Nintendo America has shown the first running Revolution software at an exclusive event in New York yesterday, revealing various demonstrations of the controller and a surprise Metroid Prime offering.
Held in Manhattan and hosted by NOA head of sales and marketing Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo developers from the US and Japan presented the first running Revolution software. You excited yet?
Eight demos were on offer. The first was a pointing game, highlighting the pinpoint accuracy of the remote control-inspired unit used to operate the Revolution. Simply, the controller was pointed at the screen and blocks emerged. A crosshair represented the target and the blocks were destroyed by firing using the underside button on the pad.
Next was another pointing demo, again aimed at showing off the controller’s ease of use and pixel-perfect accuracy. However - and you’ll probably like this - a Revolution version of the Game Boy Advance launch classic Kuru Kuru Kururin was shown, seemingly at an advanced stage of development.
“What I’d want to challenge both current gamers as well as new gamers with is, 'What do you want in your experience?'" Fils-Aime stated. "Do you really want to see beads of sweat on the player? Or do you want to play games in a whole new way?” New way, please!
Then a surprise – Delfino Island from Super Mario Sunshine, was booted up. After some tinkering around, which involved panning in and out of the well-known isle (not least its square, immortalised in Mario Kart DS of late) a biplane was shown. The craft was controlled by tilting the controller as you might a paper airplane. This was confirmed as one of the demos that was shown behind closed doors at the Tokyo Game Show, although now it had the addition of a lovely Mario setting. When the controller was tilted side to side, the plane banked; when the end of the controller was tilted, the plane dived nose downwards. You get the idea...
Then came a fishing demo, aimed at catching carp using a pole. Although presented in graphical form that would have shamed the N64, the concept was perfectly delivered. The pole was positioned in a promising spot via a cast-flick, then the player simply waited. The thus-far unexplored rumble feature signalled something was afoot, the pole was lifted to reveal a fish. Imagine Animal Crossing in the first-person and you’ll get the gist.
Finally the main event – a showing of a Metroid Prime demo by the team from Retro Studios. The Nunchuck peripheral was attached to the base of the Revolution controller and a modified version of Prime 2: Echoes was booted. Samus was controlled by movements on the Nunchuck, complete with one hand-strafing, with the main controller used to aim her weapon. It works. And it works very well indeed.
Stay tuned to SPOnG for all breaking Revolution news as it happens, anywhere in the world.
Held in Manhattan and hosted by NOA head of sales and marketing Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo developers from the US and Japan presented the first running Revolution software. You excited yet?
Eight demos were on offer. The first was a pointing game, highlighting the pinpoint accuracy of the remote control-inspired unit used to operate the Revolution. Simply, the controller was pointed at the screen and blocks emerged. A crosshair represented the target and the blocks were destroyed by firing using the underside button on the pad.
Next was another pointing demo, again aimed at showing off the controller’s ease of use and pixel-perfect accuracy. However - and you’ll probably like this - a Revolution version of the Game Boy Advance launch classic Kuru Kuru Kururin was shown, seemingly at an advanced stage of development.
“What I’d want to challenge both current gamers as well as new gamers with is, 'What do you want in your experience?'" Fils-Aime stated. "Do you really want to see beads of sweat on the player? Or do you want to play games in a whole new way?” New way, please!
Then a surprise – Delfino Island from Super Mario Sunshine, was booted up. After some tinkering around, which involved panning in and out of the well-known isle (not least its square, immortalised in Mario Kart DS of late) a biplane was shown. The craft was controlled by tilting the controller as you might a paper airplane. This was confirmed as one of the demos that was shown behind closed doors at the Tokyo Game Show, although now it had the addition of a lovely Mario setting. When the controller was tilted side to side, the plane banked; when the end of the controller was tilted, the plane dived nose downwards. You get the idea...
Then came a fishing demo, aimed at catching carp using a pole. Although presented in graphical form that would have shamed the N64, the concept was perfectly delivered. The pole was positioned in a promising spot via a cast-flick, then the player simply waited. The thus-far unexplored rumble feature signalled something was afoot, the pole was lifted to reveal a fish. Imagine Animal Crossing in the first-person and you’ll get the gist.
