Picture the Revolution

by Steve Parsons { May 18th 2005 at 9:56AM }

With all the info pouring out of E3, you'll have to forgive us if there's a little overlap. Voodoo Extreme have some pictures of the empty black box presented at E3 by Nintendo. Sorry, the Nintendo Revolution.

Having seen the new Microsoft and Sony efforts, all I can say is THANK YOU Nintendo for producing a black box. And that isn't sarcasm. Who would have thought that after producing the blue lunchbox, that Nintendo would produce the most sensible looking of the big three!

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Tyler Smith @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Judging on looks alone, my personal favorite is the Revolution. Honestly, it looks like something an adult would want to have sitting in their living rooms, not some outlandish peice of hardware like the PS3. Xbox 360 isn't too bad. I do like the subtleness of both designs, where the only 'focal point' I guess you call it is the neon light on both boxes.

It's a shame the PS3 didn't come in something similar.

David @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

1st release is black
2nd is purple
3rd is Mario Red
4th is Pokemon Yellow
5th is You-Have-Too-Much-Money-For-Another-Nintendo Green
5th is Grey
6th is Limited edition Black....

....and so on.

Morgon @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

At least the link has a new picture (the one showing the GC controller/memory ports)

This could be read in a couple of ways, both a little sad:
1) The GC games have too many 'checks' in place to be able to use the new Revolution wireless controllers
2) The Revo controllers are so drastically different than the GC that you cannot get a similar experience

Of course, those ports could also be there for full backwards compatibility (think alternate inputs - GBA, Wheels, etc) .. But again, there could/should have been additional ways to accomplish this.
Maybe not free, but it's Nintendo - they can think of *something*.

But it's rather sucko to be forced to use 'old' controllers for 'old' games on the new system, all in all.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

- 3 dvd cases thin and barely a DVD wide
- prototype only, promises of further miniaturization
- Nintendo claiming it's only 2x to 3x the power of GameCube
- no HD support
- WiFi everything
- Miyamoto emphasizing it having Flash memory instead of conventional...

I can only deduce the Revolution is meant to be a mobile game system you can also plug in at home. a super PSP.

no controller? maybe it IS the controller (fit a gyroscope in there?). and maybe it has its own touchscreen - anyone seen it's RIGHT side?

Nintendo has clearly given up the chase for the adult, hardcore gamer concerned about graphic horsepower. Showcasing games like Zelda and Nintendogs, without a Resident Evil type announcement this year is very telling. it's official, they're now NICHEtendo.

David @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

I haven't bought a new video game system since the Sega Saturn which was -- wow -- a decade ago. There is some appeal to me to be able to play a video game and be able to just enjoy it, and Nintendo is the only of the three left that is speaking to me as an on-again/off-again gamer.

Sony and Microsoft are trying to tell me that their boxes will be able to do amazing things, turn my living room into a fantasy world, make toast, sync up everything in my home with an electrical plug, and overpower my intelligence with their processors. There probably is a market for that kind of showmanship. However, as an adult, as someone who would like a "video game system" like he remembers from the past,

Nintendo seems best at understanding what I want. And if I can play Mario Kart, Mario 64, ActRaiser, and Super Smash Bros. all in the same box, all the better.

Rob @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

#4 You know what I think you might be right there mate.

It has no contollers as it is the contoller! They dominate handhelds and the PSP looked like destroying that. It would be the first sensible move for Nintendo in my opinion by a long shot.

WOW how did you think that up?

Myke Greywolf @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

#4: No way.

First, the 512 MB of flash memory will have the same function as the HD in the PS3 and XB360. It will be used to store downloads and customizable content. This memory will be expandable through the use of SD cards. Aside from that, the Revolution will have another 512 MB of fast system RAM. Flash memory is way too slow to be used for CPU operations.

Second, 2x-3x GameCube power is a conservative estimate from a non-technical representative, who probably thought "I made a booboo" the second after she said that. Anyone who plays games on a PC can tell you how their frame rates doubled or tripled when they upgraded their video card, even though the CPU remained the same. The PS3=35*PS2 given by Sony is probably based on some obscure, non-directly-game-related metric - same as PS2 being able to render over 100 million polys/second - remember that one?

As for the console design, no complaints there - it is way more handsome than the PS3 and the XB360, even though I, as a fanboy, would still buy if it was shaped like a cucumber.

