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Reggie Talks About All Things Nintendo

by Michael Cole - February 20, 2006, 4:07 pm EST
Total comments: 43 Source: Engadget

Reggie discusses Revolution development kits, hints at a new franchise for the upcoming console, and more in an interview with Engadget.

Peter Rojas of Engadget recently interviewed Reggie Fils-Aime of Nintendo of America on a variety of topics, and the VP provided more than a few interesting responses. Rojas presses Reggie on the limits of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the state of Revolution software development (the company has shipped over 1,000 controller dev kits), and what we will see at E3.

Here's a snippet on why NOA is barely discussing Nintendo DS Lite.

Have you set a timetable for when the DS Lite will be available here in North America?

We have not announced the date and we won’t be announcing a date for the foreseeable future. We are working through our inventories and our allocations of product and frankly, we are doing everything we can just to meet current demand. Japan has already announced that they will launch in early March and they have the same challenges of meeting that very high level of demand.

We need to make sure that we have enough product in hand for us to launch effectively here in North America and as soon as we feel we are in that position we’ll announce it.

Readers engrossed in GameCube-Revolution forward-compatibility may need to reassess their hopes.

Speaking of GameCube, if you play a GameCube game on the new Revolution console, will you be able to use the Revolution controller or will you have to use the older style of controller?

Well, all of the GameCube games will be compatible only with GameCube accessories, so whether it’s a WaveBird or whether it’s a wired controller, you’ll only be able to play those titles with those accessories. Essentially what we’re saying is that Revolution titles are the only ones that will leverage the new controller.

And Fils-Aime assures gamers that new franchises will be among the games leveraging the new system and its controller—whatever it may be called. The company insists Revolution is a code name.

You can read the full interview with Reggie at Engadget.

Talkback

Bill AurionFebruary 20, 2006

"hints at a new franchise for the upcoming console"

The new franchise that was confirmed back at E3? face-icon-small-smile.gif (Engadget was pretty silly to waste a question on that...)

Actually, Reggie says it in the plural, so who knows? And a year is a long time--things get cancelled in that timespan.

Ian SaneFebruary 20, 2006

"Does that mean we could probably expect a third iteration of the DS about 18 months from now?

I wouldn’t say that that’s an unreasonable assumption. Look at how many times we’ve improved on the Game Boy Advance in terms of the look, the feel, screen changes, and everything else."

Oh great. I just love how I can no longer feel confident in buying a Nintendo portable without fear that a better version is around the corner. Dammit, this very type of BS is exactly why I stick to proprietary consoles over PCs. Buy once, be satisfied forever.

It bothers me that when asked about Zelda he gives the typical "well TECHNICALLY we only said 2006 so it's not delayed" routine. Nintendo always does that and it bugs me. Yeah technically they only said 2006 but when everyone interpreted that as Spring they didn't stop us. I would have said something like "we only said 2006 and unfortunately several stores started printing release dates earlier than what we were aiming for. We're sorry that any of our fans felt that was the real date and we'll try to be more clear in the future." That sort of statement shows that they care instead of their usual statement where it's like they're dodging responsibility.

Bill AurionFebruary 20, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: TheYoungerPlumber
Actually, Reggie says it in the plural, so who knows? And a year is a long time--things get cancelled in that timespan.

A Miyamoto idea being cancelled? Nuh uh!

Smash_BrotherFebruary 20, 2006

"We have shipped over a thousand controller dev kits to developers so that they can begin getting experience with the controller mechanics."

:gawk:

I liked this quote...

"I find it quite interesting that our competitors are more interested in trying to pigeonhole us versus articulating a clear strategy amongst themselves that differentiates where they’re trying to do in the marketplace."

And this was perfect...

"To be perfectly clear, the Microsoft and Sony strategies are based on overall corporate objectives versus what’s right for the consumer. That’s a reality. Microsoft is essentially trying to get you to put a PC in your living room because they are fundamentally a PC software company. Sony is trying to get you to put an entertainment hub that has Blu-ray technology because that’s important to their movie business and the rest of their entire electronics business."

NinGurl69 *hugglesFebruary 20, 2006

The latest GamePro issue, referencing Famitsu, discusses the delay of Zelda into 2007.

GameCube is so dead.

StrellFebruary 20, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: Ian Sane


Oh great. I just love how I can no longer feel confident in buying a Nintendo portable without fear that a better version is around the corner. Dammit, this very type of BS is exactly why I stick to proprietary consoles over PCs. Buy once, be satisfied forever.



