Nintendo Revolution Graphics

[ghost master]

Keep in mind a few things before reading. The 360 when developers were developing for it they said it wasn't a whole lot better graphical wise than the Xbox. Also most of the Developers don't even have final dev kits so it most likely will improve.

Readers are advised to make two notes before continuing with this article. The first is that developers are still working with incomplete Revolution hardware. Most studios are, in fact, developing on "GameCube-based kits," according to major software houses we spoke to, which have asked to remain anonymous. The second is that developers are still without final specifications for Revolution's ATI-developed graphics chip, codenamed Hollywood.
That stated, many third parties have been partially briefed by Nintendo representatives about the Revolution hardware, its overall horsepower, and the Big N's plan for the console. Based on the information studios have relayed to us, Revolution is truly poised to cater to an altogether different game market than either Microsoft or Sony with their Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 consoles respectively. Nintendo's machine will simply not deliver the same graphic horsepower as its competitors. Revolution is all about the controller and what it can do for gameplay experiences.

When Revolution was initially unveiled, a Nintendo executive said it would be "two-to-three times more powerful than GameCube." The company never commented on Revolution's horsepower again and we were later told that the initial statement was incorrect. However, according to development houses, that description accurately sums up Revolution's power.

"To be honest, it's not much more powerful than an Xbox. It's like a souped up Xbox," a major third party source revealed to us. "But it's the controller that makes the difference and the controller is really nice."

Nintendo has said all along that sheer horsepower has not been a priority with Revolution. Rather, the company hopes to make the console small, quiet and affordable. It is very likely for this reason that the Big N chose not to make Revolution compatible with the emerging 720p, 1080i and 1080p high-definition video resolutions, which are focuses for competing consoles.

Gamers holding out for Nintendo to reverse its stance on the HD front may be in for a disappointment. Revolution will not have the RAM capacity to store and display an abundant source of high-definition textures. Third parties have revealed to us that the console will top out with 128MBs of RAM, and possibly even less. One studio would not give us an exact figure, but did say, "The same as GameCube plus an extra 64MB of main RAM." That number is by comparison nearly triple the amount of memory in GameCube. However, it is a far cry from the 512MBs present in Xbox 360.

One studio we spoke to hinted at the possibility of accessing further Revolution RAM, but its comments were cryptic. "There is more RAM that you can use, but Nintendo is using that for general memory, like game saves and all sorts of other things. You could use it, but you can't rely on it." This comment seems to suggest that developers might be able to tap into Revolution's 512MBs of on-board Flash memory, but to our knowledge such a solution would be too slow to utilize in games.

Still, the studios we spoke with are still very intrigued by Revolution and are not ruling out the possibility of additional graphic horsepower. No developer that chatted with us had, or was willing to share, details on the console's GPU, Hollywood. One studio said: "As soon as we find out what it can do then we'll know if Revolution will just be like an Xbox or something a little more."

Asked if it was developing for Revolution, one major third party source said that it was well past the experimental stage and was evaluating what types of games might work on the platform. "We are looking at it quite differently. It's like another current generation platform for us. But it's such a nice controller that it opens up a lot of possibilities. It's very different and it's very precise."

Finally, quizzed about publishers' internal reaction to the device, a source responded: "People are interested, but they're still taking it all in at the moment. I'm sure [Nintendo is] going to get a fair amount of support. Probably a lot of people will initially look at existing franchises and whether or not they can kind of do customized versions for Revolution using most of the assets they've got. But whether they'll say, "Okay, let's do something completely original for it," that's the other question because it could be quite expensive to do that. Not as expensive as doing a PS3 or Xbox 360 game. But if you're a third party and you want to do cross platform, if you're doing a game on 360 you can do it on PS3 or PC using the same assets and that does make it a bit easier."

Nintendo has consistently downplayed the role of horsepower with Revolution, often saying that graphics have reached a "saturation point" in today's games. Nintendo bigwig Shigeru Miyamoto has suggested that players might not be able to tell the difference between the new Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and some high-definition games.

Honestly think about Metroid Prime 2, Twilight princess, and RE4 if it is about 3 times more powerful it would pretty good. In fact some game some the 360 look worse than that. Also Nintendo has been hinting at this the entire time so I cant say it was unexpected. Also on a slightly related note.

Asking a Nintendo executive for Revolution's official launch date will always yield exactly the same response, which is, simply, "2006." In the past, the Big N's president, Satoru Iwata, explained that the company could not afford to launch after Sony, whose PlayStation 3 could hit retail shelves in Japan as early as March 2006 by some reports. But late last year Nintendo seemed to collectively enable the possibility that Revolution could be last to debut, with execs instead saying that the machine was being positioned to a different market.