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Nintendo, I hope your listening to us:

We adult gamers love this design, it'll actually fit in with our existing entertainment systems (unlike the "competition") - please only change the size if anything.

I can't wait for this one, being an older gamer I'm losing interest in the alleged innovation of bumped up graphics alone - been there, done that and got the coffee mug thanks.

Sure I'll get a PS3, but I'm really after the Revolution. Makes me wonder what the interface is though, wireless can transmit a whole lot of data but it's seemingly too high on the old bandwidth to be wireless just now. Interesting, must be pretty technological and precise.

Xboxfan1 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

The PS3 has a Black version too.

WizarDru @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

No HD Support? Could you cite a source for that Info, please? Given that the cube supports HDTV, I find it hard to believe that it won't be offered on the Revolution. Encouraged and touted, perhaps not, but not present at all? I find that hard to believe.

Of course, Nintendo claimed that with the 'cube, only 2% of their customers wanted HDTV...but at the same time, 90% of the first-party games support it. Disconnect?

Olongapo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Had the same idea about the Revolution being portable because of the reasons you described, and because of the rumors floating around pre E3 of a super gameboy.

I even went further by thinking that all you need is a reciever for the Wavebird or new controller, power input and AV outputs to have it double as a home console.

That idea somewhat killed when I went home and actually held on to 3 DVD cases. Not too comfortable in your hands, I think.

Oh well. It was wishful thinking.

Blake @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Right on. But i really hope they round out the design edges. It looks like a prototype and the logo is way tacky.

Nintendo Bloggin - www.infendo.com

Dean Shan @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

I am excited about the new Nintendo. It looks great and you will be able to play a lot of old classic games via game downloads. I would buy this over the PS3 any day.

Ean Frick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Where's the controller at already? The system looks fine and all, but I'm going to have the controller in my hands most of the time, that's the important part.

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

The Revolution will not be a potable/handheld, please just drop that speculation right now.

There are multiple reasons behind this, and I'll happily elaborate to get rid of this incorrect notion:

The DS is to feature connectivity with the revolution - why the hell would two portables need or want to connect, it's pointless.

Power consumption would be insane, as would heating issues.

There is a contoller, and it sure aint on the side. Do you honestly think even without shrinking the size Nintendo could squeeze controls/battery and everything else into three DVD cases.

Finally and most importantly it would be competing in one of Nintendo's stongest markets - against the GBEvolution. Nintendo aren't about to compete with themselves and I can't see them dropping the GB brand anytime soon.

The only reason it would be portable would be if Nintendo wanted to kill Sony, and that isn't a realistic thought, they are happier staying away from any fighting just now - not creating a brand new one.

Nope, the Revolution is still a home console - nuff said.

Sergio @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

#3: Everyone has an opinion. We're probably in the minority, but a friend and I wanted the option to play wired sometimes. Perhaps the new controllers will work with GC games, but if you want the old feeling, you can use the GC controller. Also, for GC games, you won't need to run out and buy multiple new controllers right away for multiplayer games. I would like these ports to support the new controllers as well, for trickle charging, allowing you to keep playing (if the new controllers have built in rechargable batteries).

Only problem I see is that it looks like the wavebird receivers might not fit the way the ports are configured.

I like the overall design and the logo. But I'll be getting all 3 systems eventually, PS3 and Rev in black... Damn MS with their "chill" white! A black faceplate won't improve its appearance.

2PLAY @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Whatever the final design for the Revolution will be, it will still look better than this

http://img146.echo.cx/img146/830/scanner2fx.jpg

Tri @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Nintendo Revolution - The Big N surprised me here. I was expecting a laughably gimmicky thing (think Gameboy VR, or R.O.B.). Instead they're going to mainline every Nintendo game you've ever played via the internet. I'll probably buy one if it means Super Mario 3, Metroid, F-Zero and everything. Ok, maybe "revolution" is somewhat appropriate.

Sony PS3 - I will have one. Wish they would have stayed with the more classic PS controllers, rather than the boomerang design, but at least the basics are there, and I can probably get a 3rd party controller more like the old ones. Only drawback: the console is butt-ugly. It had better be smaller than my PS2, and I'm getting the black one.

Microsoft Xbox 360 - F*-You Microsoft. I'll never turn to the dark side.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

re: no HD support
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/16/business/16game.html?

then again, Nintendo had the benefit of not saying anything concrete, so that may change. especially after the brutal showings of the 360 and ps3.

