Nintendo Revolution = Nintendo GO?

As of this writing it's about midnight in Japan (so we can't confirm the text with our Japanese counterparts), but someone sent in this image of what they believe might be a swiped slide from Japan showing off Nintendo's final brand for the forthcoming Revolution. Supposedly it could be announced later today by Iwata-san at GDC in San Jose, but until one of our faithful readers wants to translate what little text is visible we're by no means prepared to comment on the validity of this shot -- if anything, we're inclined to call hoax, since they quite often are, particularly with Apple and Nintendo. We do think we know of one person who could probably sort this one for us though: Qbert, where you at? This looks like your gig, dude.

[Thanks, Helmut]

Update: Engadget Japan editor Ittousai let us know that there's too little information to tell exactly what's going on here, but the text contains fragments like "the brand (reflects)," "contains system-level," and "-technology in latest info." Well, at least we know it's not completely fake Japanese.

Update 2: another (anonymous) user has stepped forward with another mysterious image, which we were told is of a product brochure of the Nintendo Go. Is it real? We don't have any more reason to think this is any more authentic than the first image -- but it's got our attention, that's for sure.

[max stubbs @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:48AM]

id say its they're online service

[DG @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:49AM]

That's not the Revolution at all. That's just the old Japanese game Go. It's played with circles on a grid -- more or less exactly that logo.

See? That can't possibly be the name of the system, but just a next-gen revision of a game.....that can be played with paper and pencil anywhere, anytime. Maybe we'll see Nintendo Tic-Tac-Toe? Or Nintendo Hangman?

[Theory @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:50AM]

Ahahaha, Qbert! That made my morning, thanks!

[brownopher @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:51AM]

It says the Revolution OS will boot on a mac.

[Smx @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:52AM]

Hmm, that logo looks like the N64 one in a way.

[Viss @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:59AM]

"GO" means "Five"... see any similarities?

I do :)

[Nicol@s @ Mar 23rd 2006 9:59AM]

We can see the cube of the Gamecube logo in the center !!!

[Joe V @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:03AM]

Makes sense:
Ichi: FamiCom/NES
Ni: SNES
San: N64
Shi: GameCube
Go: Go?

[Jay @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:05AM]

If they changed the name from Revolution to Go I hate them. -_-

[GaryO @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:08AM]

Good. I'm glad to read from these comments that "Go" is likely not the name of the Revolution. Frankly, I'd rather go with Revolution. Nintendo Go! Shine Get! Nintendo Get! Shine Go!

Naahh - let's just stick with Revolution!

[shadekh @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:11AM]

hmm, cant read kanji, so cant help much here. i can say that the first word is "brand" and just after GO the word reappears prefaced with a "to" (the jap "to"). And yes,Go, means 5 in japanese...so

[Excuse me for my terrible grammar @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:11AM]

GO? Stand for Game Online? Game Operator?

[Joe V @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:14AM]

As an addendum to my previous comment: if Nintendo wants to make a Japanese/English pun on the iteration of their consoles, I say now's the time to do it. "Nintendo Nana" doesn't sound very cutting-edge. ^_^

[Will @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:18AM]

I don't care about the name. I am ready to play! The name doesn't affect gameplay. I want to try that new controller. That's the difference maker. Does the name affect if you will buy it or not?

[Snukah @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:21AM]

I'm used to the name "Revolution" mainly cause it's been around for a while now. But I do like the name "GO". Rolls off the tongue better and it makes sense with the whole GO meaning 5 in Japanese. I always thought Revolution was too generic and unorginal. I say change it to GO! haha!

[Loban @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:22AM]

Well, I wouldn't be surprised at all. I was completely shocked, and horrified, when I finally heard the dolphin's final name (GameCube). I thought it sounded rather silly, but I got used to it.

And remember, 'Go' is 'Five' in Japanese (as someone already mentioned) and this is their fifth console. So in Japanese it would be liking calling it the Nintendo Five, which isn't so bad.

[anomaly @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:22AM]

Not perfect, but gives you an idea ...

Line 1 � Brand reflection �
Line 2 � Possibility of getting in [� mu] hand �
Line 3 � Until now � aspect/side �
Line 4 � �GO.� Brand �
Line 5 � Until now [� emaa] �
Line 6 � Opportunity to experience selection �
Line 7 � Contain � [sy]stem level �
Line 8 � � Extremely new information � art/technique

[Ed @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:22AM]

maybe it's a developer platform, like Microsoft's XNA or whatever...

