Editorial
I’ve been sold the cool angle for the Xbox 360, and I’ve spent half a day bashing my head against a wall trying to figure out if that KillZone II footage is pre-rendered or not. Now its time to scratch my head, scoff, and, eventually clap for the battle torn veteran, Nintendo. The longest lasting console maker has been the quietest before this week. This tactic pays off, allowing people like myself (and critics who’s opinions matter) to let their imaginations run wild. Just by remaining silent, the company once laughed at for making ‘just a toy’ is now the subject of the most speculation. Let the games begin.
Unlike the other big boys’ presentations, the Nintendo press event covered a wide verity of products and strategies, all with an air of parody, both of themselves and the competition. Nintendo waited the longest to go online, making them the first to be completely wireless. Wifi connectivity is going to be their angle to sell the DS, which should give Sony a run for its money. In a stroke of genius, E3 goers can bring their DS units this year and play new games on the floor. No glass cases, this is actually a real demo out of the hands of the exhibitor. It takes the kind of guts, and lunacy, only Nintendo has.
In the kiddie for adults department, Nintendo is going way beyond the world of beanie babies with two hot products. The Nintendo Dogs, a virtual pet program, makes me want to go out and buy a DS. It pushes the make believe critter thing further than before, with voice recognition, the DS’s touch pad, and interaction with other pets via the wireless connection. This baby’s gonna sell well to 8 year old kinds, 28 year old decorators, and 80 year olds alike. Looking at this game and others shown make me think about dropping the cash on the DS.
The other big surprise is the GameBoy Micro. Continuing the brand management of GameBoy, which one day will be found in marketing text books, Nintendo has taken the best selling gamming device in history and shrunk it down to a tiny size and gave it customizable face plates and still plays GBA games. I predict the thing will bring in loads of cash, buzz and brand loyalty this Christmas if it falls around the $50 range.
Last, and least, is the introduction of the Nintendo Revolution. The house that Mario built didn’t bother with real technical aspects, either because they are not sure yet, or distance themselves from the ‘My processor is bigger than yours’ battle between Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo kept themselves to the simple features that will always define the system, and a few cryptic hints of the future.
The Revolution will be small, in the same size range as the PS2. Nintendo jumps on the band wagon of backward compatibility, with the system playing both those kooky little Cube disks and its own normal sized format. But Nintendo takes it further, saying the Revolution should be able to support every game ever made for the NES, Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64. The games will be available to down load (via wireless connection) to inexpensive flash memory. The system will play DVDs with a purchased peripheral as well. And that’s all they are really saying.
So, how do I feel about the next generation consoles after staying up too late to watch streaming video of press events? At the moment I am loyal to the big, bulky Xbox, but selling a multi-media device and online life style aid does not replace real game play footage. Perhaps it’s just because the 360 hasn’t gotten into the hands of developers in its final form. The footage from the PS3 camp is hot, but I don’t trust Sony to show me nothing but real time game play footage. And booth systems sound real pricey.
I have to say I was most impressed by Nintendo’s showing. This is funny, because about 48 hours ago I had them pegged to drop out of the console fight after this generation. Maybe it’s the lack of information, allowing me to form my own idea of the image. Or perhaps nostalgia got the best of me. But I can’t confuse sentimental attachments for Nintendo’s attempt to reach out to my inner child and take his money. I’ve realized Nintendo is the best at making simple games that are easy to pick up and play, and appeal to all ages. I must admit Sony and Microsoft are bad at this.
Or maybe the Revolution will have the lowest price.
WASD WRITER
I’ve been sold the cool angle for the Xbox 360, and I’ve spent half a day bashing my head against a wall trying to figure out if that KillZone II footage is pre-rendered or not. Now its time to scratch my head, scoff, and, eventually clap for the battle torn veteran, Nintendo. The longest lasting console maker has been the quietest before this week. This tactic pays off, allowing people like myself (and critics who’s opinions matter) to let their imaginations run wild. Just by remaining silent, the company once laughed at for making ‘just a toy’ is now the subject of the most speculation. Let the games begin.
Unlike the other big boys’ presentations, the Nintendo press event covered a wide verity of products and strategies, all with an air of parody, both of themselves and the competition. Nintendo waited the longest to go online, making them the first to be completely wireless. Wifi connectivity is going to be their angle to sell the DS, which should give Sony a run for its money. In a stroke of genius, E3 goers can bring their DS units this year and play new games on the floor. No glass cases, this is actually a real demo out of the hands of the exhibitor. It takes the kind of guts, and lunacy, only Nintendo has.
In the kiddie for adults department, Nintendo is going way beyond the world of beanie babies with two hot products. The Nintendo Dogs, a virtual pet program, makes me want to go out and buy a DS. It pushes the make believe critter thing further than before, with voice recognition, the DS’s touch pad, and interaction with other pets via the wireless connection. This baby’s gonna sell well to 8 year old kinds, 28 year old decorators, and 80 year olds alike. Looking at this game and others shown make me think about dropping the cash on the DS.
The other big surprise is the GameBoy Micro. Continuing the brand management of GameBoy, which one day will be found in marketing text books, Nintendo has taken the best selling gamming device in history and shrunk it down to a tiny size and gave it customizable face plates and still plays GBA games. I predict the thing will bring in loads of cash, buzz and brand loyalty this Christmas if it falls around the $50 range.
Last, and least, is the introduction of the Nintendo Revolution. The house that Mario built didn’t bother with real technical aspects, either because they are not sure yet, or distance themselves from the ‘My processor is bigger than yours’ battle between Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo kept themselves to the simple features that will always define the system, and a few cryptic hints of the future.
The Revolution will be small, in the same size range as the PS2. Nintendo jumps on the band wagon of backward compatibility, with the system playing both those kooky little Cube disks and its own normal sized format. But Nintendo takes it further, saying the Revolution should be able to support every game ever made for the NES, Super Nintendo and Nintendo 64. The games will be available to down load (via wireless connection) to inexpensive flash memory. The system will play DVDs with a purchased peripheral as well. And that’s all they are really saying.
So, how do I feel about the next generation consoles after staying up too late to watch streaming video of press events? At the moment I am loyal to the big, bulky Xbox, but selling a multi-media device and online life style aid does not replace real game play footage. Perhaps it’s just because the 360 hasn’t gotten into the hands of developers in its final form. The footage from the PS3 camp is hot, but I don’t trust Sony to show me nothing but real time game play footage. And booth systems sound real pricey.
I have to say I was most impressed by Nintendo’s showing. This is funny, because about 48 hours ago I had them pegged to drop out of the console fight after this generation. Maybe it’s the lack of information, allowing me to form my own idea of the image. Or perhaps nostalgia got the best of me. But I can’t confuse sentimental attachments for Nintendo’s attempt to reach out to my inner child and take his money. I’ve realized Nintendo is the best at making simple games that are easy to pick up and play, and appeal to all ages. I must admit Sony and Microsoft are bad at this.
Or maybe the Revolution will have the lowest price.
WASD WRITER
