So, big news from Nintendo recently was their new controller for the new Revolution. I will give them credit for making something very new and unique. It looks like this:
Now, how I understand it, it works like a magic wand. First of all, that left analog stick is a removable addon to the standard “wand” controller. There are going to be other such add ons, I’ve read. (Think throttle, mouse, “light gun”, etc.). So, take the main “wand” thing (I’m going to just keep calling it a wand, even though it looks like a TV remote from 1987)… now imagine you have a cube floating in front of you, hovering in space. Hold that wand inside of that cube.. now, move the wand to the left, to the right, forward, back, up, down, tilt to the left, right, jerk back, flick forward..etc.. All of these actions are then matched on screen. Remember when virtual reality was the big rage, and they had those games where people stood inside those small rings, and wore giant helmets and waved their arms around like idiots? I can kind of see this as a practical way to take that and make it usable at home… anyway, you’ve seen the thing now, so now I spout.
The New Nintendo Controller is the Stupidest Thing I’ve Ever Seen
I’m not gonna lie.. I was sitting in the bar at the conference the first night, and Joel told me that they’ve revealed the new Revolution controller, and showed me the picture… and I thought “Wow.. that sucks.” These guys are trying so hard to make me give up on Nintendo. Seriously, that looks “teh lame”. (Teh Lame — A state of being [for an object] such that at least two of the following qualities are possessed:
).The biggest problem I can think of when looking at the thing is this: Okay, that was neat for that one gimmicky game, now I’d like to play a normal game… oh, wait, you can’t do that with this magic wand thing. Every game must be a gimmicky game in order to be played, it seems. How many games can be played with 1 or 2 buttons these days? Now, what worthwhile game can be played with 1 or 2 buttons these days? For the record, I do not consider raising a virtual puppy a “game”. The thing I thought was kewl about the Nintendo DS was that it allowed you to use these new features, but didn’t force you to use only the new features. Every game wasn’t “poke the screen to make things happy”. Mario Kart DS doesn’t use the touch screen stuff at all, as far as I can tell. So if after the first and second generation of games come out, people decide that touchscreen is interesting, but not really great as the primary control structure for gaming… the DS isn’t screwed.. it can still play games normally, and eventually arrive at a good balance.. Because the system doesn’t force every game to use it, it allows game makers and gamers to find how best to incorporate that bit of technology into the whole gaming world. With this magic wand it seems like it’s “use it, or watch a movie.” Unless every game turns into a “A button performs all your actions”, you’re kinds screwed. What happens if gamers decide that the whole magic wand idea isn’t that much fun? Will there be games for the Revolution that don’t use that functionality? From the first pictures I saw, it would be hard to imagine… The attached analog stick could control movement I suppose.. but then you’ve only got a few buttons to do things with. It just seems like too much of a risk, and too much reliance on novelty to fuel this thing. I considered the N64 controller pretty radical, but in a good way. It took a little getting used to, but it was still buttons and a control stick, and once used to it, it was fantastic. The Gamecube controller was the next step forward.. with an even more comfortable design, and the only real downside was the odd Z button that seemed out of place and kind of a waste.. But these controllers were still essentially based on the same mold. This new one is something completely different.. and that could blow up in their face.
The New Nintendo Controller could be really fun
I was thinking about going with the title “The New Nintendo Controller is the spiffiest thing I’ve ever seen”, but frankly, that’d be a lie. It’s not even the kewlest thing I’ve seen that week (Ipod Nanos look pretty kewl).. but I will stick with the belief (after a full night of thinking about it and talking to others interested in such things) that this controller could be really fun. I have a few reasons to believe this is the case. First, is faith. I have faith in Nintendo, and I have very rarely been let down. I believe Nintendo knows what it is doing, and is capable of making some really fun things. Nintendo made Zelda. Zelda is the greatest game franchise ever created. Nintendo seems to make sure that the things they make are fun. As a result, you don’t get the volume of games you might get from other companies (Look through the list of Playstation games vs. Nintendo Gamecube games), but if you grabbed a Nintendo Game made by Nintendo, you can be pretty certain that it’s going to be fun, and well done.
