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Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
Thu, 2005-09-15 19:52 — Stephen
...is scheduled to begin at 10:00pm tonight, our time. It's speculated he might have some more Revolution details...
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Bundled game.
Gamespot has a hands-on with Wii Play, a collection of nine mini-games to be bundled with the Wii controller. It'll arrive at launch in Japan, but doesn't have a US release date yet.
Included is the Duck Hunt demo that was at E3 2006.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
I wouldn't imagine it would be difficult. You could put it on the floor below the screen. It doesn't need to be right under or right over it. The sensors are relative, not absolute. Nintendo says this would work no matter how large the TV is, and that tells me you could plop that thing anywhere vertically, as long as it's centered horizontally.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
Some questions.
If I had a wall-mounted flat-screen TV, which is exactly what I'm going to own in the near future, how am I going to put this thing on top or below it?
I wonder what the "more" is?
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
IGN has an article called "unlocking the secrets" where they spill the beans on the controller specifications taken directly from the official developer documentation.
There are specifics on power, internal memory, SYNCHRO functions, and more.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
Rumors that the analog-stick attachment for the Revolution controller also contains a motion sensor are gathering steam, so I'll mention them.
Meh
Someone at EA said pretty directly that the Revolution controller has touch sensitivity. Was this a slip?
She confirmed that she was indeed talking about the Revolution, saying that touch sensitivity "is related to what Nintendo may have in development for use around their Revolution controller."
"...I mean, nothing. Damn, why won't I shut up?"
Light Gun Shell
Sega has a patent filing that looks to be adapting Dreamcast light-gun hardware functionality into a shell for the Revolution Controller. Have a look.
Nintendo's Genre Innovation Strategy
LostGarden describes Nintendo's Genre Innovation Strategy for its gaming business, putting together pieces of the puzzle that seems to stump many gamers. This includes analysis of how the Revolution Controller fits into their strategy. It's a great read.
control
According to an interview with Jim Merrick of NOE, it uses a Bluetooth signal to communicate the position of the controller relative to the sensors, of which there are two, which you place near your TV. He says it doesn't matter where they are, just so long as they're near the TV. I think it probably uses radio to communicate with the console at that point, because that's how a wavebird works, not with IR.
Do you mean the range? They told the press that the model they were using to play the demos behind close doors has a 10-15 foot range, but that they haven't finalized that for the product.
I'm not certain, but I think it has the gyro sensor that Nintendo uses in a lot of their stuff lately. That is, a tiny solid object (not like a rumble motor) that somehow can tell what angle it's at. So my understanding is, the gyro detects the angle and sends that information to the system, and the controller also uses the sensors by the TV to gauge its relative position against. Which is why this works with all kinds of sets. The controller doesn't care about any TV, it's looking at the sensors.
Assuming the plastic is at least as hard as that used in Nintendo's previous game controllers and consoles, I would say you could drive a bus over it and you'd be more likely to break the bus. I've dropped my DS short distances a couple of times without its case, and a couple more with. It really does feel indestructible. Seriously though, I don't see why not. You drop anything enough times and it will break.
I read somewhere on a board someone saying "this is dumb, if the controller slips out of my hand and I drop it, it will mess up my game!" Apparently that doesn't happen when he drops his game controller now...?
The presentation video of the controller in use shows a guy using two controllers, two different colors, one in each hand, no wire connecting them, as drumsticks. The only peripheral shown for the main controller so far is the analog stick attachment. They mentioned that earlier controllers will be produced as peripherals (snes, n64) so that those games can be played as originally intended, or that you can control them with a cube controller if you like (there are cube controller ports on the main console under a door).
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
Stephen wrote
I think they were refering to the joystick addition to the pointer device. From looking at the photos from our previous article postings it looks like the additional joystick would plug into the pointer device. Thus, leaving the 3 joystick ports open and giving it's "Nunchacku" look and feel. Hey at least I know if some tries to breakin while I am gaming with this system I can "Bruce Lee" them with these controllers. :mrgreen:
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
The more I think about this controller the more questions come popping up.
How precise will the stylus aspect of that controller will truly be? How exactly will the console receive the information from the controller? I know that it is wireless, but what is the active area for the controller? Is there a motion sensor device within the controller? Will the controller be able to withstand physical abuse and keep it's sensitivity? I have to admitt there have been a few rare occasions that I was so frustrated with a game that I have chucked the controller, albiet it was into the couch cushions but still...
I think that the "Wait and See" approach will be best for me. ;) As you can tell I am really curious how much different will this controller will truly be from previous ones.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
LOL that flash piece is great. :D
I think that the stylus functionality of the controller is exciting. It's because of this I am begining to wonder if Nintendo is thinking of emulating DS games as well. Anyway I am definitely interested in seeing what their next generation games are going to be like. It's up to the software developers now to show-off the new system.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
Heh heh.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v507/mousedown/revo.swf
SWK returns
I read someone's suggestion on a board earlier today that lightsaber battles are going to kick ass with this thing. I hadn't even thought of that.
The response on the board is, we'll all look like Ghyslain.