Finally the main event – a showing of a Metroid Prime demo by the team from Retro Studios. The Nunchuck peripheral was attached to the base of the Revolution controller and a modified version of Prime 2: Echoes was booted. Samus was controlled by movements on the Nunchuck, complete with one hand-strafing, with the main controller used to aim her weapon. It works. And it works very well indeed.
Stay tuned to SPOnG for all breaking Revolution news as it happens, anywhere in the world.
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Comments
Showing the 20 most recent comments. Read all 30.
TehOldz 9 Dec 2005 19:21
11/30
Morons. This is very old news and you didn't even know it. Every single one of those demoes was shown in Tokyo, behind closed doors. Sites such as IGN and 1up reported on them extensively, and they were listed in several magazines as well.
Terrible reporting. Quit while you're only slightly behind, please.
Terrible reporting. Quit while you're only slightly behind, please.
Ditto 9 Dec 2005 20:14
12/30
Their point is that NON-PLAYABLE demos were shown previously, and these were PLAYABLE.
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ozfunghi 9 Dec 2005 20:29
13/30
Nope, they were playable, but only a selected bunch of reporters got to play them. Read up on IGN reports from months ago.
ozfunghi 9 Dec 2005 20:34
14/30
sion wrote:
can you see these demos any where on th net?
no, it was done behind closed doors, but reported on numerous sites, a lot more in-depth than the article here on spong.
realvictory 10 Dec 2005 03:36
15/30
ozfunghi wrote:
sion wrote:
can you see these demos any where on th net?
no, it was done behind closed doors, but reported on numerous sites, a lot more in-depth than the article here on spong.
Why do they bother? Is their target audience magazine reporters? I want to see it, and I deserve to, because I'm a potential customer! The only people who would be disappointed would be hardcore "gamers" who isn't who they're aiming at anyway.
majin dboy 10 Dec 2005 13:34
16/30
they are aiming at hardcore gamers.they are aiming at the whole spectrum of gamers.
realvictory 11 Dec 2005 04:36
17/30
Well, no they're not. Hardcore gamers care about graphics, power, etc. Nintendo are anti all that. They want you to believe that they're aiming at hardcore gamers, but right now, they're the least hardcore game company you can find. They can't focus on everybody, so they're not.
If you're a parent, a child or a girl, you're more likely to be interested than a typical gamer. If you are an interested hardcore gamer, the reason you're interested is because it has the Nintendo brand name. Nothing to do with the Revolution in particular.
Hardcore gamers will buy the system with the best graphics, and then consider a Revolution afterwards. Otherwise you aren't very hardcore, because you're playing on a Family game machine.
A 5 or 95 year-old playing something such as Quake or GTA, I would consider hardcore, not a 5 or 95 year-old playing a Nintendo game designed specifically for them.
If you're a parent, a child or a girl, you're more likely to be interested than a typical gamer. If you are an interested hardcore gamer, the reason you're interested is because it has the Nintendo brand name. Nothing to do with the Revolution in particular.
Hardcore gamers will buy the system with the best graphics, and then consider a Revolution afterwards. Otherwise you aren't very hardcore, because you're playing on a Family game machine.
A 5 or 95 year-old playing something such as Quake or GTA, I would consider hardcore, not a 5 or 95 year-old playing a Nintendo game designed specifically for them.
Ditto 11 Dec 2005 10:27
18/30
realvictory wrote:
If you're a parent, a child or a girl, you're more likely to be interested than a typical gamer. If you are an interested hardcore gamer, the reason you're interested is because it has the Nintendo brand name. Nothing to do with the Revolution in particular.
I think you're just wrong there.
This all comes down to how you define a "hardcore gamer". If you're talking about the PC/Xbox gamers then, yeah, I agree - there's no way they'll be interested in Revolution.
But equally there are a lot of hardcore gamers that own Gamecubes, PS2 or even just a handheld console. These people are likely to buy a Revolution.
Some hardcore gamers may have missed Nintendo this generation, but if the games are right may well come back.
To say that Nintendo isn't for hardcore gamers is just wrong though.
