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New Nintendo Game Console Details

Posted by Anne B. McDonald | Monday, May 16, 2005 2:53 PM PT

Although all the game console buzz in the last week has been about Microsoft's Xbox 360, the staff of our sister publication, GamePro, has come up with details about Nintendo's new offering. They say the console, codenamed "Revolution, will be Nintendo's smallest yet.

According to GamePro, Nintendo says the console will be "about the thickness of three standard DVD cases and only slightly longer"--making it closer in size to the diminutive Sony PlayStation Portable. The Xbox 360, by comparison, is approximately the same size as the regular PlayStation 2.

In a welcome revelation, Nintendo's pint-sized powerhouse will not only have DVD-playback capability but also backwards compatibility (something Microsoft has been mysterious reticent about).

The company also reassured gamers of the Revolution's hardware strengths, saying the console "will be packed with power that will enable it to wow players with its graphics." Similar to Microsoft, Nintendo has partnered with ATI for its graphics card and IBM for the processor.

Assuaging anxieties of Nintendo's history of reluctance with online, the Revolution will be "wireless Internet ready out of the box."

Whether or not the console will be unveiled at E3 this week remains to be seen (if it does, it'll likely be to a limited extent), and it won't be running the race for a 2005 release; the Revolution is slated for launch in 2006.

Thanks to GamePro staffers for the inside info!
Comments (34)

I think nintendo are changing their *CHILD* like ways and heading in the right direction for the new home console market. the whole *HUSH* *HUSH* about their new cionsole is too keep the gamers and none gamers talking, they will sure delivery very well. Nintendo ruled 1980 and the early 1990s and they will sure be back with force for 2005-06.

david milne
May 17, 2005
1:45 AM PT

Errr.. This was on the Nintendo website. So.. what inside information?

Andre Brown
May 17, 2005
4:20 AM PT

It seems nintendo will be a strong contender in the new console battle, after the embaressing sales of the gamecube.

NINTENDO
May 17, 2005
4:21 AM PT

The games more than anything made the Gamecube childish - I hope that Nintendo live up to the spin they're putting on their focus on playability rather than just graphics.

Having only one or two good games won't help them. They'll need to have a decent software library this time round.

Coldelephant
May 17, 2005
4:27 AM PT

It sounds like they will not only be competing with Xbox 360 and PS3, but the Phantom as their online service goes. I am impressed, though I hope the power is adequate for HD.

Jed Merrill
May 17, 2005
7:51 AM PT

I agree 100%. The games kept XBOX going and I know many people that bought the XBOX just for Halo 2. Also the capability to have games played over the net with multiple console interactions topped it off. Nintendo will have to change to keep up with it's compitition
However I don't understand how the touch screen DS didn't get much attention...

Neal
May 17, 2005
7:37 PM PT

I should've invested in IBM. They're making a killing on these.

Jared
May 18, 2005
8:34 AM PT

i've heard that the Revolution will have a single processor with four cores each operating at 2.5 GHZ.. And it will also have an ATI gaphics card running at 512 MHZ. Also it will have 512 MB of RAM.

Anonymous
May 24, 2005
9:57 PM PT

i've heard that the Revolution will have a single processor with four cores each operating at 2.5 GHZ.. And it will also have an ATI gaphics card running at 512 MHZ, also it will have 512 MB of RAM.

Trrevor
May 24, 2005
10:00 PM PT

I think that if the nintendo just keeps going with the games and the things the offer that your cant get on the xbox or ps2 like Zelda, Mario, Metriod, and all the other exclusive games, that they could very well dominate the market. If not they can keep going with what they have and be a great console.

Ben
May 26, 2005
9:36 AM PT

the nintendo Revolotion will dominate! I am definitly buying one!

erik
May 27, 2005
3:12 PM PT

I read that the Nintendo Revolution is going to have wireless online.

Atticus Ory
May 28, 2005
11:59 AM PT

The Revolution will be the best, it has the ability to play any nintendo game virtually, which is pretty cool. The games should also live up with the awesome graphics. I'm defiently getting one.

Anthony
May 28, 2005
3:24 PM PT

I don't know much about the revolution, but I hope it's great :). I hear it's supposed to be backwards compatible, and I hope it is. It would be nice to see those classic 64 games running on a new pro graphics engine! It had better be better than the gamecube because I am somewhat disappointed that it *seems worse than even the Nintendo 64*, which is a great system :).

Toni
May 28, 2005
11:47 PM PT

whats the difference between xbox and xbox360 other than graphics. THe revolution will play nintendo games from 1985. two decades of awesome games on one system.

bob
May 29, 2005
8:33 AM PT

I hate nintendo

Anonymous
May 30, 2005
4:45 PM PT

then u suck and dont post here

ben
May 31, 2005
10:05 AM PT

Yeah i didnt like the fact of all the kidy games, I mean there were no games for me.

