Hey, everyone seems to be talking about HD and how the Revo-Wii-tion will not have it. Would it be impossible for it to have a digital video output or is there a difference? I've been thinking about this for awhile and thought I'd bring it up. Don't you lose alot of signal by converting to analog? Hope you answer my question. Thanks.

Frank Platt

Ft. Worth, Texas

The Wii will support component (“digital") video output. Component cables are required for 480p resolution, and every Wii game will probably offer people that option. It's the best type of video signal you can get, with S-Video the next step down, and plain ol' composite cables being at the lower end of the spectrum.

The difference between composite (yellow cable) and component (red/blue/green cables) is fairly obvious, even without a 480p display. The picture is much sharper and more colorful with the rainbow cables, whereas the single yellow plug will be more blurry and washed out in comparison. Big difference, especially on a nice TV.

Do you think Nintendo will ever get smart and release some accessories for the DS/GBA SP that expand its function. Nintendo keeps talking about expanding the market but some non-gamers are scared of video games, and if it has multifunction built in or by accessory it will at least pay more attention.

I want Play-Yan, I want English-Japanese Dictionary, I want TV tuner, I want Opera Internet Browser, I want online pictochat. I know I can import stuff but I can’t read Japanese and honestly I don’t want to learn that language just to use some electronics and play some games that language is very hard to just “pick up". It just seems that Nintendo tells us that its only for games but releases stuff in Japan that expands its hardware to do more than games. My God I wonder if Gamecube would of been a bigger success if the Panasonic Q was released here, I think that could of hurt allot of PS2 and Xbox’s original thunder.

PSP has tons of functions but has terrible games, and most of the functions are worthless (256 megs can hardly be called MP3 player, or Limited UMD movie support ). It doesn’t matter if the cell phone has horrible picture quality if it can take pictures its cooler than just a regular cell phone.

With the popularity of cell phone “texting" if DS had FREE online pictochat via hotspots it would help in sales. Nintendo can talk about expanding the market all its wants but its hard for someone to buy something now if it only does one thing. Old people may be interested in Brain Age, or girls may like Nintendogs but they will not spend over $100 for a device that does those things. In Japan the jump from interest and purchase isn’t so big, but here you have to brainwash someone and beg them to buy anything new.

It’s just sad to see Nintendo not do as well as they could. Imagine how BETTER DS would of sold if it would of had some basic PDA functions...So do you think Nintendo will ever get smart and start selling devices that add function to its game systems.

Opera for Wii built in sounds really really good....

adolph vega

I agree that the Opera DS Browser, the DS TV Tuner, and all of that other stuff would be swell to have available as options for the handheld. The Play-Yan is the perfect complement to the Game Boy Micro, too. However, Play-Yan is one of the reasons I have my doubts about Nintendo expanding the functionality of the DS in the U.S., at least in the foreseeable future.

Play-Yan should have launched with the GB Micro in the States. A golden opportunity was missed, in my opinion. A trendy Game Boy bundled with a cool gadget could have been Nintendo's first step into the multimedia world. They talked about the Micro being as small as an MP3 player; if it was an MP3 player, they would have had something big going. Instead, it's just an overpriced Game Boy.

I believe it needs to start with Play-Yan if Nintendo wants to get away with offering all those cool DS add-ons. Everyone has a GBA, and how well the media player on it sells may determine how willing the American consumer will take to multimedia devices on the DS.

Hi Planetgamecube,

I'm sure you may have gotten this question already but here it is anyway. What are your thoughts on the name Wii actually being an elaborate viral marketing campaign by Nintendo? I've been putting a LOT of thought into this and it to it makes PERFECT sense. What better way to get people talking about the system? In hindsight, the announcement REALLY HAS been like a virus. It seems to have infected everyone and spread like wildfire, truly amazing. This is all free advertising for Nintendo probably worth millions. To top the campaign off Nintendo can lay out another gigantic bombshell announcement when E3 arrives and shock the world AGAIN with the real name! This would generate an enormous amount of positive buzz (as long as it's a better name...omg..let it be a better name) and for many people put the focus of E3 squarely on Nintendo and it's next gen system. There would be no choice but to take notice, even for all the diehard Nintendo haters and people who usually don't care about what Nintendo is doing. Its such a brilliant scenario and if it's true I'll never doubt Nintendo again! E3 will be a total mad house! However, there is also the possibility that I am in such stark denial over the name Wii that I am simply just taking "wishful thinking" to a whole new level...I dunno. I crave your thoughts, please help a N fan out. Thanks much, great site.

