole enclosed by boost pads in the middle, certainly looks interesting.
The third video is another Shine battle, demonstrating a different arena. This one resembles a giant Nintendo DS console, with the top half slanted to increase driving difficulty. The game ran similarly to the second video, except this time the player controller Luigi comes first. The concept of having 8 players duking it out in various battle modes is awesome, it will be great to verse friends in such a way. I believe this is the first time there is an 8 player battle option in any Mario Kart game.
The last video was the one I found to be most interesting. This one shows DK riding what looks like a motorcyle kart. The way the player keeps crashing into walls is hillarious (DK must hate him). The stage itself seems tricky, players navigate their way up a steep snowy mountain top. There is also a new item shown, the bullet thing (sorry about the terms) fro mearly Mario games. Acting like a cross between a boost and chain chomp from Double Dash, DK was thrusted forward like there was a guided rocket pushing him from behind :D.
Well, only 3 weeks left until the game is released in Australia. I am personally arguing with myself, whether to buy this game on release day, or purchase a GB micro next week (launching on November 3rd). I only have enough cash for one, and will probably buy the other in a month or so. What do you guys think? Should I get a Micro first, or buy MKDS and purchase a Micro at the end of this year?
Monday, October 24, 2005
Merrick Cuts Down 360
This was originally posted in a German game site (in German), then translated in a thread at Gaming Age forums. It is an interview with Jim Merrick made by daily newspaper FAZ. And surprisingly, Merrick talks aggressively about the Xbox 360, and remains bold on comments regarding Revolution. This article is a worthwhile read.
Nintendo skips high-tech race with Sony and MicrosoftOctober 24th 2005 The market for video games is preparing for a quantum leap: Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are about to release the next generation of video consoles shortly. While Sony and Microsoft are taking on a fierce battle for the fastest processor or the best graphics, Nintendo deliberately heads down a different path. "Our approach lies in opening up to new users - not new technology", says Jim Merrick, NoE's head of merketing.
While Microsoft and Sony gear up their gaming consoles to turn into multimedia devices that also allow users to listen to music, watch films or surfing the net, Nintendo is reclaiming their roots. "Nintendo is an entertainment company. We don't own any film studios and we are no hardware company either. The Revolution is capable to play DVD films - but that isn't an important functions to us. We offer good interactive entertainment instead. But that's not a question of the hardware or power. This is all irrelevant. It's all about the games", Merrick said.
The problem of the industry according to Merrick: "An average person today can't make head or tails of a video game." Instead of the usual input devices (controllers), Nintendo would be focussing on a sort of remote device similar to TV remotes average people are used to. "Wenn thinking about a gamer today, you picture a pale tennager, drinking cola and eating chips. This shouldn't be." A way in the direction of new users would be Nintendogs. "In Japan, more than a half of the registered Nintendogs gamers is female. Additionally the age spread is much greater", Merrick says. In Germany, Nintendo sold 50,000 Nintendogs games in the first eight days after release.
The company traditionally has a strong position among young consumers, backed up by games like 'Pokemon' or 'Mario'. "The youngest gamers are 4 to 5 years old. We won't give up our position for this group, but we also want to score with older people. In Japan, brain training games are strong with gamers who are 35 years or older. That are not the people that are traditionally referred to as video gamers", Merrick says.
Beside the games, the price is also supposed to broaden the user base: "We are very aware of the price sensitivity of the gaming market, especially when going for the mass market. I strongly hope that the Revolution will be cheaper than the 400 Euros of the Xbox 360.", Merrick says. The new Microsoft console is that expensive, because it supports HDTV, for example. "But only few people are benefitting from that. We won't do that", Merrick says. However, in one area, Microsoft has set new standards: building online communities. "Nintendo is also going to establish an online community. But we don't wont to make the mistake of monetarizing the service first and put in value for the customers only later. We want to go the other way with our mobile console Nintendo DS: when we're starting the online service for the game 'Mario Kart', it is free for the gamers", says Merrick. The online games for the Nintendo DS, which has sold 200,000 units so far in Germany, are not regarded as a self-contained source of income, but as a catalyst, to sell more games. "With the Nintendo-'Revolution', not all online games will be free for the users", Merrick notes.
For christmas season, Nintendo doesn't intend to lower the price for their current console Gamecube at 99 Euros. Nintendo sold 800,000 consoles in Germany so far and is expecting good christmas sales - even with the Gamecube at the end of its lifespan and a strong competitor with the Xbox 360. "We don't worry too much about Xbox 360. The supply will be limited and the types of games offered won't appeal to all target groups. There will always be a group of technology fans, that buys any next-generation console on release. But there won't be an impact on the mass market - at least not until they see what is offered to them by Sony and Nintendo next year. When our strategy of expanding on the customer base works out, we have a very good chance to achieve world leadership by late 2007", Merrick hopes. Since March, the company has sold about 1,5 million Nintendo DS. They want to have sold 3 million DS in Europe by end of the year.
Merrick hasn't high hopes for games for mobile phones, though. "Every year mobile gaming is expected to go big business. This didn't happen so far. Only few consumers buy cell phone games. Most consumers play the games already preinstalled on their cell phone. So far we didn't see any mobile phone which our games could be played on properly. The second generation of the Nokia N-Gage was much better than the first generation, but its reputation is already tarnished.
I'm surprised Microsoft haven't retaliated after those comments, he really gives "it" to the 360. Link to the original article:
http://tinyurl.com/9lec9
Gaming Age post:
http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=68569
Edit: I have been told that the translation of the inerview provided at http://nintendo-revolution.blogspot.com/ is more accurate than this one. Please take time to read and compare the two :).
This was originally posted in a German game site (in German), then translated in a thread at Gaming Age forums. It is an interview with Jim Merrick made by daily newspaper FAZ. And surprisingly, Merrick talks aggressively about the Xbox 360, and remains bold on comments regarding Revolution. This article is a worthwhile read.
Nintendo skips high-tech race with Sony and MicrosoftOctober 24th 2005 The market for video games is preparing for a quantum leap: Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo are about to release the next generation of video consoles shortly. While Sony and Microsoft are taking on a fierce battle for the fastest processor or the best graphics, Nintendo deliberately heads down a different path. "Our approach lies in opening up to new users - not new technology", says Jim Merrick, NoE's head of merketing.
While Microsoft and Sony gear up their gaming consoles to turn into multimedia devices that also allow users to listen to music, watch films or surfing the net, Nintendo is reclaiming their roots. "Nintendo is an entertainment company. We don't own any film studios and we are no hardware company either. The Revolution is capable to play DVD films - but that isn't an important functions to us. We offer good interactive entertainment instead. But that's not a question of the hardware or power. This is all irrelevant. It's all about the games", Merrick said.
The problem of the industry according to Merrick: "An average person today can't make head or tails of a video game." Instead of the usual input devices (controllers), Nintendo would be focussing on a sort of remote device similar to TV remotes average people are used to. "Wenn thinking about a gamer today, you picture a pale tennager, drinking cola and eating chips. This shouldn't be." A way in the direction of new users would be Nintendogs. "In Japan, more than a half of the registered Nintendogs gamers is female. Additionally the age spread is much greater", Merrick says. In Germany, Nintendo sold 50,000 Nintendogs games in the first eight days after release.
The company traditionally has a strong position among young consumers, backed up by games like 'Pokemon' or 'Mario'. "The youngest gamers are 4 to 5 years old. We won't give up our position for this group, but we also want to score with older people. In Japan, brain training games are strong with gamers who are 35 years or older. That are not the people that are traditionally referred to as video gamers", Merrick says.
Beside the games, the price is also supposed to broaden the user base: "We are very aware of the price sensitivity of the gaming market, especially when going for the mass market. I strongly hope that the Revolution will be cheaper than the 400 Euros of the Xbox 360.", Merrick says. The new Microsoft console is that expensive, because it supports HDTV, for example. "But only few people are benefitting from that. We won't do that", Merrick says. However, in one area, Microsoft has set new standards: building online communities. "Nintendo is also going to establish an online community. But we don't wont to make the mistake of monetarizing the service first and put in value for the customers only later. We want to go the other way with our mobile console Nintendo DS: when we're starting the online service for the game 'Mario Kart', it is free for the gamers", says Merrick. The online games for the Nintendo DS, which has sold 200,000 units so far in Germany, are not regarded as a self-contained source of income, but as a catalyst, to sell more games. "With the Nintendo-'Revolution', not all online games will be free for the users", Merrick notes.
For christmas season, Nintendo doesn't intend to lower the price for their current console Gamecube at 99 Euros. Nintendo sold 800,000 consoles in Germany so far and is expecting good christmas sales - even with the Gamecube at the end of its lifespan and a strong competitor with the Xbox 360. "We don't worry too much about Xbox 360. The supply will be limited and the types of games offered won't appeal to all target groups. There will always be a group of technology fans, that buys any next-generation console on release. But there won't be an impact on the mass market - at least not until they see what is offered to them by Sony and Nintendo next year. When our strategy of expanding on the customer base works out, we have a very good chance to achieve world leadership by late 2007", Merrick hopes. Since March, the company has sold about 1,5 million Nintendo DS. They want to have sold 3 million DS in Europe by end of the year.
