Nintendo's new console (Nintendo Stream?)

[NASpurs]

I'm a sucker for new technology and love reading about it so here's some info on Nintendo's new console.

http://gear.ign.com/articles/116/1163325p1.html

Project Cafe: The Tech Behind Nintendo's Next Console


More details of Nintendo's forthcoming console, codenamed Project Cafe aka Wii 2, have been revealed to IGN, including the system's estimated pricing, release, console design, processing architecture, and name.

According to sources with knowledge of the project,Nintendo's next console could have a retail price of anywhere between $350 and $400 based on manufacturing costs, and will ship from Taiwanese manufacturer, Foxconn, this October, putting the earliest possible retail release anywhere between mid-October and early November.

However, Nintendo could also opt to build up a sizable supply of the system and allocate more time for software and games development by launching in early 2012. Similarly, Nintendo could attempt to lower the retail price of the system with lower profit margins to make the price more alluring.

Since the manufacturing is taking place in Taiwan, the earthquakes and tsunami that hit Japan last month will not impact the console hardware as previously expected. Additionally, IGN has learned that the system will be based on a revamped version of AMD's R700 GPU architecture, not AMD's Fusion technology as previously believed, which will, as previously reported, out perform the PlayStation 3's NVIDIA 7800GTX-based processor. Like the Xbox 360, the system's CPU will be a custom-built triple-core IBM PowerPC chipset, but the clocking speeds will be faster. The system will support 1080p output with the potential for stereoscopic 3D as well, though it has not been determined whether that will be a staple feature.


In terms of the design of the console itself, the overall size will be comparable to that of the original Xbox 360 and the system is likely to resemble a modernized version of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES).

As reported last week (http://gear.ign.com/articles/116/1162204p1.html), it will indeed utilize controllers with integrated touchscreens and be capable of streaming games to each controller, though given the power of the system, could also feasibly provide a virtualized console for each individual unit.

Finally, Nintendo is considering naming the console Stream, though it is potentially one of several names currently being vetted by the company.

We contacted Nintendo representatives, but they declined to comment on "rumors or speculation."

[Cry Havoc]

Why would they release a new console? Isn't the Wii still selling well? It came out less than 5 years ago... another console now makes no sense.

[Cane]

Why would they release a new console? Isn't the Wii still selling well? It came out less than 5 years ago... another console now makes no sense.

According to the article the new console might not be released until 2012 but consoles typically last just 5-7 years anyway. The Will will be five years old by the end of Nov. The GameCube was only around for 5 or 6, N64 around the same amount of years as well.

The Wii was dated even when it was released and Nintendo undoubtedly has made a ton of $$$ from the hardware alone unlike their competitors. They skimped out on features like 1080p support.

Its a step in the right direction to start including features like that. Also intriguing that the future controllers will feature touchscreens. Nintendo's always trying to stay a few steps ahead of their competitors when it comes to gameplay ideas, for better (Wii, DS) or for worse (Virtual Boy, Nintendo 3DS launch).

[TDMVPDPOY]

imo i wish they went back to the days of the super nintendo...

cant they build something that looks nice in ur home theatre setup with the other hifi equipment

[BlackSwordsMan]

Game streaming is shit especially with nintendo consoles if you buy a game on the wii or DS and you lose either or it breaks and it cant be repaired you lose all of the shit you bought

[Cry Havoc]

According to the article the new console might not be released until 2012 but consoles typically last just 5-7 years anyway. The Will will be five years old by the end of Nov. The GameCube was only around for 5 or 6, N64 around the same amount of years as well.

The Wii was dated even when it was released and Nintendo undoubtedly has made a ton of $$$ from the hardware alone unlike their competitors. They skimped out on features like 1080p support.

Its a step in the right direction to start including features like that. Also intriguing that the future controllers will feature touchscreens. Nintendo's always trying to stay a few steps ahead of their competitors when it comes to gameplay ideas, for better (Wii, DS) or for worse (Virtual Boy, Nintendo 3DS launch).

Yeah but the Xbox 720 and the Ps4 are still likely 2-3 years away right now, at least. Nintendo might have skimped on a lot but they certainly kicked ass in sales, which is the driving force behind releasing a console to begin with.

It will be interesting to see if the new N console is significantly more powerful than the Ps3.

[2pac > Kobe]

I might check this out if they are going back to a fucking normal controller like they said.

i wanna play mario without fucking my wrists up

[ynh]

Until they get some good third party support and a good online network I think I'm passing on this one. Mario and Zelda is not enough alone to buy a new system.