After their conference, I doubt anything about the Revolution is finalized. Nintendo still thinks it should just wait and let others risk new technolgies (ie: online), but bringing the Cube after the others certainly didn't help them last time.

They've definitely come to the conclusion by now that they can't compete on hardware, so Nintendo is forced to go sideways. Obviously this means mobile, and their ever-shrinking home presence (in all senses) just reinforces this kind of thought. I don't know what the Revolution will really end up being, I just hope Nintendo itself does.

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Tri.

The best part is that actually isn't even the Revolutionary aspect of the console.

That was a small bone thrown to show they are in the game, continue hype without playing the trump card, give retailers an awesome selling point for the future pre-orders and generally keep us talking while they continued development of the system. It wasn't ready to be shown so Nintendo did the wise thing here - next E3, though sadly a year away, will be all Nintendo's.

And just think if this little bone they have thrown could even be contemplated as revolutionary think what actual revolution they have!

This is going to be one very awesome console.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Didn't hear a peep about any GBevolution. Why couldn't GB/Revolution be one and the same?

Fact: whatever the Revolution really is, it will come a year later, be comparatively graphically underpowered and have non-conventional controls.

Why would 3rd party console developers want to support this? especially with the ps3 and 360 already on the market for months? No, Nintendo will just cement its niche with the Revolution, and that's either mobile, or the young (ie:bottom) end of the home console market. Probably both.

Ghostly @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

#20, have you seen the new Zelda screens? that is about the hight of the game cubes powers, now imagine around 2-3 times more powerful. honestly having played with all the systems currently out, on a sheer power aspect the cube beats the PS2 (the PS2 has more and better 3rd party games, so its a better system for most people) i mean, some of the load times on games like madden are awful on the PS2 and slightly better on the Game cube I think microsoft wins on the power award of the current systems.

anyway, just like computing power we are reaching a point in the evolution of gaming that shoving more and more power and processing ability at a system will make negligable differece. what we need insted is more creative ways of solving problems and making better and better looking games. Will Nintendo sucseet at this? i cant tell you that. but i beleve due to their track record of innovation (4 controller ports, wireless controllers, light guns, the game console itself, etcetera etcetera) that they might be able to pull off the next big advancement that gaming needs.

As to why 3rd party developers would want to develop for the revolution, according to what nintendo is telling us, it will be EASY and CHAP, two gold words. sure, they will also develop for the PS3 and X360, but if it costs about a half of what it costs to develop a game for the 360, why wouldnt they develop for the revoluton, its just good buisness sense.

Buck Q. Fitch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Do Xbox 360 games look even twice as good as Xbox games? No. The visual wall has been hit. Time to try something else.

SetupWeasel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

That NY Times article claims Nintendo is "foregoing" HD, but it has no quotes, specs, or other facts to back that up. Nintendo isn't screaming "High Definition!" at the top of their lungs like the other two, but that doesn't mean they are ignoring it.

I like the look of the revolution a lot, but I like the look of the GC over the PS2 and XBOX, so I may not be "hip" enough to make that judgement.

As far as the graphics are concerned, people touted the XBOX and PS2 as being 10 times more powerful than the GC early on. We all can see how stupid that was. Now Sony and Microsoft are claiming almost the same gap this time around. Wait until you see what the Revolution can do before you judge it.

Sergio @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

On preview, what SetupWeasel said.

Nside @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

a few things i know:

the revolution will output 480i, 480p, 720p & 1080i,

the actual revolution specs would tell you the machine is 20x more powerful than a cube, BUT ninty does not believe in exaggerating or pontificating on specs that don't mean squat to the actual act of 'gameplaying'

and the nes, snes portion of the download service will be DS compatible, catch my drift?

GBultra will be next years E3 homerun. think cube (control and power), high capacity (sd card) game cartridges, and plenty or ram to support the N64 and Cube downloads.

Sergio @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

I'm a fan of Nintendo, and I'll have to agree that the E3 showing was underwhelming. But I don't agree with all doom and gloom of the naysayers. I'm hoping that Nintendo will show more at the Tokyo Game show in September when they should be further along in development and closer to their launch window. It's not like Xbox 360 was shown a full year plus before their launch.

Does anyone know when/if Nintendo may hold Space World 2005? I would guess it was cancelled given their limited lineup this year.

Tony Tomas @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

I think Sony and MS should be very VERY afraid of the Revo. Twenty years worth of games available to play isn�t something to scoff at.

