Mr eel
The Nintendo Revolution Controller Inspires Awe, Disbelief and Derision
For many Nintendo fan-boys, the big day has come. Nintendo have finally revealed the Revolution controller. IGN Cube have had a hands-on demo.
It looks really interesting. Dramatically different to anything else on the market. In case anyone was in doubt, Nintendo weren’t kidding when they said they wanted to do something totally different. It shows the Xbox 360 and PS3 for what they are. Same shit, new packaging.
As always, IGN’s editorialisation is half-arsed.
“However, the exciting part is that most games that are actually made for Revolution will be very unique and that’s what Nintendo is aiming for. Unfortunately, as the DS has proven, unique doesn’t always equal better gameplay.”
The first part of this statement is correct. There are plenty of unique and crappy games. However, I disagree with the second half. Granted quality is subjective, but I think it’s incorrect to imply that the DS has failed to produce any great games.
Let me count the games (ways)! Pac-Pix, Kirby’s Cursed Canvas, Wario Ware, Nintendogs, Meteos etc. Some really interesting and fun games.
They then go on to question how well it will work with existing games! Talk about totally missing the point. Firstly, Nintendo are interested in seeing new and interesting styles of gameplay, hence the controller design. Secondly, I’m sure they have already considered backwards compatibility, after all they are hoping to offer their back-catalogue for download.
Not to pick on IGN too heavily, but I think their response to the controller is indicative of the industry as a whole; conservative and close-minded. Journalism like this is doing the industry harm. It makes the punters skeptical and publishers risk-averse.
Regardless, I do think that Nintendo will succeed with the Revolution. The success of the DS vindicates their philosophy.
EDIT: OK, maybe I’m being a bit too harsh on IGN. In the end they are quite positive about the possibilities that the controller offers. Still, I think the point is a valid one. The industry is getting stale and conservative, and the journalists ain’t by and large aren’t helping.
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