OptimusP 11 Dec 2005 11:25
19/30
The DS is a fine example of Nintendo making games for hard-core and mainstream. Mario Kart DS was made for the hardcore, Animal Crossing mostly designed to attract the "non-gamer" but there are a lot "hard-core gamers" buying it too.
Nintendogs non-gamer, Mario and Luigi RPG 2 (screw the official name you know what i mean) hard-core. I can go on for a while.
As Adam said, your defenition of hard-core is wrong because it only covers 1 type of hardcore gamers (yes there are different types).
You got the rusted in hardcore gamer, the "I LOVE HALO 2" people, the "Metroid Prime is such a sucky FPS" people and so forth.
On the other end of the spectrum you got the innovation-loving hardcore and then you got a bunch of others who are between those 2 extremes.
What you used is very euphemistic version of "Nintendo is teh Kiddy!!!!!1111111!!!!" argument, it doesn't stand however because, define kiddy... you can't because someone else can give a second defenition on the term that contradicts yours. It doesn't have a definition is my point.
Nintendogs non-gamer, Mario and Luigi RPG 2 (screw the official name you know what i mean) hard-core. I can go on for a while.
As Adam said, your defenition of hard-core is wrong because it only covers 1 type of hardcore gamers (yes there are different types).
You got the rusted in hardcore gamer, the "I LOVE HALO 2" people, the "Metroid Prime is such a sucky FPS" people and so forth.
On the other end of the spectrum you got the innovation-loving hardcore and then you got a bunch of others who are between those 2 extremes.
What you used is very euphemistic version of "Nintendo is teh Kiddy!!!!!1111111!!!!" argument, it doesn't stand however because, define kiddy... you can't because someone else can give a second defenition on the term that contradicts yours. It doesn't have a definition is my point.
charming_fox 11 Dec 2005 12:29
20/30
Adam M wrote:
This all comes down to how you define a "hardcore gamer". If you're talking about the PC/Xbox gamers then, yeah, I agree - there's no way they'll be interested in Revolution.
I'm a PC gamer and I'm very interested in Revolution, in fact, it's by far the most interesting of all three new consoles, what with XBOX 360 not even being a truly next gen console (all those awful, awful XBOX and PS2 ports, ever heard how you can't polish a turd?).
Anyway, what makes a Hardcore Gamer? I'd say it's those freaks who smell funny and stand around in your local games shop and have no social skills what-so-ever. And they import all the new consoles regardless of price, and they own every different colour and of PS2 and XBOX and they eat their own feces. Perhaps.
realvictory 11 Dec 2005 13:48
21/30
Adam M wrote:
I think you're just wrong there.
This all comes down to how you define a "hardcore gamer". If you're talking about the PC/Xbox gamers then, yeah, I agree - there's no way they'll be interested in Revolution.
Yes, it entirely depends on the definition of "hardcore gamer," I completely agree with that. I would argue that a hardcore gamer isn't defined by what machines they own, but it's defined by their style of playing and view of computer games. Some games cater to it better, but it doesn't mean you're "hardcore" just because you play a particular game or vice versa.
So, we have new types of game and gameplay on Revolution. That cannot be "hardcore" - it can't have fans, or whatever you call them, because it's brand new ideas. What will attract them is Nintendo brand names. However if, when you compare Revolution to say, PS3, the only thing "hardcore gamers" will appreciate in the Revolution is Nintendo braind names. Apart from that, the PS3 is better suited to them.
Yes, Nintendo's Revolution may end up defining a new type of "hardcore gamer", but this isn't the type I was talking about, because they don't exist yet.
Secondly, you can't say I'm wrong, if you also say that "it depends."
Lastly, I did not say Nintendo isn't for hardcore gamers at all! I said Revolution is not aimed at hardcore gamers. And if hardcore gamers are interested in the Revolution, it's because of the Nintendo brand name. I didn't say Nintendo isn't for hardcore gamers, I was implying that it was.
ozfunghi 11 Dec 2005 14:40
22/30
Well, to me, a hardcore gamer is someone that is really passionate about gaming, whether that means playing bust-a-move, Final Fantasy, Halo or Animal Crossing.