The difference with the DS-DSL and GBA-GBASP is that the SP is more "needed" than the DSL is. All the DSL does is give a redesign. The SP incorporated backlight, something that is sorely needed/required in portables now. The only reason Nintendo stayed back was because of battery issues, and now that tech has advanced, it is no longer an issue.

But what does the DSL "solve" that the DS doesn't? Aesthetics, pure and simple. There is no need for it, there is want for it.

A DSL SP down the line? Oh well. Every console company (with the exception of Microsoft, because they hardly know what the hell they are doing) redesigns their stuff these days. Sony will probably release a PSPL at some point.

I'm really getting tired of people whining about redesigns, like they feel like they are getting shafted. Hi, you get the play the games now versus later. Quite your bitching.

Chris1February 20, 2006

I can't believe he hasn't seent he Nintendo ON video, I thought everyone's seen that! But I did like this quote about the Rev "that is certainly high-tech and certainly powerful enough to create the most sophisticated games"

zakkielFebruary 20, 2006

"Oh great. I just love how I can no longer feel confident in buying a Nintendo portable without fear that a better version is around the corner."

This is like refusing to ever buy a PC. Sure, something better will be out shortly; the question is, is the product worth buying now for you or not? If you're willing to wait and miss gaming hours because you'd rather apply the money to a better version, more power to you. If not - if the putative upgrade is unlikely to be worth the time lost waiting for it - then buy now. That's how the technology market works.

SheckyFebruary 20, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: PGC NewsBot
Readers engrossed in GameCube-Revolution forward-compatibility may need to reassess their hopes.

Speaking of GameCube, if you play a GameCube game on the new Revolution console, will you be able to use the Revolution controller or will you have to use the older style of controller?

"Well, all of the GameCube games will be compatible only with GameCube accessories, so whether it’s a WaveBird or whether it’s a wired controller, you’ll only be able to play those titles with those accessories. Essentially what we’re saying is that Revolution titles are the only ones that will leverage the new controller."



Hmm, if that's true there goes BC out of the box. I can't imagine that this is 100% strict. If the shell has enough buttons to support a Gamecube game, then why not let us use it for GC games? Sure the motion capabilities don't have any effect, but at least you don't force people to buy a GC controller let alone Nintendo would have to keep producing GC controllers. It doesn't seem to benefit either side.

PaLaDiNFebruary 20, 2006

Is he talking about the controller itself or the controller+shell?

ShyGuyFebruary 20, 2006

Let me quote something a Taiwanese distributor once said about upgrades.

"Buy sooner, enjoy sooner, regret sooner"
"Buy later, enjoy later, regret later"
"Never buy, never enjoy, ALWAYS regret"

ArtimusFebruary 20, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Oh great. I just love how I can no longer feel confident in buying a Nintendo portable without fear that a better version is around the corner. Dammit, this very type of BS is exactly why I stick to proprietary consoles over PCs. Buy once, be satisfied forever.


Your example is exceptionally flawed. Your original DS, like the original GBA, will play every single game to come out for the system. A PC can become outdated and no longer able to play new games. Perhaps your DS will be a little older and not quite as fancy, but that's to be expected because of new and cheaper technology. Nintendo would've loved to have released the DSL first, I'm sure. But development and/or price costs didn't allow them to.

Your DS plays all the games. End of story.

Smash_BrotherFebruary 20, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: Artimus
Your DS plays all the games. End of story.


...and it's backlit and has all of the same functions.

Need I remind people that Sony does this kind of thing with home consoles where they actually release BETTER versions of the console (like better hardware, more features)? There was a PS1 "upgrade" at some point. I watched a PS1 without it run Gran Turismo and it had severe framerate issues. The newer PS1 ran it without issue.

The DS Lite is almost an exception because it has a better screen, but that's an aesthetic feature and not a form of functionality (whereas slowdown vs. no slowdown or 480p support is DEFINITELY a feature).

CalibanFebruary 20, 2006

Man, did I ever get confused on Reggie's statement about the use of the controller in terms of backward-compatibility for GC games, I hope in the future they make a clear statement on that issue, well I only need to know if I can get rid of the GC controllers with exception of the bongo-controller.

JensenFebruary 20, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: Ian Sane


Oh great. I just love how I can no longer feel confident in buying a Nintendo portable without fear that a better version is around the corner.


