IGN fools around with a Revolution controller dev kit

We tip our hats to you, sirs at IGN, if, as you claim, you really did get your hands on a Nintendo Revolution dev kit. Apparently one of the 1,000-some-odd Rev controller dev kits that's been sent to software houses around the world in order to familiarize them with its workings and uses found its way into the hands of some IGN staff. From the sound of it, the controller dev gear is still itself pretty early (the motion bar's not really in effect and everything's wired and plugs into GameCubes, not Rev devs), but pleasantly surprising is how freaking tiny in the hand the controller apparently actually is (see above for IGN's scale). While we have no way of verifying this info, it's still a fun read if you've been itching to wrap your meat hooks around this like we have.

[IK47 @ Mar 11th 2006 3:43PM]

that looks awesome. I'll be sure to pick this up.

forget the ps3 and 360, they are overdone.

[jon @ Mar 11th 2006 4:05PM]

Are the editors of Joystiq jealous that IGN got a controller dev kit?

"if, as you claim, you really did get your on a Nintendo Revolution dev kit"

And are you suggesting that IGN is lying?!

IGN is messing around with Nintendo fans over the N-Game and I reckon Joystiq knows more than they would like to admit :)

[jon @ Mar 11th 2006 4:12PM]

sorry, I meant the Engadget editors as well as Joystiq

[100 ipod movies @ Mar 11th 2006 4:42PM]

That statement doesnt suggest that IGN is lying...it is just a diiferent way of saying "if you say so". You dont need to read too much into statements like these because this blog isnt supposed to be 100% formal...relax.

[Echo_ @ Mar 11th 2006 4:58PM]

and kevin shows his real maturity (or lack there of)

these are dev kits

the real controller will be wireless

[the godfather @ Mar 11th 2006 5:06PM]

KEvin you toolbox, as stated above, these are dev kits, and last i remember, nintendo was the first to offer first party wireless controllers (wavebird)

[jon @ Mar 11th 2006 5:07PM]

I was joking, but i can see, looking at it again, it does come across as serious

Although, it's true that Matt is messing around with people about the Revolution and Joysiq/Engadget know more than we would think :)

I think Joystiq and Engadget should do coloured star system - red star is bad person, green is good, yellow is a mixed bag - just makes it easier to glance at and see who is worth listening to

[koppite1 @ Mar 11th 2006 5:11PM]

Leave KEvin alone.

He just so happens to have the inability to work out the obvious...coupled with a severe deficiency in brain cells he can't really help it

Get off his back

[Kyran @ Mar 11th 2006 6:22PM]

Well, as surprising as that size scale is, it is believable. Look at the Revmote's D-Pad compared to that of the GC controller, they're almost the same size.

Still bloody tiny, but at least that means it's not likely going to be too heavy, even with the final battery in it. Heavy controllers don't make for comfortable powerplay sessions, you see.

[Joe Smith @ Mar 11th 2006 6:47PM]

you know, nintendo, what you should have in the controller is a little weightbox (like in the logitech g5) so that you can adjust the precision/speed of the controller using different combinations of weights.

[Leo E @ Mar 11th 2006 8:22PM]

Am i the only one that is skeptical of this controller? It just seems too small...

[Stu L Tissimus @ Mar 11th 2006 9:23PM]

Just a note to the Joystiq/Engadget editors: You should probably try to emphasize a bit more that the devkit they got their hands on is an early prototype meant to give developers an idea of what they can do with the controller. It has since been revised multiple times, it says in the story.

Now, what I'd like to know is, is this the same wired controllers they were showing off behind closed doors at TGS?

[nintendo man @ Mar 11th 2006 10:15PM]

Really? then why did playstation steal the idea from nintendo of the square x triangle and circle from the third mario game hmm and in my eyes the wave bird was the first mainstreme wireless controller u my sir have not much of a brain check out your math if you are a sony man sony is the one that gets stuff lader

[nintendo man @ Mar 11th 2006 10:42PM]

that is for kevin everyone

[HyperHacker @ Mar 11th 2006 10:50PM]

Wow, that's tiny... I hope it doesn't cramp my hands. :-/

Personally I'd laugh if anyone did sell a wired Rev controller. It'd get so tangled up it'd be unusable.

[Jeff @ Mar 11th 2006 11:01PM]

I'd rather a wired controller actually. Doesn't waste batteries...

If you people are complaining "OMG wires, to much trouble witht he tangles", all you need is to put some care into the controller to make sure it doesn't tange itself.

[mike f @ Mar 11th 2006 11:08PM]

if you compare the size of an actual tv remote to a GC controller, you'll see that the Rev controller is pretty much the normal functional size. for example, it's about the size of a tivo remote up to the channel and volume buttons. i.e. it's the exact size that any other remote is. if it were bigger, like the tivo remote, you'd have to slide your hand up to use the upper buttons. but the rev controller only has like three buttons, so it's not necessary. and when sideways, in the retro config, it's pretty much the same size as the GC layout. in sum, it's not that small. critical thinking folks. not that hard.

[moony @ Mar 12th 2006 12:18AM]

it definitely doesn't look much like a game controller tho. perhaps that's the point; that way non-gamers (the people they are now targeting) would see it on their coffee table and wonder what it is, and start toying around with it... as opposed to a normal game controller. brilliant strategy, IMO.

[Kevin @ Mar 12th 2006 3:49AM]

thanks kevin, for giving all the nice kevins' a bad rep.

[Mooner @ Mar 12th 2006 3:53AM]

^ right.........a dedicated game machine targeted at non-gamers! hehehe you make me laugh....goof! Hmmmm let's see, it has a D-pad, a&b buttons, start&select, and of course NINTENDO right on it. Looks like a controller to me....I think someone is blind, IMO.

[moony @ Mar 12th 2006 1:27PM]

if you knew something about the revolution, you'd know that nintendo's trying to expand the game-playing audience to people who don't normally play video games (like seniors or parents).

a non-gamer would be more likely to pick up a remote-looking device than a traditionally shaped game controller.

[StammesOpfer @ Mar 12th 2006 3:55PM]

Who says this doesn't look like a game controller go back to the NES both same shape both have the same layout hum looks like a game controller to me but then the NES was the last console that I have owned (still works great... and gives my lungs some exercise blowing out those games)

[DarkFader @ Mar 12th 2006 4:01PM]

They are currently trying to get the demo's working but they don't know how it works... probably.
Stop fooling around IGN and make some vidz!!!

[Dave @ Mar 12th 2006 4:46PM]

Some of you have probably seen these videos, but for those of you who haven't, here's a promo video from Nintendo detailing how the controller could be used:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5638469863865286117

and here is a video showing the controller being used in various rudimentary settings:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3458816462841405753

[Keymaster @ Mar 13th 2006 3:12AM]

If I was a gaming journalist and I got my hands on one of the most sought after pieces of up-and-coming hardware you better believe I would have pictures of my goofy ass fondling it in the article. Gloating is irresistable when getting a scoop of such ridiculous magnitude. IGN doesn't even have a picture of the controller sitting on a table, only renders and press kit images. I officially declare shenanigans.