Image a Contra game updated for online play and available for download at 5 bucks. You�d buy it, and you can bet companies will think of doing something like that. Those old games are a cash cow in wait for every pub. They�ll produce next-gen games for the Rev just to be able to re-sell those classics to you.

And Nintendo has been honest about power their entire time in the game business. They didn�t whip their d**ks out for the GC either, and that console has produced some of the best visuals across any system.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

only Nintendo and their partners know what the Revolution will be on the inside at this point, but one thing they made sure to let us ALL know is that it will be SMALL.

tiny in fact. so unless the hardware is external, or Nintendo has a superconductor from the future in there, it simply can't be competitive at straight video abilities. And I seriously doubt the latter, considering it's technology partners are still IBM and ATi. The same as xbox360 - also public knowledge.

I'm hoping Nintendo comes up with some crazy new display technology, or something else that pushes the medium and the other guys copy the next time over - but as for pushing polygons in HD, it's just not looking good.

Tri @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

What if Nintendo really capitalizes on this internet connectivity thing? Not only allowing us do download new and old games, but living up to their words about user customization? We create/mod games, then Nintendo hosts them and distributes them . . . something like that?

Buck Q. Fitch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

"but as for pushing polygons in HD, it's just not looking good."

Really? Show me the footage, please.

Talc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Well, yeah.. if you like "sensible." I like good design. The Revolution looks like a car stereo. "Revolution" is the least-appropriately named of the new consoles. I plan on owning all three systems, but clearly, the 360 is the most organically strong design of the three. It's the one I'll feel okay about putting in my living room. As others have said, the PS3 looks like it belongs in a kitchen.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Buck - it's called PHYSICS. electronics take up space and make lots of heat. IBM and ATi make the cpu and the gpu for the xbox360 as well, think it's all just empty space? yeah the PS2 slim got there eventually, but only four years after the original. The Revolution will be even smaller than that so Nintendo has chosen siza as a priority, can't have it both ways (in this release timeline).

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Digi.

Can you please explain to me why the Cube's spec sheet originally paled in comparison to the XBOX and PS2's - what happened when the consoles actually released and we (now this is radical) actually played the games?

The Cube dropped a large brick all over Sony's spec sheet and actually matched the XBOX in nearly everything.

Could you also please explain how Nintendomanaged to basically match the XBOX and it's greater spec sheet with the Cube, when the system was basically 1/4 the size.

Stop buying Sony/Microsoft spin and wait until we play the games before claiming you know the Rev will be inferior.

Nintendo have a great habit of making what seems like a little do a hell of a lot, why should they stop now?

And I'll be buying a PS3, but I can tell you one thing I am not expecting it be 35 times more powerful than my PS2 - I know Sony, they sex documents up even more than politicians.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

sure. the Cube was much later than the original PS2, and Xbox was Microsoft's first console (what did they know), and was essentially a PC on it's side. It had a built-in harddrive and a full DVD-Drive - how could you forget?

The Cube was essentially a videocard cut in half and stacked up, all very nice and had the benefit of both dropping much later and with vast custom console experience. If it drops much later, the same could apply to the Revolution, but its the size of three GAMES stacked up. Think about that; about the size of a good videocard (not the best though) but no room for the multi-processors and their heat that their competition will have. Physics.

And for the record, I haven't said a thing how this affects gameplay, just graphics and 3rd party support.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

oh AND an internal motorized slot load full DVD drive, don't forget that. cube had a lid. and a mini one at that. oop, guess the Revolution will have a separate drive for cube games too.. hmm..

Tim @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Look Digi, how do you know what nintendo "can't do" with the revolution when we don't even fully know what it can??
Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Gigi.

Nice little sidestepping of my argument, I'll ask again.

1. Why was Sony and Microsofts spec sheet massively better than Nintendo's, but when the systems released the Cube wiped the floor with the PS2 and basically matched the XBOX?

2. How can the Cube be 1/4 the size of the XBOX and provide nearly identical graphics?

........

I know you half answered the second question, but you're wrong.

You seem to think a bigger system makes better graphics. The 360/PS3 are big because of all the multimedia crap in them.

The Cube is one quarter the size of the XBOX, but still packs a neary identical punch, how. It's a games machine.

Technology is shrinking at a huge rate and if a console doesn't include any media rubbish then it can pack the same punch but be greatly smaller - why can't you grasp this easy concept.