Nobody's mentioned that what Nintendo's effectively done here is created a stylus control for Revolution games on your TV. There was mention in earlier interviews, before the unveiling, of how the controller would be ideal for titles like Luigi's Mansion and Pikmin. Obviously direct flashlight control in LM, and a RTS like Pikmin would have some very good pointer applications.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
I suffer from Carpal Tunnel which was onset from 10 years of Cello and 20 years of Video Games. I know I won't be able to use this controller. I can barely use a PS2 controller for any long period of time.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651559p1.html
The article points out that while you could use two controllers, one in each hand, for some games, you couldn't have four players on that game because the console only supports four controllers.
So a Fight Night game where you hold one in each hand and throw the punches yourself instead of flicking an analog stick could only be 2 player if you weren't going to play it online. OK, bad example, boxing with more than 2 players is a street brawl...
But you know, since the system can sense all kinds of motion, you could control a game like Fight Night entirely this way. It would even see when you dodge left and right. Of course, it might be too much like real boxing for most gamers' physique.
The problem with games that require physical activity like boxing is that you can basically play one fight per day, if even that. I can't imagine flailing my arms around for half an hour straight. Each round in a boxing match is 3 minutes long, punch the air for 3 minutes and see how you feel.
I can see it working with a baseball game (swinging the controller would make the batter swing, just be sure to hold on *crash*), although Nintendo would then have to actually have a major league sports title. Can't imagine that trend changing.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
More great details!
http://cube.ign.com/articles/651/651559p1.html
The article points out that while you could use two controllers, one in each hand, for some games, you couldn't have four players on that game because the console only supports four controllers.
So a Fight Night game where you hold one in each hand and throw the punches yourself instead of flicking an analog stick could only be 2 player if you weren't going to play it online. OK, bad example, boxing with more than 2 players is a street brawl...
But you know, since the system can sense all kinds of motion, you could control a game like Fight Night entirely this way. It would even see when you dodge left and right. Of course, it might be too much like real boxing for most gamers' physique.
RevCon
Turning the controller sideways effectively turns it into an NES controller on the front. So that one's easy. I'm wondering about the rest of the controllers, myself. There are more buttons on SNES controller than the face of this one. Are we to assume that the peripherals we're talking about are going to be complete retro controllers? I think they could include an adapter in the package with sockets for all the old controllers. I have NES controllers, I'd need to come up with a SNES controller and an N64 controller, but it wouldn't be too challenging to do so.
I also want to know if the Cube games the system will run can be controlled with the new controller. Some would work very easily if it will simply allow it, mapping functions on one controller to the other, but others would be more of a challenge.
Also, if a developer makes a Revolution game, can we control it with the Cube controller instead if it doesn't use the motion functions in the wand?
I have to get my hands on this controller. I really need to see what operating it feels like.
You're right though, to put it on display in the store, they'd either need to tether it to the counter (defeating the whole concept) or put a little sensor on it so an alarm would go off if you bolt with it.
Or I guess they could just have a rep there to keep an eye on you. Like when I was at Gamestop and the N rep came in with the DS...
Me: Wow, it's neat. Thanks for letting me try it. Hey, look over there! I'll just be moving along now (motioning to slide it into my coat pocket...)
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
I dunno gang, the concept is very cool but how does this control translate in terms of the real world applications. From what I see from the one handed controller is an early trip to hand cramps and "Carpell Tunnel Syndrome". Plus can you really play any of the earlier games with this device well? I guess I won't know untill I see it in real life. I gonna hold off final judgment until then. :?
very cool
It's very cool. I can't wait to try this out.
Of course I won't be able to do it in a store since people will walk off with them.
Nintendo Wii Freehand Controller
Gamespot has a more detailed hands-on with the controller.
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/15/news_6133335.html
It was nice to hear the nunchaku analog stick comes with it.
And more, more more, on the unveiling
http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/09/15/news_6133389.html
"'You've done it!' was my impression," Kojima said. "This was totally unexpected. I was pleasantly surprised because the controller is quite comfortable yet provides something brand new."
Iwata addressed concerns people might have about playing retro games on the Revolution's new controller through its virtual console backwards compatibility, saying that classic-styled expansion controllers would be available so people could enjoy the games as they originally remembered them.
Sweet. Classic-style. Like potato chips.
Nah...
The controller has been revealed.
http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3143782
It's like a TV remote control with a D-pad on it.
An expansion port on the bottom of the unit allows for add-on hardware to compliment this "remote controller" (our word for it, not Nintendo's), like a second controller piece Nintendo demonstrated that comes equipped with an analog stick and two trigger buttons (currently labeled Z1 and Z2, for those of you keeping track). When the two controller pieces are attached, the so-called 'Nunchaku' configuration (the two bits are connected by a short cord) can work similarly to current controllers, just with the second analog stick replaced by actual movement of the Revolution controller. Nintendo also mentioned that the controller stick could be slipped inside other, more conventional controller shells, dance mats, bongos, or other peripherals.
There is a video demo to watch.
You know, I remember thinking some time ago, when they said they wanted a controller that would not be intimidating to all ages, thinking to myself, "geez, what is it, a TV remote? That would be funny..."