Merrick hasn't high hopes for games for mobile phones, though. "Every year mobile gaming is expected to go big business. This didn't happen so far. Only few consumers buy cell phone games. Most consumers play the games already preinstalled on their cell phone. So far we didn't see any mobile phone which our games could be played on properly. The second generation of the Nokia N-Gage was much better than the first generation, but its reputation is already tarnished.
I'm surprised Microsoft haven't retaliated after those comments, he really gives "it" to the 360. Link to the original article:
http://tinyurl.com/9lec9
Gaming Age post:
http://www.ga-forum.com/showthread.php?t=68569
Edit: I have been told that the translation of the inerview provided at http://nintendo-revolution.blogspot.com/ is more accurate than this one. Please take time to read and compare the two :).
Revolution's Release Date
At a recent interview with Nikkei Business, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has hinted a release date for the Nintendo Revolution. Though he wasn't very specific, he does make the claim of a post April 2006 release date for the console.
“I want to put it on the market to as many countries as possible at the same time"
- Satoru Iwata
This is certainly good news. A worldwide launch of a console is the same approach Nintendo made in the past with the DS, and currently with the GB Micro. A worldwide launch, and in distributing the console to every country in the short timespan of only a few months, very unlike the Gamecube, which took a whole year for it to reach Australia from Japan. Worldwide launches has been proven successful with the DS, and the Micro sold faster than even the GBA SP during its launch period, permanently removing its image of a "side console".
What is really interesting, is why Nintendo chose to claim April instead of a later date. Could this possibly mean that Revolution will be available in all countries by May next year? That would seriously beat PS3 to the market for most areas. Remember, we are talking about the console's RELEASE DATE here, Nintendo still haven't rejected their E3 announcement of unveiling all the Revolution's secrets before the end of this year.
The next possible chance we will learn more about the console is the outcoming editional of Edge magazine. The edition will be released on the 27th of this month, in just 3 days time.
At a recent interview with Nikkei Business, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has hinted a release date for the Nintendo Revolution. Though he wasn't very specific, he does make the claim of a post April 2006 release date for the console.
“I want to put it on the market to as many countries as possible at the same time"
- Satoru Iwata
This is certainly good news. A worldwide launch of a console is the same approach Nintendo made in the past with the DS, and currently with the GB Micro. A worldwide launch, and in distributing the console to every country in the short timespan of only a few months, very unlike the Gamecube, which took a whole year for it to reach Australia from Japan. Worldwide launches has been proven successful with the DS, and the Micro sold faster than even the GBA SP during its launch period, permanently removing its image of a "side console".
What is really interesting, is why Nintendo chose to claim April instead of a later date. Could this possibly mean that Revolution will be available in all countries by May next year? That would seriously beat PS3 to the market for most areas. Remember, we are talking about the console's RELEASE DATE here, Nintendo still haven't rejected their E3 announcement of unveiling all the Revolution's secrets before the end of this year.
The next possible chance we will learn more about the console is the outcoming editional of Edge magazine. The edition will be released on the 27th of this month, in just 3 days time.
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Gaming Commercials
Yay, this is the 100th post made on this blog! Anway, here is a small collection of past random gaming commercials for hardware and games. Some are quite recent, the ad for the GB Micro has to be my favourite :P. There hasn't been much news on the Revolution lately, so I thought this may keep everyone entertained until the CES early next year, or (hopefully) the next issue of Edge magazine (due out Oct 27th).
New GB micro commercial:
http://aussie-nintendo.com/video/aussie-nintendo_gbmicro_canadian.mov
Ad for the N64 (get N or get out!):
http://thetravisty.com/Cool_Commercials.php?FN=Nintendo_-_Save_the_Pinata.mov
Ad for original GBA:
http://reklamyftp.gry-online.pl/l/laundrette.mov
The "Pop" Station commercial:
http://media.putfile.com/POPStation2
Christmas ad for N64 games:
http://www.gaming-age.com/specials/adspecial2/Commercials/N64/n64xmas.mpg
Ad for Mario Advance 4 (Mario bros 3):
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/media/movs/GBA_SuperMarioBro3.mpg
There is also another video I would like to link to. Nergized at Digital Share posted a demonstration what the capabilities of the Revolution controller. Someone holds a single handed Playstation controller in one hand, and a Gyration's gyroscopic mouse in the other, and plays Half Life 2 wielding both at the same time. This gives some idea of what the Revolution Controller along with Num Chuk will be like in action, except for the fact that this mimic cannot detect the controller's distance to the screen, making it somewhat inferior to the actual Revolution's.
This is an interesting video, take notice of the guy's hand movements as he plays CS:
http://boards.ign.com/Revolution_Lobby/b8270/101366434/?8
Yay, this is the 100th post made on this blog! Anway, here is a small collection of past random gaming commercials for hardware and games. Some are quite recent, the ad for the GB Micro has to be my favourite :P. There hasn't been much news on the Revolution lately, so I thought this may keep everyone entertained until the CES early next year, or (hopefully) the next issue of Edge magazine (due out Oct 27th).
New GB micro commercial:
http://aussie-nintendo.com/video/aussie-nintendo_gbmicro_canadian.mov
Ad for the N64 (get N or get out!):
http://thetravisty.com/Cool_Commercials.php?FN=Nintendo_-_Save_the_Pinata.mov
Ad for original GBA:
http://reklamyftp.gry-online.pl/l/laundrette.mov
The "Pop" Station commercial:
http://media.putfile.com/POPStation2
Christmas ad for N64 games:
http://www.gaming-age.com/specials/adspecial2/Commercials/N64/n64xmas.mpg
Ad for Mario Advance 4 (Mario bros 3):
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/media/movs/GBA_SuperMarioBro3.mpg
There is also another video I would like to link to. Nergized at Digital Share posted a demonstration what the capabilities of the Revolution controller. Someone holds a single handed Playstation controller in one hand, and a Gyration's gyroscopic mouse in the other, and plays Half Life 2 wielding both at the same time. This gives some idea of what the Revolution Controller along with Num Chuk will be like in action, except for the fact that this mimic cannot detect the controller's distance to the screen, making it somewhat inferior to the actual Revolution's.
This is an interesting video, take notice of the guy's hand movements as he plays CS:
http://boards.ign.com/Revolution_Lobby/b8270/101366434/?8
Sales Statistics, 10-16th of October
Thanks to Bluelight's post at Digital Share, here are the latest (released) hardware and software sales statistics. These stats are for the 10th to 16th of October 2005 in Japan.
Hardware:
DS 44,262
PSP 29,162
PS2 23,659
GBM 20,026
GBASP 9,707
GC 1,666
GBA 431
Xbox 132
Analysis (all approximates):
1. DS sales up by 5,000 units.
2. GBM sales down by 4000 units (and 10,000 units down in two weeks).
3. PSP sales down by 2,000 units.
4. PS2 sales down by 1,000 units.
5. GBASP sales down by 100 units but GBA sales up by 100 units.
6. GC sales up by 200 units but still below 2000 units.
7. XBOX sales up by 26 units!
Conclusions:
* GBM price drop around Christmas time (I hope) to increase sales & triggering price drop of other GBAs as well.
* GC sales might increase because of Nintendo's decision to allow retailers to sell it at any price they want.
* Nintendo controls 71.8% (DS:42.7%,GBA:29.1%) of the handheld market while Sony PSP holds 28.2% (GBA still outselling PSP & DS still kicking ass)
* Sony controls 92.9%of the console market while Nintendo and Microsoft hold 6.5% and 0.51% respectively.
* Overall Nintendo controls 58.96% of the market while Sony and Microsoft hold 40.93% & 0.1% respectively.
Software top 10:
1) Dragon Ball Z Sparking! - PS2 - 89,077 units
2) Code Age Commanders - PS2 - 37,199 units
3) YU-GI-OH! Duel Monsters GX - GBA - 34,849 units
4) Famicom Mini: Super Mario Bros. (20th Anniversary version) - GBA - 31,548 units
5) Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop! - DS - 29,165 units
6) DS Training For Adults: Work Your Brain - DS - 24,173 units
7) Gentle Brain Exercises - DS - 20,315 units
8) Tsuukin Hitofude - GBA - 14,359 units
9) Dynasty Warriors 5: Mosho Den (incl. Limited Edition) - PS2 - 12,328 units
10) JUMP SUPER STARS - DS - 8,778 units
Conclusions:
* Dragon Ball Z Sparking! on #1 spot for two weeks.
* JUMP SUPER STARS back in top ten list.
* Super Mario Bros. (20th Anniversary version), DS Training For Adults: Work Your Brain, & Gentle Brain Exercises still going strong.
Thanks to Bluelight's post at Digital Share, here are the latest (released) hardware and software sales statistics. These stats are for the 10th to 16th of October 2005 in Japan.
Hardware:
DS 44,262
PSP 29,162
PS2 23,659
GBM 20,026
GBASP 9,707
GC 1,666
GBA 431
Xbox 132
Analysis (all approximates):
1. DS sales up by 5,000 units.
2. GBM sales down by 4000 units (and 10,000 units down in two weeks).
3. PSP sales down by 2,000 units.
4. PS2 sales down by 1,000 units.
5. GBASP sales down by 100 units but GBA sales up by 100 units.
6. GC sales up by 200 units but still below 2000 units.
7. XBOX sales up by 26 units!
Conclusions:
* GBM price drop around Christmas time (I hope) to increase sales & triggering price drop of other GBAs as well.
