So who else is praying for a portable gamecube?

[PC-Engine]

If Nintendo thinks 750MB per disc is not sufficient then they can always use two or wait for the 2GB version.

Or they can simply just use the 750MB version for launch games then phase in the 2GB discs at a later time as required. 8)

Could you do something like have a 64 mb buffer built in, that would prefetch data from a GC disc so that the disc wouldn't have to spin for large amounts of time? That way the system would be reading the game off of a flash buffer, and not the GC disc itself. I really don't know much about the inner workings of the GC, and so was just wondering if something like that would be possible.

I guess it's possible, but it probably wouldn't work too well considering GOD data access is random instead of sequential ie it wouldn't know which data to buffer first/next unless the 16MB of ARAM currently in GCN is already being used as a buffer in all past/current/future GCN games. If that were indeed the case then a GCP would only need to increase the 16MB ARAM to 64MB or whatever is required for good battery life/cost ratio.

 

[jvd]

also lets not forget they have a few years of remaking nintendo 64 games on the ds before they start remaking gamecube games on the gba 2 haha

 

[hey69]

if Nintendo releases a handheld end of 2004 that isn't or almost the same as N64, surely a NGC level portable will be released around 2009- 2010 .

 

[cthellis42]

I've always said that making a portable GCN (or at least a portable that could play GCN games, whatever its capabilities) would be in impressive step that would instantly close in the gap the PSP would have acquired by its launch, but that it depends on the technical plausability, and if they could launch it at whatever price point the PSP occupies at the time.

There are more technical issues at stake than I think, probably, but even if GCN play could only be enabled with short battery life or while plugged in, it would still be a great addition, and mutually support both platforms. GBA2-only games themselves would be made, of course, and they could still be made with more favorible power consumption concerns in mind, and what they "really want from a portable." GCN playback could come with a few negatives, but still be favorible because it's there at all.

 

[PC-Engine]

I've always said that making a portable GCN (or at least a portable that could play GCN games, whatever its capabilities) would be in impressive step that would instantly close in the gap the PSP would have acquired by its launch, but that it depends on the technical plausability, and if they could launch it at whatever price point the PSP occupies at the time.

There are more technical issues at stake than I think, probably, but even if GCN play could only be enabled with short battery life or while plugged in, it would still be a great addition, and mutually support both platforms. GBA2-only games themselves would be made, of course, and they could still be made with more favorible power consumption concerns in mind, and what they "really want from a portable." GCN playback could come with a few negatives, but still be favorible because it's there at all.

Agreed, but I'm sceptical about a single chip dieshrunk GCN chipset that will allow 6-8 hrs of gameplay. It's entirely possible, but I'm not sure if Nintendo would like to go that route. A GCP should be pretty cheap to manufacture by 2006 though considering the GCN is selling for $100 right now without a loss.

 

[Fox5]

I've always said that making a portable GCN (or at least a portable that could play GCN games, whatever its capabilities) would be in impressive step that would instantly close in the gap the PSP would have acquired by its launch, but that it depends on the technical plausability, and if they could launch it at whatever price point the PSP occupies at the time.

There are more technical issues at stake than I think, probably, but even if GCN play could only be enabled with short battery life or while plugged in, it would still be a great addition, and mutually support both platforms. GBA2-only games themselves would be made, of course, and they could still be made with more favorible power consumption concerns in mind, and what they "really want from a portable." GCN playback could come with a few negatives, but still be favorible because it's there at all.

Agreed, but I'm sceptical about a single chip dieshrunk GCN chipset that will allow 6-8 hrs of gameplay. It's entirely possible, but I'm not sure if Nintendo would like to go that route. A GCP should be pretty cheap to manufacture by 2006 though considering the GCN is selling for $100 right now without a loss.

And it comes with a game and 2 controllers.(I hear some places are clearing out gamecubes for as low as $50 though)

 

[Li Mu Bai]

You all are forgetting one vital thing, the Revolution is backwards compatible. So GC software/remakes won't foot the bill if two machines have access to the back library. Much like Sony is preaching an "all original content" & no direct PS2 ports. I suspect Nintendo will have to do something of the same. The GBA2 will definitely be capable of the GC's capabilities, but I suspect it will have a suistainable battery life as well as sufficient disk space.

 

[jvd]

You all are forgetting one vital thing, the Revolution is backwards compatible. So GC software/remakes won't foot the bill if two machines have access to the back library. Much like Sony is preaching an "all original content" & no direct PS2 ports. I suspect Nintendo will have to do something of the same. The GBA2 will definitely be capable of the GC's capabilities, but I suspect it will have a suistainable battery life as well as sufficient disk space.

FIrst lets wait and see what " all original content " means .

SEcondly i highly doubt the reveloution is going to be backwards compatable .

 

[Li Mu Bai]

FIrst lets wait and see what " all original content " means .

Agreed, a "slight change" (added characters, stages, etc.) may slip software underneath the radar.

SEcondly i highly doubt the reveloution is going to be backwards compatable.

IIRC, I believe that this was already confirmed. I'll search down that link for you. It was in the information I believe where the Revolution was to be PC monitor adaptable right out of the box.

 

[Tysan]

I think that shrinking down Cube hard to make a portable would be a wise idea [65nm gpu+cpu 1 chip design like Psp?], that would give developers a very friendly start knowing allready how to develop for the Cube.

Athough now that Nitendo and ATI work together maybe they could design a better than Cube portable GPU with not much trouble taking advantage of ATIs graphic technologies [althoug Flipper is ATI branded it does not feature ATI techs] so they could include pixels/vertex shader features to make a better diference versus Sonys PSP.

