Developers Working on New Nintendo Platform
And it could be a multi-touch tablet.
There's certainly a lot of talk about a new Nintendo product: a revamped Wii console with HD support, a new DS model with motion-sensing technology, so on and so on. Like clockwork, whatever floats out there on the Internet has been outright denied and deemed as mere rumor by Nintendo, and that's probably all true in view of recent comments. But somewhere under all the rubble is a hint of truth we haven't really conceptualized. Something is going on, and there's a chance we'll finally find out what that "something" is in the next few weeks.
According to VideoGamer.com, developers are busily working on a "new Nintendo platform" that may rear its mysterious little head next month at GDC. Notice those words: new platform. That doesn't mean a revised DSi or a revised Wii. That could very well mean an entirely new product, and it's rather safe to assume it isn't the successor to either existing platforms.
But with Project Natal and Sony's Arc (or Sphere or whatever it decides to call the thing) hitting shelves this year, Nintendo is probably feeling the oncoming storm. The Nintendo Wii is losing its momentum, and Apple is chewing up a chunk of the mobile market with the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and their gaming potential. Granted Apple's devices don't have Pokemon or Mario, the hot new trend of downloadable apps has already forced Nintendo to revamp its Nintendo DS series.
With that said, could Nintendo be working on a gaming tablet? While the idea is convenient with the reveal of Apple's notorious iPad and other manufactures jumping onto the tablet bandwagon, it isn't really all that far-fetched. The current Nintendo DSi isn't far from the tablet form factor: it has a touch screen, access to the Internet, and an app store that features games and other useful tools. Would it be so incredible that Nintendo creates a device that takes on the same features, but also includes books, manga, and streaming Netflix?
It's quite possible that Satoru Iwata wasn't impressed with the Apple iPad because he believes his product is better. Perhaps he wants to tackle the tablet market before Apple gets too strong of a trend-setting foothold as it did in the mobile market (with the iPhone and iPod Touch). If so, what would Nintendo have to offer that would rival the iPad? Iwata said the iPad didn't offer anything new. Would a Nintendo tablet provide that innovative, unique experience provided by the Wii and DS?
Of course, this is all speculation. We're hoping this supposed reveal is something spectacular... if it exists at all. A Nintendo spokesperson told VideoGamer.com that all the "new Platform" chatter is merely rumor and speculation. For all we know, the "new platform" could merely be the third generation of the Wii controller, taking it one step up from the current Wii MotionPlus.
Honestly, that would be a big yawn.
UPDATE: Nintendo will showcase the new Zelda game using the Wii MotionPlus controller at E3 2010, so it's probably safe to assume the mystery platform isn't related to the speculated 3rd generation controller.
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Just because apple releases a tablet doesn't mean all other companies are threatened and feel they need to get a tablet out the door. Come on Kevin, the logic applied here just isn't very good...
The idea of a tablet specifically geared towards gaming hadn't crossed my mind until now. This could be a viable market for Nintendo, providing they can devise some sort of form factor that would appeal to as wide a market as the Wii does. Those clever Japanese have always thought things out fairly well, and this could be another huge success if it's real.
Interesting idea though...
I just want a Wii with real horsepower and some good games.
i hope Nintendo realizes that the weakest point of their entire console franchise is the poor graphics. it leaves no room for the hard core games.
What we DON'T need is another 10 versions of the DS. Seriously, they all play the same stuff.
who the hell would want a gaming tablet!???
actually I would, would be cool, for the love of god give us physical buttons on the side tho PLEASE!
I just want a Wii with real horsepower and some good games.
...
buy an xbox? or a ps3? or a pc??
Great, first the iPad, now the WiiPad: for those who just can't hold it in.
'tablet' isn't that optimal format for anything but e-readers
'tablet' isn't that optimal format for anything but e-readers
And note taking, and maps and anything that requires tactile maneuvering. I have even seen music developers use "tablet" interfaces to a far greater extent than just e-readers. Just sayin'.
Just in:
Nintendo is doing business as usual in that they are designing new products, to be released in the future.
In response, many are making guesses, and Tom's - not to be outdone - makes a 500 word article featuring nothing but rumors.
Just in: Nintendo is doing business as usual in that they are designing new products, to be released in the future. In response, many are making guesses, and Tom's - not to be outdone - makes a 500 word article featuring nothing but rumors.
haha my thoughts exactly.
who the hell would want a gaming tablet!???actually I would, would be cool, for the love of god give us physical buttons on the side tho PLEASE!
You mean a big DS with one screen?
Good God, seriously why is everyone so upset about the Wii? Its an awesome platform with reasonable graphics. The people that whine about graphics are the FPS crowd. Do us all a favor and have a real death match with your friends and .45's.