Just because a company shows a logo or an icon, doesn't mean its the name of it's latest product.

either way, i like it, fake-real or not.

or maybe it's a 4th way to playz0rrrr!!
OMGWTFBBQ!!!111one11337z

[Fro @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:28AM]

So why would Nintendo reuse the "kiddie" purple color for their logo after they've been pushing slick, apple-like Black and White for the Revolution console?

[friko @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:30AM]

Yes! Just like Johnny 5! ��

[Nathan Ziarek @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:41AM]

I have no idea if it is fake or not. "Go" is kind of bland, but like another writer, who really cares. "xbox", "playstation" and "gamecube" aren't exactly awe-inspiring names. To bastardize a phrase: "It's all about the games, stupid."

That said I would lean towards this being the logo, if not the name. I like that "go" means 5 and this is their fifth console. It is simple with meaning, which is a cool Apple/Nintendo naming scheme. The logo is ultra simple, in this case looking like a 3D D-pad, which is very much in keeping with the Nintendo style of logo design. It incorporates the 3D aspect of their past few consoles' logos (the 3D 'N' for the 64 and the GameCube 'G') while tying in the past with the tried and true controller design. If you look at the DS's Nintendo logo with the double 'O' (to signify the two screens), you'll also see a push to have the logo represent a capacity of the system, which a DPad definitely does.

All said, I wouldn't be shocked if this is the real thing. If it isn't, though, Nintendo might want to find the person that mocked this up, because they have their finger on the pulse of Nintendo's marketing and could be very valuable to them.

[minus_273 @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:42AM]

"GO" means "Five"... see any similarities?

I do :)"


But Go is also language as in ?????ni hon go).. maybe it is a nintendo translator for people playing MMORPGs in different countries! who knows. :-p

[Amnesiac @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:42AM]

Well, if that is indeed the new logo, I think it's a bad choice from a marketing standpoint. The top of the logo looks like an X, and could cause brand confusion.

[push2flush @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:45AM]

"18. Yes! Just like Johnny 5! ��"

Johnny 5 = R.O.B. hehe

[Loban @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:51AM]

10 bucks says this is legit. I just have a feeling.

[James A @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:52AM]

I'd guess that if this is the name, when they announce it they'll say it like's an acronym at first. "Introducing the Nintendo G.O." they'll say - it fits in with the Nintendo D.S. style of naming. Like the letters DS, it's probably intended to have mutliple meanings: Game Online (remember they've filed patents for online gaming), 5 to the Japanese audience (empahsising the proud Nintendo history), and probably just the English word "Go" - to empahsise that this form of control is more active than the other consoles. Don't just sit on your couch playing video games, G.o.!

That's my guess, anyway.

[flash boredom @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:57AM]

maybe has something to do with the online/downloading service.

[mike @ Mar 23rd 2006 10:58AM]

DUMB NAME.. and i believe Nintendo's former president was OBSESSED with playing the strategy game Go, wasn't he..

base your flagship product on that..

terrible name.. "I'm looking for the Nintendo Go... " "Go?.. Go.. what?" "Or maybe it's the 60.. I'm not sure... "

[Nathan Ziarek @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:02AM]

Amnesiac -

Good point, but only to the extremely uneducated (as gamers, anyway). The logos lok nothing alike, and, for the XBox and Rev/Go, are not referenced by their logo (Playstation is in some ways, as their logo is the stylized PS#, which is also what people refer to it as).

Plus, in this instance, the logo and "Go" are not the brand. "Nintendo" is. The packaging of the console will be sure to feature both the logo and the name; I doubt it will be as sparse as your typical Apple packaging. Once again, I think this is different than Xbox and Playstation, where the parent companies are huge and involved in a number of different markets. Microsoft and Sony are not synonymous with games, xbox and playstation/ps2 are. Nintendo is only known for the one thing and have made their name their brand.

[Peter-Paul @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:07AM]

Yay! Me likes! I won't say why, all has been said already (and I'm lazy ;P).

But man this is a great logo and a good name :)
Besides, I didn't see any X until mentioned (all I saw was d-pads, and those are no x's but +'s ;) at least to me are ^.^)

[Gwyn @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:09AM]

#12 - Yes, Nintendo NaNa would be pretty lame, but isn't 'rokku' another way of saying six in Japanese?
Nintendo Rokku is a little better than nana.

[yournamehere @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:12AM]

GO =
Game Obelisk?
Get One?
Game On?
Good One?
Giant Oversight?
Game Over?
Got Owned?

[Joe V @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:22AM]

But Go is also language as in ?????ni hon go).. maybe it is a nintendo translator for people playing MMORPGs in different countries! who knows. :-p
The kanji for language (the "go" of "nihongo") would never be pronounced as "go" on its own. The kunyomi is "kotoba."