* GC sales might increase because of Nintendo's decision to allow retailers to sell it at any price they want.
* Nintendo controls 71.8% (DS:42.7%,GBA:29.1%) of the handheld market while Sony PSP holds 28.2% (GBA still outselling PSP & DS still kicking ass)
* Sony controls 92.9%of the console market while Nintendo and Microsoft hold 6.5% and 0.51% respectively.
* Overall Nintendo controls 58.96% of the market while Sony and Microsoft hold 40.93% & 0.1% respectively.
Software top 10:
1) Dragon Ball Z Sparking! - PS2 - 89,077 units
2) Code Age Commanders - PS2 - 37,199 units
3) YU-GI-OH! Duel Monsters GX - GBA - 34,849 units
4) Famicom Mini: Super Mario Bros. (20th Anniversary version) - GBA - 31,548 units
5) Tamagotchi Connection: Corner Shop! - DS - 29,165 units
6) DS Training For Adults: Work Your Brain - DS - 24,173 units
7) Gentle Brain Exercises - DS - 20,315 units
8) Tsuukin Hitofude - GBA - 14,359 units
9) Dynasty Warriors 5: Mosho Den (incl. Limited Edition) - PS2 - 12,328 units
10) JUMP SUPER STARS - DS - 8,778 units
Conclusions:
* Dragon Ball Z Sparking! on #1 spot for two weeks.
* JUMP SUPER STARS back in top ten list.
* Super Mario Bros. (20th Anniversary version), DS Training For Adults: Work Your Brain, & Gentle Brain Exercises still going strong.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Japanese Creators On Controller
Here is a link to Drazzle's post on Digital share:
http://s12.invisionfree.com/Digital_Share/index.php?showtopic=1259&st=0&#entry973967
Link to original article:
http://nrupdates.qj.net/2005/10/japanese-creators-speak-on-revolution.html#comments
This is a long but great read. Japanese game developers have their say on the Revolution and its controller, and the majority of them are positive comments.
Japan's gaming elite have spoken out on Nintendo's Revolution controller. The latest issue of Nintendo Dream features commentary and impressions on the device from developers at Nintendo, Sega, Namco, Konami and more.
Here's a run down on what each creator has to say:
Ken Sugimori (Game Freak, art director of Pokemon): Sugimori was surprised when he first saw the controller. He feels that many people have been thrown off from gaming due to increased button counts of controllers, but states that it takes a good amount of courage to actually decide to reduce the number. "You'll be able to do things with the Revolution that you could never do with consoles before," he says, adding with a laugh, "Personally, it's the kind of hardware where, more than making games, I'd rather play them."
Kouichi Suda (president of Grass Hopper Interactive, the studio behind Killer 7): "In truth, I have yet to get my hands on Revolution," Suda admits, but adds that he expects to get some hands on time shortly. Once he saw the controller at the product announcement, he felt that there was no choice but to make games for it. "I've already finalized a plan. Now, all that remains is to make it." Judging by Suda's comments, we can probably add Grass Hopper to the list of Revolution developers.
Toshihiro Nagoshi (Sega -- producer of F-Zero GX/AX and Super Monkey Ball): "I was surprised when I saw it, I was surprised when I touched it, and when I played the sample games, I was even more surprised!" Nagoshi states. "I doubt that there's a creator who doesn't get tickled after getting their hands on this. It combines all the elements required to let you enjoy games while feeling that you've become the character." Continuing, Nagoshi states that he expects the controller to open up new paths for all genres.
Tooru Iwatani (Namco -- father of Pac Man): Iwatani feels that the Revolution controller is one of the solutions to interface problems with games, adding, "Just as input with the Nintendo DS pen gave birth to new game contents, there are great possibilities hidden in this remote-like controller." He gives a couple of examples of game ideas, including a text input style game that targets people who've become used to inputting text with their thumbs on the cell phone. The controller gives the creative spirit of game creators a jolt, Iwatani states before finishing up his comments by asking that Nintendo continue from here on out to stimulate gamers and creators alike in new ways.
Hironobu Sakaguchi (Mistwalker -- father of Final Fantasy): "When I first saw it, I thought 'It's great!' and 'It's just like Nintendo!' It makes you feel like you're actually touching the screen. In that sense, you could say that it's an extension of the DS, but it's actually very different." Pointing out that the controller allows for a wide variety of actions, he adds, "When shown such a new concept, software makers are, even as just normal people, left excited."
Yasuhiro Wada (Marvelous Interactive -- father of Harvest Moon): Wada was at first taken back by the controller. He found it to be small and nicely designed, but as a controller, it crossed the bounds of his understanding. Once he got his hands on it, he suddenly got the idea and felt that it would work. This is similar to how he felt with the DS -- the feeling of various ideas appearing one after the other. "As a creator, this is the ultimate toy," he states with a laugh, but also adds caution, saying, "A number of basic ideas come forth, but placing those properly into a game and making players have fun is difficult." Wada seems to love the controller, though, as he adds, "Isn't this the thing that will cause a revolution to the game industry, which has slowly lost its way?"
Takanobu Terada (Banpresto -- Super Robot Wars producer): "To be honest, I was expecting the Revolution controller to have an even more unique form, so I was initially disappointed. However, that quickly disappeared. With good use of the expansion terminal, isn't it possible to make, for instance, a versus shooting game without the use of the monitor, where the fight is through the controller alone? I feel that it is a great controller that can inspire many ideas, even aside from videogames."
Hiroshi Tanibuchi (Konami -- Powerful Pro series producer): Tanibuch states that he was surprised when he first saw the controller, adding "In truth -- and this is just between us -- I was able to get my hands on the controller. The on-screen characters move in accordance with the controller's movements -- it's such a fresh feeling. Although you probably won't understand until you've tried it yourself." On the topic of Japan's favorite baseball series, he suggests good things for a possible GameCube version: "If we were to make it, we'd want to make a special Power Pro for the Revolution."
Masahiro Sakurai (Sora -- previous work on Kirby, Smash Brother and Meteos): "I'm sympathetic for Nintendo's stance of reducing hurdles for games. For that reason, I think it's good that the controller buttons have been reduced to just one. A long remote controller shape with just one button. This has impact. The DS, with its touch screen, made games a ways easier to understand. However, with the D-pad and buttons, and also the touch panel, controls actually became more complicated. I think it would be good if the same thing doesn't happen with Revolution."
Kouichi Ishii (Square Enix -- World of Mana project producer): "I believe creators will enjoy making games [with the controller]. However, you'll have to change game design methods from the core. For instance, you'll have to start by looking back at your play as a kid and think of what kinds of things you could do if developing for the Revolution. If you can do this, then surely you will be able to make a completely new form of play, different from current games."
Here is a link to Drazzle's post on Digital share:
http://s12.invisionfree.com/Digital_Share/index.php?showtopic=1259&st=0&#entry973967
Link to original article:
http://nrupdates.qj.net/2005/10/japanese-creators-speak-on-revolution.html#comments
This is a long but great read. Japanese game developers have their say on the Revolution and its controller, and the majority of them are positive comments.
Japan's gaming elite have spoken out on Nintendo's Revolution controller. The latest issue of Nintendo Dream features commentary and impressions on the device from developers at Nintendo, Sega, Namco, Konami and more.
Here's a run down on what each creator has to say:
Ken Sugimori (Game Freak, art director of Pokemon): Sugimori was surprised when he first saw the controller. He feels that many people have been thrown off from gaming due to increased button counts of controllers, but states that it takes a good amount of courage to actually decide to reduce the number. "You'll be able to do things with the Revolution that you could never do with consoles before," he says, adding with a laugh, "Personally, it's the kind of hardware where, more than making games, I'd rather play them."
Kouichi Suda (president of Grass Hopper Interactive, the studio behind Killer 7): "In truth, I have yet to get my hands on Revolution," Suda admits, but adds that he expects to get some hands on time shortly. Once he saw the controller at the product announcement, he felt that there was no choice but to make games for it. "I've already finalized a plan. Now, all that remains is to make it." Judging by Suda's comments, we can probably add Grass Hopper to the list of Revolution developers.
Toshihiro Nagoshi (Sega -- producer of F-Zero GX/AX and Super Monkey Ball): "I was surprised when I saw it, I was surprised when I touched it, and when I played the sample games, I was even more surprised!" Nagoshi states. "I doubt that there's a creator who doesn't get tickled after getting their hands on this. It combines all the elements required to let you enjoy games while feeling that you've become the character." Continuing, Nagoshi states that he expects the controller to open up new paths for all genres.
Tooru Iwatani (Namco -- father of Pac Man): Iwatani feels that the Revolution controller is one of the solutions to interface problems with games, adding, "Just as input with the Nintendo DS pen gave birth to new game contents, there are great possibilities hidden in this remote-like controller." He gives a couple of examples of game ideas, including a text input style game that targets people who've become used to inputting text with their thumbs on the cell phone. The controller gives the creative spirit of game creators a jolt, Iwatani states before finishing up his comments by asking that Nintendo continue from here on out to stimulate gamers and creators alike in new ways.
