We all knew this was coming when nintendo announced Twilight princess wouldn,´t be out for another 6 months at least. Several sources have confirmed that the game, while it´ll still be released for the cube, will be able to use the capabilities of the revolution controller when the console is launched.

With this added functions we´ll be able to use the sword, walk, etc using the freestyle controller. I´d like to see some other weapons making use of the controller, how about the bow? that would be really fun.

I´m starting to wonder if TP will come packed in 2 or more discs, i mean, with over 80 hours of gameplay, really nice graphics and revolution funcionality it would be possible.

So, Mr. Miyamoto said they still have a few extra surprises for the revolution and we know we´ll find everything about them in the next E3. But of course we´ll never stop speculating on what this secret might be about.

Ther´s been a lot of buzz lately about “Displacement mapping” a patent filled by Nintendo wich basically aims to use this technology to make wonderful graphics using as little resources from the processor as possible. This would mean that even if the revolution has lower tchnical specs that it´s 2 rivals it will still be able to compete in terms of graphics.

By giving cool graphics with a low polygon count Nintendo would be able to offer the console and the games at low costs and these would still look really good.

Of course these are just rumors but sounds pretty interesting doesn´t it?

Here´s a good article about displacemnt mapping, check it out.

ign has more revolution goodies for us, this time it isn´t new tough, but it is a really cool Java applet where you can check out the nintendo revolution controller in.depth.

You can use your mouse to move, rotate, zoom or change the color of the controller. You can also measure it with a really nice tool.

The applet takes a while to load and it might slow down your pc a bit but it´s worth it. Follow the link to visit the site.

Link: Revolution controller: Touch it

Just yesterday we were talinkg about some early revolution specs that ign was able to get from developers and today they are giving us even more information.

According to the article the developers are working only with the CPU´s and GPU´s documentation and they haven´t seen them working yet since IBM and ATI are still working on them. From the info they have,it is possible to guess some tech specs altough this might not be exact number at the end of the day. Here´s what the developers are sayin about the revolution:

“Basically, take a GameCube, double the clock rate of the CPU and GPU and you’re done.”

“Our guys experimented with it and think they’ll be able to get about twice the performance as GameCube.”

The article also reveals that revolution discs might be able to store up to 4.7GBs of data on a single layer or 8.5GBs when double-layered on a single-side.

With these numbers, developers are speculating about the initial price tag wich could be around $149 with $99 not being a crazy possibiliy.

Link: ign

ign.com recently opened a fully devoted revolution news section. After last e3 they said they didn´t want to open it until nintendo revealed the final name for the console but they just couldn´t keep stocking all the info on the gamecube section anymore and finally opened a section.

In order to make a grand opening they published some new info they got about the revolution including what could be some thec specifications.

Some anonymous developers gave them some hints about the RAM memory revealing we are going to get 128Mb of it wich fits with the orignal description of the console being “two to three times more powerful than the Gamecube” and cans every hope for HD support.

The developers are working with early Gamecube based revolution kits so even they don´t know how powerful the GPU codenamed hollywood is going to be.

You can read the full article here.

According to gamesmark the big N needs some extra help with Super Smash bros revolution and they are hiring people to fill the following positions:

• Game Programmer
• 3D Character Designer/Modeler
• 3D Character Animator
• 3D Map Designer

If they are hiring now it´s not because they are just starting to work on the game as other webstites have stated, i think it is only to have some extra help to speed up the development proccess and have the game ready to be available on revolution´s launch day just as Iwata said on this year´s E3.

via

Not exactly shocking news but at least we have a date now. Nintendo sent a note today announcing tehy will unveil all the revolution secrets they are still keeping on May 9. 2006 on their pre-e3 conference.

What can we expect to see? well, there are a lot of questions about the revolution. We still need to see some working games, graphics, technical demos and that kind of stuff. I think we´ll find out at least some technical details even when nintendo has already stated they will not reveal them.

The final name will aso be revealed and the initial price tag can be expected as well.

So, Mark your calendars for May 9, 2006 at 9:30 Pacific time and start biting your nails because there are still over 160 days to go.

1up has published the revolution developer rund table where they talk with some developers who are embracing the idea of the revolution (and some who are not). Here´s what they said:

Tom Fulp (The Behemoth): I see the potential for serious full-length games. For example, one of the most common ideas is using the analog stick to run through the hallways of an FPS while shooting enemies with the controller, or “pointer” as I’ve seen it called. Survival horror games could be tons of fun, using the pointer as a flashlight or gun. Maybe someone will make a Harry Potter game where you walk around and wave your wand in different patterns to cast a variety of spells. Sports games such as golf and baseball have obvious potential, but I’m more curious about the original concepts people will come up with, stuff we haven’t thought about yet. Maybe a single player could twirl two controllers over top each other to roll a Katamari, or wield two guns at the same time while walking, ducking and jumping in place on a dance pad.

Karthik Bala (Vicarious Visions): I think the learning curve will map roughly similar to that of game designers learning to design for the DS touch screen. At first the device will seem gimmicky as designers start out creating some simple applications. But as they get used to the mindset of developing for the Revolution controller, you will start to see more sophisticated game designs. For developers, programming the controller shouldn’t be all that challenging. Now, coming up with a great game design — that will be challenging!

Check out the full article to read some interesting stuuf on how developers are looking at the revolution.

Update: link fixed

This mught just be another old unused patent or it could mean good news for the revolution´s retrocompatibility system.

Nintendo was recently been granted a patent wich basically could reveal how the emulation of older games will work. First it would be possible to add new stuff to the games like characters or maps without changing the original coding. This would allow Nintendo to make great use of the system to revitalize old games.

The patent also shows how the interface would work. The gamer will be able to choose the games he wants to download looking by name or series.

The technical details also state the console wouldn´t use dedicated hardware to achieve the emulation.

All this is pure speculation, we´ll have to wait to see if Nintendo will actually make use of this patent or if it´s just one of their archived ideas.

Link: Revolution Report

Xbox 360 is out and despite the crashes, a lot of people wants to ut their hands on Microsoft´s new console. ign published a list wit the reasons to wait for the revo, i don´t agree 100% with the list but they have a few points you might want to consider:

1. Limited Funds and Quantities
2. Same Games, Prettier Graphics (Xbox)
3. 360 Doesn’t Have Legend of Zelda
4. Girls and Grandpas Will Play Revolution
5. Metroid Prime 3
6. Revolution Will Be a Lot Cheaper
7. True Backward Compatibility
8. Revolution is Small, Stylish, and Quiet
9. Super Smash Bros. Online
10. The Controller Will Change Everything

I still want them both but this might not be a good time to get a 360, looks like they are having a lot of problems with it, the first consoles sold have been crashing and it is pretty expensive and hard to get one right now.

Via | IGN