NintendoGo
Latest
Engadget Podcast 073 - 03.28.06
The Podcast is back! We've been out of the action for a couple of weeks but we aren't going anywhere -- except to Vegas next week for CTIA. But we're catching up this week on all the video game news and rumors surrounding the PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Revolution (or should we say Go?), the first new TiVo we've seen in, well, a while, and Microsoft's latest delay for Vista, which puts us squarely back to January 2007. We also decided to snag a couple of those emails you've been sending in and give 'em some air time, so listen in to the latest ep, we'll do our best to make sure it's worth your wait. Get the podcast [iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (MP3). [RSS] Add the Engadget Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically (MP3). [MP3] Download the show (MP3). [AAC] Download the show (enhanced AAC). [OGG] Download the show (OGG). [Vote] Vote for us on Podcast Alley! Hosts Peter Rojas and Ryan Block Producer Randall Bennett Music J J J - 'Suits' in Japan Format 45:45, 20.9 MB, MP3 Program 01:50 - Vista delayed (for consumers) till early 2007 08:42 - Dell buying Alienware for undisclosed price 13:35 - Nintendo Revolution = Nintendo GO? 18:30 - Sony confirms PS3 controller redesign 22:32 - Dual tuner TiVo pic spotted? 25:27 - Cablevision to rollout remote-storge DVR service 31:58 - Palm's 10th anniversary 35:30 - Listener email LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast: 1-888-ENGADGET, Engadget (Gizmo Project) or podcast at engadget dawt com
Weird Revolution Mockup #3: Ico Unfriendly
We thought it would be good for a laugh to look back at some of the Revolution controller designs that crept onto the Internet back when the system was nothing but a codename, a promise and a cheeky smile on Satoru Iwata's face. These are the Revolutions that weren't...and thankfully so.A sort of uneasy feeling of indecision settles over us when viewing this particular controller design, as if our body and mind can't come to an agreement over how to respond to it. At first, we're quite inclined to profusely vomit, as if this disastrous experiment in 3D modelling triggers some sort of bodily defense mechanism, urging us to stare at the intimacies of toilet bowl as opposed to the purple manifestation of pure unwieldiness. The other conflicting action we find ourselves compelled to perform is to start up a Viking-themed rock band and play hardcore remixes from the Ico soundtrack. At least that way we'd constantly be on a globetrotting tour and never have to worry about being impaled during a heated videogame session. [Image from Gear Live.]Previously: Weird Revolution Mockup #1: The Identity Crisis Weird Revolution Mockup #2: The Vacuum Nun
Animal Crossing over to Revolution
And you know what that means: Fishing games. Well, that and a wonderfully addictive celebration of neighborly etiquette and non-threatening anthropomorphism. Spot that description on the box of the forthcoming Animal Crossing Revolution, a title which series creator Katsuya Eguchi mentioned briefly at his own GDC speech last week. Mr. Eguchi explained that it was a fun challenge trying to design a game around a brand new interface and that the Revolution game would largely build on the DS version's accomplishments. The series is essentially leaping from home console, to portable, and back to home console again. It hasn't changed fundamentally in that journey, but perhaps the leap to Revolution will take things in a new direction.We certainly can't imagine a better fit for Nintendo's online network than Animal Crossing, especially where massively multiplayer online fishing battles are concerned. The controller should also provide plenty of interesting ways to interact with the items and inhabitants of your town, most notably in allowing you to beat the evil Tom Nook over the head with a freshly baked baguette.[Via Gamasutra]
Revolution name destined to Go away
Though Satoru Iwata failed to use any name other than "Revolution" in his recent GDC keynote, it's now been officially confirmed that Nintendo's next-generation console will be given a new and presumably improved label sometime before its glorious release. In an interview with IGN, Nintendo's PR master, Beth Llewelyn, quite bluntly states that the name we've come to know and love (and plaster all across our website) will be adorned with cement shoes and sent to the bottom of a lake:IGN: Is Revolution the final name of your new system? Beth: No, it's not. IGN: So it's definitely a codename? Beth: It's a codename. IGN: And it's going to change? Beth: It is going to change. Goodbye Revolution, hello...Nintendo Go? When queried about the recent and supposed leaks regarding the latter name, Beth claims that she has no idea what that is. "I have no idea what that is. I haven't been on the Internet yet today, but I have no idea what that is." Sounds like a marketing non-denial to me. We'll be glad to lay this minor mystery to rest when E3 comes around and return to what's far more important - the games!
Proof that Nintendo GO is a no-go?
A sharp eyed reader of Spanish forum Elotrolado.net has spotted what could either be a strange coincidence, or proof that the Nintendo GO is a fake. One recurring theme of the Nintendo GO rumor is the design's 6-faced D-pad logo pictured above on the right which--it turns out--looks very similar to the logo of a discontinued web design suite called Namo Webeditor 5 (link to the product's Amazon page). We'd love to say that this totally disproves the rumor's legitimacy but considering the D-pad design's obvious connection to Nintendo, it's equally possible that Nintendo (if GO is real) or the hoaxer (if GO is fake) could have been completely unaware of the design's likeness to Webeditor 5's logo. The mystery continues...[Thanks, hellmasterx]
Pre-keynote Iwata interview sets lofty goals
Dean Takahashi over at The Mercury News conducted an interview with Satoru Iwata yesterday, gently quizzing him about what topics his "Disrupting Development" speech would encompass and what we can expect from the Revolution (or is it the Nintendo Go?) during E3. Perhaps the boldest statement to come from Iwata is how many users he expects to make use of the online service."Our concept is to get 80 percent to 90 percent of the players online. That was the reason we build Nintendo WiFi networks. You can expect this to continue with the Revolution."That's a lofty goal to set, but we're certain that the Nintendo Wi-Fi service's monthly subscription (currently set at a pleasing $0 a month) will give it a big boost in those respects, along with the allure of downloading classic Nintendo games for the Virtual Console. The question is, how much will those cost? Iwata doesn't provide an answer, but does assure us that the shortages faced by the Xbox 360 (and almost assuredly the PS3) won't be a problem for Nintendo's machine."Microsoft had problems with strategy. There were markets where they had consoles left on store shelves. I think I understand where their problems were. I don’t want to give an answer because I don’t want to give them any help."That's great, Mr. Iwata. Would you mind sharing that info with the guys in the DS Lite department? Read the rest of the excellent interview for some more interesting insights regarding the Revolution's lack of HD support, its 3rd-party developer situation and overall strategy. [Via Joystiq]
Goodbye Revolution, hello Nintendo GO?
If this logo is to be believed, then the Nintendo Revolution may have just become the 'Nintendo GO.' The image was featured on a (reportedly) leaked presentation slide originating from Japan. Engadget has posted a larger segment of the slide, which contains some fragments of Japanese text, but lacks crucial information.'Go' doesn't exactly resonate like 'Revolution,' but as several Engadget commenters have pointed out, this could actually be go as in the Japanese word for 'five.' Technically, this will be Nintendo's fifth console. 'Nintendo 5,' eh? What say you, Iwata-san?
Revolution to be called Nintendo Go?
Engadget has received an image that, if the mysterious sender is to be believed, is a snap of one of Nintendo's Japanese presentation slides intended to introduce the Revolution's new name: The Nintendo Go. Though this has every chance of being a hoax, it's worth entertaining the possibility that this is the real deal. The logo seems similar in design to that of the Gamecube and, if you're feeling particular abstract, you might even see a d-pad exploring multiple dimensions in there. Fake or not, we like it. The truth is mere hours away.In the meantime, what does your instinct tell you?