Nintendo will very likely reveal the official Revolution launch date to the public at the Electronics Entertainment Expo 2006 next May in Los Angeles, but developers have already been given a decidedly narrowed time frame. According to studios we spoke with under the condition of anonymity, Nintendo has told them that Revolution will debut in America "during the week of Thanksgiving 2006."
This isn't exactly a shocker. We would've pegged the machine to launch on November 18, 2006 -- the same as GameCube five years before it. But even so, it's the most concrete evidence yet of a November debut and it effectively quashes rumors of an early 2006 debut.

Sources we spoke with were unable to divulge whether or not Revolution would enjoy a global launch. However, previous on the record comments from Nintendo of Europe's Jim Merrick indicate that the company would like to release the console everywhere within 13 weeks of initial launch

 

[Paradox]

The graphics will probably be around the same quality as the 360's without the HD

 

[Hao Kaiser]

I gotta say, I don't understand the whole graphics thing. I think the GC graphics look just fine. But, meh, if they need a reason to raise the price, more power to 'em.

 

[Bulk]

I've been agreeing with Nintendo since they started saying that this time around Graphics weren't going to be a huge importance. I'm quite happy for a cheaper console which has graphics 3x GC (and the Gc's were pretty good anyway) I just don't get why everyone's so obsesed with graphics. Games should be about the game play, not the graphics.

 

[AdvanceX]

Nothing new, can't say I'm surprised either- there was nothing wrong the the GCN's graphic to me. I loved it. 2 to 3 times better...fine with me, I dun care. I wanna use the controller. I'm still holding out for a Rev- just dunno what color to get ^^.

 

[ghost master]

I actually think its pretty good. 2 or 3 times Twilight princess is awesome the only quote that disturbs me is

It's like another current generation platform for us.

That quote bugs me to death.

 

[Bulk]

It's like another current generation platform for us.

That quote bugs me to death.

That quote is rather annoying. It just suggests that Nintendo is preparing to fail and so is trying to isolate it'self from the competition by saying it's from the previose generation. Nintendo really don't need to worry about competition, there in a completly different leauge compaired to Microsoft and Sony.

 

[Tendo128]

...often saying that graphics have reached a "saturation point" in today's games.

That couldn't be any more true. Looking at Xbox 360 on a nice TV, it was still only a little better than before (as in less of a graphical jump than ever before), and that's without my personal notion that graphics don't matter anyway.

Point being, the Revolution graphics will be good enough, for me, probably for the average consumer, and defenitly for the new audience Nintendo is trying to attract.

 

[The Battousai]

(I find some readers are confused by my posts because of my use of parenthesis(sp), ignore them if you are one of those readers)

I was just about to post this but I was finishing up homework that I was working on in study hall. I was already expecting nintendo to do this. Nintendo is not interested in the best graphics or competition, they are trying to stay as far away from those two elements as possible. This is very smart because they are keeping themselves away from the position dreamcast was in (I feel this is the position 360 is in, it wants to be very competitive with the PS3 however when compared it's a good bit weaker). This decision also allows the system to be much cheaper (it could go on sale for as little as $100.00 now) and easier to work on then the other two (because it's hardware is similar to xbox's). I'm probably not buying one though (I was never planning on buying one anyway, PS3 for me) but you should be happy your system won't drill a whole through your wallet and you'll have a good amount of games due to easy hardware for developers to work with.

 

[Ex_Mightyena]

well,i can say that it is mega smart not to deal with graphics,the games are the main things that are important for consoles,e.g if xbox 360 with the best graphics had a real s*** games like hockey or whatever what is the point?as for a gameboy SP with not real good graphics could produce such good games like sapphire/ruby/emerald/firered/leafgreen?
plus I might add that often the graphic card is the dearest thing out of all the parts for any console.you could buy a computer for $1000 when graphic cards cost up to $300,even more.the only time when graphics really matter is when you go online.but even so,worry more on games.

 

[MugenKeiji]

I still expect the final kits to be slightly weaker than the XBox360's GPU but the CPUs will be more efficient than the 360 and PS3.

The idea is this

Gameplay first, graphics later.

Or something on that extent.

My theory is that Nintendo's saving the real hardware demonstration for the Kodak Theatre presentation prior to E3 2006 while 3rd parties (whom Nintendo stated were free to show screenshots of their game at ANY time before the event, giving them upgraded GameCubes that handle the Revolution remote...mighty suspicious).

Once E3 comes 'round I expect ATi to have a realtime interactive demo of Ruby (moving the camera angles mostly), a few game demos (including Metroid Prime 3) and some demonstrations of the controller for the audience. If there's time...THE SECRET.

