Binge & Purge: Nintendo are at it again

PALGN Feature | The Revolution will be a paradigm shift in gaming. This from a company that invented the industry’s hobby: flogging sequels and IPs at the hungry masses.

I don’t intend to be so hard on Nintendo. I really like their games, their hardware is cute and I will always appreciate their full-colour manuals. It’s really a matter of tough love: I really feel someone needs to drag the big N out by the ear and slap some sense into it. Personally I envision a character played by Beat Takeshi giving Mario one of his (Beat, that is) trademark beatings (no pun intended), but however it comes down, Nintendo needs it desperately.

The latest is this Revolution business. I was at the E3 conference when Saturo Iwata mentioned Revolution – the press and fans swooned alike (something that still confuses me), but since then we’ve heard nothing except speculation. The word ‘may’ has become quite acquainted with Revolution – it may not use a controller, it may plug into a VGA monitor, it may even make coffee. And now Iwata-san drops this nugget: it will be a paradigm shift. I think someone’s been reading that 7 Habits book…

Look, innovation is a nice word and all, but for one it’s not exactly compatible with the industry. Nine of the ten best selling games of last year were sequels. I also wouldn’t call Nintendo the poster child of innovation. It’s had some great ideas, but EA is arguably the only company that flogs sequels and IP-powered properties more than Nintendo. Really – how many titles can you fit one Italian plumber into? Quite a lot, it seems – and remember that it took Capcom to gain the insight that Link might want to do something else than battle that ugly thug-elf looking thing (yes, there was that one Zelda title where Link got shipwrecked, but let’s not get stuck on semantics here). Wait, I have that wrong – they changed names – still, that’s more refreshing than what Nintendo has been up to.

Let’s get back to paradigm shifts. Innovation might be a novel word and Paradigm Shift might sound great, but let’s not forget that the current ‘paradigm shift’ that companies like Sony, Microsoft, Intel and HP are pushing for (so that translates to some major moolah) is convergence: getting all your entertainment from one source. This idea is echoed by quite a few developers on a not-so-recent CNN Game Over column. CES was practically buzzing with it. “Show me the money” – the money’s on that side of the line.

This isn’t to say that Nintendo won’t pull something impressive out of the bag – I just suspect that it won’t be as great as they promised. I’m also worried that, just as with the GBA’s linking with the Gamecube, Nintendo will vastly underestimate and under-exploit the potential of their invention. Lastly, the publisher really needs to entice other game companies again. The DS isn’t a factor here: mobile gaming is already being treated in different terms to the set-top market.

Revolution doesn’t need a paradigm shift: it needs something that sets it apart from Sony and Microsoft’s offerings, but something that won’t scare the crap out of every non-Nintendite. It will also actually need to deliver. After all, all the GameCube owners out there who feel a bit short-changed please raise their hands...

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16 Comments

ObsoletE

7 years ago

bah, the formatting is off for the article... i have to scroll left and right to read it...

i can't be bothered, sorry

mangaman

7 years ago

same here. funnily enough, i only read the articles about one or two paragraphs long, unless it's some topic i'm reeeaaallllyyyyy interested in.

Haarball

7 years ago

Formatting fixed. The links were off.

Hyperworm

7 years ago

Quote

Really – how many titles can you fit one Italian plumber into?

Just because a game features a character does not say anything about its gameplay. Mario Tennis, Super Mario Sunshine, Mario 64, Super Smash Bros., etc., etc. have all had totally different gameplay.

I also love the Zelda games; wouldn't you say that Minish Cap, Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask, and Wind Waker all offer different experiences? I definitely wouldn't say they're just bland, standard, unoriginal sequels. They're all different takes on a popular and decent franchise, and I'm happy with them.

Quote

I also wouldn’t call Nintendo the poster child of innovation.

Nintendo introduced to the gaming market the D-Pad, decent portable handhelds in the form of the Game Boy (and multiplayer portable gaming), the analog-stick, the Rumble Pak, 3D platformers, dual-screen and touch-screen as core elements of a handheld gaming machine, single-cart linkup, and plenty more I've forgotten to mention. And they tried to make something good out of the GBA-GCN connection, but failed horribly... but they still did some pretty unique things with it (Four Swords). Wario Ware was pretty innovative too.