Someone that is purely interested in high specs, graphics etc. is a hardcore idiot, not a hardcore gamer.
Someone that is purely interested in high specs, graphics etc. is a hardcore idiot, not a hardcore gamer.
realvictory 11 Dec 2005 16:39
23/30
In my opinion, a gamer is someone who is passionate about playing computer games, a hardcore gamer is similar to what you would call a hardcore idiot, and anyone else who plays games is quite normal.
People seem to like to boast that they care more about computer games than "everyone else" for some reason, but I think that at the moment we're just about at the stage where people can play computer games and still be normal. That is how it should be, in my opinion, which is one reason why the word gamer really pisses me off. I think it was just invented by Microsoft to help themselves sound "cool." And the verb game, I thought meant to gamble.
People seem to like to boast that they care more about computer games than "everyone else" for some reason, but I think that at the moment we're just about at the stage where people can play computer games and still be normal. That is how it should be, in my opinion, which is one reason why the word gamer really pisses me off. I think it was just invented by Microsoft to help themselves sound "cool." And the verb game, I thought meant to gamble.
Ditto 11 Dec 2005 22:48
24/30
I kind of get what you're saying, but also don't really understand your argument. Keep telling me it and I'll get it eventually ;).
Yes, it entirely depends on the definition of "hardcore gamer," I completely agree with that. I would argue that a hardcore gamer isn't defined by what machines they own, but it's defined by their style of playing and view of computer games. Some games cater to it better, but it doesn't mean you're "hardcore" just because you play a particular game or vice versa.
OK
Why can't it be hardcore?
But surely someone who buys every Mario game is just as hardcore as someone who buys every major PC FPS?
If a totally new FPS is released, "hardcore" gamers will buy it even if it's got new ideas, because there are still elements of genre in it.
In the same way, if Nintendo release Smash Bros on Revolution, their "hardcore" gamers will buy the console and game even if it's got new ideas.
To be honest, the Nintendo brand name is quite weak now, and I think that increasingly people are looking beyond the brand. I certainly don't think our stereotypical "hardcore" game will buy a Revo for the Nintendo brand.
But if "hardcore" is defined on such things as playing attitude, frequency of game purchases, view of games then the Revo wouldn't create a new type of hardcore gamer because those values wouldn't change.
Sorry. You post did sound like it was implying a nice, neat group called "hardcore".
I do agree that Revo isn't targeted at stereotypical "hardcore" Xbox/PC gamers, however if you take your definition of defining hardcore as the values then Nintendo is aiming the Revo at hardcore gamers - even if it might be those people that it knows will commit to buying almost every game with Mario, Zelda or Pokemon stamped on it. It needs these people to generate revenue.
Again, I don't think that the brand name will help Nintendo at all. I have learn't not to trust Nintendo's brand, and you can bet that when Revo arrives if it doesn't have the support in terms of excellent games, then the brand name will count for sweet FA - especially amungst hardcore gamers.
realvictory wrote:
Yes, it entirely depends on the definition of "hardcore gamer," I completely agree with that. I would argue that a hardcore gamer isn't defined by what machines they own, but it's defined by their style of playing and view of computer games. Some games cater to it better, but it doesn't mean you're "hardcore" just because you play a particular game or vice versa.
OK
So, we have new types of game and gameplay on Revolution. That cannot be "hardcore" - it can't have fans, or whatever you call them, because it's brand new ideas. What will attract them is Nintendo brand names. However if, when you compare Revolution to say, PS3, the only thing "hardcore gamers" will appreciate in the Revolution is Nintendo braind names. Apart from that, the PS3 is better suited to them.
Why can't it be hardcore?
But surely someone who buys every Mario game is just as hardcore as someone who buys every major PC FPS?
If a totally new FPS is released, "hardcore" gamers will buy it even if it's got new ideas, because there are still elements of genre in it.
In the same way, if Nintendo release Smash Bros on Revolution, their "hardcore" gamers will buy the console and game even if it's got new ideas.
To be honest, the Nintendo brand name is quite weak now, and I think that increasingly people are looking beyond the brand. I certainly don't think our stereotypical "hardcore" game will buy a Revo for the Nintendo brand.