Every successful Nintendo system has had redesigns, what's new? The only system that didn't have a redesign had a RAM add-on to give it more power.

ruby_onixFebruary 21, 2006

Thread title needs to be changed to "Rev Controllers Won't Work on GC Games". emot-zoid1.gif

Quote

Have you set a timetable for when the DS Lite will be available here in North America?

We have not announced the date and we won’t be announcing a date for the foreseeable future. We are working through our inventories and our allocations of product and frankly, we are doing everything we can just to meet current demand. Japan has already announced that they will launch in early March and they have the same challenges of meeting that very high level of demand.

We need to make sure that we have enough product in hand for us to launch effectively here in North America and as soon as we feel we are in that position we’ll announce it.

emot-words.gif

Quote

Exactly. They have gone down a path that is very expensive for consumers, very expensive for developers to create content against, and they're providing a level of horsepower technology that not many consumers want. We in providing to consumers and to developers an approach that is certainly high-tech and certainly powerful enough to create the most sophisticated games,

Shifts from making good Reggie-sense, to saying the exact same things I heard before Quest 64 came out.

KDR_11kFebruary 21, 2006

Every successful Nintendo system has had redesigns, what's new? The only system that didn't have a redesign had a RAM add-on to give it more power.

What did the SNES redesign look like?

ruby_onixFebruary 21, 2006

snes_sns-101.jpg

The NES got an odd-looking redesign which simplified the cart mechanism to cut costs, which most people say was actually an improvement because the old mechanism was finnicky and prone to wearing out.

The SNES redesign was a puny thing that eliminated it's eject lever and it's RF output.

The N64's Ram Pak expansion is just an add-on, not a redesign. The N64's redesign looks like it has a dead fetus attached to it's head, with feet you can poke and cheeks that light up. Pika.

The Cube has no redesign (unless you want to count the removal of the Digital Out port). The Panasonic Q doesn't count.


Edit: The GameBoy got a redesign to become the GameBoy Pocket, which had a clearer screen, used fewer batteries, and was likely cheaper to make.

The GameBoy Color had no redesign.

The GameBoy Advance was redesigned into the SP to fix a major flaw that Nintendo doesn't admit ever really existed, and it didn't use batteries anymore. (The design is cool, but the old one wasn't exactly lame.)

The GameBoy Advance was redesigned again into the micro in an attempt to make cost-cutting cool.

And the GBA SP was "upgraded" to use a better screen.

Now the DS is being redesigned for it's appearance, it's weight, and also apparently because lately Nintendo's practically itching to upgrade their screens every time they see a newer version.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: ruby_onix

Edit: The GameBoy got a redesign to become the GameBoy Pocket, which had a clearer screen, used fewer batteries, and was likely cheaper to make.



The original Game Boy was redesiged into the Game Boy Pocket - which was redesigned into the Game Boy Pocket (which had a red LED on the front for battery power) - which was redesigned into the Game Boy Light, a front-lit Game Boy that was only released in Japan.

PlugabugzFebruary 21, 2006

The fact that there's no "frankly no release date" for USA for the DS Lite means we're not getting it for ages.

JonLeungFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: Plugabugz
The fact that there's no "frankly no release date" for USA for the DS Lite means we're not getting it for ages.


They probably don't feel a need to mention it now, so that they can have another announcement for E3...as if they don't have enough already.

couchmonkeyFebruary 21, 2006

I hope Reggie's mistaken about having to use GameCube accessories to play GameCube games - that's foolish. How is Zelda going to sell Revolutions if people have to buy an outdated controller to play it? Anyone who already owns GameCube controllers also owns a system to play the Twighlight Princess on...so this seems bad. It's bad for the backwards compatibility feature in general - not as bad as Microsoft's pathetic backwards compatibility, but not a lot better either.

You know, I somewhat agree with Ian on the DS Lite. The system DOES improve on the original - it has brightness control, presumably brighter screens, it's lighter, slimmer and from what I've seen it has bigger screens. I want all of those things, so I feel ripped-off having already paid $200 CDN for my regular DS. But I realize that's the price I pay to own the system early on. Maybe in the next portable generation I'll wait for the first redesign.

Bill AurionFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: ruby_onix
Shifts from making good Reggie-sense, to saying the exact same things I heard before Quest 64 came out.
emot-words.gif

couchmonkeyFebruary 21, 2006

Just read the full article, may as well bitch about everything at one time:

Quote

And the second point, in terms of having to have new friend codes for every game, quite frankly, what that does is put control in the hands of the gamer. So there are some people that I want to let into my house with Animal Crossing and others that I don’t, and that friend code set up allows me to manage that title by title.