I really can't think of any other gaming company you could sanely put forward as more innovative than Nintendo.

Quote

After all, all the GameCube owners out there who feel a bit short-changed please raise their hands...

2004 wasn't a great year for GameCube in terms of quantity of games, I'll admit that. I think Nintendo handled the Cube pretty badly, in general. I certainly don't feel short-changed though, I've loved the games that've been released on the GameCube

I think Revolution should be good, though... after seeing the DS, I'm sure Nintendo are back on the rise with their good ideas.

Quote

Revolution doesn’t need a paradigm shift: it needs something that sets it apart from Sony and Microsoft’s offerings, but something that won’t scare the crap out of every non-Nintendite.

I'm sure it'll be different, and in a positive and interesting way. Not sure what you mean by the last part...?

ObsoletE

7 years ago

Hyperworm wrote

...the analog-stick...
And they tried to make something good out of the GBA-GCN connection, but failed horribly...

umm, the atari 5200 was the first console to utilise analog controllers way back in 1982, and atari continued using them for the rest of their consoles, albeit they often shipped with a digital controller (ie: analog was a peripheral)
there was also an analog control pad for the PSX before the dual-shock variant was released, i'm not sure if this was before or after the N64 release, or what, it's almost impossible to find a reference to it now, but i remember it because my neighbour had one and he then got a dual-shock for Gran Turismo, so i had the non-shock one...

the handheld/set-top interaction was also done with the saturn and the playstation prior to the GBA/GC attempt, the Saturn VMU i don't know much about, but the PSX had the PocketStation, which was used in parts of Final Fantasy 8 (i think, it might have been 9) again, not particularly well, but it was attempted...

i do agree, however, that Nintendo probably have more innovative ideas per volume, but it's the maintaining that innovation that seems to be the problem...

Hyperworm

7 years ago

ObsoletE wrote

I didn't say analog controller, I said analog stick... OK, badly phrased (stick could mean "joystick"), but what I meant was the basic style of analog controller used on Dreamcast, PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and basically every console after the N64: the small analog control stick that only juts a small distance out of the console and designed to be operated with the thumb. This is clearly not what the Atari 5200 offered.

ObsoletE wrote

there was also an analog control pad for the PSX before the dual-shock variant was released, i'm not sure if this was before or after the N64 release, or what, it's almost impossible to find a reference to it now, but i remember it because my neighbour had one and he then got a dual-shock for Gran Turismo, so i had the non-shock one...

According to my memory and according to Wikipedia (again), the N64 rumble pak was first.

ObsoletE wrote

the handheld/set-top interaction was also done with the saturn and the playstation prior to the GBA/GC attempt, the Saturn VMU i don't know much about, but the PSX had the PocketStation, which was used in parts of Final Fantasy 8 (i think, it might have been 9) again, not particularly well, but it was attempted...

I don't actually know much about that at all, so I'll agree.

It wasn't exactly wonderful anyway.

ObsoletE wrote

i do agree, however, that Nintendo probably have more innovative ideas per volume, but it's the maintaining that innovation that seems to be the problem...

Yes, quite

*cough*EREADERFAIL*cough*

ObsoletE

7 years ago

Analog Stick:
ah ok... i was also thinking it was kind of odd since PC's have been using analog joysticks for years...
either way, the Atari 7800 also had an analog stick that was placed instead of the D-Pad...
EDIT: ok, this turned out to be a thumb-stick in a digital pad...

PSX Analog:
yeah, i wasn't referring to the Dual-Shock controllers... maybe i wasn't clear enough... the PSX had an analog controller before the dual-shock controller, it looked pretty much the same, but was noticably lights, and the "handle" bits were thinner... i think this was a PSX launch accessory... my neighbour had one as long as i can remember him having a PSX, which he got at launch, but i might be wrong about the timing here, i do remember that virtually nothing used the analog features... TOCA Touring Cars (1) is the only thing pre-Gran Turismo i can remember using it for... i do remember the Rumble-Pak being out first...

Brendan

7 years ago

Nope, the PSX launched without an analog stick controller - they scrambled after Nintendo unveiled theirs.