Brian Yourdan

You're right about the revealing of the name being the talk of Internet land for the past week. It's the only thing people have been talking about in regards to the Nintendo portion of the E3 ramp-up. No matter how people perceive the name, people are thinking about it, which is exactly what Nintendo wants going into their press event on Tuesday.

You're also right about the “wishful thinking" part. Wii is the system's real and final name. Get over it, people.

I was wondering if any Japan only games (namely Fire Emblem and Mother) would be featured on the Wii's Virtual Console. Also, is it true that games, mainly RPG's, are dumbed down for the American gamer?

This is another mystery about the Virtual Console. A large number of titles were released in Japan only, and whether or not they will be available for play in English-speaking regions is unknown. The problem with releasing original versions of J-games like Fire Emblem or Mother is that they are in Japanese, obviously. Nintendo of America isn't going to make available a game that's in a language only a handful of Americans can understand. Unless Nintendo's plans for the VC dictate otherwise, Japanese games will most likely only show up in the U.S. If Nintendo decides to release localized versions. I'm giving a decent chance of this happening with the most-wanted games, Sin and Punishment on the N64 among them. They would be nice surprises on top of what's already going to be available in English.

In the past, games made in Japan (not just RPGs) were throttled down some for release in the United States. For example, the Japanese Super Mario Bros. 2 was considered too difficult for us Yanks, so they gave us Doki Doki Panic with Mario instead. These days, gamers around the world are up the challenge, so the Final Fantasy that's released in Japan is the exact same game that's released in America.

Do you guys think that Nintendo will include a second controller free with purchase of Wii? They can’t go back now if its named Wii, than you need two controllers. We can’t play by themselves, but with 2 controllers I can play with you and me and we can have fun. You see wiihat I’m saying brother??

Adolph vega

I sure hope so. The new logo implies there are two controllers in the Wii (the two i's). How cheap they are to manufacture and what else will be packed in with the system (nunchaku attachment, controller shell) could be determining factors.

The controller video shown at TGS did have that part with the guy rocking out with two controllers, so you know they're thinking about it. Nintendo would be wise to do it, so developers that have two-controller game ideas can use them without needing to worry about their target audience needing to go out and buy another controller.

long time reader and big fan here... my question is about red steel and fps's on wii in general. how is the remote/control scheme going to work for left handed people who want to hold the pointer in the left hand? in red steel the on-screen gun mirrors the tilt of the pointer in the player's right hand, but i usually use a 'southpaw' control scheme and aim/look/fire primary weapon with the left hand. when the controller was announced i rejoiced because i thought it would be as easy as switching hands to go 'southpaw' (don't get me started on the heretofore frustrating plight of the left handed gamer). now i'm wondering if that might be problematic. your thoughts, please.

thanks

mef

For the most part, games should work just fine if you prefer to hold the Wii controller in your left hand. I don't think the game will care from which side of the screen the controller is positioned, just as long as it's pointed at the television screen.

This could be a problem in a game like Red Steel, though, since the character's using his right arm to shoot and you're using your left to aim. I don't believe it would affect gameplay, but it might look and feel awkward. Developers would need to add a left-handed or mirrored control/display option to games so lefties can play without confusion.

Of course, lefties won't have to make that adjustment with the Wii version of Twilight Princess.

I remember when the Revolution (now known as Wii) was first announced, it had been stated by Nintendo that the system would be able to hook up to a computer monitor, now some time has passed and it has never been mentioned since, and since we are coming to E3 in just a few days I would like to know is this still going to be an option and why is it an option? I seen the pictures on the internet of the back of the console, and it doesnt seeem like a typical output for a P.C. monitor was there so what are your thoughts ?

Anthony

Nintendo can just release a VGA cable for the system, which would use the proprietary connector that will be on the back of the Wii hardware. The Dreamcast and Xbox 360 have cables that output to computer screens that connect to the same port as the regular video cables, so the Wii will likely have a special cable to do that as well.

Hey guys, I've got a couple of questions for you. First, is the Nunchuk attachment going to be motion-sensitive as well? I didn't think it was, but a recent preview of Madden for Revo--errr, Wii--made it sound like it was. Also, I think a wireless Nunchuk attachment would be great, but what do you guys think? Obviously it would be convenient, but how do you think it would affect cost/battery life? Finally, is there any chance that Wii will include an ethernet port after all? I found out that sadly, my housing next year will not have wireless internet :(. Thanks a lot guys!