Vexs Fusion
May 31, 2005
1:50 PM PT

Gamecube was awesome! I think The Revolution will be just as good if not better! How could it not be better? That would only make sense. I agree with the people who said that it would be awesome to be able to play those old games with new enhanced graphics! That would be awesome! I'm absolutely getting one!

The FATMAN
June 01, 2005
8:26 PM PT

I love Nintendo with a passion. it will be awesome to play a Zelda game on the revolution. I just wish Squaresoft would start doing business with nintendo again. The only reason i have a playstation is for the Final Fantasy games.

Todd Rossmanith
June 12, 2005
10:19 AM PT

Lets all not forget that the little people love to play video games too! Most older and wiser players know that the little ones do not need to play blood and guts games. Just watch there faces while they play Mario. They need games like this. In time they will take on the world with the best of you!!

Dad
June 13, 2005
4:54 PM PT

nintendo is awsome for kids, i personally like nintendo and the xbox thats why we have both :) i think that there needs to be a computer for little kids and that is what make nintendo great! i know i don't want my 2 year old playing blood and guts games.

mum of 5
June 15, 2005
12:49 AM PT

I have always been a nintendo fan! and I was a little dissaypointed that the gamecube did not have that many mature games but they still had some of the greatest games out there. I cant wait for the revolution to come out online so I can kick a@# in super smash bros. Also I cant wait for the legend of zelda: twilight princess to come out for the game cube. I am waiting.

Nintendo fan
June 15, 2005
6:32 AM PT

I don't have a problem with the Gamecube, I think it's the best system out. X-Box has nothing going for it but Halo and Sony just spews out as many games as possible for their Playstaion. Nintendo doesn't feel that it has to do whatever is "popular", they will make games and take big chances on them. Some people call their games childish, these same people don't understand the term "origionality".

if Nintendo doesn't make the cut this time around with the "revoultion", then I'm afraid the mass of society and their lame ideas about what a game really should be will destroy the company.

The Riddler
June 18, 2005
1:47 PM PT

nintendo will dominate d weak a$$ xbox 360

mikko
June 20, 2005
10:15 PM PT

I think gamecube sucks compared to xbox and ps2.

darth vader
June 23, 2005
12:09 AM PT

I think Saga dreamcast is the best system of all! Im just kidding

darth vader
June 23, 2005
12:13 AM PT

This thread is painful to read. So many speeling errors, contradictions and such. :P

Anyhow, I think that allowing players to download vintage Nintendo games is a GREAT idea. I think that this well tremendously boost sales. Although emulators are available for the NES, the true feel of the gameplay is not there. The sound can be off, the controls are terrible if you use your keyboard, et cetera.

If Nintendo gets involved with some software companies and nudges them in the direction of maybe a MMO version of Zelda... I WILL be there. In fact, a good idea would be to be able to have bracket-like competitions online for various vintage nintendo games (in addition, of course, to all the wonderful new stuff they HOPEFULLY will have made available).

SleepEKat
June 24, 2005
9:07 PM PT

hm. i was born into nintendo. i dont have any of the handhelds even though ive played them. but ive got the NES, SNES, N64 and gamecube. i think they all rock. for some reason people are saying the gamecubes for kids. have any of you heard of smash bros melee (which ok low age but DEFINITELY LIKED BY OLDER PEOPLE), wolverines revenge, resident evil, soul calibur 2, etc. but one thing im happy about is backwards combatibility. this means STREET FIGHTERS COMING BACK. well hoepfully. and hopefully this pushes them to bring a better version of street fighter back into town. the SNES version rocked. but when playstation took it, i played it, it looked crap. i also hope dragonballz games come out, im a huge fan of them, and i feel that ps2 having them, is robbing us. i hope zelda comes bigger and better. i havent played the gamecube version..honestly because the sight of a large head on a small body put me off, the n64 version kicks. all in all ill always stay with nintendo, sony is a large company that sellls everything, microsoft is the largest PC manufacturer. these giants have it easy. nintendo is soley based for games. thats why its harder for them. thats why they should get the respect they deserve. we need a revolution, and im sure nintendo will bring that for us. after all, its in the name ;)

anthony
August 02, 2005
8:22 AM PT

Finally! A Nintedo system with internet capabilty.

Nahtzee
September 17, 2005
11:12 AM PT

Nintendo rocks and I will stay with it forever!!!

Nightshocker
October 24, 2005
1:49 PM PT

Let the big N reclaim it's spot as the Ultimate gaming machine!

Black Powder
November 25, 2005
3:36 AM PT

i have high hopes for the revolution but im not too sure about the new controllers!?!? i dont think i will like just using one hand for gameplay. it would be more like changing the channel on your tv than playing a game.

classic gamer
November 26, 2005
6:20 PM PT

at least give the option of using one or two hands

classic gamer
November 26, 2005
6:23 PM PT