Yes, Nintendo's Revolution may end up defining a new type of "hardcore gamer", but this isn't the type I was talking about, because they don't exist yet.
But if "hardcore" is defined on such things as playing attitude, frequency of game purchases, view of games then the Revo wouldn't create a new type of hardcore gamer because those values wouldn't change.
Secondly, you can't say I'm wrong, if you also say that "it depends."
Sorry. You post did sound like it was implying a nice, neat group called "hardcore".
Lastly, I did not say Nintendo isn't for hardcore gamers at all! I said Revolution is not aimed at hardcore gamers. And if hardcore gamers are interested in the Revolution, it's because of the Nintendo brand name. I didn't say Nintendo isn't for hardcore gamers, I was implying that it was.
I do agree that Revo isn't targeted at stereotypical "hardcore" Xbox/PC gamers, however if you take your definition of defining hardcore as the values then Nintendo is aiming the Revo at hardcore gamers - even if it might be those people that it knows will commit to buying almost every game with Mario, Zelda or Pokemon stamped on it. It needs these people to generate revenue.
Again, I don't think that the brand name will help Nintendo at all. I have learn't not to trust Nintendo's brand, and you can bet that when Revo arrives if it doesn't have the support in terms of excellent games, then the brand name will count for sweet FA - especially amungst hardcore gamers.
Elysium 12 Dec 2005 03:36
25/30
Does anybody else share my opinion that this "revolutionany" controller is anything but revolutionary? All I see is a light gun using a different form factor! Given, it does use an alternate technology to determine the location on-screen, but this is nothing that either Microsoft or Sony couldn't implement in their own console with minimal effort. In fact, I would be surprised if those two companies are NOT working on a HD compatible technology for light gun usage on their consoles. Therefore, the only thing that is revolutionary is the fact that developers are being forced to use this peripheral.
jodo4 12 Dec 2005 03:59
26/30
actually, its not that the controller is revolutionary, its how the controllewr is used. it won't only be used for fps games, a warioware based game is possible, or baseball soccer tennis, that is why EA has such an intrest, which brings me to the second previous post. The revolution currently has a HUGE amount of third party support. This is what you see because you dont go to sites like revolution report and ign and then think. As for adams other idea of limiting people is also wrong because nintendo has already confirmed the shell controller that works like a regular controller attatchmen. How do you think smash bros would work? the attatchments are also very cheap to produce, its plastic with buttons, no electronics, thats on the revolutions original controller
I'll Eat Your Soul 12 Dec 2005 08:17
27/30
Yeah, both this and the other Revolution news story (the comments from Nintendo about the system's power) are old hat, things we already knew.
config 12 Dec 2005 09:13
28/30
I'll Eat Your Soul wrote:
Yeah, both this and the other Revolution news story (the comments from Nintendo about the system's power) are old hat, things we already knew.
Yes, the story about the Rev's "lack" of power is old news, yet some news argans appear to have completely ignored this when peddling sensational stories about developers flapping over Rev's apparent lack of power compared to 360 or PS3- that's the news.
jodo4 12 Dec 2005 11:44
29/30
if you don't believe me, i couldn't care less. It wont be my fault that your wasting 200 dollars more than me just so that you can play games exactly as they were 7 years ago while looking better and I could have fun in new and old ways. PS3 games are going to be 70-80 dollars. HAVE FUN!
I wopuld go on but I now have school
I wopuld go on but I now have school
jodo4 12 Dec 2005 11:46
30/30
if you don't believe me, i couldn't care less. It wont be my fault that your wasting 200 dollars more than me just so that you can play games exactly as they were 7 years ago while looking better and I could have fun in new and old ways. PS3 games are going to be 70-80 dollars. HAVE FUN!
And just because the revolution has support doesn't mean ps3 and 360 don't. I never said that. The revolution has support because it's easier to make games because of the leaning curve needed, it's small.
I would go on but I now have school
And just because the revolution has support doesn't mean ps3 and 360 don't. I never said that. The revolution has support because it's easier to make games because of the leaning curve needed, it's small.
I would go on but I now have school