The Revolution WILL be comparable graphically to the other consoles and you'd be stupid to think otherwise.

Ghostly @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Digi, on a design perspective and a technological perspective Nintnedo has worked miracles. just tell me please that the RE4 or the new Zelda screens do not match up with what any other system can do.

as to the extra slot for GC games, why would they nessisarily need it, just because thusfar you have not seen slot loading drives that can handle two disc formats doesnt mean they cannot exist. i can imagine a few different mechanisms to support such an idea, i imagine the engineers at nintnendo have found one.

I am not saying the revolution will be better than the 360 or the PS3, i withold that judgement until i play them, but I find it quite odd that so many people bring out the death bells for nintnedo so often. I cant imagine that they will quit out when they are still one of the most profitable video entertainment companies ever.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

ok i'll bite. what 'multimedia rubbish' are you talking about?

xbox's hard drive is external now, and the playstation doesn't even have one. so what else? full-dvd drive? built-in networking? Cube didn't have that but Revolution will. uh 'xbox live' doesn't take up any extra 'space'...

I don't know the specs Sony was inflating or Nintendo was downplaying, but I do know the Cube was released much after the PS2.

as for matching xbox well,
A) I know microsoft didn't know anything about consoles and just layed a full PC on its side. it had a Pentium for gods sake.

B) I know I can play every single xbox game at least in 480p. every single one ever made. I also know Nintendo stopped selling the HD cable for my cube because too few games supported it (think RE may actually, dunno about Zelda).

not sure how your second question is different from the first, but my answer is the same.

Buck Q. Fitch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

What are you talking about, I never said anything about size.

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

"ok i'll bite. what 'multimedia rubbish' are you talking about? "

I personally don't know exactly what is inside the systems, might be something to do with the fact I don't work for Sony/Microsoft, but I can safely tell you there is plenty more than just a normal console. How elese could the systems act as media hubs. They need specific software AND hardware to perform the tasks the companies are boasting, like TIVO.

"I don't know the specs Sony was inflating or Nintendo was downplaying, but I do know the Cube was released much after the PS2. "

Sony claimed the PS2 could run Toy Story, push 100 Million polys and had an ultra-realistic emotion engine - all when they announced the console.

Toy Story - heck the PS3 and 360 are only just getting at that level, but the PS2 would choke and die on the first frame.

100 Million polys, yeah the Cube boasts the record with 15 Million real time (though RE4 could beat this), the Cube and XBOX push a standard 10 Million and the PS2 around 6 Million (I think). Whatever it is it's far less than the Cube's 10/15 Million (like RE4 being chopped in half for the PS2), and it's a million miles from real time rendering of 100 Million.

Emotion engine, unless I've been buying the wrong games there is virtually no emotion modelling in most games.

Sony lie, and like a little fish you take the bait.

As for the Cube being understated, it wasn't. it was realistic. It just looked understated compared to the false claims of the XBOX and PS2.

You say the Cube was released after PS2, yes. What about the XBOX, nearly identical ages. Microsoft claim the XBOX is massively better than the Cube. RE4 disagrees, as does many other games. And HDTV, bring that back up when more than 1% of console owners have it.

"not sure how your second question is different from the first, but my answer is the same."

One was relating to the spec sheet and the other real time performance - I thought that was plain for all to see.

You have written off the Revolution based on specs from Sony/Microsoft and the size of the console - very illogical thing to do!

The current specs are test results, not applied to real time game conditions. It's easy to render objests without any physics and the million and one other things a game CPU/GPU has to do, and its easy to make it sound 35 times better - that will not carry over to when we play the games, that my friend is fact.

It's also foolish to suggest the system will be weak based on size. Technology is shrinking at a huge speed (look at any electronic market for that) and if Nintendo can make the tiny Cube punch as hard as the huge XBOX then my money is on them making the tiny Revolution punch as hard as the 360.

It's the safe, logical and smart bet.

Don't get me wrong, the Rev may just be marginally weaker than the 360 for all I know - but it'll be a close fight and you simply cannot right off the system with the reasons you have used. Wait for the actual footage and ignore any hype building false stats - it'll save you looking the ass in years to come.

Ghostly @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

God loves research:

as to the "B) I know I can play every single xbox game at least in 480p. every single one ever made. I also know Nintendo stopped selling the HD cable for my cube because too few games supported it (think RE may actually, dunno about Zelda)."