[Mr B Why are you always buzzing around @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:37AM]

Looks real. Just does.

[Kameron @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:54AM]

I'm gonna guess its for their online service for the next console. bye-bye Nintendo Wi-Fi, Hello Nintendo GO!

[Daniel @ Mar 23rd 2006 11:59AM]

Looks like the old Visual C++ 6 logo...

[Todd @ Mar 23rd 2006 12:01PM]

It's probably just an online service that will be launched with the Revolution.

Honestly, Revolution is a great name. If they're smart, they won't mess with it.

[Scott @ Mar 23rd 2006 12:04PM]

I'd be willing to take bets that its just the name of the download service for the Revolution. Can't engadget Japan provide us with some translation?

Man, I'm so excited about this console. I really hope Nintendo pulls it off.

[diulei @ Mar 23rd 2006 12:33PM]

Funny how everyone who took a year or two of Japanese in high school suddenly has to chime in like they really speak and read Japanese now.

[Mike Lovely @ Mar 23rd 2006 12:35PM]

A few reasons why I believe this is real...

1. Nintendo has been pushing their new controller for this system quite a bit. The logo does resembles the dpad of the new system which happens to be the standard pad. Its also a shape already associated with nintendo, its just so familiar.

2. The 5th system being go would be almost a tribute to themselves. Like We've made it this far, showing off their long standing in the game industry.

All together I think this is real because it seems as if their marketing strategy has been to create nostalgia (dload of nintendo games) and bring something new to the table (the controller and this logo sums it up well.

Oh and in response to the person who mentioned nintendo taking ques from apples style. Yes they are trying to go with the white theme, but they wouldnt want ot be just like apple products. They need to distiguish themselves in some way, so that when u see a nintedo product you know it and dont mistake it for an ipod, or itablet. It wouldnt be good if every XBox fan boy was like " they so ripped their style off of apple."

[Twilight @ Mar 23rd 2006 12:53PM]

"I�m almost sure it is fake. B�cause you can never be sure with Nintendo around, but!

I spotted a mistake in the (in my opinion) photoshop. Look at the text under the logo, then look at the text next to it (Japanese). If you would turn over the picture, so you can draw a horizontal line under the text, you will see you can�t draw a horizontal line under the Japanese text. (Hard to explain for me)

Another mistake: There is no (R)-trademark thingy after �Nintendo�.

Sorry, but it won�t be the name. "

This is what I typed at GoNintendo.com (how ironic), I would like to share my opinion with the fella's over here too.

[Torchwood_13 @ Mar 23rd 2006 12:54PM]

To me this looks like either..
1. The name/Logo for the "revolutions" online/virtual console service (could mean GO, download, play sort of thing.)

or

2. A really good hoax.

However, I do think that as long as the english version becomes translated to the Nintendo Five I would love the new name.

[Illusion @ Mar 23rd 2006 1:26PM]

It is possible that this is just the Japanese branding of it, and it will remain the Revolution in the US. Just my 2 bits.

[kevin @ Mar 23rd 2006 1:35PM]

...GO...

...would function well as a renaming of the nintendo wifi service... "nintendo GO"... as in "gaming online," as proposed in the first post...

[ben ackerman @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:13PM]

"go" = 5 in japanese.
revolution = the 5th gaming console released by nintendo:
1)nes
2)snes
3)n64
4)gamecube
5)GO?

could be a clever play on this and the fact that it has a different and strong meaning in english.

[gerbick @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:16PM]

Why do I see the Gamecube "cube" in the dead center of that logo?

[Netboolie @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:20PM]

Hmmmmm..... now you guys have me thinking too... I agree with Max Stubbs Comment #1. Sounds like their online service... GO=Gaming Online? Go Online.

We'll just see if there is any news from GDC today.

[PrzemekG @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:32PM]

I have been drawing that cross-square box/logo in my old days back in Poland about 14 years ago..

Kinda sux to see Nintendo using it now

[Moraji @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:32PM]

It makes perfect sense really. Naming videogame systems has become something of a convention, look at what we have now - GameCube, X-Box, PlayStation, Game Boy, all esssentially two nouns stuck together and fairly meaningless. The Revolution or whatever you want to call it has always promised to be simple and fun, and above all something for the untapped mass of people who are turned off by the complexities of videogaming in general. So maybe what it's saying is 'go!' as in 'just switch it on and go'. Not only that but it's dramatically abandoning the whole MegaBoxPlayVision thing, I think the Japanese/English word play was probably something of a bonus.

[Can Not @ Mar 23rd 2006 2:45PM]

If it will be called "Go," I will disown Nintendo and never touch the console.

Hopefully, I won't have to back up that claim.