The Nintendo Revolution controller -- no, really!
By Barb Dybwad 
posted September 15th 2005 11:09PM
posted September 15th 2005 11:09PM
Okay, after many (many, many) false starts, the Nintendo Revolution controller is finally here, in the flesh. And it looks kinda like one of those things you use to adjust your Posturpedic. It's in two pieces, with a thumb controlled analog stick in one hand and a remore control-looking button controller in the other. The analog stick is actually a detachable part of the controller, and other attachments are going to be able to plug into the bottom of the main controller unit. The controller part acts like a mouse as you move it around in 3D space. So that's it, people — whaddya think?
182, Black Galaga. You are a legend.
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so many new ideas. imagine playing mario golf with this. so excited!
You'll get RSI when you play with THAT.
Suddenly... Aftermarket controllers are looking to make the greatest ground on a 1st party EVER.
.mCr.
This thing will be the iPod of controllers.
People will see it, fanboys will hate it, and they will still sell 8 billion gazillion of them in Japan, thus ensuring their bottom line for the next five years.
If the Virtua Boy didn't kill em, I don't think this can. Developers dropped that thing like a bad bean pie, but if Square, Sega, THQ and such like are all "This is off the hook for the Y3K" you should probably trust em'...I mean, they MAKE games, you just mastubate to polygon counts and optional hard drives.
When I saw the first N64 I thought they'd lost it...but look at Macrosloth and Sorny, still copying 1997 Nintendo tech.
Welcome to wanktown guys, you can try and say that "handling two sticks is better", but we all know how that sounds....swish, swish boys...have fun in your big Metal Gear circle jerk.
- Black Galaga. (I have space warrants.)
I'd say make the cable between the sides slightly more robust and have a push button release between the two sides (so that we don't end up with that X-Box "Mid-connector" issue) I mean that cable looks a bit thinner than the cable on the GameCube controller and I can imagine some kid getting too wild with the controller and eventually separating the cable from the connector plug or conversely inappropriately swinging the controller about their head (on order to get some sort of rapid circular motion) and the connector disconnecting and zinging across the room.
So, how the hell do you play fighting games with this thing?? The buttons aren't really very convenient for quick hits, and there don't seem to be enough buttons for games like Soul Caliber 2 etc.
Oh my god, it's the Powerglove reborn! Ok, fine; that's not the best analogy because the Powerglove was a piece of crap. But seriously, this is exactly the type of gameplay that device imagined... say, like in the movie The Wizard.
...ok, so maybe that's not the best analogy either. Seriously, though; Nintendo innovations are like the the 5 stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining with God, depression, then acceptance. True, not all of Nintendo's devices hit that last stage (virtual boy, powerglove, etc), but they've got a winning track record. (Analog stick on the N64, shoulder buttons on the SNES, gameboy, dual, touch sensitive screens, etc) Note that the only time Nintendo gets its butt kicked around the block is when they try to stand and fight with the big guns on their own turf.
This is great.
And I've used similar products in VR systems. Google for "CAVE wanda", "CAVE wand", and "CAVE Quake" and you may get the idea. But really, once you try it, you'll find that pointing a direction to move that direction is extremely intuitive. And to have 6-degree-of-freedom (position + orientation) gives programmers a lot of information to work with.
It's still not clear from the articles, though, how the signal is sent. Is it IR or radio? IR would seem to be inferior as it would require a line of sight to both sensors.
Can anyone say "virtual boy?" I can't believe that Nintendo thought that Sony or Microsoft would try and steal this idea for their controllers. Nintendo's finally lost it. I'd rather play an N*Gage before touching that thing. Their new system may have outstanding graphics and great games, but so did the Dreamcast. Nuff said.
Can anyone say "virtual boy?" I can't believe that Nintendo thought that Sony or Microsoft would try and steal this idea for their controllers. Nintendo's finally lost it. I'd rather play an N*Gage before touching that thing. Their new system may have outstanding graphics and great games, but so did the Dreamcast. Nuff said.
Black Galaga:
Hard-core nerds STILL haven't gotten over the mouse. Just ask a Linux d00d, they scoff at the whole PREMISE of the mouse (after all, many of them haven't joined us in the 21st century yet, enjoying their "staid and comfortable" (yikes!) CLI life as they do. ;)
Still, I think it's a *bit* of a stretch to compare this controller to the mouse. With a mouse, the value is/was immediately apparent. With this new controller, the first thing that comes to mind is "WTF?!" And no, I don't think such a reaction denotes a lack of imagination. It's more a question of someone at Nintendo and their overactive, Rube Goldberg reasoning.