[ynh]

BTW Cane, I'm not sure if you know this but numbers wise the 3DS had the best launch of any hand held.. so I'm not quite sure why you put that with the Virtual Boy. Yeah there wasn't much game support but the system sold at record levels.

[CuckingFunt]

if they are going back to a fucking normal controller like they said.

For some reason, I don't get "fucking normal controller" from "integrated touchscreens."

I still like my Wii and am glad I have it, but Nintendo has to convince me they're about more than new gimmicks before I'll go nuts over another of their consoles.

[Cane]

Yeah but the Xbox 720 and the Ps4 are still likely 2-3 years away right now, at least. Nintendo might have skimped on a lot but they certainly kicked ass in sales, which is the driving force behind releasing a console to begin with.

It will be interesting to see if the new N console is significantly more powerful than the Ps3.

Nintendo might be jumping the gun but imo part of their business plan is using mostly current-generation hardware to save costs and beat their competition to the shelf. If they wait for the next-generation Xbox and Playstation they'll probably get outclassed in the hardware and overall features/pricing department. Very Dreamcast-esque imo and to come to think of it that too had an "innovative" feature for the controller...that bulky visual memory card.

Plus many Wii owners have had their console for a few years now and might be ready for a new and different Mario/Zelda/Nintendo gaming experience.


BTW Cane, I'm not sure if you know this but numbers wise the 3DS had the best launch of any hand held.. so I'm not quite sure why you put that with the Virtual Boy. Yeah there wasn't much game support but the system sold at record levels.

True that but imo as a gameplay idea it hasn't really been utilized well and overall the 3DS has gotten average-ish reviews which falls short of the Nintendo standard (at least for its launch anyway).

[leemajors]

Until they get some good third party support and a good online network I think I'm passing on this one. Mario and Zelda is not enough alone to buy a new system.

You want to pay for an online network for your gaming console when you already pay outrageous prices for an internet connection?

[Muser]

What's wrong with a normal controller like the PS3/360 have? I know Nintendo are all about gimmicks nowdays but jesus you've got the DS for touchscreens.

[2pac > Kobe]

For some reason, I don't get "fucking normal controller" from "integrated touchscreens."

I still like my Wii and am glad I have it, but Nintendo has to convince me they're about more than new gimmicks before I'll go nuts over another of their consoles.
when i say fucking normal controller i mean a controller where I don't have to point at the screen to play a platformer, thus fucking my wrists up

[Cry Havoc]

What's wrong with a normal controller like the PS3/360 have? I know Nintendo are all about gimmicks nowdays but jesus you've got the DS for touchscreens.

I actually somewhat agree with Nintendo here. There hasn't been a fundamental difference in controllers for consoles since 1987 when the NES Advantage was released. The controller hasn't been really improved upon other than incrementally since those days. Now that systems are so powerful, I think it's time for a different way to interact with the media.

[Drachen]

http://www-bgr-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/nintendo-project-cafe2110422135328.jpg

Looks pretty cool to me

[ynh]

You want to pay for an online network for your gaming console when you already pay outrageous prices for an internet connection?

lol I don't want to pay anything.. just think there is a better rout to go than the friend code way.

[CuckingFunt]

http://www-bgr-com.vimg.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/nintendo-project-cafe2110422135328.jpg

Looks pretty cool to me

So, then, you're paying console prices to potentially have a gameplay experience that mirrors a handheld? Going to take more than that to convince me.

The fact that they're touchscreens is still troubling, though. The last fucking thing I want to do when gaming, ever, is sit on my couch and whip out a stylus. Ever.

I guess I'm just not convinced that gaming tech needs to change all that much beyond graphical capabilities (and, frankly, things are about as realistic there as I ever want or need them to be). Motion control remains an amusing little diversion for specific casual applications, but holding a controller and pushing its buttons was fun when I had a Sega Genesis, and it's just as fun now that I have a PS3. I'd much rather all this time and energy be directed at creating fun games, rather than the multitude of emo, war sim FPSs that throw five hours of crappy story at you before leaving you alone to deal with a multiplayer experience rendered insufferable almost immediately due to the douchetastic-ness of all the people with whom you are now required to share your gaming experience. Seriously, I'd stick with the Dualshock 3 forever and always, and be happy about it, if I was ensured more decent platformers and games with an emphasis on single player campaigns.

[Muser]

The Zero Punctuation review of motion control summed it up perfectly, games are more immersive the less movement the actual person has to do, that's why the basic 360/Dualshock 3 controllers are the best.

Also :lmao at that design. So you shell out a shit ton of cash on a brand new 60" TV and you get to play the game on a screen smaller than a Game Boy Advance screen.

[leemajors]

They announced a profit decline of 66% in 2010, I would say that's as good a reason as any to get a new console out!