Hironobu Sakaguchi (Mistwalker -- father of Final Fantasy): "When I first saw it, I thought 'It's great!' and 'It's just like Nintendo!' It makes you feel like you're actually touching the screen. In that sense, you could say that it's an extension of the DS, but it's actually very different." Pointing out that the controller allows for a wide variety of actions, he adds, "When shown such a new concept, software makers are, even as just normal people, left excited."
Yasuhiro Wada (Marvelous Interactive -- father of Harvest Moon): Wada was at first taken back by the controller. He found it to be small and nicely designed, but as a controller, it crossed the bounds of his understanding. Once he got his hands on it, he suddenly got the idea and felt that it would work. This is similar to how he felt with the DS -- the feeling of various ideas appearing one after the other. "As a creator, this is the ultimate toy," he states with a laugh, but also adds caution, saying, "A number of basic ideas come forth, but placing those properly into a game and making players have fun is difficult." Wada seems to love the controller, though, as he adds, "Isn't this the thing that will cause a revolution to the game industry, which has slowly lost its way?"
Takanobu Terada (Banpresto -- Super Robot Wars producer): "To be honest, I was expecting the Revolution controller to have an even more unique form, so I was initially disappointed. However, that quickly disappeared. With good use of the expansion terminal, isn't it possible to make, for instance, a versus shooting game without the use of the monitor, where the fight is through the controller alone? I feel that it is a great controller that can inspire many ideas, even aside from videogames."
Hiroshi Tanibuchi (Konami -- Powerful Pro series producer): Tanibuch states that he was surprised when he first saw the controller, adding "In truth -- and this is just between us -- I was able to get my hands on the controller. The on-screen characters move in accordance with the controller's movements -- it's such a fresh feeling. Although you probably won't understand until you've tried it yourself." On the topic of Japan's favorite baseball series, he suggests good things for a possible GameCube version: "If we were to make it, we'd want to make a special Power Pro for the Revolution."
Masahiro Sakurai (Sora -- previous work on Kirby, Smash Brother and Meteos): "I'm sympathetic for Nintendo's stance of reducing hurdles for games. For that reason, I think it's good that the controller buttons have been reduced to just one. A long remote controller shape with just one button. This has impact. The DS, with its touch screen, made games a ways easier to understand. However, with the D-pad and buttons, and also the touch panel, controls actually became more complicated. I think it would be good if the same thing doesn't happen with Revolution."
Kouichi Ishii (Square Enix -- World of Mana project producer): "I believe creators will enjoy making games [with the controller]. However, you'll have to change game design methods from the core. For instance, you'll have to start by looking back at your play as a kid and think of what kinds of things you could do if developing for the Revolution. If you can do this, then surely you will be able to make a completely new form of play, different from current games."
Getting Mousey
Source: Aussie-Nintendo
Another commercial for the GB micro has surfaced, this one is sure to take away Nintendo's kiddie image. It also seems to be aimed at non gamers... as in animals.
At the start, a mouse is place into a maz, with a piece of cheese at one end, and a GB Micro at another. Being a Nintendo commercial, the mouse obviously heads for the Micro, scrambling over walls to reach it. And when it does reach the handheld...
Here's a link to the video (requires Quicktime or Quicktime Alternative):
http://aussie-nintendo.com/video/aussie-nintendo_gbmicro_canadian.mov
This has to be one of Nintendo's more interesting commercials. Though it is hilarious and unexpected, it also seems a little inappropriate for a "Game Boy" advertisement. What do you think?
Source: Aussie-Nintendo
Another commercial for the GB micro has surfaced, this one is sure to take away Nintendo's kiddie image. It also seems to be aimed at non gamers... as in animals.
At the start, a mouse is place into a maz, with a piece of cheese at one end, and a GB Micro at another. Being a Nintendo commercial, the mouse obviously heads for the Micro, scrambling over walls to reach it. And when it does reach the handheld...
Here's a link to the video (requires Quicktime or Quicktime Alternative):
http://aussie-nintendo.com/video/aussie-nintendo_gbmicro_canadian.mov
This has to be one of Nintendo's more interesting commercials. Though it is hilarious and unexpected, it also seems a little inappropriate for a "Game Boy" advertisement. What do you think?
Thursday, October 20, 2005
A Word Of Thanks
I'd just like to personally thank everyone who has visited this blog since July. Thank you to everyone who has spent the time to read the posts, and write comments (no thanks to the spamming, lol). And thanks to Falafelkid, owner of the popular nintendo-revolution.blogspot.com, for adding my blog to his links section. All of this has helped build this blog's image and popularity, thanks again.
To give you guys some idea, here's the site meter reports for the past seven days:
N-gamers
(s14ngame2005)
-- Site Summary ---
Visits:
Total ........................ 4,505
Average per Day ................ 121
Average Visit Length .......... 1:13
This Week ...................... 798
Although this isn't much when compared to popular Nintendo blogs like nintendo-revolution and infendo, it is a lot more then what I expected when creating the blog back in July. To be honest, I've many gaming related websites in the past, and none of them have been successful enough to even earn a place in Google's directory. But with this blog, go to google.com, and type in "n-gamers" or "darkenedjib". Then hit the "I'm feeling lucky" button, and you're taken to this page. Or click "go", and the first few hits are related to this blog.
It was simply amazing, the number of viewers I've had these past few months. Expecially when Falafelkid linked to the blog in his "Sony copies controller?" post, there were hundreds of viewers every hour (lol).
Well, sorry about all the bragging :P. I am simply offering my gratitude to all who have participated in this blog... yeah even koffdrop ;). Thanks for visiting, and I hope you'll return for more Nintendo news. And also, if anyone has any suggests on how this blog could be improved, please don't hesitate to email me or comment, thanks.
I'd just like to personally thank everyone who has visited this blog since July. Thank you to everyone who has spent the time to read the posts, and write comments (no thanks to the spamming, lol). And thanks to Falafelkid, owner of the popular nintendo-revolution.blogspot.com, for adding my blog to his links section. All of this has helped build this blog's image and popularity, thanks again.
To give you guys some idea, here's the site meter reports for the past seven days:
N-gamers
(s14ngame2005)
-- Site Summary ---
Visits:
Total ........................ 4,505
Average per Day ................ 121
Average Visit Length .......... 1:13
This Week ...................... 798
Although this isn't much when compared to popular Nintendo blogs like nintendo-revolution and infendo, it is a lot more then what I expected when creating the blog back in July. To be honest, I've many gaming related websites in the past, and none of them have been successful enough to even earn a place in Google's directory. But with this blog, go to google.com, and type in "n-gamers" or "darkenedjib". Then hit the "I'm feeling lucky" button, and you're taken to this page. Or click "go", and the first few hits are related to this blog.
It was simply amazing, the number of viewers I've had these past few months. Expecially when Falafelkid linked to the blog in his "Sony copies controller?" post, there were hundreds of viewers every hour (lol).
Well, sorry about all the bragging :P. I am simply offering my gratitude to all who have participated in this blog... yeah even koffdrop ;). Thanks for visiting, and I hope you'll return for more Nintendo news. And also, if anyone has any suggests on how this blog could be improved, please don't hesitate to email me or comment, thanks.
More MKDS News
In the last post I listed the complete lineup of Retro tracks available in Mario Kart DS. The full (official) list of "Nitro", or new tracks, has now been revealed.
Mushroom Cup:
Figure-8 Circuit
Yoshi Falls
Cheep Cheep Beach
Luigi's Mansion
Flower Cup:
Desert Hills
Delfino Square
Waluigi Pinball
Shroom Ridge
Star Cup:
DK Pass
Tick-Tock Clock
Mario Circuit
Airship Fortress
Special Cup:
Wario Stadium
Peach Gardens
Bowser Castle
Rainbow Road
Some of those tracks, including Rainbow Road, Airship Fortress and Luigi's Mansion sounds really exciting. I simple cannot wait to start playing this game, online or not. Which brings me to some other news, this one only concerns Aussie gamers.
According to aussie-nintendo, some Mario Kart DS demos have been confirmed. Gamers will be able to try out some sample Mario Kart tracks at participating EB Games retailers from today onwards. The article on A-N was published yesterday, and I had a look in a local EB store today and didn't notice any MKDS demo, so I guess the game is only playable at some stores.
Also, rumour has it that if you pre-order Mario Kart DS, the game comes with a custom Mario Kart wrist strap (for the DS console) and Mario Kart stylus (look through archives on this blog for a picture). Although it sounds cool, the MK stylus is bulky, doesn't slide into the back of a DS and is nothing more than a normal stylus with a plastic Mario-on-a-kart figure stuck to the top. Lol, I'm sticking to the normal stylus for now :P.
One last thing, this website has a nice large collection of Mario Kart DS images, both in game and art. Just thought you might like to know :).
In the last post I listed the complete lineup of Retro tracks available in Mario Kart DS. The full (official) list of "Nitro", or new tracks, has now been revealed.