Oh, and here's a bonus question - any chance of a Beetle Adventure Racing sequel...ever?

-Jason M.

Quotes from Electronic Arts and other sources have made it absolutely clear that the analog stick half of the nunchaku controller setup will have an accelerometer. Accelerometers detect sudden changes in speed and direction, meaning that if the nunchaku is quickly jerked to one side or the other, the game will recognize that movement without control stick input. EA mentioned that doing that in the Wii version of Madden would allow for a running back to juke. This actually makes as lot of sense, seeing as it would eliminate the need for a juke button that's going to be in the traditional versions of the game.

The Wii's hookup to the Internet will be primarily wireless. You can probably use Nintendo's USB Wi-fi adapter on your computer if a wireless network isn't available to you. I think I heard something somewhere about a USB Ethernet dongle being a possibility as well. I would rather see the port in the system, and perhaps they will have it in the final hardware, but as it stands you'll need a wireless network or the adapter they're promising.

Bonus Answer: Probably not. Too bad, I loved that game.

Good day,

My question regards Baten Kaitos II. I am increasingly worried this game will not be localized, or at the very best, be delayed severely. Is there any "new" news in regards to its localization? I'm afraid coverage of about 10000 other things will overshadow BKII in the coming weeks/months.

Cheers,

Cram

Oh sure, it'll be overshadowed. It's probably still going to get released in the States eventually, though. I'm sure Nintendo realizes that they can't completely abandon GameCube support, even with the impending tidal wave of information regarding their “new-generation" Wii console. Nintendo has been said to be publishing the game in America, and even though it's not listed on their website at the moment, it'll probably be among the thin list of GameCube releases in the E3 media kits and demo reels.

Howdy Bag,

News about Pokemon Diamond and Pearl has been relatively hush hush. Is it possible that the update to the franchise will be exposed at E3?

Thanks a lot, M

Mysteryman

Most likely. That is to say, if Nintendo doesn't have a real Pokémon RPG for the DS (and/or Wii) to show, I will be shocked and disappointed. With all the Poké-crap that Nintendo has been putting out lately (Dash, Trozei, etc.), I think it's about time they showed us how the game should be played: Online.

Will the Nintendo DS be utilized as a controller, or possibly as a map screen / item-select touch screen with the Nintendo Wii system on some games ?

I don't think it will. The GameCube-GBA games that did this were really cool and innovative because you did have that second screen on the handheld, and everyone could play together without someone else interrupting the main action on-screen. The DS already has two screens, so you can do the multi-screen stuff on it, and the Wii (and DS) will be online, so that takes care of the problem of people needing to wait for other people—you can pause while other people continue playing the game without distraction.

That doesn't mean we won't see some interaction between the Wii and DS at all, of course. I'm sure Nintendo has a plan for their interaction, but I doubt it'll be like it was with the few GC games that used the GBA.

Hello PGC! love your site! I wanted to know from the PGC staff what Nintendo has to do at E3 to win over the critics. I know a name change would make a lot of people happy, but I was wondering if it will be how the controller works that will be the main focus or the entire Wii presentaion( System, games, controller, pricing, support,etc.) . What will Wii need to win? Your thoughts please.

Wii will always be Nintendo gamers

MBP

This needs to be made perfectly clear: We will know everything we need to know and want to know about the Wii after Nintendo's May 9 press event is over. The hardware, the games, the publisher and developer support, the launch date, the price...Nintendo can not keep this information close to their chest anymore. Sony and Microsoft can easily steal all the attention if they have a strong showing and Nintendo falters in any way.

For Nintendo to come away from E3 a winner, they need to deliver on every single promise they've made about the Wii, and then blow people away with the surprises they haven't yet shown everyone. This is the week where Nintendo proves to the world that their “Blue Ocean Strategy" is the right one for their company, and for the people that play the games. If they do that, they can turn the spotlight of the game industry back on themselves, regardless of what Sony or Microsoft do.

This is the last PGC mailbag before Nintendo tells the world about the Wii. Up until now, it's been daydreaming and speculation about what Nintendo has in store. After this Tuesday, it'll be all about the games Nintendo shows off. It's time to get excited, people! There are going to be a lot of questions about the Wii after it's revealed, so if you've got a really good one, send it in to the mailbag, and check out our E3 coverage all week long!