Reason 2 is potential. There is the potential for a lot of real fun with this kind of setup. At first, I did not think so.. but I thought about it a bit, and talked to people (I recall a conversation with Andy in particular) and the types of things that were first brought up in a mocking tone sounded more and more plausible, and fun, the more we got into it. Can you imagine using this controller as though it were a sword in The Legend of Zelda? At first, that sounds stupid and hokey.. then it starts to sound really kewl. I guess it’s all a matter of if it’s done well. Here’s an example: I remember a few years back when all of a sudden these sports video game system things were all the rage.. There’d be some baseball game that came with a bat, and something that went with the TV, and you could swing and it’d match that motion on screen. Interesting idea, almost certainly very, very lame in reality. But have you ever seen or played the virtual golf games they have at sports bars and arcades, etc? Those things look really fun.. I have friends who have played them, and assure me it is indeed fun. Same idea, one done well, one done poorly. If Zelda on the Revolution takes the “my controller is my sword” idea, and implements it so poorly that your flicking the thing back and forth is no different than if you had just pressed a button, then yeah, that’s stupid. Also, if throwing the boomerang requires you to actually throw the thing, then I think there’ll be problems (unless it magically comes back to you, in which case that’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard of, ever) But if it’s done really well, and how you attack is actually how your attack appears on screen, and the enemies react properly, suddenly this game has taken on a whole new level of realism that no improvement in graphics or sound could ever give you. So long as there is a good variety of games, all taking advantage of this setup in clever but put together ways, this could usher in a whole new era of gaming. One other example to sell it: One of my favorite parts of Zelda: Ocarina of Time was the fishing lake. It blew me away how fun, and how “real” it felt to go fishing with this analog controller with a rumble pack built in.. back in the day when rumble packs were new an
d different. Now think of that game with this controller. The trick is to make that somehow work for every other environment and game situation. That’s pretty exciting.
The third reason I have to be excited about this new controller is more just an alleviation of fear. I read recently that Nintendo is working on a cradle for the controller that’ll still allow all the new functionality to work while giving gamers a few more buttons and controls to work with. IGN whipped up a mockup that had me all excited [until I realized it was a mockup.. but still] that gives (hopefully) a good idea of what that could be:
So… concerns about limiting the thing die away fairly quickly. Suddenly, traditional games seem more possible. So there it is… I remain cautiously optimistic. My original rule continues to apply: “If they make a Zelda for it, I’ll have to own it.” Odds are I’ll join my fellow fan boys and Nintendo bitches to buy one opening day… I kinda wonder how Mario Kart for this thing will work…


My whole family loves Zelda, my girls most of all. And the fishing in OfT was quite probably the high point of any of the Zeldas.
Ever caught the Hylian Loach? It requires the sinking lure and it’s easier with the heavy boots.. Takes a while, but is pretty fun, though the reward from the merchant is less than satisfying.
I remember sitting in my dorm room my freshman year, with about 12 of us sitting around watching one guy trying to catch the Loach, and when he did, we rejoiced.
I know not this Loach of which you speak. How does one find it?
It’s not there every time, but it is there often (I believe you have to be an adult, and have caught something at least 18 pounds..) Then find the sinking lure, and stick around the deep water, and look for the dark eel like creature. It’s not there every time, but is there fairly often. Getting him to actually bite on the lure is rather difficult, and catching him can take a while.
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I AM A NINTENDO FIEND BUT ALL U FAGS LOST ME ON THE WHOLE NINTENDO REV SYSTEM WE ARE LOSEIN AN UP HILL BATTLE TO THE TOP IN LESS THEN ILL SAY I GIVE US 10 years be for we are knock out the race for good!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i beleive in nintendo , zelda is the greatest game of all time (the entire series) but i do hope the mockup controller cradle idea comes real (or maybe some sort of way to plug in a N64/GC controler in the back of new remote, to play retro games with true controler ( ie using OOT with gamecube controler just didnt work for me i wanted the n64 )
I think the controller needs more buttons than a,b. From the pictures i’ve seen it only has a few at best. Zelda is indeed the best game ever. Hopefully there are some better storylines in the revolution, Super Mario Sunshine? I rest my case. Except in saying the last boss sucked!!!!!!!
i love nintendo revolution
I couldn’t agree more. I think this will be nintendo’s suiside move, or it could be a smart thing to do. Personaly, im glad they have an attachment to make it a more “traditional” style controller, but sone things will still work with it’s standard format. One more thing… People will look retarded using it, unless they decide to limit their motions (flicking their wrist instead of flailing their arm, for example).
i think the controller is real shit….2 Buttons????forgot it
The “side kick” with the anolog has 2 more buttons on it so…who knows? I think its realy cool and if they copywrite or what ever then it’ll be the best thing since the wireless controler. (Only sony an microsoft will have to make there own ideas up! hahaha…any how the other add ons ive seen look promising if there OPTINAL. Wat if we rent the game an not the add on?But they probably already know that. So i guess it all comes down to this. Nentendo makes something cheap(in cost) that may not have the best system out there but they no what it need for there games so…cant go wrong.
it sucks
How in the hell do i play all my zelda games on this decrepid piece of mule shit
ya yo the controller is mad gay but if it has the add on then it should b alright but i heard that this system is gonna b more den da 360 nd da ps3 and if it is then i dont think a lot fo ppl r gonna get da nintendo
nintendo in my opion is !@$# gay!!!!! the controler is a !#$@ stuipid mother !@$# #@!! 6$%# and i would not be subprised if someone shoots a 50 bullit in the system sens it back saying i could not handel the stupidity so !#@$ nintendo rvelooooootion i’m getting a ps3!!!!
its me again just one more thing the dvd player
is sould sepretly for $150.00 dallers you can just
get a ps3 and !@%$ allover nintendo revelooooooootion
Ron, I congratulate you on your popularity. Apparently your moron honeypot has attracted a banner crop!