Mushroom Cup:
Figure-8 Circuit
Yoshi Falls
Cheep Cheep Beach
Luigi's Mansion
Flower Cup:
Desert Hills
Delfino Square
Waluigi Pinball
Shroom Ridge
Star Cup:
DK Pass
Tick-Tock Clock
Mario Circuit
Airship Fortress
Special Cup:
Wario Stadium
Peach Gardens
Bowser Castle
Rainbow Road
Some of those tracks, including Rainbow Road, Airship Fortress and Luigi's Mansion sounds really exciting. I simple cannot wait to start playing this game, online or not. Which brings me to some other news, this one only concerns Aussie gamers.
According to aussie-nintendo, some Mario Kart DS demos have been confirmed. Gamers will be able to try out some sample Mario Kart tracks at participating EB Games retailers from today onwards. The article on A-N was published yesterday, and I had a look in a local EB store today and didn't notice any MKDS demo, so I guess the game is only playable at some stores.
Also, rumour has it that if you pre-order Mario Kart DS, the game comes with a custom Mario Kart wrist strap (for the DS console) and Mario Kart stylus (look through archives on this blog for a picture). Although it sounds cool, the MK stylus is bulky, doesn't slide into the back of a DS and is nothing more than a normal stylus with a plastic Mario-on-a-kart figure stuck to the top. Lol, I'm sticking to the normal stylus for now :P.
One last thing, this website has a nice large collection of Mario Kart DS images, both in game and art. Just thought you might like to know :).
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
MKDS Retro Track List
Thanks to RawmeatCowboy's post at gonintendo.com, a complete set of retro tracks that will make an appearance in Mario Kart DS has been revealed. There are 16 in total, and they originate from all 4 past Mario Kart titles. here is the list:
Leaf Cup
Koopa Beach 2 (SNES)
Choco Mountain (N64)
Luigi Circuit (GBA)
Mushroom Bridge (GCN)
Lightning Cup
Choco Island 2 (SNES)
Banshee Boardwalk (N64)
Sky Garden (GBA)
Yoshi Circuit (GCN)
Shell Cup
Mario Circuit 1 (SNES)
Moo Moo Farm (N64)
Peach Circuit (GBA)
Luigi Circuit (GCN)
Banana Cup
Donut Plains 1 (SNES)
Frappe Snowland (N64)
Bowser Castle 2 (GBA)
Baby Park (GCN)
I am most interested in Baby Park and Mushroom Bridge, both from Double Dash on the Gamecube. Also, it seems there isn't a Rainbow Road track from the retro stages, which means the screenshot I posted earlier must have been for the Rainbow Road for MKDS.
Thanks to RawmeatCowboy's post at gonintendo.com, a complete set of retro tracks that will make an appearance in Mario Kart DS has been revealed. There are 16 in total, and they originate from all 4 past Mario Kart titles. here is the list:
Leaf Cup
Koopa Beach 2 (SNES)
Choco Mountain (N64)
Luigi Circuit (GBA)
Mushroom Bridge (GCN)
Lightning Cup
Choco Island 2 (SNES)
Banshee Boardwalk (N64)
Sky Garden (GBA)
Yoshi Circuit (GCN)
Shell Cup
Mario Circuit 1 (SNES)
Moo Moo Farm (N64)
Peach Circuit (GBA)
Luigi Circuit (GCN)
Banana Cup
Donut Plains 1 (SNES)
Frappe Snowland (N64)
Bowser Castle 2 (GBA)
Baby Park (GCN)
I am most interested in Baby Park and Mushroom Bridge, both from Double Dash on the Gamecube. Also, it seems there isn't a Rainbow Road track from the retro stages, which means the screenshot I posted earlier must have been for the Rainbow Road for MKDS.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Revolution To Blow Your Mind
The Nintendo Revolution grabbed a second place in Time's "5 New Things That Will Blow Your Mind". It was placed after Boeing's new Dreamliner jumbo jet, quite impressive for a gaming console. Here is a link:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1118338-2,00.html
And what they have to say about the controller:
When it comes to video-game controllers, Nintendo has always been an innovator. Back when Atari and its one-button joystick ruled, Nintendo devised a two-button controller with a directional thumb pad. Then came action-sensitive vibration, wireless connectivity and an analog stick for 360˚ steering. Now the company hopes to shake things up with a wireless controller for next year's Revolution console that will allow players to apply real-world physical experience to games. The one-handed grip has motion and position sensors, so if you're playing a Ping-Pong game, you just flick the controller like a paddle. Or, to shoot, take aim and tap a button. For more elaborate games, a second piece with analog stick and two triggers (for that extra itchy finger) can be connected.
The Nintendo Revolution grabbed a second place in Time's "5 New Things That Will Blow Your Mind". It was placed after Boeing's new Dreamliner jumbo jet, quite impressive for a gaming console. Here is a link:
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1118338-2,00.html
And what they have to say about the controller:
When it comes to video-game controllers, Nintendo has always been an innovator. Back when Atari and its one-button joystick ruled, Nintendo devised a two-button controller with a directional thumb pad. Then came action-sensitive vibration, wireless connectivity and an analog stick for 360˚ steering. Now the company hopes to shake things up with a wireless controller for next year's Revolution console that will allow players to apply real-world physical experience to games. The one-handed grip has motion and position sensors, so if you're playing a Ping-Pong game, you just flick the controller like a paddle. Or, to shoot, take aim and tap a button. For more elaborate games, a second piece with analog stick and two triggers (for that extra itchy finger) can be connected.
PSP: Eaten Alive
Now before some fanboy jumps on me for the title, allow me to include an "In Japan" first. PSP is performing quite well in the States. Currently it is almost selling as much as Nintendo in the handheld department (not bad, considering it is a three on one contest). But it is in Japan where Nintendo have really proved their dominance (one again) in the handheld gaming market.
The image above is courtesy of Aussie-Nintendo.com, and is simply a representation of the current situation in Japan. The Nintendo DS sold an impressive 3.2 million units, compared to the PSP's 1.7 million. Take into consideration that for Japan, both systems were released at around the same time. Just last week, the DS grabbed approximately 35% of the total gaming market share (home consoles included) while the PSP took around 20%.
Add in sales made by the Game Boy Advance SP, and the GB Micro, and you'll find that Nintendo are holding about 80% of the portable gaming market. On the other hand though, 20% of the market share is plenty enough for Sony to continue sales with its PSP, it is quite a healthy market share, when compared to performances made by consoles from Nintendo's past handheld competitors.
The gap between the two company's console should widen even further, when Wi-Fi is released for the DS, and long awaited titles including Mario Kart and Metroid Prime are launched.
I am interested in the sales statistics for the first month of the PSP's performance in Australia. If anyone has them that'd be great :). A prediction would be that sales made by Sony and Nintendo will be much closer in numbers than in Japan, similar to statistics from the States. Since it was the PSP's first month, I expect it to outsell the DS (this month), but should still be a little less than the DS and GBA SP combined.
Now before some fanboy jumps on me for the title, allow me to include an "In Japan" first. PSP is performing quite well in the States. Currently it is almost selling as much as Nintendo in the handheld department (not bad, considering it is a three on one contest). But it is in Japan where Nintendo have really proved their dominance (one again) in the handheld gaming market.
The image above is courtesy of Aussie-Nintendo.com, and is simply a representation of the current situation in Japan. The Nintendo DS sold an impressive 3.2 million units, compared to the PSP's 1.7 million. Take into consideration that for Japan, both systems were released at around the same time. Just last week, the DS grabbed approximately 35% of the total gaming market share (home consoles included) while the PSP took around 20%.
Add in sales made by the Game Boy Advance SP, and the GB Micro, and you'll find that Nintendo are holding about 80% of the portable gaming market. On the other hand though, 20% of the market share is plenty enough for Sony to continue sales with its PSP, it is quite a healthy market share, when compared to performances made by consoles from Nintendo's past handheld competitors.
The gap between the two company's console should widen even further, when Wi-Fi is released for the DS, and long awaited titles including Mario Kart and Metroid Prime are launched.
I am interested in the sales statistics for the first month of the PSP's performance in Australia. If anyone has them that'd be great :). A prediction would be that sales made by Sony and Nintendo will be much closer in numbers than in Japan, similar to statistics from the States. Since it was the PSP's first month, I expect it to outsell the DS (this month), but should still be a little less than the DS and GBA SP combined.
Monday, October 17, 2005
Free Wi-Fi Hotspots
Nintendo has announced a partnership with Wayport, a well known Wi-Fi provider, to make free wireless access points to DS owners at Macdonald's restaurants across the U.S. The first Wi-Fi game Mario Kart DS launches on November the 14th, which allows up to 4 Nintendo DS owners to verse one another over the internet. Along with Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Tony Hawk, and Metroid titles will also support Wi-Fi play, and will be released in the coming months.
Here is a drect quote from IGN's article:
The Wayport deal will make playing DS games online at McDonald's a relative breeze, according to Nintendo. When users want to play an online DS game at a Wayport-equipped McDonald's, they simply launch the title in Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode and they're good to go. There is no further setup required and no fees whatsoever.
Updated information on Nintendo's Wi-Fi can be found at www.NintendoWiFi.com.
