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7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"Revolution: Not the worst, maybe not the best. But let's take a good look at it."
Pros: Full backwards compatibility; sleek, futuristic design; Excellent gameplay; Unique and innovative controllers; Focuses on quality rather than quantity; Better quality at a lesser price
Cons: Kid-friendly games; HD Support?; Less sports-related games; Doesn't have the best grapics; Will be a success/failure (polarity)
Summary: I don't understand why Nintendo's getting bashed for making a better console.
Here's the arguments I've seen so far.
-No HD support, not as good graphics/speed as other consoles.
-Kid-based design and games.
-Downloadable library can be replaced by PC Emulators / XBox Mod chip; $ needed?
-Overused games?
-Retro ideals; A generation behind; Not as much of a 'WOW' factor as others.
-Controller issues ('It looks like a remote')
-Not going to be a 'hub' like PS3 and MS XBox360
-Typical 'This is gonna suck b/c Gamecube sucked.'
So, I'm gonna go through and adress these as best as I can, while remaining unbiased.
----------- Graphics & HD issues
Yes, the Revolution is going to be less graphics-based, though some very good improvements have been made with the system and it WILL compete quite well against the other consoles. HD televisions start at around $2000 for the good ones that you would want to view your PS3 or XBox360 on, and not a lot of people have them yet, nor is it a real ISSUE TO THE GAMEPLAY. You can still play your Revolution on an HDTV, you just won't get 720p or 1080i, which isn't the worst thing in the world. Truthfully, I'd MUCH rather have HD possibilities rather than not, and I probably wouldn't mind paying the extra buck to get it, but it's not going to affect my decision to get it or not, and it probably shouldn't to yours. Nintendo isn't making a wise decision by doing this, but it's keeping unneccesary costs down to a kind-of-financially-damaged company.
------Kid-based games?
OK, next. The idea of Nintendo's consoles and games being kid-based... Honestly, I don't see much of a response or an argument here. Nintendo creates family games so that it can appeal to more users, and it has several games made especially for users that don't appreciate family games--the best of which is 'Resident Evil'--and Nintendo's makers and directors have said that the Revolution games will not only appeal to families but to many other genres through different games.
If you're weren't interested in Gamecube for this reason, then stick around, because the kid-friendliness has been expanded to much more.
------'Backwards Compatibility'
The 'Backwards Compatibility' all the way? Some might scoff, but I think it's part of what makes this console very interesting. Sure, you can get emulators and a gamepad for SNES games, but the N64 games are not so readily available through emulators as it will be through the Revolution. To top it off, the Revolution controller on its side can be configured to look nearly identical to the SNES controller.
But, maybe 'staying in the past' is a bad thing to some people. However, some of the best games of all time were created back then, and I think it's important to keep them with us and keep playing them. Money might be an issue, I don't know how much they're going to charge, but it's definitely not going to be a lot.
------Overused games
Overused games is a tough problem to adress. Some of the games, like Mario, might be considered overused now, but it's not like they're improving the graphics and throwing it out again. No, each time, they're coming up with new adventures and making improvements all around, and not because they want to make a buck. It's because the publishers through Nintendo /want/ to make good games, and they are.
-----Staying in the past
Miyamoto et al. have created a new foundation and ideal for Nintendo--that the age of graphics is nearly over, that we've come far enough, and now we need to start focusing on gameplay. Nintendo's definitely not going to stop improving their graphics, as we've seen in the stats for the Revolution. Graphics are cool, yeah, but think about it. Would you rather have a great game with poor graphics (think early Sonic or Mario) or great graphics and a game that wasn't fun or couldn't keep your attention?
------The Controller
Ah, the controller. Yes, this amazing, shocking, almost crazy idea that somehow got into Nintendo's head. The controller really does look like a remote, and it doesn't have as many buttons as you would expect it to. It's pretty much a gyroscopic controller that relays its sensor's readings to the Revolution, somewhat like a lightgun, except this doesn't use the scan lines on the television, it actually reads where you are in its 3D field. Many doubt that this controller is going to work well if at all. If you read the reviews of the controller at IGN, they say that it works very well as a controller, even though nobody expected it to. Recently, too, IGN has stated that Nintendo WILL make a controller addon so that you can play the games in regular gamecube-controller mode, but with one difference: you can keep the gyroscopes working.
Also, Sony and MS are sticking to the traditional two-handed controller, which limits controls and possibilities for new innovations. The EyeToy for the PS2 wasn't as big as a success as hoped, but it was a leap out there that I thought was interesting.
-----Home Networking?
No, sadly, the Revolution won't connect up to your home network (not the same as Wireless Internet), even though it probably will connect to your DS, as with the PS3 and the PSP. I have a home network already set up with media center, though, so it's not a big deal for me. For those who want/need to set up a home network with their console and share music/movies/photos, the best choice is Microsoft's XBox 360 with Media Center on your computers.
-----Gamecube Was A Failure!!!!!111
Nintendo's really making an effort this time. Gamecube was not a failure, it had better graphics than the PS2 and overall a better compilation of better games.
So, it's pretty much up to you whether you think the Revolution will be successful or not, but you can't tell me that it won't be innovative, unique, and overall a good system.Updated
OK, people, I know I missed a couple of topics I could have discussed, so, if you want to see my opinion on a certain console, or want to have a small debate with me, leave a comment and I'll update my review with an answer.Updated
(I have already posted my answer in a reply to his comment, but I'm going to make an edit because I think it's important) Don't worry, man, they're definitely going to have enough developer support. The controller isn't going to make a bad difference, in fact, it's for the good. IGN says that the controller add-on is going to entice more developers to the scene, while keeping the old ones (for example, EA Games) around for more oppurtunities.
Many developers considered pulling some support from games to the Revolution, but when the add-on was announced, they flocked back, very interested. Obviously, they were afraid that the controller would not work for what they were trying to get to, and the add-on did, maybe because it added more buttons, maybe because of increased functionility. But, whatever the case, you can be sure that we'll have the old developers and a couple of new ones on the side.
Thanks for reading..
--Danny--Updated
Yeah, I think the new Legend of Zelda game's release at around that time is a good idea, but only to an extent. If you've got a new console out, then what's the purpose of making a Gamecube version exclusively? Oh well, they might switch to Revolution once Nintendo gives them more details... or they could release a slightly modified Revolution-game.
Either way, I'm sure anyone who's ever played a LoZ game is looking forward to this release, and I'd buy a Revolution just for it. That sounds kind of fanatical, but its developers have said that this is going to be the best game yet--so I'm definitely looking forward to it.
Cheers.
--Danny--
- 4 replies to this review
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I heard the reason they delayed the release of the legend of Zelda:the twilight princess because it has features only availible on the revolution. when u put it in the system u can choose which controller to use. UJust a rumor tho. i wouldn't read too much into it. actually i would, but u know, wattever
TATSUMAN AWAAAAAAAAAAY!!!! -
Great post, though I needed no motivation to get the Revolution this definitely answers some questions for skeptics. In regards to a launch date for the Revolution I believe a march or April release is incredibly plausable. What other big Nintendo release is coming out around that same time??? The Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess. Though the game will be a GC title, for gamers who don't have a GC it may convince them to pick up a Revolution due to backwards compatability. Would you agree that this is a logical thing for Nintendo to do.
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i think its to little too soon even though it has a few good sounding games like pgr3, and test drive unltd
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But in the end its really going to come down to developer support, and coming out last w/ their next gen console isnt going to help.
Where to buy
Nintendo Wii:
$199.95 - $219.99
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Directron.com
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$219.99 | No |
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$199.99 | Yes |
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