Why the hell didn't they just cut the wire between the two parts as well? Go whole hog if you're going to leap over the edge and into the abyss!
So Nintendo want to end the days of people being put off by controllers with too many buttons. Well Nintendo, the Xbox controller is not that complex, and this controller (if I can call it that) looks like it will be very difficult to use.
I honestly prayed that this was a joke.
I'll still buy it though. I'm intrigued by what Ninty can do with this "thing".
Just a couple comments to add to this noise-fest:
Nintendo's not in financial desperation.
There's an enormous amount of the population which is not utilized in the current "anything you can do, I can do bigger" copycat no-new-idea video game market.
And finally, "what's to stop Sony or Microsoft from releasing their own attachment?" Patents, biotch.
I DO NOT APPROVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Return of the PowerGlove? I see it in the future don't you lol.
This would be the shnitz to an airplane game but i cant see other possibility for this kind of controler.. hum....erm...
oh cool.... atari's back. Real revolution a freakin joystick and a tv remote. yippee.
barf.
If you put the second controller in the horizontal you will see it looks just like a GameBoy controller it has the directional and a+b buttons.
I am not a Nintendo fanboy, have never even bought a Nintendo system besides a Gameboy Color. I was considering the 360, but this changes everything. If you actually read the article and watch the video, you realize that Nintendo is trying to change the industry. I'm hoping that that's what this generation will be about: the 360 and its internet capabilities and the Revolution and its completely new format will blow Sony out of the water. I bought a PS and PS2 because I thought that's all gaming could be, but I've been proven wrong. I think there's no limit for what this thing can do- if the games are good. The games can negate everything I just said, but here's to hoping the Revolution kicks some ass.
I didn't read all 206 comments so this has probably been said before. But this isn't so bad for the Revolution. It's not GOOD for it either in my opinion, but I would be highly surprised if a more conventional controler did not become available at or soon after the Rev comes out. I would guess some new Nintendo games will be designed to favor this...thing...but most will probably be playable with a standard D-pad + 3 - 6 button oblonger like we've been seeing for the last 20 years.
If games can be ported between PCs and consoles and thus be controled with with EITHER a KB or controller a little key mapping is really all you have to worry about.
I'm mean we've still only got the same 8 fingers and 2 thumbs to deal with...right ?
(Well, most of us anyway...accidents - genetic, industrial, or otherwise - do happen...)
wow...nintendo is going back to its history with this one. anyone remember the panasonic-nintendo game machine? It had a remote control style controller as well. That turned out real well.
I just saw the picture, I didnt read all the comments, but I think this control scheme is, well different. But just think about the possiblities of playing FPS's. You could move and strafe with the left analog controller, and what I propose is a light gun attatchment to the right. Not only can you still run and jump, but YOU control the aim of the gun, so instead of typical light gun shooters (House of the Dead, Time Crisis), you are in control of everything you do.
I just saw the picture, I didnt read all the comments, but I think this control scheme is, well different. But just think about the possiblities of playing FPS's. You could move and strafe with the left analog controller, and what I propose is a light gun attatchment to the right. Not only can you still run and jump, but YOU control the aim of the gun, so instead of typical light gun shooters (House of the Dead, Time Crisis), you are in control of everything you do.
I like it!!...............Just kidding lol, What are they thinking? It may very well be alot of fun to use but I am not going to spend the money to find out, I am all for thinking outside the box but this maybe too far out there.
hey when you have read all the articles from all of the different pages we might talk until then ke your fu***** mouth shut
"How about instead of pressing "A" on the "FireBall" option you draw a star in the air which triggers the spell?" Yeah, that would be great.... if you're 7 years old. If your an adult, it's a little on the silly side.
We'll just have to wait and see on the functionality/useablity i suppose...
It sounds like a light gun... problem is that light guns have always sounded better in theory than they were in reality. They look cool, but just aren't fun for very long.
I agree with the people saying we'll need to actually play it first to really judge, but I am skeptical. It's ugly, but that doesn't really matter, it's how does it play that counts. The gamecube controller was ugly, awkward, and uncomfortale. 3 strikes you're out. We'll see if this one realy works or if it's more of the same.
