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Nintendo of Japan Shows Classic Controller
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Corporate News, E3, Hardware, Wii,
One of the forum members on Maxconsole.net found some images of the Wii controller and the actions it supports, as well as the new Wii Classic Controller.
The site shows some of the Wii controller stuff that is already known, including the pointer, shake, rumble, and sound functions, but also shows off the Classic Controller.
The new Classic Controller has a d-pad, and two analog sticks, but the arrangement of the buttons is more like a PS2 controller, while the shape is the ovoid shape of the classic Super Nintendo joypad. The controller has a wire, unfortunately, but there are enough buttons to handle standard NES, Super Nintendo, and Nintendo 64 games. The button layout may be a little weird for Gamecube games, but standard Gamecube controllers can be connected to the Wii, so this shouldn’t be that big of a deal.
[The Classic controller actually plugs into the nunchuk port on the Wii’s standard controller. And the second analog stick acts as the C-button control set for N64 games. We had a chance to play with it, and it actually works stunningly well.—Chris Cardinal]
Read More 
| Nintendo.co.jp via Maxconsole.net
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Live From E3: Wii Kicks Ass, Takes Names, Hella Fun
Posted by Chris Cardinal Categories: E3, Nintendo, Wii,
We got our hands on Wii and it’s absolutely amazing. The controller is comfortable and intuitive and moves as you’d expect. The force feedback is meaningful and not just superfluous, indicating gently that you’ve hit the tennis ball or fired your gun. I had a chance to play Wii Sports: Tennis and Wii Sports: Baseball. Baseball was a bit of a challenge, because I actually had to hold the controller like a bat.
The Nintendo booth guy kept reminding me to keep my back elbow straight (advice I hadn’t heard for years) and to not forget about the follow through. I was absolutely amazed by how fluid the bat moved in response to my actual motions. Move the bat around in a circle on your shoulder and the bat rotates on your character’s shoulder in time. Take a swing, and the trajectory is mapped to the game for either a successful home run or one of many foul tips.
Tennis was a lot of fun, and I found it surprising at first that both games relied very little on the controller’s buttons. We have a lot of video coming up of Wii, since Nintendo’s massive-yet-still-crammed booth is where we spent the first four hours of today, but I wanted to get this preliminary post out to let you all know we’re working on covering everything we can. Wii seems to be the most popular attraction so far, but that’s just at a cursory glance, and apparently there are at least a few people trying to get into the PS3 demo.
9:38am: Miyamoto kicks things off by conducting a digital orchestra to provide the background music, using a Wii controller to control the ebb and flow of the musical tempo. This is going to kick ass.
9:40am: An extended version of the demo video they launched a few months ago, which only showed the players interacting with the controller now show us some real gameplay shots of the new Mario, Zelda and Metroid franchises, along with a bunch of other gameplay concepts.
9:42am: Reggie tells us now, “As for price and release date, we believe it’s in our best interest to keep that information to ourselves just a while longer. But let’s just say that we’ll provide more fun for cheaper and that’ll be available in the fourth quarter of 2005.” Thanks, Reggie.
9:55am: After another demo video, Reggie discusses Zelda as the “best Zelda game Nintendo has ever made, as well as the most beautiful game Nintendo has ever made.” It will be available at Wii’s launch.
9:56am: They’re now demoing the control scheme for Twilight Princess on the Wii. The remote acts as a pointer and aiming utility, guided by crosshairs or a fairy. “Built into the Wii remote is a speaker.” Sound will “travel” from the remote to the TV based on your actions and add some great depth of sound and interaction. There’s also still the built-in rumble.
10:02am: Confirmed title for the Wii Mario game: Super Mario Galaxy. Jumping from planet to planet, Mario is apparently able to survive in a vacuum.
10:06am: Reggie is going over all the first- and third-party games that will be available, including Madden ‘07, Tony Hawk, and a ton more, all reinvented to take advantage of the Wii’s crazy “freehand controller” system.
10:07am: “And while we’re not going to specify a launch number right now, you will be playing 27 games tomorrow on the show floor.” That bodes very well for the launch number, I’m thinking.
10:11am: The French developer of Red Steel is demoing the control system and physics engine, along with the graphics of Redsteel. It’s looking pretty impressive, but above all, the controls are where it’s at. The motion-sensitive nunchuck adds an entirely separately range of motion and interaction to these games.
10:13am: Oh, and Reggie let slip that there are still a few secrets left surrounding the controller, even after the news of the internal speaker has broke. But they’re not going to tell us quite yet.
10:16am: George Harrison talks about the DS and DS Lite’s new offerings, including VOIP over their Wifi Connection, a new Zelda title (The Phantom Hourglass) and Final Fantasy III. There will be over 100 new games for the Nintendo DS between now and the end of the year. Star Fox and Yoshi DS games are also in the works. Excitement abounds.