Oh I still expect to enjoy some of the upcoming games, including Smash Bros 3 under the control of Sakurai-san.

 

[AV_ROcK-Dark-TB]

Mmmm maybe Ill buy nintendo rev. but only if my ps2 bracks

 

[TyraniRay]

Do you realise how big Super Smash Bros. Revolution is going to be? They're opening an entire new office just for developing that game.

On topic, I believe they are going in the right direction. Gameplay is what matters. Who gives a crap how realistic something looks if it's the same as last time in every other aspect. On the other hand, Twilight Princess is shaping up to be the best looking game of this generation. After the other two have stoped making games. It shows that this gen can acheive te early graphical feats of the next gen, and there's no desperate need for improvement.

I'm just looking forward to the new games, one in particular is Metroid Prime Three. Better than a mouse I tell you!

 

[pikapete]

I have to agree with the "Graphics have reached a saturation point" quote, and if the revolution is going to be about a third of the price of the other next-gen consoles, and no noticable difference in graphics unless you have a ridiculously expensive tv, who wouldn't buy one? Most games consoles are owned by teenagers, living at home, with the old family TV in their room!

Anyway, its all about the game-play, and Nintendo have perfected that over the years, even regenerating stale genres (Mario Tennis, anyone?)

 

[MaskedManAbsolkid]

About the second quote, we've known for nearly a month/longer that it'd be after 31st March to Christmas, but they also said about releasing the Revolution in Japan, UK and US at the same time. The bit about America's release disappionts me, because if it comes to the UK 13 weeks later (not sure if it means that), then that's a christmas present idea down the drain.

 

[JoshYEAH]

Rough specs.

Revolution:
-108 MB of RAM
-About 900 MHZ CPU
-Double whatever the GC's GPU was

To compare
360 and PS3 have around a 3.2 ghz proc and 500+ MB of ram.

;x

Nintendo are digging their grave with this if you ask me.

And also, if the PS3 did come out in March 2006, that leaves only January and February for the revolution launch.
January: Who launches a console in January, straight after christmas.
February: Not enough attention, nothing happens, and I hardly doubt someone will want a console for Valentines day.

On top of that, people will Wait to buy a PS3 if it is due in march, which kind of defeats the point of releasing the Revolution quickly.

Anyway, its all about the game-play, and Nintendo have perfected that over the years, even regenerating stale genres (Mario Tennis, anyone?)

That control pad of theirs will NOT help. Nintendo are just pissing about now.

Look at it from a market standpoint.

The market is interested primarily in Graphics. And Nintendo certainly isn't delivering when you compare to the PS3 and 360 is it? Fact is, nobody likes nintendo nowadays, so if their new console isn't up to par, what is that going to do? Screw them over even more.

Nintendo needs to start listening to gamers, and stop telling them what to like.

I'm all for gameplay over graphics, but the market certainly isn't.

You can scream and shout about how the games for revolution will be good, but do you know what? It doesn't matter if nobody buys the console does it? Of course not. Fact is, pretty much all supporting arguements for nintendo come from their games, which are certainly slipping in standard (Need I remind you of the Mario releases of late?).

I think Nintendo could be heading for the same direction as Sega did really, except they won't go out in a graphical whoosh.

-Josh

 

[Bulk]

Rough specs.

Revolution:
-108 MB of RAM I highly dought it, that's less than a standerd computer. I'd say 212 at the least
-About 900 MHZ CPU
-Double whatever the GC's GPU was

To compare
360 and PS3 have around a 3.2 ghz proc and 500+ MB of ram.

;x

Nintendo are digging their grave with this if you ask me.

And also, if the PS3 did come out in March 2006, that leaves only January and February for the revolution launch.The PS3 isn't due out 'til late 2006, they said March way back at E3 but alots changed since. Some people even suspect that the PS3 won't be out until early 2007
January: Who launches a console in January, straight after christmas.
February: Not enough attention, nothing happens, and I hardly doubt someone will want a console for Valentines day.

On top of that, people will Wait to buy a PS3 if it is due in march, which kind of defeats the point of releasing the Revolution quickly.

Anyway, its all about the game-play, and Nintendo have perfected that over the years, even regenerating stale genres (Mario Tennis, anyone?)

That control pad of theirs will NOT help. Nintendo are just pissing about now.No... there changing gaming forever. I completly surport Nintendo on this one, games are getting far too repetative. There's no "wow factor" that they had when they began or moved to 3D graphics

Look at it from a market standpoint.

