May 17, 2005
Nintendo E3 Revolution Details
The Nintendo Revolution design is out and it looks pretty nifty. Definitely the best out of the 3 next-generation consoles in terms of form factor, sleekness, and size. Unfortunately it looks like it will be the most underpowered of the bunch, but it will probably priced accordingly.
The DVD games will go in a front loading slot and it will be able to play DVD movies and Gamecube games. Revolution will finally emphasize broadband internet connectivity and like Xbox Live let you download games. The difference is Nintendo is going to offer up its whole archive of classics from Donkey Kong to Super Mario Sunshine.
Nintendo is also downplaying the power of the console. It's estimated it will only be 2-3Xs more powerful than the Gamecube. Meanwhile Microsoft is saying Xbox 360 is 10-13Xs more powerful than the original Xbox and Sony is saying the PS3 is 35Xs more powerful than the PS2. What is earth-shattering about this is Nintendo is actually being honest and under-hyping their product. Wow. Honest marketing? Who would of thunk it.
Revolution will offer broadband access to a free Internet-based player matching service, similar to Xbox Live, that also will have downloadable versions of nearly every Nintendo game — from arcade classic Donkey Kong through current titles such as Mario Sunshine. (Nintendo hasn't decided whether downloading will be free.) Says Kaplan: "We've built Revolution around the concept of 'all-access gaming,' " a term Nintendo uses to mean the system is easily adapted to by both gamers and designers. "We're about sticking to the soul of gaming." [Discuss]