10:23am: Saturo Iwata tells us the goal since he’s become president of Nintendo has been to expand the total number of people playing games. He wants to include those who used to play but have lost interest, and those who have never played before.
10:24am: Iwata is talking about the success of Brain Age and Nintendogs. Oh, and I’m absolutely starving. (In the hyperbolic sense more than the third-world country sense, natch.)
10:25am: Iwata is now talking about the fond memories gamers have of the older games we used to play. Now he’s mentioning how unaccetpable even a 30 or 40 second load time is… We designed Wii to provide owners a variety of services even when it appears off. “WiiConnect24” runs even when the Wii is “off,” using just the power of a small lightbulb. “This means developers can push a new weapon or vehicle to you, even while you sleep.” “In Animal Crossing, anytime the console is in standby, that a friend has visited their village and left a message or gift.” “Networking software is included in the hardware.”
10:31am: WiiSports: A combination that will include tennis, baseball and golf in one package and available on launch day. This controller is going to completely reinvent the sports video game genre. Seeing the beads of sweat dripping off a player is only so nice; controlling them in a way that’s absolutely immersive and fun strikes me truly as the next big thing. But I’m a Nintendo fanboy, so there’s that.
10:33am: Now, Miyamoto is announcing their online contest winner, who will get to come on stage and play, for the first time.
10:36am: The winner is now playing doubles with Reggie, Miyamoto and Iwata. The idea is to showcase exactly how intuitive a system like this is, in that the winner has never played the Wii before and is still able to get right into it and go, with no real explanations.
10:40am: Reggie closes things up with a bit of a marketing spiel and the tagline “playing is believing.” We’ll get to believe tomorrow, I suppose.
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The latest Time Magazine has an impressive preview of Nintendo’s Wii, and confirms a few rumors that have been cruising around the Internet. First, the reporter at Time loves the Wii, and loves the controller. Time got to see three of the games in development, starting with Wario Ware, and it sounds like a blast: “In one hot minute, I use the controller to swat a fly, do squat-thrusts as a weight lifter, turn a key in a lock, catch a fish, drive a car, sauté some vegetables, balance a broom on my outstretched hand, color in a circle and fence with a foil. And yes, dance the hula.” Second, they get some hands on time with the Zelda: Twilight Princess, and they confirm the use of the Wii controller in game, in which the gamer is “sword fighting with the controller, then aiming a bow and arrow, then using it as a fishing rod, reeling in a stubborn virtual fish…” Finally, they play tennis on the Wii, and again the gameplay seems natural.
The article also drops a little insight into Nintendo’s strategy for the new console, and the market they are going after. Nintendo really wants the new console to be all-encompassing, and to attract people who possibly have never gamed before. One could take the Brain Age marketing strategy as an example, or perhaps see the Wii in the same light as the iPod: not the most powerful on the market, but simple enough for anyone to use, and just powerful enough to do what it has to do. The full article has been transcribed on Digg, and should hopefully show up on the Time website soon.
Update: Full article online here.
Read More | Full Article on Digg.com
Read More | Post at GoNintendo.com
Nintendo, perhaps feeling lonely after much of the fury over “Wii,” is now trying to hitch on to the DaVinci Code meme, with its own little puzzle, “The Luigi Code.” The “news” article promises E3 secrets, if only the reader can crack the code. The page leaves oddly capitalized letters interspersed within the document, a big clue to the nature of the code right there. Of course, impatient readers can just head over to Infendo, and get the cracked code. Not since “A Christmas Story” has a decrypted message not lived up to the hype.
Read More | The Luigi Code
Read More | Solution at Infendo.com
Analysts Predict Next Generation Marketshare
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360,
In a 188-page report from securities firm Wedbush Morgan Securities, analysts lay out what they believe to be the state of the market over the next few years. Their projections indicate that Microsoft will hold onto their market lead for around two years, and then, as HD viewing and media formats take over the market, eventually the lead will be ceded to Sony. Not surprisingly, the analysts pick Nintendo to take third in marketshare. US and European market share for the first two years is projected to be roughly 42 percent Xbox 360, 39 percent PS3, with Nintendo following at 19 percent, giving Microsoft a scant lead over Sony. Sony’s decision to integrate HD media into their console will drive sales further after this, pushing them to a 45 percent to 35 percent lead over Microsoft. It is interesting to see the analysts’ positions on the future console war, and its hard to argue with the numbers as is, but projecting leadership out to such a large degree rests on assumptions whose accuracy could be challenged. At any rate, it looks like Microsoft will cut into Sony’s massive lead in the marketplace, surely good news for Microsoft. Knowing that Microsoft is making a large investment now to gain market share, should Microsoft fail to add to its user base after the launch of the PS3, Microsoft’s losses could be disastrous. Of course, the same could be said about Sony’s upcoming PS3 launch. The next year will be critical for all platforms’ future success.
