As I watched the Tokyo Game Show trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, I found myself wondering, "Where do we go from here?" Games like MGS4 and Gears of War for the X-Box 360 showcase the abilities of next-gen consoles to achieve near photorealistic human characters (the Gears of War humans' tank-like bodies with disproportionately small heads notwithstanding) among other things. Better graphics are all well and good, but what's left once we reach the point where graphics are as good as they can possibly get? We'll still be playing essentially the same kinds of games we've been playing since the dawn of 3D gaming. They'll just be prettier to look at.
There haven't been any truly revolutionary games on this generation of consoles. Nope, not even your precious Grand Theft Auto 3. Gamers have been able to go anywhere and do anything at any time since the original Legend of Zelda and Metroid. In fact, the last truly revolutionary game was Super Mario 64. The move from 2D to 3D alone was revolutionary, but Super Mario 64 showed that it could work as seamlessly and fluidly as any 2D game. With the advent of the analog stick, running around freely in the world of Super Mario 64 was an experience that could only be matched by playing Super Mario Bros. for the first time on the original Nintendo.
Why do you think Super Mario Sunshine failed to meet so many people's expectations, despite being an amazing game? It had to live up to Super Mario 64, the game that, for many people, truly ushered in the new era of 3D gaming. Super Mario Sunshine couldn't possibly match that first feeling of true analog freedom that Super Mario 64 offered. And while Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess may very well be the Second Coming (of Ocarina of Time that is), it cannot possibly match the feeling of exploring a full 3D representation of Hyrule for the very first time. Games will continue to improve and innovate, there's no question about that. However, few, if any, will be able to make you feel like you're playing your very first game for the very first time once again.
Of course, not unless Nintendo has something to say about it. And do they ever have something to say about it. The Nintendo Revolution promises to be just that: a revolution. Moving from the Playstation 1 to the Playstation 2 was hardly revolutionary, and it will be no different with the Playstation 3. We're not going from 3D to 4D, just prettier 3D. Having nearly reached the apex of graphical quality, it is now time to start thinking about new ways of playing games. Games need to evolve, if you will. This is precisely what Nintendo is planning with the Revolution.
The Revolution's controller was quite possibly the most shocking gaming-related revelation this past year. A risky move on Nintendo's part, to be sure, but one that could ultimately change gaming as we know it. If you thought moving around Super Mario 64's many worlds was revolutionary, you ain't seen nuthin' yet. The Revolution controller moves beyond the current dual analog setup to allow gamers true full 3D movement and manipulation in their games.
Imagine playing a Legend of Zelda title on the Revolution. You could finally be able to play the game as if you were actually Link. By swinging the controller as if it were a sword, the sword in the game will be swung in the very same manner. The Revolution controller may also be the best way to play a first person shooter since the keyboard and mouse. You will be able to aim and fire your weapon in the game as if you were holding the gun in your very hand. You will be able to make precise shots much more easily than if you were using the two analog sticks on a conventional controller. Think of it like using a mouse to aim, only you're aiming the mouse at the screen like a gun. It can be likened to playing a first person shooter with a lightgun instead of a mouse and keyboard or dual analog controller. You'll truly feel as if you're there in the game, like never before. The possibilities are endless.
However, we'll still be able to play traditional games on the Revolution. Not only will the Revolution be compatible with GameCube controllers, but Nintendo has even seen fit to make a special case for the Revolution controller that will allow you to use it as if it were a more traditional controller. This is necessary not only to attract more third party developers who may shy away from the system's unconventional controller, but also to allow for one of the system's best features: backwards compatibility.
"But Will, the PS3 will be able to play PS1 and PS2 games, and the X-Box 360 can…kind of…play X-Box games." This is true, but the Revolution won't just play GameCube games. Oh no. The Revolution will be able to play games from the NES, SNES, and N64. Yes, you read that right. Working in conjunction with Nintendo's WiFi Connection service, gamers will be able to download their favorite games for those systems from designated servers, and all of the games are fully playable. We're talking five generations of great games all on one single console. Now that's what I call "backwards compatibility."
"Sure, that's all well and good, but what about the graphics?" Man, there's just no pleasing you people, is there? Why, back in my day, we didn't have things like normal mapping, bump mapping, and whatever the heck other kinds of mapping there are out there. We just had good old-fashioned 2D graphics, and we liked it that way. Back then, developers couldn't just make a really pretty game and be assured a profit. They had to focus on what mattered most: gameplay. Gameplay will always win out over graphics (at least that's how it should be, anyway), and Nintendo knows this.
Supposedly the Revolution won't be much more powerful than the regular X-Box, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Just take a look at all of the X-Box 360 games that are out now. Every single one of them could have just as easily been made on the X-Box, and still look just as good. There is still so much untapped potential in the X-Box, but because nobody could wait for the next big thing, we already have the X-Box 360. However, that's a whole 'nother rant. The point is that Nintendo will utilize the Revolution to its fullest potential, just like they have done with every one of their consoles. Besides, just look at Resident Evil 4 and Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess on the GameCube. Now try to picture those games on a system like the X-Box. You get the idea.
And while Nintendo's decision to not support hi-def may not seem like a smart one at first, Nintendo wants to make their games accessible to as many people as possible. Not everyone owns a hi-def TV, and not everyone is willing to go out and buy one just to play their games on. Also, playing a hi-def game on a regular TV can create problems while playing the game. The game may appear too dark, for example. I already play games that are so dark you can't have any ambient light on at all or else you won't be able to see a thing (Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver 2, I'm looking at you). I don't need them to be any darker just because I'm not playing them on a hi-def TV.
Oh, by the way, did I mention the Revolution will be online? Sure, the PS2 and X-Box are already online, but neither of those consoles have Super Smash Bros. If Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing: Wild World for the Nintendo DS are just a taste of things to come, then the main course should be more than enough to satisfy your appetite for online play. Imagine playing a game like Metroid Prime Hunters online on the Revolution with the Revolution's controller, which, as I've already explained, will be perfect for first person shooters.
Y'know, there was once a time when just saying that the Revolution will be the only console with series like Mario, Zelda, and Metroid (among many others, of course) would be enough to sell it, but sadly, those times are long gone (unless of course you're a Nintendo fanboy...please don't hurt me). Hopefully this article will help you to think twice before you rush out and purchase an X-Box 360 or PS3. It would certainly save you hundreds of dollars (without having to switch to Geico!), because rumor has it that the Revolution will be released with a price point of only $200. A small price to pay for a revolution.
Will Szwagiel