The market is interested primarily in Graphics. And Nintendo certainly isn't delivering when you compare to the PS3 and 360 is it? Fact is, nobody likes nintendo nowadays, so if their new console isn't up to par, what is that going to do? Screw them over even more.And the market are pretty much for Nintendo recently. Since the PSP isn't selling as everyone thought, peopel have turned to Nintendo to see what they do next. Also, devolpers are all for the new controller, which is making the market, again, more for Nintendo

Nintendo needs to start listening to gamers, and stop telling them what to like.If nintendo had done that, we'd never have Pokemon, all the Mario sport spin-offs or Metroid Prime. In fact, Nintendo would've gone bust years ago

I'm all for gameplay over graphics, but the market certainly isn't.When you say market, do you mean the media or the gamers? Media = yes, all for graphics, Gamers = Gameplay over graphics, by far.

You can scream and shout about how the games for revolution will be good, but do you know what? It doesn't matter if nobody buys the console does it? Of course not. Fact is, pretty much all supporting arguements for nintendo come from their games, which are certainly slipping in standard (Need I remind you of the Mario releases of late?).Ok, think of all the Nintendo fanboys, they'll all buy it, all new gamers who are looking for a cheap and easy to use console will buy it, everyone else will buy it because of SSBR, just like most people will buy a 360 for Halo 3

I think Nintendo could be heading for the same direction as Sega did really, except they won't go out in a graphical whoosh.I highly dought it. They have far too bigger fan base, if anything, Xbox are going to go like Sega and we'll eventually see Halo on the PS3 or, maybe, the Revolution considering it's built for first person shooters.

-Josh

I may be talking rubbish, but that's what I think, and that is that you are wrong, very wrong.

 

[Paradox]

I highly dought it. They have far too bigger fan base, if anything, Xbox are going to go like Sega and we'll eventually see Halo on the PS3 or, maybe, the Revolution considering it's built for first person shooters.

Have you heard of Microsoft? The biggest and most powerful company around today. For now they have one goal, to be the biggest console manfacturer, profit is just an added extra that probably won't come for a few more generations yet. A few billion dollars doesn't matter and they'll never end up like Sega, even if the 360 sells nothing they'll still pour billions into their next console

 

[PhQnix]

When you say market, do you mean the media or the gamers? Media = yes, all for graphics, Gamers = Gameplay over graphics, by far.

Market means the people who buy games, these are the people who go for graphical sheen and movie licences. The majority ignore gameplay as they consider graphics make the gameplay.

 

[JoshYEAH]

I highly dought it, that's less than a standerd computer. I'd say 212 at the least

Which still pales in comparison to the 360 and PS3 RAM. Didn't I say they were rough specs anyway?

The PS3 isn't due out 'til late 2006, they said March way back at E3 but alots changed since. Some people even suspect that the PS3 won't be out until early 2007

You missed the point. I am saying that if the Revolution is released too close to the PS3 release date, chances are it will be dismissed by the majority.

No... there changing gaming forever. I completly surport Nintendo on this one, games are getting far too repetative. There's no "wow factor" that they had when they began or moved to 3D graphics

Support them all you want, the market majority won't agree though. And last time nintendo tried innovation they got a load of shoddy games and a few shining stars. Which isn't ideal.

And the market are pretty much for Nintendo recently. Since the PSP isn't selling as everyone thought, peopel have turned to Nintendo to see what they do next. Also, devolpers are all for the new controller, which is making the market, again, more for Nintendo

What the hell? That's crap. The market isn't for nintendo at all. Considering the majority of the market heralds sony as their favourite console manufacturer. What market are you talking about here? And as for the developers looking into the new controller, it's more or less 50/50, and also,r ead my comment about the last innovation, it's just above.

If nintendo had done that, we'd never have Pokemon, all the Mario sport spin-offs or Metroid Prime. In fact, Nintendo would've gone bust years ago

Pokemon = RPG, which people still complain about a lack of on the GC.
Mario Sport Spin offs = Crap.
Metroid Prime = First person Shooter with Adventure elements borrowed from previous games in series.

Yeah, right.

Ok, think of all the Nintendo fanboys, they'll all buy it, all new gamers who are looking for a cheap and easy to use console will buy it, everyone else will buy it because of SSBR, just like most people will buy a 360 for Halo 3

Halo is more well known than SSB. Really, it is. New gamers will buy the most recommended console, Nintendo Fanboys are morons, and otherwise, yeah.

I highly dought it. They have far too bigger fan base, if anything, Xbox are going to go like Sega and we'll eventually see Halo on the PS3 or, maybe, the Revolution considering it's built for first person shooters.

Not really, considering the Xbox, as Paradox said, is Microsoft owned. Gj on that one.

-Josh