Think you're being a bit harsh on Nintendo - sure they need a smack, sure they need to stop talking about things they won't deliver (like most corporate bodies), but nobody has innovated as much as they have.

And the whole idea of an all-in-one entertainment center makes me sick.

LeonJ

7 years ago

It is a bit rough on Nintendo. They are the reason why the consoles have evolved to where we are today. I just feel sorry for them because they are indeed the front runners in innovation, but all the companies just rip their stuff off and market it better.

Nintendo are right to do what they are doing, because with the online user base like Xbox Live has and over-hyped Sony brand name, there is little room for Nintendo in that market. There is no point trying to fight Sony and Microsoft in term of technology (graphics etc), so they are trying to be smart about the Next Gen wars. Let’s face it, if they release Gamecube Mark 2 against Xbox 2 and PS3, they probably will end up 3rd with little 3rd party support, regardless of when they launch. This is a great move for them, and I for one can't wait to see where Nintendo are going with this.

Look at the DS, the sales are through the roof because of the idea of "fun games" using a touch screen. Something different always attracts people to a product. Everybody thought the PSP would bury it and it would be the next Virtual Boy, but hey egg on their face...

David

7 years ago

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE JAPANESE MARKET WHERE GAMING HAS BEEN IN DECLINE SINCE 1997!!!!

The last year the Japanese game market saw growth was the last year of Nintendo's dominance, before they were screwed by square. Maybe they DO know what they're talking about?

AS for controllers, Nintendo created every single feature on the modern controller, and sony (and others) have done nothing but blatantly copy. See this:

http://www.planetgamecube.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=18&threadid=7738&FTVAR_MSGDBTABLE=

ObsoletE

7 years ago

whoa, hang on... not everything on the modern gamepad was done by Nintendo

dual analog sticks...
analog buttons...
i have a few games that use the select button
the PS don't have an X button, it's a cross... and its their own stupid fault if you don't know what the button layout is by now...

yeah, they (Nintendo) have made some significant advances in console gaming, but so has every company... whether it be 4 controller ports, CDs, DVDs, Hard-Drives, some aren't as prolific, and i am well aware that Nintendo have offered more to the market than other companies, but look at any market... any market you choose to name will have a company that designs something and others will copy/adapt it for themselves... and it becomes standard... Examples:
Motor Industry - Airbags, Disc Brakes, PowerSteering, 4 wheel drive, 4 wheel steering
Newspapers - Typesetting, Comics, Colour Printing

and as i said, innovations in Console gaming... you could go back and say that most of these innovations were copies of PC controllers... force feedback was designed as a training tool for pilots and others, then adapted into games...
Analog joysticks have been available for PCs a lot longer than consoles
4 input ports... i think the Atari 2600 and 7800's both had 4 too, i need to dig mine out to check, but i'm only suffering the slightest doubt on this

that post is the biggest bitch-fest i've ever read... wow, innovative X, and Y instead of 1 and 2... lets replace the select with a Z... these are not innovations IMO...

(damn american analog btw...)

Noogle

7 years ago

The problem with Nintendo is that it has all this credit with gamers because of all that it's done. But while this leverage might go down well for their legacy, it's not going to carry them in the current console wars - if it did the GAmecube would hav edone a lot better and the platform wouldn't have lost exclusives like Resident Evil 4.

Like I said, I like Nintendo, but their recent attitude and behaviour has been somewhat shocking and reminiscent of a small dog japping and snapping at everyone. Revelution is a make-or-break : after that console we'll see if Nintendo will stay in the hardware market (sans handhelds). Right now the company is outgunned by both Microsoft and Sony - the former might not be that far ahead of Nintendo in terms of hardware units, but it has more money and a lot more sense in what it takes ot conquer the modern market.

Regarding the games, these appeal to a lot of Nintendo fans, but they have also been fairly successful in not bringing in new blood to the Nintendo fan base. Once again I'm not referring to the handhelds here. Nitnendo has been sitting on its laurels for far too long in a market that is becoming more cutthroat by the day. Iwata-san's ridiculous 'paradigm shift' (which, let's face it, is akin to simply saying that it will be really cool - what hardware manufacturer won't say their upcoming product won't rock?) smells more of desperation than innovation. Even the DS, great as it is, is a glorified PDA. It doesn't do anything I haven't yet seen in the mobile market.

mangaman

7 years ago

well i skimmed through the article and posts made, and agree with obsolete in the fact that nintendo was one of the more successful video game companies in the early 90's (i'm talking about the NES). There they introduced the basic control pad, the basic games (eg. metroid, mario bros., ice climbers etc.)and accesories to be used with the gaming systems such as the first video game gun to be used on the screen.

