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.