The Nintendo Revolution Controller - Skepticism Meets Reality
Well over the past week or so I have had plenty of time to sit
back and take a critical look at the new Nintendo Revolution
controller. Initially, when I first saw the teaser I was excited
about the possibilities the new controller offered. However
after some more reflection and further reading, though I am
still enthusiastic, I think there are some serious questions
that need to be asked.
Nintendo has been an innovator in the video game industry since
the early 1980's. From the very beginning, Nintendo engineers
have had to prove themselves. The introduction of the analogue
controller and even the "rumble pack" was met with a great deal
of skepticism, yet are considered industry standards today.
However, a single hand remote style controller is arguably a
much larger innovation and is met with even more skepticism.
It has been reported on several websites that the Nintendo
Revolution will be compatible with Gamecube titles. Of course
this raises questions on how the new controller will function
with these games
"What we are telling people right now is that there are several
peripherals in the works that will be used for the older games,"
said Perrin Kaplan, vice President of Marketing and Corporate
Affairs for Nintendo. "Of course, people will be able to plug
their Gamecube controller right in and use that, but if they
want, they can use the Revolution's peripherals for an entirely
new and fresh experience."
Will gamers be able to adapt to a single hand controller? I
think the answer to this question will depend on game
developers. The success of the controller and the console for
that matter depends on whether-or-not game developers will be
able to produce games which compliment the new controller.
This also raises questions over game cross-over from one system
to another. With the introduction of a whole new controller,
effectively changing the way we play games, well we see a drop
in big title games available for multiple systems?
With the release of the new teaser and a slew of new images,
people are forgetting that the new Nintendo Revolution
controller is not at the final design stage.
"No, this is not the final design. You won't see that until the
release is here, but we are getting much closer," explained
Kaplan.
Over the next several months, more information will become
available. Information which will either put much of the
skepticism to rest, or more likely, create even more. With a
product like the Nintendo Revolution controller, apprehension
and skepticism are natural, making this a critical time for
Nintendo. With the release of the Xbox before the end of 2005
and the processing power of the Playstation 3 Nintendo really
does have to come up with something revolutionary to compete in
the next generation game console market. Does Nintendo really
have something special for us? Only Time well tell