[Drachen]

The Zero Punctuation review of motion control summed it up perfectly, games are more immersive the less movement the actual person has to do, that's why the basic 360/Dualshock 3 controllers are the best.

Also :lmao at that design. So you shell out a shit ton of cash on a brand new 60" TV and you get to play the game on a screen smaller than a Game Boy Advance screen.

I think that this is only one application of such a screen. obviously you won't be looking at your "quarter" of the screen when you are playing by yourself at home.

[Xevious]

I actually somewhat agree with Nintendo here. There hasn't been a fundamental difference in controllers for consoles since 1987 when the NES Advantage was released. The controller hasn't been really improved upon other than incrementally since those days. Now that systems are so powerful, I think it's time for a different way to interact with the media.
That's all fine as long as it isn't a complete replacement of the old controller and the games they support. Now I don't even own a Wii, nor do I plan on getting this new N console, so I guess it isn't a big deal. But when I play a game, I'm likely going to play it for long stretches at a time and want to take in and enjoy the storyline, etc. Video games that require me to jump around and swing my arms aren't what I'm looking for. I don't buy "party" games.

Having a separate screen on the controller is not a bad idea though, nor is it a new one.

[Nathan Explosion]

The Zero Punctuation review of motion control summed it up perfectly, games are more immersive the less movement the actual person has to do, that's why the basic 360/Dualshock 3 controllers are the best.

Also :lmao at that design. So you shell out a shit ton of cash on a brand new 60" TV and you get to play the game on a screen smaller than a Game Boy Advance screen.

You can play on the screen, but I think they'd probably lean more towards using the controller screen as an extension of the game. You can bring up menus, change options and make in game adjustments without having to pause the game and hinder whoever else you're playing with. That way you still see the game on your 60" tv.

At least that's what I gather from the blogs I've seen.

[Cane]

I'm excited tbh. Nintendo's addressing some of the weak shit that the Wii had by including features such as 1080p support. The Steam also has more of a traditional controller than the Wiimote. That controller and the new console hardware will likely allow for cheaper and easier ports and hopefully quality third party support. First party support will have graphics that should propel Nintendo licenses into modern graphics.

Having a 6" touchscreen sounds bad ass as well as long as the price is right. The obvious stuff like not having to reveal sports plays or press pause to access inventories, maps, etc. on the big screen could be nifty. I'm sure there's a lot of party mini-game potential in that as well.

Over/under on the next Xbox and PS controllers having touchscreens after the E3 reveal? :downspin:

[Muser]

Do posters on here want a touchscreen? It just seems a gimmick that will be shoe horned into titles.

Zelda in 1080p will be fucking epic though.

[z0sa]

I actually somewhat agree with Nintendo here. There hasn't been a fundamental difference in controllers for consoles since 1987 when the NES Advantage was released. The controller hasn't been really improved upon other than incrementally since those days. Now that systems are so powerful, I think it's time for a different way to interact with the media.

Yep.

"Normal controllers" are so fucking underpowered compared with the media they control.

[Nathan Explosion]

Do posters on here want a touchscreen? It just seems a gimmick that will be shoe horned into titles.

Zelda in 1080p will be fucking epic though.

Games like Madden could really benefit though. Imagine playing one of your friends and being able to call your play or hot routes and all of that without him so much as seeing all the menus pop up when you do all of that.

You can be changing things and they'd never know what you were doing. I personally don't care if a touch screen is there or not, but there is tons of potential.

[TacoCabanaFajitas]

Games like Madden could really benefit though. Imagine playing one of your friends and being able to call your play or hot routes and all of that without him so much as seeing all the menus pop up when you do all of that.

You can be changing things and they'd never know what you were doing. I personally don't care if a touch screen is there or not, but there is tons of potential.

Dreamcast?

[NASpurs]

http://au.wii.ign.com/articles/116/1163764p1.html

Nintendo Japan tonight confirmed it will release a new game console in calendar year 2012. It will be announced and playable at E3 this coming June.

"We will show a playable model of the new system and announce more specifications at the E3 Expo, which will be held June 7-9, 2011, in Los Angeles," the company said in a brief statement. Nintendo did not reveal any additional details.

Multiple sources tell IGN (http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1161875p1.html) the console - dubbed Project Cafe - will be "significantly more powerful" than the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and be backwards compatible with current Wii software. The console will also utilize a new, tablet-shaped controller. Sources say (http://wii.ign.com/articles/116/1162045p1.html) it will have a 6-inch touch screen display, dual analog sticks, and has the ability to stream content directly from the console.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata told Bloomberg News (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-25/nintendo-forecasts-net-to-climb-42-will-introduce-wii-successor-in-2012.html), "We would like to propose a new approach to home video game consoles" with the Wii successor. He added, "It's difficult to make 3-D images a key feature, because 3-D televisions haven't obtained wide acceptance yet."

