While Microsoft's XBOX 360 and Sony's PS3 have been duking it out over graphics capabilities of their next-generation video game consoles, the big hoopla surrounding Nintendo's forthcoming Revolution system is its... controller?
No one seems to care what the new XBOX controller looks like, while the PS3's "batwing" has caught some flak. However, Nintendo is keeping its new controller a closely held secret. Gaming legend, Shigeru Miyamoto, was recently tracked down by GameSpy for some inquiries into the new controller design. True to form, Miyamoto reveals very little. However, Miyamoto's philosophy on controller design is telling.
Rob Hulson says
One can only hope Miyamoto knows what he's doing. It seems like Nintendo's approach isn't going to appeal to the mass market in America compared to Japan. But who knows, maybe the Revolution will live up to its code-name. Regardless, I thought about you, Josh, while reading up on Nintendo's approach to the Revolution. No, that's not because I think you'd be a big hit in Japan and not in the States (I can see it now: your own insane, high-energy, and over-the-top Japanese design show), but the emphasis on design over power, or, design being the power.
Greg says
Nintendo has been touting their next generation human interface for some time, knowing that they simply can not compete with Sony and Microsoft any longer. What troubles me is that Donkey Konga seems to be the direction they are heading. I don't know about you but I gave up the ta-ta-tee-tee-ta-clap-clap, stuff in 3rd grade.
Brian says
Because my primary video game obsession revolved around Atari's black-and-faux-wood 2600, I haven't spent much time with the any of the Big 3 consoles. So though the current battle for supremacy means little to me, I do hope that in the aftermath the price on the Gamecube takes a dramatic plunge. I'd nab one for cheap and then get this! Monsters, fight!
Kyle says
I think that Nintendo is intentionally keeping tight lipped about the Revolution on a number of levels. MS and Sony are duking it out in the PR war about each systems super power. That happened last time, too, and you know what? The least powerful system (PS2) won handily. Revolution sounds like it may end up being the least powerful system, but it will still be close in power to the others. Maybe the new input method will be dramatic enough to bring them a boost in sales. I think all next gens will suffer because all companies are stuck in sequelitis in order to make money. Sales are starting to suffer because of this. Hopefully Nintendo (and the others) will break out of this rut with new and exciting games. They are correct in developing a new input method, as the current controllers have hit pretty big limitations on what you can do with them.