This is an excuse. They could just as easily include an "invisibility" feature like any IM program.

Quote

...they're providing a level of horsepower technology that not many consumers want.

Please tell that to everyone who doubled their money selling Xbox 360s on Ebay. But I do like this one:

Quote

Now, we’ve also been quite clear that there are innovations inherent in Revolution that we will be sharing ongoing...I have seen blog entries on your site and other sites that criticize us for that, but quite frankly, it’s just good business. In terms of letting the consumer know what’s involved and sharing that information all the way up until launch.

Reggie's got me more confident about the "release details all year" strategy now. Show some games at E3, and keep revealing new info all the way up to launch to keep the hype level high.

hudsonhawkFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: StrellA DSL SP down the line? Oh well. Every console company (with the exception of Microsoft, because they hardly know what the hell they are doing) redesigns their stuff these days. Sony will probably release a PSPL at some point.


I don't think they'll call it the PSPL though. Let's see how they've done this in the past:

PS1 redesign = PSOne
PS2 redesign = PSTwo

Hmm, okay, so they spell out the last character in the system for the redesign. Therefore

PSP redesign = PSPee.

StrellFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: couchmonkey
I hope Reggie's mistaken about having to use GameCube accessories to play GameCube games - that's foolish. How is Zelda going to sell Revolutions if people have to buy an outdated controller to play it? Anyone who already owns GameCube controllers also owns a system to play the Twighlight Princess on...so this seems bad. It's bad for the backwards compatibility feature in general - not as bad as Microsoft's pathetic backwards compatibility, but not a lot better either.



I hope everyone (Nintendo included) is listening to this man, because this is a devastatingly bad idea. Not for people like me who have GC controllers, but because it would PISS OFF EVERYONE ELSE.

Ian SaneFebruary 21, 2006

"The fact that there's no 'frankly no release date' for USA for the DS Lite means we're not getting it for ages."

I question if there's even a market for it here yet. DS's are selling out in Japan but here in North America there's much stiffer competition from the PSP. Or maybe NOA feels that the constant redesigns are going to make people scared to trust Nintendo portables. Japanese and American consumers have different attitudes and NOA might just think that this isn't a good idea for the American market.

"...they're providing a level of horsepower technology that not many consumers want."

This statement is just pure Nintendo excuses. We heard this same sort of BS about what consumers don't want regarding CDs and online gaming. Nintendo's the least relevent console maker in the world. They have no business telling us what consumers want or don't want because they don't have any f*cking clue. If they knew what they were talking about they wouldn't be the last place console. Nintendo is skimping on hardware because they're cheapos. That's why they skimp on anything. Consumers ALWAYS want better technology. That's the whole reason why we even tolerate the creation of new consoles. No one wants to pay more money for a meager upgrade. I don't want to pay good money for the Rev if the only reason those game aren't on the Cube is because of the controller.

Now maybe the competition is going too far technology-wise to the point where they're unaffordable. But that's a price issue not a technology issue. Nintendo's got to learn that this "we've decided this is what you want" routine is very negative towards their image. If they focused more on price and didn't downplay technology it would make them look way better.

What sounds better? "...they're providing a level of horsepower technology that not many consumers want." or "They're pricing their console at a level higher then what the typical consumer can afford. We're dedicated to making sure the Rev offers innovation and great games and next generation hardware at an affordable price."

Focus on the price but don't downplay the hardware. If they honestly didn't say anything then no one would assume the hardware is weak and realistically if the screenshots look as good as Nintendo says they will then no one would notice. But they dodged the specs question and are constantly downplaying technology and revealed the lack of HD support prior to showing any screens and now everone thinks the Rev's just a Gamecube with a remote. Maybe it is only that but they could have done a WAY better job at hiding that. Nintendo's the only company I can think of who immediately draws attention to their weaknesses and keeps their strengths hidden.

KDR_11kFebruary 21, 2006

hudsonhawk: There is no PSTwo. There is a PS2 Model 7000x, however.

Ian:
Consumers ALWAYS want better technology.

Yes but customers (please, consumer sounds like sheep) also want low prices. The rev offers a new control scheme and better technology, just not THAT much better technology.

CericFebruary 21, 2006

"First, Nintendo is blessed with the best, most dynamic, most vocal community of players and fans of any brand in this space."

Best. Quote. In the entire thing. Mostly because he used the word blessed.

hudsonhawkFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: KDR_11k
hudsonhawk: There is no PSTwo. There is a PS2 Model 7000x, however.