---------------------

Tablet-shaped controller?

I'm interested to know if Nintendo is going to go the Blu-ray route...

[LnGrrrR]

Nintendo has long been an innovator in gaming, and we have it to thank for numerous applications. AFAIK, Nintendo was the first to mainstream the following hardware innovations:

Shoulder buttons (SNES)
Rumble Pak (N64)
Four controller inputs per console (N64)
Dual analog sticks (N64)
Motion Control (Wii)

And, of course, Zelda was the first game to feature a save file on the cartride itself.

Asnoted above, they've had some flops, but I admire Nintendo's pioneering spirit.

[Nathan Explosion]

Dreamcast?

The Dreamcast memory card was ahead of its time. Don't know why that aspect of the console didn't catch on. But it was just an evolutionary step to what Nintendo is trying to do (or really what we think they're trying to do because we won't know for sure until June).

Again, I'm not saying that Nintendo is going to hit a homerun, only that they've come up with an idea that will have lots of potential.

[ynh]

Atari was the first system I can remember that had four controller slots but that is besides the point. You are definitly right with your point. Much like someone else said my first thought was the memory units for the dreamcast that would show you clair's health and whatnot while playing Code Veronica.

[ynh]

If it is significantly better than the 360... and it can hold third party support I'll get it.

[Xevious]

Games like Madden could really benefit though. Imagine playing one of your friends and being able to call your play or hot routes and all of that without him so much as seeing all the menus pop up when you do all of that.

You can be changing things and they'd never know what you were doing. I personally don't care if a touch screen is there or not, but there is tons of potential.
:lol

I didn't have to imagine that 10 years or so ago. As others have pointed out, Dreamcast already could do that.

[Muser]

So if it's going to be better than the PS3 I take it will be Blu Ray?

[Spurtacus]

Nintendo hasn't been relevant to me since the N64. I barely played on my Gamecube and I've only played a couple of games on my Wii. I'm glad they are embracing going HD and hope the disc will be bluray format. However, if this system is anything like the Wii then I won't be interested. I want to sit down and play my games.

[NASpurs]

I'm confused about the whole thing to tell you the truth. So is this new controller replacing the Nunchuck? I read the new controller had motion sensor capabilities but last thing I would want to do with a tablet-shaped controller is throwing it round playing a tennis game or something along that nature.

It's only logical that the Nunchuck would work with the new system but I also read that the new controller (I doubt they mean the tablet one) is much more advanced than what the Playstation Move has. Who knows.

The problem with Nintendo is obviously the hardcore gamer segregation. We just want to sit our asses down and play. Maybe the tablet is a compromise for the hardcore gamer group but the hardcore gamer group isn't what truly brings in the dough to be honest. I'm not sure what direction Nintendo is going to go with all of this. They must care about the hardcore gamer since the new system is supposedly "more powerful than a PS3 and XBox" and the President of Nintendo did say he wanted to take the new system into a "new approach", whatever that means. Too many questions, not enough answers about the new system.

[Spurtacus]

We'll get our answers at E3.

[Nathan Explosion]

:lol

I didn't have to imagine that 10 years or so ago. As others have pointed out, Dreamcast already could do that.

I played the Dreamcast a little bit, and I do not recall it having anything close to the capability that this controller is rumored to have. The Dreamcast had a fancy memory card, but I don't recall it pulling up menus in game that allowed you to change settings without missing a beat.

Maybe I didn't get that far, but I don't recall it being that advanced.

[Xevious]

I played the Dreamcast a little bit, and I do not recall it having anything close to the capability that this controller is rumored to have. The Dreamcast had a fancy memory card, but I don't recall it pulling up menus in game that allowed you to change settings without missing a beat.

Maybe I didn't get that far, but I don't recall it being that advanced.
Nowhere near that advanced, sure. But the memory card (in the controller) had a black and white screen that would display additional information and you could also use it to call out plays in sports games IIRC.

The Dreamcast was an awesome system for its time. I was really disapointed that it wasn't successful.

[leemajors]

Nowhere near that advanced, sure. But the memory card (in the controller) had a black and white screen that would display additional information and you could also use it to call out plays in sports games IIRC.

The Dreamcast was an awesome system for its time. I was really disapointed that it wasn't successful.

The Dreamcast was awesome because it was the easiest system to pirate games on ever. No protection whatsoever, and burned CDs worked like a charm in it.