Read More | Next Generation
Nintendo Revolution Name Revealed: Nintendo Wii
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Corporate News, Wii,
Nintendo has officially named their next generation console, formerly known as the Revolution. Gamers going to revolution.nintendo.com can see a brief video announcing the new name, “Wii,” and the following text:
As in “we.”
While the code-name “Revolution” expressed our direction, Wii represents the answer.
Wii will break down that wall that separates video game players from everybody else.
Wii will put people more in touch with their games … and each other. But you’re probably asking: What does the name mean?
Wii sounds like “we,” which emphasizes this console is for everyone.
Wii can easily be remembered by people around the world, no matter what language they speak. No confusion. No need to abbreviate. Just Wii.
Wii has a distinctive “ii” spelling that symbolizes both the unique controllers and the image of people gathering to play.
And Wii, as a name and a console, brings something revolutionary to the world of video games that sets it apart from the crowd.
So that’s Wii. But now Nintendo needs you.
Because, it’s really not about you or me.
It’s about Wii.
And together, Wii will change everything.
To say reaction has been mixed across the Internet would be an understatement. “Revolution,” while not particularly unique, made a strong statement about Nintendo’s plan of attack. “Wii” is more ambiguous; most people wouldn’t understand how to pronounce it without Nintendo’s cues. However, “Wii” is more inclusive. While a Revolution is associated with violent change, “Wii” says something more about community. “Revolution” was a strong code name, and it spoke to gamers of the fight Nintendo would face with their new console. “Wii” seems to be more about attracting non-gamers as customers. Whatever impact the name eventually has, the naming has certainly caused a stir and gotten the press’ attention, which may be more important.
Revolution Nunchaku Controller Motion Sensing
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Rumors, Wii,
A developer “incredibly close to Nintendo” has apparently confirmed to Advanced Media Network that the additional “nunchaku” controller add-on for the Nintendo Revolution will also have a built-in accelerometer, allowing it the same motion sensing capabilities of the main controller. If true, this could add an additional element of interaction to games, making the user experience more multi-dimensional. According to AMN’s source, this feature has been included since the shipments of the development kits six months ago. Why this hasn’t been mentioned before was speculated on by AMN, but it could just be that this functionality was assumed to be present and just “confirmed” now.
Read More | Advanced Media Network
Sony, Nintendo, Then Microsoft: Pre-E3 Schedule Set
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Corporate News, E3, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360,
If all goes as scheduled, Sony, then Nintendo, and finally Microsoft will let the gaming world know their plans for the upcoming year. It looks like Sony will lead the pack on Monday, May 8th. At 2:00 PM in the Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, California. Sony should be playing up the PS3, possibly playing up themes like realistic gaming experiences and convergence. The day after Sony’s announcements brings Nintendo to the plate.
May 9, 2006, at 9:30 AM in the Kodak Theater in Hollywood will hopefully bring all Nintendo devotees the answers they are looking for in the Revolution. Nintendo will most likely be stumping for its unique game line-up, and continue to drill into the concept of games for everyone. The Revolution will take center stage, but also expect to hear about the DS Lite, and Nintendo will tout the success of their non-traditional content like Brain Age.
The last of the major pre-E3 conferences will be Microsoft’s. Microsoft will hold court at 11:30 AM at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Microsoft will certainly claim their successes in the Xbox 360 launch, and talk about Xbox Live adoption numbers. It should be expected that Microsoft will hammer home the fact that they have their console on the market now, and that there is strong content available now, and there will be great content in the future. It is possible that the HD-DVD add-on will be announced, but this certainly will not be the focus. Microsoft’s story in the upcoming year should be community, content, and availability.
It will be interesting to see how the announcements play out, especially in how each company addresses the others.
Read More | Gamasutra
Nintendo, AOL Announce “First to Play” Sweepstakes
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Corporate News, Wii,
Nintendo and AOL have announced that the two companies are co-sponsoring the Nintendo First To Play Sweepstakes. Starting April 21, at 9AM Pacific Time, gamers interested in becoming the first consumer to play the Nintendo Revolution during the Nintendo Media Briefing on May 9th will get their shot. Three winners will receive a trip for two to Los Angeles, passes for the Media Briefing, $200, a Nintendo Shirt, and a DS Lite with Mario Bros. DS. One of the three will get the chance to become one of the first people to play the Nintendo Revolution. The Mario Bros. and DS Lite prize pack might indicate that Nintendo will release the DS Lite in the US when the game ships on May 15th…
Read More | Nintendo First to Play Sweepstakes
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