Storage wise Nintendo might use again cartridges because they are so much more battery life friendly, although if battery tech gets a good leap before 2006/2007 GBA2 they could use disc media.

Umm, just some random thoughts.

 

[Evil_Cloud]

What about a 'Controller Revolution'? I've been thinking a lot about this...

Nintendo could put GBA hardware in it's Revolution controllers, along with a microphone (much like the one Nintendo DS has), a camera (a very small, color camera which you could click out of your controller), sensors (like the ones used for the latest GBA Wario Ware), rumble (like N64 and GameCube), analog buttons (every button), memory storage space (expandable), a small screen (unplug feature for the controller, so you can play games on your controller with batteries), backwards compatible with GB, GB color, GBA, but not with DS, some functionality with NDS, some future functionality with GBA2,...

Nintendo could put software in Revolution, very much like the Mario Artist software for Nintendo 64DD, but more advanced. That way you could use your own face in games, use your own voice in games (voice communicator, but also character voices), or even create character models or clothes (for games that would support this feature),...

I can imagine this being a lot of fun, especially when combined with online features and link-up features.

 

[GwymWeepa]

What about a 'Controller Revolution'? I've been thinking a lot about this...

Nintendo could put GBA hardware in it's Revolution controllers, along with a microphone (much like the one Nintendo DS has), a camera (a very small, color camera which you could click out of your controller), sensors (like the ones used for the latest GBA Wario Ware), rumble (like N64 and GameCube), analog buttons (every button), memory storage space (expandable), a small screen (unplug feature for the controller, so you can play games on your controller with batteries), backwards compatible with GB, GB color, GBA, but not with DS, some functionality with NDS, some future functionality with GBA2,...

Nintendo could put software in Revolution, very much like the Mario Artist software for Nintendo 64DD, but more advanced. That way you could use your own face in games, use your own voice in games (voice communicator, but also character voices), or even create character models or clothes (for games that would support this feature),...

I can imagine this being a lot of fun, especially when combined with online features and link-up features.

First thing most people will do is photograph their penis and use that in games lol.

 

[Evil_Cloud]

Nintendo could always put a parental control feature in for children, and there are techniques to ensure people use their face during online gaming (shape of picture, nose, eyes, eyebrows,... that have to be pinpointed).

 

[cthellis42]

You all are forgetting one vital thing, the Revolution is backwards compatible. So GC software/remakes won't foot the bill if two machines have access to the back library. Much like Sony is preaching an "all original content" & no direct PS2 ports. I suspect Nintendo will have to do something of the same. The GBA2 will definitely be capable of the GC's capabilities, but I suspect it will have a suistainable battery life as well as sufficient disk space.

GameCube playback is not giving in to "direct ports" though--it's letting players tap their existing library of fun games. It also doesn't matter one whit if Revolution can play them as well--it would make much more difference for a new portable system to have access to them. For Revolution it's much more "convenience," unless they manage to also build in meaningful enhancements as well.

I certainly don't think Nintendo would be encouraging developers to "build all new GameCube games" at the time anyway, and the GBA2 would undoubtedly have some new features the Cube doesn't support (wireless multiplayer at the very least, as well as DS-and-other-device interaction) and though it could be built in, I'm sure they'd be encouraging a lot of specific programming for whatever the GBA2 would end up looking like.

The main point is that I don't see them wanting to start from ground zero again if the GBA2 ends up looking much like the PSP, costing the same, and offering a similar experience--but fighting a large established game library and userbase. It could be overcome, but it would start them at a distinct advantage, so if plausible it would be good to bring about something that might even let them one-up the PSP. (Even if it had limitations, like I mentioned earlier.)

 

[Fodder]

Nintendo could always put a parental control feature in for children, and there are techniques to ensure people use their face during online gaming (shape of picture, nose, eyes, eyebrows,... that have to be pinpointed).

Oh man, I can just see people taking photos of their penises with sunglasses and false moustaches. :?

 

[Evil_Cloud]

They wouldn't be alone, Sony is also planning face technology in games. Another way would be the validation of faces over the internet... like the Tony Hawk games, but this could become quite time consuming.

 

[Li Mu Bai]

Here you are jvd, as promised. From the top man himself:

According to an article in the latest issue of the Japanese print gaming magazine, Famitsu, Nintendo's top executive Satoru Iwata has hinted that the next iteration of its home console (currently being called GameCube 2) will be backwards compatible, allowing GameCube game owners to play their library of games on the new system. Details on how they'll facilitate backwards compatibility is unknown (hardware add-on? similar media format) and this admission by Nintendo's top guy isn't exactly 100 percent confirmed, so stay tuned for more information as we have it.

http://cube.gamespy.com/articles/511/511656p1.html

 

[cthellis42]

I kinda thought it was "confirmed in everything but the final retail product" in regards to Revolution and the PS3, but mainly just up in air regarding Xbox 2.

 

[Teasy]

Athough now that Nitendo and ATI work together maybe they could design a better than Cube portable GPU with not much trouble taking advantage of ATIs graphic technologies [althoug Flipper is ATI branded it does not feature ATI techs] so they could include pixels/vertex shader features to make a better diference versus Sonys PSP

Technically it does, since a lot of current ATI tech is from the company who designed Flipper

BTW just FYI Flipper does contain pixel shader features, but not vertex shader of course.

 

[PC-Engine]

So by the time Revolution arrives, Nintendo will have the GCN chipset die shrunk into a single chip that will be cheap to include in the Revolution as well as small, and power efficient enough for a GCP?