IF the controller is as revolutionary as Nintendo says AND it is easy to pick up and use, it still won't be adopted quickly by the masses simply because it is so different. Embracing differences has never been humanity's defining attribute.
Assuming the above is true, a controller like this will probably be like the iPod: a few brave souls will pick it up and quickly convert anyone who sees it, then as time passes everyone will want one. Seriously... when you first saw the iPod did you really think navigating a menu using a scroll wheel made sense? But your opinion changed when you used one. The revolution will be the same. There will always be the bigots defending their standard controllers to the death, but I think after trying a revolution many who are on the fence will jump to Nintendo's side.
This controller looks pretty cool actually...might be a bit hard to find if the analog stick is detached and somehow mis-placed but who cares about that...
It's definitly innovative in the design and it looks to me that a lot of game developers are going to WANT to work on games for this franchise exclusively because of the controls...
Also, I think that this will be a relatively easy controller to pick up and use, mainly because the "remote" is going to be very similar to what most of us use in our everyday lives to activate our peripherals. AND it looks like it will be easy for those of us who are left handed to be able to switch around...
Final verdict...we all won't be able to tell until we actually have some games to play, but Nintendo is giving a try at something really new and taking some risks and I for one am excited...
Screw IF it works. I'm gonna be a true geek here and wonder HOW it works. Are the sensors gyros? If so, how does it conserve power? If not, what kind of relay is it using? How did they get it to be so sensitive? What kind of power supply does it use? Is it rechargeable?
I really can't wait until someone gets a hold of one and dissects it.
Also, how well would it work with these?
http://www.edimensional.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=28
I think it'll just be cool once you get used to it. Sure it doesn't look like much now, but I think after you start playing, you'll get accustomed to how it feels and it'll be good.
It needs a clickwheel like an iPod
Almost a good idea, until you think about it practically and it's a colossal failure. Yes, I've watched the videos and the people look retarded trying to use it. You must keep 2 hands in relative proximity to each other because of that stupid cable. I find it annoying enough to have the headset connected to the controller (hello bluetooth where are you???), let alone the controller connected to the controller. Beyond the usability factor, I want to see how accurate this is. The Duck Hunt gun (and another other laser gun) is shit for accuracy and precision, so I highly doubt this will be effective in FPSs or anything else that required precision. This is a n00b controller, that's easy to use for the masses. You look like a retard using it, but it'll be fun for the brief time you play. Hardcore/serious gamers need not apply.
To those who say: don't knock it until you try it, shutup. The point of forums is to voice your opinions, and you don't need to experience something to have an opinion on it.
Finally, to those who say: read the article before deciding, get off the kool-aid. If IGN (or whoever had a hands-on) wasn't impressed in a controlled environment (it's called marketing ), then it would REALLY have to suck. There is no possible way Nintendo or any major corp is going to have a hands-on demo unless they are 100% certain that it will be impressive.
It's a shame half the people here don't have the attention spans to RTFAs. For those who don't think you'll be able to play "normal" cross-platorm games, try reading up a bit.
It'll play standard games just fine. They've got some sort of extra casing you can slide the controller into that converts it to a normal controller.
After all, they did say you're going to be able to play GC and N64 games, so how disfunctional can this thing be?
In the words of Carl from ATHF: frickin' sweet!
It's funny, I always saw XBox as sort of the anti-Nintendo machine, for the pro-PC gaming crowd, and yet the Revolution will have the best controls for FPSs.
Fancy that.
(1) this controler IS revolutionary
(2) possibilities are awesome (only if(when!) games start making full use of it..
(3) maybe some younger (or older) fat people who might play this game might get some exercise for once instead of just sitting on their asses playing games all day!
good stuffs.
.dont fight it, join the REVOLUTION!!
..was talkignb out if you play like sword games or stuff where you have to actually move around or fight (boxing) or something..
VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!!!!!
Like many people on here, at first I hated it. What the hell was Nintendo thinking? Then I actually read the article at IGN... and they really may be onto something here.
The question I have... if you're using the controller to navigate like a mouse, and the analog stick to control your direction... how are you also supposed to swing the controller like it's a sword/lightersaber or whatever?
I mean, won't that just make your screen go crazy all over the place, like some spastic ADD kid? And what happens when you put the controller down? Won't the same thing happen?