Alternately, gamers can also purchase a $35 USB router, which will enable Wi-Fi gameplay through a home computer, as long as it is broadband enabled. The device is expected to be released around the same time as Mario Kart. For more information, including pictures on the USB router, please check through this blog's previous articles :).
Summarising from http://ds.ign.com/articles/659/659005p1.html, the same type of wi-Fi service will also be employed in the outcoming Revolution, to be released next year. Users can connect through their PC, or selected hotspots to play online.
Nintendo has announced a partnership with Wayport, a well known Wi-Fi provider, to make free wireless access points to DS owners at Macdonald's restaurants across the U.S. The first Wi-Fi game Mario Kart DS launches on November the 14th, which allows up to 4 Nintendo DS owners to verse one another over the internet. Along with Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Tony Hawk, and Metroid titles will also support Wi-Fi play, and will be released in the coming months.
Here is a drect quote from IGN's article:
The Wayport deal will make playing DS games online at McDonald's a relative breeze, according to Nintendo. When users want to play an online DS game at a Wayport-equipped McDonald's, they simply launch the title in Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection mode and they're good to go. There is no further setup required and no fees whatsoever.
Updated information on Nintendo's Wi-Fi can be found at www.NintendoWiFi.com.
Alternately, gamers can also purchase a $35 USB router, which will enable Wi-Fi gameplay through a home computer, as long as it is broadband enabled. The device is expected to be released around the same time as Mario Kart. For more information, including pictures on the USB router, please check through this blog's previous articles :).
Summarising from http://ds.ign.com/articles/659/659005p1.html, the same type of wi-Fi service will also be employed in the outcoming Revolution, to be released next year. Users can connect through their PC, or selected hotspots to play online.
Sunday, October 16, 2005
Quarter 3 or 4 in 2006
The Nintendo Power line, an automatied information phone service only available in America, has the following information regarding the Revolutiojn's release date:
"As the company with the strongest heritage of innovation, Nintendo moves the bar for all next gen systems by employing a wide-ranging strategy that will attract more kinds of gamers to more kinds of games. When Nintendo's new console, codenamed Revolution, arrives in the latter half of 2006, everyone will discover the meaning of all-access gaming."
If this statement is correct, the Nintendo next gen console may very well be the last to hit the home gaming market, again. Hopefully, the 2nd half of 2006 release date is aimed at the U.S, and Japanese gamers are able to get their hands on a Revolution before then. Or, could it possibly be for the world release?
Either way, Australia is always one of the last countries to receive their consoles, and nothing seems to have change. As long as I can play a Revolution console before the end of 2006 I am satisfied :P. But this time of release puts Nintendo's launch date dangerously close to the PS3's, even though PS3's hasn't been announced either, we can conclude it will be around that time period. I sure hope Nintendo know what they are doing.
One more thing, remember that this is NOT confirmation of a release date, it could still be changed. Nintendo have done it before, when they first discussed a release date it was "before compeition, not after", and now "2006".
The Nintendo Power line, an automatied information phone service only available in America, has the following information regarding the Revolutiojn's release date:
"As the company with the strongest heritage of innovation, Nintendo moves the bar for all next gen systems by employing a wide-ranging strategy that will attract more kinds of gamers to more kinds of games. When Nintendo's new console, codenamed Revolution, arrives in the latter half of 2006, everyone will discover the meaning of all-access gaming."
If this statement is correct, the Nintendo next gen console may very well be the last to hit the home gaming market, again. Hopefully, the 2nd half of 2006 release date is aimed at the U.S, and Japanese gamers are able to get their hands on a Revolution before then. Or, could it possibly be for the world release?
Either way, Australia is always one of the last countries to receive their consoles, and nothing seems to have change. As long as I can play a Revolution console before the end of 2006 I am satisfied :P. But this time of release puts Nintendo's launch date dangerously close to the PS3's, even though PS3's hasn't been announced either, we can conclude it will be around that time period. I sure hope Nintendo know what they are doing.
One more thing, remember that this is NOT confirmation of a release date, it could still be changed. Nintendo have done it before, when they first discussed a release date it was "before compeition, not after", and now "2006".
Saturday, October 15, 2005
An Interesting Read
An editor on 4 Color Rebellion has recently acquired a PSP console, and has presented his views in an article. It does seem a LITTLE biased, but a first hand view on the consoles nevertheless.
A couple weeks ago a golden opportunity presented itself, my friend (tired of his PSP simply sitting in its sock for months on end) was willing to sell me his PSP. The price was right, I had the money, and soon a PSP was in my hands.
There really is nothing like that new hardware feeling. It great just to have something new and different in your hands to play with, it always is. I’ve been playing with the thing for the past couple of months and have about 5 games for it.
The PSP can do a lot of things, and it does most of them well. Game, music, movies. All very easy to set up and all very easy on the eyes.
The PSP is truly the “next generation” of handheld gaming. If Nintendo ever released a successor to the GBA line… it would probably be a cheaper cartridge based PSP with no music or movie capabilities. But that’s just it, it’s more of the same.
When I play my PSP in public, the people who notice and hover over me are gamers. Guys, typically 18-24. The PSP is the magnum opus for this crowd. It plays Madden. It’s got awesome graphics. It looks sleek as hell, yet familiar. To the girl sitting across the aisle from me on the bus, I’m just another guy playing a “GameBoy”.
When I pull out my DS and pull out my stylus… a more diverse crowd reacts. Women, my parents, kids, and gamers. The DS is different, its odd, and it draws positive reactions from a breadth of people. People who normally don’t play games are much more open to learning how to draw clouds to help baby Mario to the ground then learning how to make this hovercraft in Wipeout move without hitting a wall.
Its not that Wipeout isn’t amazing… it is. It’s that it’s typical. And believe or not typical gaming has become a niche thing. As big as the numbers are, as huge as the sales are, gaming is not yet as ubiquitous as movies or television. The DS makes steps to change that, the PSP is stuck firmly in its roots.
This difference applies 100 fold to the Revolution. When someone sees the latest Xbox 360 kiosk in a mall 2 years from now they’ll say to themselves “Wow. Those graphics are amazing. Videogames are certainly getting realistic.” When they see a Revolution demo being played they will be intrigued and perhaps compelled to give the gizmo a shot. Whether or not they come away with a Revolution in tow is another matter for another day. The point is that people will be more willing to at least TRY it.
The PSP is strange to non-gamers because its a videogame. Nothing will change that, and nothing (not even its beauty) will make you buy a PSP if you’re a non-gamer. The DS is strange because its something different. It is that risk, that oddity that makes the DS (and by extension the Revolution) accessible to a wider audience.
Nintendo has effectively innovated the PSP into obscurity. Does this mean that I’m unhappy with my PSP? Absolutely not… the games I’ve bought thus far for it are great, and there looks to be some really compelling software coming out for it. But I am a gamer, and any system that has at least a couple years in it is going to have some great compelling software coming out for it. Not everyone is a gamer, and that makes the PSP an amazing system that was limited to a specific market from the start. Nintendo has indeed changed the game.
So basically, he prefers a DS over the PSP, but still enjoys playing with the PSP for it's better graphics and multimedia capabilities. He prefers the DS because of its ability to attract other audiences' (non gamers') attention. He also believes the Revolution will have the same effect, non gamers may not exactly be pleased with the console, but they would at least give the games a TRY, while the Xbox 360 will only be played by the traditional hardcore gamer.
It is interesting to think someone would get confused by a Game Boy and PSP, I guess some non gamers can't really tell the difference (lol).
Btw guys, about 8 people on average visit this blog every hour, and about 140 people a day. I'd just like to offer my gratitude to everyone who has spent time reading posts on this blog, so "Thanks guys!". Oh, and everyone is free to make comments to posts, please tell me what you think! :D
An editor on 4 Color Rebellion has recently acquired a PSP console, and has presented his views in an article. It does seem a LITTLE biased, but a first hand view on the consoles nevertheless.
A couple weeks ago a golden opportunity presented itself, my friend (tired of his PSP simply sitting in its sock for months on end) was willing to sell me his PSP. The price was right, I had the money, and soon a PSP was in my hands.
There really is nothing like that new hardware feeling. It great just to have something new and different in your hands to play with, it always is. I’ve been playing with the thing for the past couple of months and have about 5 games for it.
The PSP can do a lot of things, and it does most of them well. Game, music, movies. All very easy to set up and all very easy on the eyes.
The PSP is truly the “next generation” of handheld gaming. If Nintendo ever released a successor to the GBA line… it would probably be a cheaper cartridge based PSP with no music or movie capabilities. But that’s just it, it’s more of the same.
When I play my PSP in public, the people who notice and hover over me are gamers. Guys, typically 18-24. The PSP is the magnum opus for this crowd. It plays Madden. It’s got awesome graphics. It looks sleek as hell, yet familiar. To the girl sitting across the aisle from me on the bus, I’m just another guy playing a “GameBoy”.
When I pull out my DS and pull out my stylus… a more diverse crowd reacts. Women, my parents, kids, and gamers. The DS is different, its odd, and it draws positive reactions from a breadth of people. People who normally don’t play games are much more open to learning how to draw clouds to help baby Mario to the ground then learning how to make this hovercraft in Wipeout move without hitting a wall.