Nintendo.com says
"Why have you removed the component video feature from the Nintendo GameCube?
On newer models of the Nintendo GameCube, we opted to remove the digital A/V out port from the system because we found that less than one percent of all Nintendo GameCube players used this feature.

Will future Nintendo GameCube games continue to have the progressive scan feature?
About one-third of licensee-published titles and over 90% of Nintendo-published titles currently have the progressive scan feature. We expect that most Nintendo-published titles will continue to support progressive scan. Each licensee will continue to make the decision of whether or not to include this feature in their future games."

so really they found a way to make the GC cheaper (and incidentally pass that savings onto the consumer) by eliminating a feature that NO-ONE USED. yet, the games they make still by and large support it for the rare case that a specific person uses the feature.

oh, how evil nintnedo!

Ghostly @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

sorry no, I never once quoted ANY performance claims or figures from anybody, was only speaking of the actual hardware components inside. big difference. you seem to have all the published performance numbers memorized GamerH, maybe you should stop looking at them?

as for HD, well just because most people couldn't see the extra resolution, doesn't mean it didn't exist. the graphics hardware of the xbox pumped it out (blissfully so) so I used an appropriate display that could handle it. HD will mean much more in the coming generation, and that's what we're really talking about.

I believe its smart of Nintendo to not try and repeat the Cube/Xbox battle, because for whatever reason, it didn't work out so well for them. I think Nintendo is on the right track not following the pack and doing something different.

Buck Q. Fitch @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

"I believe its smart of Nintendo to not try and repeat the Cube/Xbox battle, because for whatever reason, it didn't work out so well for them."

Nintendo made a profit and Xbox didn't, if I were Nintendo I'd accept that failure again and again.

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

"sorry no, I never once quoted ANY performance claims or figures from anybody, was only speaking of the actual hardware components inside. big difference. you seem to have all the published performance numbers memorized GamerH, maybe you should stop looking at them?"

Give up, you've lost.

You have written a system off when you don't have any "actual hardware components inside" to be "only speaking of".

And Buck, well said.

Sergio @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

Xbox was bigger than Gamecube because...

1. It had a hard drive. It's "external" now in the 360, but it still adds size to the overall system design. Revolution is opting for flash memory instead because they don't intend to be a multimedia hub, and don't need that much space for your game saves or downloaded nes/snes/n64 games. But if you do, it's expandable.

2. The power supply was internal, like a normal PC. The Gamecube had a power brick, as will the Revolution, reducing the system size, much like a Mac mini.

3. Having an internal power supply requires you to disipate that heat also, while the power brick reduces that need. Less space is used up by fans.

These are the 3 obvious ones, since I don't know the schematics of any of the systems internals.

Digi Smalls @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

everyone done?

Why stay number three and sell even less when Nintendo has the chance to break the mold again and introduce new paradigms to the medium?

So far, yes the SIZE leads me to believe that Nintendo isn't trying to compete on raw graphical horsepower front (oooh yeah how controversial), and I hope it's because you don't need 1080p HD for a head mounted display or whatever. I'm not hating or jocking, I'm trying to get at what their deal is, like we should be all doing.

The world wants to see something truly innovative that the other two will eventually copy, but only Nintendo would bring to market and execute as only they can. Not only is Nintendo perfect for this, franky its their best business decision - they just aren't going to beat MS and Sony at that game because they've lost appeal to 3rd parties.

NINTENDO is smart enough to know they shouldn't try, so why doesn't everybody stop throwing numbers (polygons AND dollars) and help us figure it out what it is they ARE doing?

I've heard more ideas and less numbers from 12 year old Sony/Xbox crusaders.

GamerHeaven @ Dec 18th 2005 9:46PM

I still don't see you addressing any of your weak / illogical arguments though Digi.

Though some of what you've just said makes sense you still can't explain why the Rev will have hugely weaker stats.

And you can't counter any logical reasoning we have that they will actually relatively match the other consoles.

"I've heard more ideas and less numbers from 12 year old Sony/Xbox crusaders."

Nice pathetic stab there mate, numbers matter at this stage not illogical ideas.

Besides these people you refer to ... am I the only one who can't even read the illogical rubbish they type?

I'm a Sony and Nintendo gamer, I don't hold any severe bias (beyond my preferance of Nintendo), and I can see things from both sides of the fence - and the Sony side is producing a great system .... as is the Nintendo side, 'nuff said.