I'm very interested to get a hands on try.
hey post 220,
this is too far outside the box?
Maybe you think its too far outside the Xbox..
PS3 and XBOX nerds unite!, for you have a new incredibly innovative nintendo product to bash untill you break down and buy one.
i think it looks interesting and futureristic but way too much like a remote control i am getting ps3 anyways so what do i care and my second console will be 360 and my limit is 2 console for some reason i feel this is goin to be dreamcast all ova again tho i aint really hatein on nintendo tho i still own my DS, tho psp is still tempting me.
I'm all about new interfaces!
Bravo! Can't wait to have lightsaber fights with my friends!
"The Duck Hunt gun (and another other laser gun) is shit for accuracy and precision, so I highly doubt this will be effective in FPSs or anything else that required precision. "
Haloman, do you still live in 1984? So, here's my opinion about your opinion :P
Technology has gone quite a ways since Duck Hunt. Games like time crisis has proven that. it'll just take a while to bring this sort of spatial technology back to the consumer, in ways that can be used for more than just shooting, and cheap, and profitable.
WarioWare Twisted also proves that tilt technology can be made cheap and reliable.
As for 3D mouse technologies, enjoy this review:
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,3973,1128548,00.asp
Nintendo is actually revolutionary this time around! Im so excited about the new system and the controller! its sooo amazing! playing metroid prime by actually shooting at the screen! omg this is awesome. I was a bit skeptical about the "tv remote" design at first but it has seriously grown on me. i love it now! it will look wonderful sitting next to my xbox 360. 2006 is going to be the best year ever!
soupbun - Nintendo themselves said they have the optional analog stick attachment for the "serious" gamers who need more control. I shouldn't have gone where I did with my comments on the technology (because of obvious advancements), but my main point remains
"Hardcore/serious gamers need not apply."
I think Nintendo is really targeting the noob gamers (they've said this all along with this console). I don't see this catching on with serious gamers because of the lack of control. We always laugh at the noobs who tilt the controllers and their bodies when playing FPS's or driving games trying to "see" or "move" better. The fact is, the less movement you have to make the more precise you can be. Of course Nintendo hasn't been for the hardcore gamer anyway, so bring on the n00bs.
I do think tilt controllers will be the future, but Sony and MS will perfect it (like they did with the dual analog sticks) with their next gen consoles. This separated controller with a wire inbetween is pretty lame. Get rid of the wire and you'll have true freedom of motion.
THis picture makes a damn good point...
http://static.flickr.com/29/43849705_0677ccaa59_o.jpg
Now as much as most people are gonna look at it and say "it's just a stinking TV remote," the thing actually is quite revolutionary. Console players are currently stuck with an imprecise chunk of plastic as their primary input, this would provide developers with all sorts of extra room to allow more precise controlling of game characters. Good move Nintendo.
DaveHimself: I am 100% in favor of innovation, but a shipping product is hardly the place for R&D. Prove me wrong, Nintendo, but they seem to be imploding.
You see the picture, you don't get it.
You watch the video, it suddenly makes sense.
If the sensitivity and accuracy can handle it (particularly that knife-chopping scene), then you know what? Nintendo just made the next leap forward.
Sony never did put analog triggers on the PS2 controller (Sega put it on the earlier Dreamcast, you will recall), and the PS3 controller sports a new style but more or less the same thing (and I still don't see analog triggers on that sucker).
MS painted theirs white. That's, uh, about it.
Sony and MS are boosting numbers (more res, more cycles, more more more). Nintendo is improving control and experience. It's lkike this: you can add keep adding more horsepower but eventually none of it will be worth anything if the damn thing can't turn like it's on rails.
They should officially name the Revolution the "NES2."
That's what I've always thought - especially when they announced its backwards compatibility - but the controller just reassured me that they should name it "NES2." I mean, look at it. A D-pad. A and B. Select and Start. No shoulder buttons. It's literally an NES pad, but it's so new and innovative at the same time.
Just think of the power of that name. In Japan, they'd call it the Famicom 2. Think about that for a second...it'd be practically like calling it Gaming 2.0.
Whether or not you like the idea, Nintendo delivered something far more revolutionary than most expected.
I know so many people that aren't big gamers now that could absolutely love this. It's such a simple design, but it's so powerful.
I can't wait.