Its not that Wipeout isn’t amazing… it is. It’s that it’s typical. And believe or not typical gaming has become a niche thing. As big as the numbers are, as huge as the sales are, gaming is not yet as ubiquitous as movies or television. The DS makes steps to change that, the PSP is stuck firmly in its roots.
This difference applies 100 fold to the Revolution. When someone sees the latest Xbox 360 kiosk in a mall 2 years from now they’ll say to themselves “Wow. Those graphics are amazing. Videogames are certainly getting realistic.” When they see a Revolution demo being played they will be intrigued and perhaps compelled to give the gizmo a shot. Whether or not they come away with a Revolution in tow is another matter for another day. The point is that people will be more willing to at least TRY it.
The PSP is strange to non-gamers because its a videogame. Nothing will change that, and nothing (not even its beauty) will make you buy a PSP if you’re a non-gamer. The DS is strange because its something different. It is that risk, that oddity that makes the DS (and by extension the Revolution) accessible to a wider audience.
Nintendo has effectively innovated the PSP into obscurity. Does this mean that I’m unhappy with my PSP? Absolutely not… the games I’ve bought thus far for it are great, and there looks to be some really compelling software coming out for it. But I am a gamer, and any system that has at least a couple years in it is going to have some great compelling software coming out for it. Not everyone is a gamer, and that makes the PSP an amazing system that was limited to a specific market from the start. Nintendo has indeed changed the game.
So basically, he prefers a DS over the PSP, but still enjoys playing with the PSP for it's better graphics and multimedia capabilities. He prefers the DS because of its ability to attract other audiences' (non gamers') attention. He also believes the Revolution will have the same effect, non gamers may not exactly be pleased with the console, but they would at least give the games a TRY, while the Xbox 360 will only be played by the traditional hardcore gamer.
It is interesting to think someone would get confused by a Game Boy and PSP, I guess some non gamers can't really tell the difference (lol).
Btw guys, about 8 people on average visit this blog every hour, and about 140 people a day. I'd just like to offer my gratitude to everyone who has spent time reading posts on this blog, so "Thanks guys!". Oh, and everyone is free to make comments to posts, please tell me what you think! :D
Japanese Gamers On Revolution
Source: Revolution Report
Famitsu has recently released results from a poll taken in late September, where 2000 Japanese gamers where surveyed on their opinions of the next generation consoles. Here are the results of their views on the Revolution.
Are you interested in acquiring the Revolution?
- Yes I will: 36%
- Absolutely not: 10.4%
- Not for the moment: 40.6%
- I don’t care: 13%
Reasons to buy Revolution
- 80%: I like its download plans
- 42%: I like the Nintendo Wi-Fi feature
- 41.7%: I like the controller’s features
- 40.9%: I like its features
- 37.1%: I like the controller’s design
- 33.2%: I like its design
- 20.6%: etc (I think they meant other)
Reasons to NOT buy Revolution
- 53.4%: from the beginning I did not want to buy one
- 32.4%: no games have been shown yet
- 24%: I don’t like the controller’s design
- 22.5%: I don’t care about its features
- 16.2%: I don’t see what it is going to bring
- 14.2%: the price is unknown yet
- 12.7%: I don’t like its design
- 12.3%: I don’t like the controller’s features
- 11.8%: the date of the launch is still unknown
- 9.3%: I don’t care about its download service
- 5.4%: I don’t care about its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 17.2%: etc (other)
'Wait and see'
- 72%: I don’t fully understand its features
- 60.6%: I would like to know its price first.
- 34.3%: I don’t fully understand its download service
- 22.7%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 21.9%: I don’t fully understand its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 21.8%: I don’t think the console’s final design has been revealed yet
- 17.3%: I would like the know when the console will be launched
Opinions on Controller
- 45.6%: it looks very amazing
- 29.7%: it looks very uneasy to use
- 25.1%: I like its design
- 24.2%: I prefer standard controllers
- 19.1%: I like its color variations
- 16.5%: it looks very easy to use
- 16.4%: I don’t fully understand it yet
- 12.7%: I hate its design
- 9.3%: I don’t care about it
- 3.5%: I don’t like its color variations
It seems that over 80% of gamers are attracted by the Revolution's downloading capabilities. 53% didn't want to buy a Revolution from the beginning (the poll should allow more open views, a question like this would really limit the fanboys). 72% are undecided as they do not fully understand the consoles features (read some reviews!). And 45% thought the controller was amazing (again, this answer would be dominated by fanboys, sorry to say but it is true. This survey needs more selections :P).
Source: Revolution Report
Famitsu has recently released results from a poll taken in late September, where 2000 Japanese gamers where surveyed on their opinions of the next generation consoles. Here are the results of their views on the Revolution.
Are you interested in acquiring the Revolution?
- Yes I will: 36%
- Absolutely not: 10.4%
- Not for the moment: 40.6%
- I don’t care: 13%
Reasons to buy Revolution
- 80%: I like its download plans
- 42%: I like the Nintendo Wi-Fi feature
- 41.7%: I like the controller’s features
- 40.9%: I like its features
- 37.1%: I like the controller’s design
- 33.2%: I like its design
- 20.6%: etc (I think they meant other)
Reasons to NOT buy Revolution
- 53.4%: from the beginning I did not want to buy one
- 32.4%: no games have been shown yet
- 24%: I don’t like the controller’s design
- 22.5%: I don’t care about its features
- 16.2%: I don’t see what it is going to bring
- 14.2%: the price is unknown yet
- 12.7%: I don’t like its design
- 12.3%: I don’t like the controller’s features
- 11.8%: the date of the launch is still unknown
- 9.3%: I don’t care about its download service
- 5.4%: I don’t care about its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 17.2%: etc (other)
'Wait and see'
- 72%: I don’t fully understand its features
- 60.6%: I would like to know its price first.
- 34.3%: I don’t fully understand its download service
- 22.7%: I will try the controller to make my mind
- 21.9%: I don’t fully understand its Nintendo Wi-Fi service
- 21.8%: I don’t think the console’s final design has been revealed yet
- 17.3%: I would like the know when the console will be launched
Opinions on Controller
- 45.6%: it looks very amazing
- 29.7%: it looks very uneasy to use
- 25.1%: I like its design
- 24.2%: I prefer standard controllers
- 19.1%: I like its color variations
- 16.5%: it looks very easy to use
- 16.4%: I don’t fully understand it yet
- 12.7%: I hate its design
- 9.3%: I don’t care about it
- 3.5%: I don’t like its color variations
It seems that over 80% of gamers are attracted by the Revolution's downloading capabilities. 53% didn't want to buy a Revolution from the beginning (the poll should allow more open views, a question like this would really limit the fanboys). 72% are undecided as they do not fully understand the consoles features (read some reviews!). And 45% thought the controller was amazing (again, this answer would be dominated by fanboys, sorry to say but it is true. This survey needs more selections :P).
Friday, October 14, 2005
Nintendo's New Quiz Game
http://cube.ign.com/articles/658/658610p1.html
Nintendo has thus far pushed its adult-oriented game lineup to owners of the DS and Game Boy Advance. GameCube will at last be joining in on the fun with an all new quiz game from the big N titled Densetsu no Quiz-Ou Kettei-Sen (Legendary Quiz King -- Championship).
Set for Japanese release on 12/8, Densetsu no Ouiz-Ou features 8000 questions across a variety of genres, including sports, movies and food. The game is meant to feel like a quiz show, as you use the GameCube microphone for responses. Score big during quiz sessions, and you'll earn trophies and other bonus items as a reward.
Densetsu no Quiz-Ou will feature support for up to four players and is scheduled for release only in Japan at this time.
This game sounds pretty interesting, it really makes good use of the microphone. Though the drawback is, you would need to own a copy of Mario Party 6 or 7, since I believe the microphone cannot be bought seperately.
http://cube.ign.com/articles/658/658610p1.html
Nintendo has thus far pushed its adult-oriented game lineup to owners of the DS and Game Boy Advance. GameCube will at last be joining in on the fun with an all new quiz game from the big N titled Densetsu no Quiz-Ou Kettei-Sen (Legendary Quiz King -- Championship).
Set for Japanese release on 12/8, Densetsu no Ouiz-Ou features 8000 questions across a variety of genres, including sports, movies and food. The game is meant to feel like a quiz show, as you use the GameCube microphone for responses. Score big during quiz sessions, and you'll earn trophies and other bonus items as a reward.
Densetsu no Quiz-Ou will feature support for up to four players and is scheduled for release only in Japan at this time.
This game sounds pretty interesting, it really makes good use of the microphone. Though the drawback is, you would need to own a copy of Mario Party 6 or 7, since I believe the microphone cannot be bought seperately.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
New Info on Mario Kart
Thanks to Rawmeatcowboy's post on nintendonow.blogspot.com, there is confirmation that there indeed WILL be at least one Rainbow Road track available for Mario Kart DS. I don't know about everyone else, but Rainbow Road is by far my favourite track in any Mario Kart game.
There isn't much detail being shown, but I am fairly certain the screenshot had been taken from the Mario Kart 64 version of Rainbow Road (the stars on the edge give it away).
