To the disappointment of many Nintendo hopefuls, Nintendo did not showcase any real gameplay footage of games scheduled to appear on the Nintendo Revolution. Nintendo President, Satoru Iwata, basically re-confirmed the details we reported earlier this morning and over the past week.
"We will show the world what a next-gen system can be. Revolution marries the strongest heritage of innovation to the future of gaming," says Nintendo President Satoru Iwata. "With backward compatibility and the ’virtual console’ concept, the stylish, compact body provides maximum gaming power. It will not only take home entertainment into another dimension by expanding the definition of video games, but it also will give you access to the great history of gaming."
The Nintendo Revolution, which is heavily rumored to be the console’s finalized name, will be the smallest console Nintendo has ever manufactured. It’s height (when laying horizontally) will be just a bit taller than three DVD cases stacked upon one another; it’s length is slightly longer than a DVD case as well. A variety of prototype colors are being showcased during E3. It will come with a silver stand that makes the system a welcome, artistic component of any multimedia setup, whether it’s displayed vertically or horizontally.
The console will be able to play the GameCube’s 8cm proprietary software as well as the console’s own 12cm optical DVD discs. The console will be self, front-loading machine. Owners of the console will also have the option of equipping a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content.
Specific tech specs weren’t discussed, however. It seems as if Nintendo still wants to keep the console under wraps until a later time (the controller hadn’t even been revealed). However, what we do know is that the system boasts 512 megabytes of internal flash memory, wireless controllers, two USB 2.0 ports and built-in Wi-Fi access. Revolution’s technological heart, a processing chip developed with IBM and code-named "Broadway," and a graphics chip set from ATI code-named "Hollywood," will deliver game experiences that Nintendo says had "not previously [been] possible."
Iwata-san also spoke about the Nintendo Revolution going online. As reported previously, the console will be capable of playing games online from the day it launches. Iwata revealed that a online version of Super Smash Bros. is in development for the Revolution as well as an online version of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles.
The announcement of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles is supposedly the tip of the iceberg regarding exclusive third-party support for the Revolution. Iwata commented that Nintendo is already in the making, or has already made agreements to provide the Revolution with some exclusive third-party content from a number of the industry’s largest third-party developers and publishers.
When we first discovered that the Revolution would be backwards compatible with the GameCube, many Nintendo fans cheered at thought. However, the Revolution will provide the ultimate in backwards compatibility. Now, what does this mean? Well, Revolution owners will have access to Nintendo’s twenty year catalog of games from past consoles including the Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo 64. Users will be able to download these games from the internet and play them on the Revolution. Of course, a small fee is expected, but it has yet to be determined.
Although Nintendo did not show any real gameplay footage of Revolution titles, they did happen to showcase a few seconds of teaser footage for Retro Studios’ third Metroid Prime game. The video shown wasn’t exactly what you’d expect from the next-gen compared to what we’ve seen from the PS3 and Xbox 360, but it’s safe to say that all Revolution projects are very early in development (thus explaining why little had been shown). Nintendo has guaranteed that the company’s rich stable of franchises would appear on the console, which includes Mario, Donkey Kong, Super Smash Bros., and Zelda.
Iwata explained that Nintendo has focused on making the Revolution an easy platform to develop for, giving game developers the freedom they need to create unique game experiences for all types of game players to enjoy. The console will feature a dynamic development architecture equally accommodates both big-budget, high-profile game “masterpieces” as well as indie games conceived by individual developers equipped with only a big idea.
"Our next console proves small in size but big on ideas," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of sales & marketing. "We’re throwing open the doors of gaming to wider audiences, from casual players to hard-core gamers who live for the thrill of defeating an endless army of wireless opponents."
Like all Nintendo home consoles that have come before it, the Revolution will feature its fair share of expansion port, including a bay for an SD memory card will let players expand the internal flash memory.
Finally, Iwata-san spoke about Nintendo’s "All Access Gaming Philosophy" which states that the Revolution, like the DS, is meant to bring new types of gamers to gaming, in addition to current core and casual gamers. He even goes on to say that the console’s small design fits this philosophy, since it can go just about anywhere in someone’s home electronics center.
Nintendo is promising a revolution but the company’s Revolution showcase, at their pre-E3 conference, failed make gamers believe that the console would be truly innovative. Iwata-san stated that the console’s controller and other features would be discussed at a later time. Unfortunately, we have no idea on when this will be.