Hmm, my mistake. Everyone refers to the tiny redesigned PS2 as the "PStwo" - I thought it was the official name.

It was a juvenile throwaway joke anyway - forgot to hit the "Fact Check" button.

Smash_BrotherFebruary 21, 2006

Frankly, I'm stunned Sony hasn't announced a "PSPTS" or something with a touchscreen and microphone.

Also, is anyone even listening when I point out that Sony releases BETTER versions of their consoles throughout the lifespan? Seriously, one batch of PS2s doesn't have 480p support and the next batch DOES.

I'll never understand why Sony fans tolerate that sort of crap...

MaryJaneFebruary 21, 2006

Sorry for being slow on the uptake, but i've never seen the Nintendo On video either, so Reggie and I are in the same boat. although i'm still fishing for release dates and rev info, and he caught a tiger shark. anyhow. a lot of controversy about the whole what consumers want comment he made. i don't want hi-def graphics. i have a fairly new t.v so it maybe it wouldn't matter too much to me, but a friend of mine has a pretty old t.v (i'm surprised it's not black and white that's how old it is) and an xbox360 while the graphics, movements, backgrounds look good, the picture itself is off, it gets blurry at times, and certain things become unrecognizable at least in perfect dark and nba. so i prefer to have standard 480i graphics for myself and 480p for peeps who have progressive scan compatible t.v's. maybe its just me but he wasn't totally wrong :-). oh can i get a link to that On video pretty please ;-).

vuduFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

A Miyamoto idea being cancelled? Nuh uh!
How about Marionette? Not exactly cancelled, but it was never released. You could argue that it was more of a tech demo than a game (which is was) but it's still a Miyamoto project that was never released.

ThePermFebruary 21, 2006

and the funny thing is psp looks like a gba

lol, and dont think marionette was even officially announced. It was trademarked though..

Smash_Brother, Nintendo released a version of the GameCube WITHOUT 480p support. Isn't that *worse* than what Sony did?

PlugabugzFebruary 21, 2006

"I question if there's even a market for it here yet. DS's are selling out in Japan but here in North America there's much stiffer competition from the PSP. Or maybe NOA feels that the constant redesigns are going to make people scared to trust Nintendo portables. Japanese and American consumers have different attitudes and NOA might just think that this isn't a good idea for the American market."

I'm certain consumer attitudes differ from one continent to the next, but there's a time shift between the rest of the world and europe according to nintendo.
If Japan is getting it in the next few months (release date i forget), then we're getting it in 2007 - It would have been nice if he said "and europe" in that response about the DS Lite release date. Europe only has a populus of 700m, not much profit to make there.

The OmenFebruary 21, 2006

Quote

I hope Reggie's mistaken about having to use GameCube accessories to play GameCube games - that's foolish. How is Zelda going to sell Revolutions if people have to buy an outdated controller to play it?


Most people who are dying for Zelda have a GC already. Others can buy the controller for $5. Big deal.

RennyFebruary 23, 2006

It's the "PS2two". The box refers to it as both. I want Zelda.

KDR_11kFebruary 23, 2006

The box says PS2 and Playstation 2 under it and has the word "two" in a corner, roughly 20cm away from the PS2 text. Calling it PS2two because of it is like calling the GC "IBM microprocessor technologyNintendo Game Cube" because of the text in the corner.

Smash_BrotherFebruary 23, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: TheYoungerPlumber
Smash_Brother, Nintendo released a version of the GameCube WITHOUT 480p support. Isn't that *worse* than what Sony did?


Not really.

If you want the support, used cubes go for cheaper and, in this case, they're not screwing the early adopter but rather the late adopter. Even then, the late adopter is paying $99 whereas the early adopter likely paid $200 or $150.

hudsonhawkFebruary 23, 2006

Of course, then the late adopter has to find component video cables because Nintendo decided to stop making them.

I have to wonder, if demand for HD was really so low, how come they sell for $50+ on eBay?

RennyFebruary 23, 2006

Quote

Originally posted by: KDR_11k
The box says PS2 and Playstation 2 under it and has the word "two" in a corner, roughly 20cm away from the PS2 text. Calling it PS2two because of it is like calling the GC "IBM microprocessor technologyNintendo Game Cube" because of the text in the corner.


Then why is the "two" there at all? It's a moniker of their creation. I just melded the contradicting names into something reflective of their piss-poor ability to differentiate specific products. (Something all manufacturers seem to suffer from today.) And it's uncompromisingly hilarious, so stop splitting ass-hairs.

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