Nintendo Revolution Controller- Weird to me

[Guden Oden]

And I would say that, at least with the white one, Apple would be the more appropriate design reference, not Japanese minimalists.

Part of the design (glossy white plastic, transparent elements) is definitely Apple, but japanese minimalism is also strong. The elongated block-shape of the controller itself, the D-pad at the top with a single button beneath, the square LEDs down at the bottom, etc. It all feels very minimalistic/japanesey from that sense.

I'm actually starting to warm up to it. I think I'd really enjoy having the Rev as an alternate system, possibly for chilling-out purposes. Particulary if it's very quiet, no harddrive etc. Hopefully fast software loads, get started quick, get into the game quick etc. Then just chill, maybe do some flying in Pilot Wings, relaxing, enjoying myself with a cordless controller that just tilts around...

One thing that concerns me though is...how do I recharge that thing? Because I assume I won't have to fiddle with AA batteries constantly for four separate controllers. That would be Teh Azz. So I assume there's some sort of charging cable that attaches to one of the GC-style controller ports here, and then plugs into the expansion slot thingy at the back. Which unfortunately will mean unplugging the analog stick attachment... You go wireless to prevent cable clutter, but then you instead gain peripherals attached via cables. MEH!

Now, I wonder if the Revolution itself also will be available in different colors, and if it is, which color I should get... I'm thinking graphite main unit like that controller in one of the pics, and perhaps a GREEN or RED controller to go along with it... I like a dash of color in my life. I'd very much like a Ferrari red PS3, wouldn't that futuristic convex design look GORGEOUS in shiny glossy red? Oh well, only get white, silver or black, and I think black will look best.

 

[Squeak]

While I like the basic idea of the controller i have a few complaints.

Why the square unergonomic shape? The GC controller had the best handles ever, why not go with the same design for this pad?
Maybe the pad needs to rest on your fingertips for more precision from the fingers and not be clutched like the other controllers, but a long square stick hardly seems like the best shape, maybe something pebble shaped would have been better.

Where is the analog triggers that worked so well on GC? Apart from being missed in racing games, what about BC with GC?

Why a d-pad instead of analog or a digital stick? D-pad is simply an old-fashioned slow imprecise cumbersome way of controlling games. It might have certain recognition factor with non gamers and are popular amongst people who can only learn one way of doing things for their entire life, but for fast and precise control, sticks all the way.

 

[StefanS]

While I like the basic idea of the controller i have a few complaints.

Why the square unergonomic shape? The GC controller had the best handles ever, why not go with the same design for this pad?
Maybe the pad needs to rest on your fingertips for more precision from the fingers and not be clutched like the other controllers, but a long square stick hardly seems like the best shape, maybe something pebble shaped would have been better.

Where is the analog triggers that worked so well on GC? Apart from being missed in racing games, what about BC with GC?

Why a d-pad instead of analog or a digital stick? D-pad is simply an old-fashioned slow imprecise cumbersome way of controlling games. It might have certain recognition factor with non gamers and are popular amongst people who can only learn one way of doing things for their entire life, but for fast and precise control, sticks all the way.

Sqeak, did you see the complete controller? There's a analogue stick on the left hand part, and there're triggers as well, although I am not sure they 're analogue. BC with GCN is a given by the way since the Revolution has ports for GCN controllers...
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/tgs2005/gallery.html

 

[Shifty Geezer]

I thimbstick on the 'remote' would have been nice than four separate direction buttons. Even a comboned Sega Mastersystem type pad would be nicer

Edit : Okay it's actually not four separate direction buttons but a cross pad. I hate those things still! You can't get nice diagonals on them. That's where the Master System pad was much nicer.

 

[Squeak]

Sqeak, did you see the complete controller? There's a analogue stick on the left hand part

Did they say anything about including that with the basic package?

The GC controller-ports are nice, although I'm not certain they will be included in the final console, because they simply take up to much space and will make the machine tip over when upright in the stand.
You would also need to use your old wornout GC pads on the new console or buy new ones.

 

[Powderkeg]

Funny, I just recalled I lambasted both Sony and MS for coming up with a pair of such excruciatingly boring controllers for their consoles, yet when someone does something different, almost everybody immediately poo-poos the idea. "Yes, we wanted something different, but not THAT!"

You might call the traditional gamepad "boring" but let me tell you something, todays gamepads are the product of almost 30 years of evolution and refinement. They've finally hit the point where they are near perfect in functionality and ergonomics.

I wouldn't be too quick to discard the product of such refinement for a new gimmick that is little more than a slightly different way to do the exact same thing.

 

[Powderkeg]

Sqeak, did you see the complete controller? There's a analogue stick on the left hand part, and there're triggers as well, although I am not sure they 're analogue. BC with GCN is a given by the way since the Revolution has ports for GCN controllers...
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n10/tgs2005/gallery.html

So, you need to buy an add-on to your controller, and a Gamecube controller as well?

That wouldn't be necessary if Nintendo had just used a normal gamepad, but now you've got to spend an extra $50+ buying even more accessories. And since these are add-ons that the developers cannot count on the gamer having, what do you think the odds of them supporting it are?

 

[Powderkeg]

IMO if this really works as good as it looks on video - nintendo will outsell everything else next gen, and PS4 will have something similar to catch up

It doesn't matter how well it works, Nintendo doesn't stand a chance of outselling the PS3, and it's doubtful that they could outsell the 360.

People buy things based on looks and expectations far more than they do actual functionality. People expect a gamepad controller, and they expect it to look like a gamepad, not a TV remote. I think this design will turn off quite a few people, regardless of how well it works.

 

[Rodéric]

You can discuss it there :
http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23574