Joel: Thanks. 5 more and I qualify for a government grant.
Why is there a revoluition controler in a gamecube controler? Is that how people can play normally without using the romote control-like conroler?
Why is there a revoluition controler in a gamecube controler? Is that how people can play normally without using the romote control-like conroler?
^ winner! ^
Evan is GAY
kolopo
My name is Inu, I have a carrot!
Sweedish fish rule you brain….
AKA. im a Sweedish Fish….
you SUCK…
i loooove you!!
NINTENDO YOU LET US DOWN..FUCK YOU
NINTENDO REVO/OVER
this is the best thing eva and the game zelda is the best game in the world
This is the shit man and Darklink88 gotta leanback with his gay ass shit the control is hot dickwod
Firstly there are 6 normal buttons you just press then there’s the D-pad which is basically four buttons then the analogue stick. That’s an ok number of buttons right? + primary aiming and moving and stuff is done with the actuall moving of the controller which replaces another analogue stick that would normally take it’s place. I say the revolution controller is PERFECT!
I think that slowly over the next decade xbox and PS3 are going to start dissapearing while Nintendo comes out with more and more systems based on the Revolution controller, upgrading with all sorts of special features and incredibly interactive fun games. While Nintendo skyrockets xbox and PS3 will struggle to stay in the race by making ‘new systems’ which in there minds means absolutely nothing but increase graphics… THAT’S IT! Just the graphics! As usuall!
I
WAS,
AM,
AND
ALWAYS
WILL
BE
OMNICIENT
Nintendo is awsome and any one against it (like evan perhaps) will be feeling the sharp pain of having a fork shoved up their ass! Along with any other shiny, prickly objects I can find.
This controller is a piece of shit i fuken hate it how stupid can these guys get o my god im pissed this thing will kill nintendo if they keep that gay controlller im sayin fuk the revolution and ps3 here i come!
dude no offense to any of you nerds…i like the revolution but u ppl r just so…fucking….stupid…honestly think about actually swinging the sword instead of button mashing…..and ryan you just need to go burn in hell with the rest of you gay little haters HOW THE HELL CAN U NOT LIKE SOMETHING IF U HAVE NEVER TRIED IT?!?!?!?!you fucking 1st grade moron!that is all thank you ^.^
secondly get lives
o one last thing omnicient one thing big use a pineapple on even i hear they hurt more ^.^
evan*
I trust nintendo and i think that they know that if they didn’t make that cradle they’d be practically throwing away their money.
By the way, I agree with you don’t need to know but if I’d have said it I wouldn’t have sweared so much. :[)
man i have to agree with you if it has a zelda game im getting it. i was already pissed when they posponed twilight princess!
There are some losers in life aint there? zelda is nice
I haven’t owned a nintendo system since the snes but had high hopes of buying the Revolution/Wii but then I saw the 1978 curtis mathis remote control…that Piece of Shit speaks 4 itself
I belive the nintendo Revolution gots a pretty good future most people on G4 started to like it after the site of the new controller. And it seems the remote is just a secondary contoller besides Im waiting for super smash bros 3 to come out for it.
your all nerds
Some of you are real idiots.. If you are going to criticise the Revolution (Aka Nintendo Wii) then PLEASE, please at least try it beforehand.
well, i have looked through umteen websites (alot) and have found that this tilted box with a cheap light stuck to the side of it is gonan be like $300!!! and you can get other utilities on it, including a DVD player and PLUG-INS etc. so in total about $500, what stupid retarded ideot is going to prance up to a shop nd buy this piece of claptrap?……..and the controler….OMG! like sum1 said b4 there gonna look like a rite retard swaying dis controla around, i bet it says on the back ‘not suitable for children’ ‘Nintendo will not take responsibility for any injuries caused by this contraption’ cant sum1 tell me….does it lay on its side? or does it have to look like it sank into the table?
if nintendo doesnt do something with the controller nintendo is gonna suck ps3 balls cause this ‘thing’ is gonna be nintendos revolution death. in other words nintendo is not the ‘best’ company anymore
it sucks man this controller is so ugly that even the atari is better ans by the way andy is gay and he sucks my balls