Hehe, I can't stop myself from saying this, but I dare ANYONE to try and break my Rainbow road record on Mario Kart Super Circuit, the GBA version. To give you an idea of how fast my record is, check this out:
http://www.mario-kart.net/downloads/mksc/movies/rainbowroad.mpeg
No, this isn't me racing. my record is 36.28, about half a second slower than the movie (also using Toad). But if you manage to beat it... I bow to you (lol).
Some information regarding MKDS's Wi-Fi and multiplayer has been announced. With Wi-Fi, players can choose from five categories of opponents, depending on your skill level. Online play can support up to 4 players at once. Tracks are voted, and a tie in voting causes a random stage to be chosen.
There is a single pak mode. Though you'd have to use Shyguy, up to 8 players is supported at once, and 8 tracks are available to race from. It is set to 100cc.
The game will also feature battle modes, and different karts to choose from for each character, similar to the Double Dash version. Man, I am absolutely DYING to play this game. Maybe I could have the chance to verse one of you?
Thanks to Rawmeatcowboy's post on nintendonow.blogspot.com, there is confirmation that there indeed WILL be at least one Rainbow Road track available for Mario Kart DS. I don't know about everyone else, but Rainbow Road is by far my favourite track in any Mario Kart game.
There isn't much detail being shown, but I am fairly certain the screenshot had been taken from the Mario Kart 64 version of Rainbow Road (the stars on the edge give it away).
Hehe, I can't stop myself from saying this, but I dare ANYONE to try and break my Rainbow road record on Mario Kart Super Circuit, the GBA version. To give you an idea of how fast my record is, check this out:
http://www.mario-kart.net/downloads/mksc/movies/rainbowroad.mpeg
No, this isn't me racing. my record is 36.28, about half a second slower than the movie (also using Toad). But if you manage to beat it... I bow to you (lol).
Some information regarding MKDS's Wi-Fi and multiplayer has been announced. With Wi-Fi, players can choose from five categories of opponents, depending on your skill level. Online play can support up to 4 players at once. Tracks are voted, and a tie in voting causes a random stage to be chosen.
There is a single pak mode. Though you'd have to use Shyguy, up to 8 players is supported at once, and 8 tracks are available to race from. It is set to 100cc.
The game will also feature battle modes, and different karts to choose from for each character, similar to the Double Dash version. Man, I am absolutely DYING to play this game. Maybe I could have the chance to verse one of you?
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Nintendogs A Smash Hit
Source: Revo Europe
http://www.revo-europe.com/news.php?nid=8348
Nintendo has confirmed their extremely popular puppy sim sold over 160,000 units during its first weekend in Europe, and looks set to repeat the success story it's been in Japan and, more recently, America, where Nintendogs became not only the hottest-selling video game, but the best-selling new franchise ever for a portable video game system.
Nintendogs is clearly helping sell new Nintendo DS hardware. Aligned with a price drop to £89.99, Nintendo DS sales are up between 400-700% across Europe, this will further cement our position as leader in the portable market," commented Nintendo Senior Director of Marketing, Jim Merrick.
Nintendogs lets owners train and care for lifelike puppies using the Nintendo DS system's touch screen and microphone. Nintendogs has gone on to sell over 1.5 million copies in North America and Japan - having sold out in its first week of release in the USA with over 250,000 copies flying off the shelves during the first week on sale.
Nintendogs launched across Europe on 7th October 2005 at the estimated retail price of around £29.99. The Nintendo DS: Blue and Pink Nintendogs Bundles also launched on October 7th 2005 at the estimated retail price of just £99.99.
Source: Revo Europe
http://www.revo-europe.com/news.php?nid=8348
Nintendo has confirmed their extremely popular puppy sim sold over 160,000 units during its first weekend in Europe, and looks set to repeat the success story it's been in Japan and, more recently, America, where Nintendogs became not only the hottest-selling video game, but the best-selling new franchise ever for a portable video game system.
Nintendogs is clearly helping sell new Nintendo DS hardware. Aligned with a price drop to £89.99, Nintendo DS sales are up between 400-700% across Europe, this will further cement our position as leader in the portable market," commented Nintendo Senior Director of Marketing, Jim Merrick.
Nintendogs lets owners train and care for lifelike puppies using the Nintendo DS system's touch screen and microphone. Nintendogs has gone on to sell over 1.5 million copies in North America and Japan - having sold out in its first week of release in the USA with over 250,000 copies flying off the shelves during the first week on sale.
Nintendogs launched across Europe on 7th October 2005 at the estimated retail price of around £29.99. The Nintendo DS: Blue and Pink Nintendogs Bundles also launched on October 7th 2005 at the estimated retail price of just £99.99.
Mario Kart DS Bundle
It has been confirmed that Nintendo will release a Mario Kart bundle with their DS console next month. The bundle will retail for $149 U.S, though there is no current confirmation of a similar package for Australia. The bundle is expected to be released at around the same time as the game (November 14th), and will include a red Nintendo DS and the Wi-Fi supported Mario Kart.
DS Advanced has also claimed there will be a special Mario Kart stylus included in the pack:
Though I would rather prefer using the standard DS stylus, an afforable bundle with a wireless online game included, is always welcome. Remember, you would also need a USB Wi-Fi adaptor to play online, and it costs around $35 U.S, $50 in Australia. Simply connect the device up to your pc and it turns your computer into an instant wireless hotspot. Sadly, the gamers who are still stuck on dialup internet won't be able to play online through the DS.
I really feel sorry for you guys, just a year ago I was on dialup too, begging for ADSL. LOL it was horrible, downloading at 4k/sec, being cut off every time someone calls etc. ADSL plans are quite affordable nowadays in Australia, TPG, Exetel and Optus offer fairly cheap ADSL and cabler plans. 256k ADSL is almost as affordable as dialup, just don't join Bigpond and you'll be fine :D.
It has been confirmed that Nintendo will release a Mario Kart bundle with their DS console next month. The bundle will retail for $149 U.S, though there is no current confirmation of a similar package for Australia. The bundle is expected to be released at around the same time as the game (November 14th), and will include a red Nintendo DS and the Wi-Fi supported Mario Kart.
DS Advanced has also claimed there will be a special Mario Kart stylus included in the pack:
Though I would rather prefer using the standard DS stylus, an afforable bundle with a wireless online game included, is always welcome. Remember, you would also need a USB Wi-Fi adaptor to play online, and it costs around $35 U.S, $50 in Australia. Simply connect the device up to your pc and it turns your computer into an instant wireless hotspot. Sadly, the gamers who are still stuck on dialup internet won't be able to play online through the DS.
I really feel sorry for you guys, just a year ago I was on dialup too, begging for ADSL. LOL it was horrible, downloading at 4k/sec, being cut off every time someone calls etc. ADSL plans are quite affordable nowadays in Australia, TPG, Exetel and Optus offer fairly cheap ADSL and cabler plans. 256k ADSL is almost as affordable as dialup, just don't join Bigpond and you'll be fine :D.
An Edge on Revolution
This isn't news, I've seen it posted on multiple blogs already. But this is too important not to post, October 27th, could that possibly be the date to more Revolution information being revealed? Here is the full article from Joystiq:
Apparently, there’s a scan from the October issue of EDGE Magazine touting a mysterious article on the Nintendo Revolution—or a glowing vertical slit of some kind—in issue 156 to be released October 27 (at least in the UK).
In addition, there’s a circular view of organic-cell-like shapes in a microscopic view on the opposite page, which could be construed to make up the letter “E” (we think). Could this be Nintendo’s version of Microsoft’s ourcolony.net viral marketing campaign for the 360? [UPDATE: Then again, that “E” could just be the typical way that Edge promotes its next issues. We’ve been disappointed with next-gen “exclusives” before, so it’s probably a good idea not to get our hopes up too much. Thanks for commenting on this, CrispyXUK, d_d_dallas, & funkyflea!]
If anyone can confirm this scan, or a story on the French Nintendo fan site linked, we’d most certainly appreciate it. (Vlad?) [UPDATE: Thanks for the confirmation of the pages in the mag, Edge subscribers! Hopefully we’ll get something decent when the 27th comes around.]
This isn't news, I've seen it posted on multiple blogs already. But this is too important not to post, October 27th, could that possibly be the date to more Revolution information being revealed? Here is the full article from Joystiq:
Apparently, there’s a scan from the October issue of EDGE Magazine touting a mysterious article on the Nintendo Revolution—or a glowing vertical slit of some kind—in issue 156 to be released October 27 (at least in the UK).
In addition, there’s a circular view of organic-cell-like shapes in a microscopic view on the opposite page, which could be construed to make up the letter “E” (we think). Could this be Nintendo’s version of Microsoft’s ourcolony.net viral marketing campaign for the 360? [UPDATE: Then again, that “E” could just be the typical way that Edge promotes its next issues. We’ve been disappointed with next-gen “exclusives” before, so it’s probably a good idea not to get our hopes up too much. Thanks for commenting on this, CrispyXUK, d_d_dallas, & funkyflea!]
If anyone can confirm this scan, or a story on the French Nintendo fan site linked, we’d most certainly appreciate it. (Vlad?) [UPDATE: Thanks for the confirmation of the pages in the mag, Edge subscribers! Hopefully we’ll get something decent when the 27th comes around.]
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