Hm...i used to be a nintendo fan...but then they abandoned hard core gamers lol. I guess a company has to do what they have to do to make money though.
haha my thoughts exactly.
Sorry, I did leave off
"... and details at 11"
Good God, seriously why is everyone so upset about the Wii? Its an awesome platform with reasonable graphics. The people that whine about graphics are the FPS crowd. Do us all a favor and have a real death match with your friends and .45's.
The only really bad thing about the Wii is that only Nintendo makes (original) great games for it.
Honestly, I own quite a few systems (2600, NES, Master System, Genesis, SNES, Game Boy, Playstation, N64, Saturn, (broken) Xbox, Wii), but I realize games cost more than systems. Every system has a "Mario" and a "Zelda," and as long as you have those two good games, it's worth it.
Mario and Zelda per system:
Space Invaders, Asteroids
Mario, Zelda
Zaxxon 3D, Alex Kidd
Sonic 2, Road Rash 2
Mario, Zelda
Dark Forces, Spyro
Mario, Zelda
Nights into Dreams, Road Rash
Halo 2, Halo
Zelda, Okami
What would be truly funny is if nintendo came out with a new console that was given modern hardware (rather than the 5 year old hardware that the PS3 and 360 have). In theory, Nintendo could create a console that has graphics only rivaled by the PC, because with new tech the graphics could cream the PS3 and 360... This could easily be the major comeback of nintendo as a "serious" console maker. If they played their cards right, they might even be able to keep their current "casual" gamers in the loop as well...
The idea of a tablet specifically geared towards gaming hadn't crossed my mind until now. This could be a viable market for Nintendo, providing they can devise some sort of form factor that would appeal to as wide a market as the Wii does. Those clever Japanese have always thought things out fairly well, and this could be another huge success if it's real.Interesting idea though...
Certianly is an interesting idea.
Though as another person already commented, it will probably wind down to an oversized DS. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, larger screen would be awesome, but part of the appeal of Nintendo consoles/hand-helds has always been their portability. Something that would be lost with a larger touch-screen device. Which tend to be fairly delicate.
Really if this rumor comes true, what are they going to add to that the DS doesnt have?
DS has touchscreen
Wifi support
SD slots
Drawing Pad
Camera
and two decent sized screens.
Anyway, we'll see. Nintendo is good at inovation, the Wii is testament to that fact, and i'd love to see their next console/platform.
Good God, seriously why is everyone so upset about the Wii? Its an awesome platform with reasonable graphics. The people that whine about graphics are the FPS crowd. Do us all a favor and have a real death match with your friends and .45's.
Well we are ditching our Wii's in the office. We have been using them for content delivery to our advertising screens, but the lack of HD means that even Opera looks terrible when blown up to a huge screen. Shame as they are small, cheap and offer the connectivity of much more expensive systems. Guess we'll be buying 3xPS3 slims for the office now then...
A mutli-touch tablet could be interesting. Not talking about a DS, but something with a large screen to play on and the internals to run better games.
This article is one big yawn.
Well we are ditching our Wii's in the office. We have been using them for content delivery to our advertising screens, but the lack of HD means that even Opera looks terrible when blown up to a huge screen. Shame as they are small, cheap and offer the connectivity of much more expensive systems. Guess we'll be buying 3xPS3 slims for the office now then...
Or you could buy 50 PS3 non-slims and create a neural network!
For what you ask?
.... Solitaire...
Meh, Natal and Sony's Arc aren't a threat to the Wii. They came in too late to the game, and anyone who plays those systems prefers regular controllers anyways and most aren't going to want to buy an extra new peripheral that only works with a handful of games, especially in the case of Natal. I don't know as much about the Arc, but it appears to be a Wii remote knockoff.
Personally, I think Natal will be a disaster. It might become relevant next gen though when they have a chance to include it in every new system so it has an installed base from the ground up. But even then, I doubt it will revolutionize anything. It's a glorified EyeToy. Some people seem to think you'll be playing Halo with it and moving around in a 3D space.
NINTENDO FTW!! I hope they cream those so called "creative" apple faggots
Good God, seriously why is everyone so upset about the Wii? Its an awesome platform with reasonable graphics. The people that whine about graphics are the FPS crowd. Do us all a favor and have a real death match with your friends and .45's.
Yea i agree the Wii is great but from a gamers stand point the reaction time for motion sensing always dicks me over when im going hard. THE WII IS NOT FOR TRUE GAMERS but merely an A-maaaziingg platform for recreational gamers (Elderly, children, middle-aged non-gamers, etc..) not people who wanna pwn like so hard. (Purepwnage) thats where it fails!