So over the years, Nintendo has had trouble with competitors and Nintendo only games. So personally, i don't think for a while many companies will produce an original big selling game that isn't a sequel.

Have you seen some of the short original games released? Scaler, movie based games, pokemon channel, yu gi oh console games to name a few. I don't think that there has been an original hit that's been released in the past year. (someone correct me here if i'm wrong)

Big Pete

7 years ago

Nintendo will come up with something original...name me a Nintendo console that hasn't featured one original game?

Also mangaman, Animal Crossing just came out in the UK, so you can kind of say it's original.

The only reason I think Nintendo are failing, is due to advertisement, it's not presented as "cool" it's presented as something different. Most teenagers who are the target audience want to fit in (well most do) so they get what looks cool, so they pick up either an X Box or PS2.

LeonJ

7 years ago

Noogle wrote

Even the DS, great as it is, is a glorified PDA. It doesn't do anything I haven't yet seen in the mobile market.

I'm not disputing the technology here. Think a cheap, gaming touch screen introduction for the "mainstream" average gamer. It really is a great idea. And when the next gen consoles emerge, PCs will already be on par or futher along. Besides how many PDAs can you buy for $199.95? PDAs are very nice, but I don't think they you will see killer apps like the DS no doubt produce will in the future. Plus how many gamers own a PDA?

Hyperworm

7 years ago

leonmc wrote

Noogle wrote

Even the DS, great as it is, is a glorified PDA. It doesn't do anything I haven't yet seen in the mobile market.

Precisely. You're not gonna see any of the games I mentioned before on a PDA, and hardly as many "third-party" games either - they're not games-centric, that's not the point of them. As for things you haven't yet seen in the mobile market; show me the PDA or phone which'll play Advance Wars DS and Touch! Kirby or anything of similar quality. I don't think you'll find one (especially not at the price the DS is selling at). And they don't have two screens either.
You could say a standard console is just a glorified PC designed solely for gaming, couldn't you? Doesn't mean it was a bad idea or wouldn't sell.
I think Revolution may do a similar thing to DS... take a technology that only currently resides in a market basically unrelated to gaming and is inaccessible to most gamers, and incorporate it in a new and interesting way into their own technology.

Noogle wrote

Like I said, I like Nintendo, but their recent attitude and behaviour has been somewhat shocking and reminiscent of a small dog japping and snapping at everyone. Revelution is a make-or-break : after that console we'll see if Nintendo will stay in the hardware market (sans handhelds). Right now the company is outgunned by both Microsoft and Sony - the former might not be that far ahead of Nintendo in terms of hardware units, but it has more money and a lot more sense in what it takes ot conquer the modern market.

I can guarantee Revolution will make a profit. Nintendo always makes profits on its consoles and handhelds. I don't think Nintendo will drop out of the home console market if Revolution doesn't do as well as the others.
I don't tend to take much notice of the sales figures for the consoles for this generation, anyway... PS2 was miles in front from the start, GameCube was never going to catch up. We'll see what happens this time (though Sony's brand name will probably push it ahead again).

Noogle wrote

Iwata-san's ridiculous 'paradigm shift' (which, let's face it, is akin to simply saying that it will be really cool - what hardware manufacturer won't say their upcoming product won't rock?) smells more of desperation than innovation.

... I just flatly disagree there. Nintendo have something quite "different" coming, in the same vein as the DS, and they're letting us know it. I don't see how it's "ridiculous". (If you don't want to believe Iwata-san about the Revolution, fine, but I for one am certainly not doubting Nintendo's ability to innovate, especially after the DS...)

Noogle wrote

Nitnendo has been sitting on its laurels for far too long in a market that is becoming more cutthroat by the day

I'll agree with this point. As I said, Nintendo handled the GameCube badly. I'd like to think of the DS as a sign that they're getting speed up again... they need to advertise more, though.

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