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IGNcube's Nintendo "Revolution" FAQ
Absolutely everything we currently know about the successor to Nintendo's
GameCube home console.

June 10, 2004 - Nintendo's GameCube console is far from dead, but that
hasn't stopped the company from announcing that it is underway with a
next-generation successor, codenamed "Revolution." The system, still very
much a mystery, has been given an appropriate codename if Nintendo is to be
believed: the publisher says that the console will revolutionize the way
people play games. No easy challenge, but if any company can do it, Nintendo
can.

To help keep readers informed about any and all developments surrounding the
Nintendo Revolution, IGNcube has created the end-all FAQ for the console.
The following information represents everything we currently know about the
machine.


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Q: What is the Nintendo Revolution?

A: The official codename for the successor to GameCube.

Q: How long has the Revolution been in development?

A: Preliminary development on Revolution began shortly after the release of
Nintendo GameCube.

Q: When was the Nintendo Revolution codename announced?

A:: On May 11, 2004 at Nintendo's pre-Electronics Entertainment Expo 2004
press conference, which took place in Los Angeles, California. (The console
had been tentatively referred to as "GCNext" by the press before the
unveiling of the official codename.)

Q: Who announced the codename Nintendo Revolution?

A: Nintendo president Satoru Iwata. On stage at Nintendo's pre-E3 2004 press
conference, Iwata said:

"Different also defines our approach to our next home system. It won't
simply be new or include new technologies. Better technology is good, but
not enough. Today's consoles already offer fairly realistic expressions so
simply beefing up the graphics will not let most of us see a difference. So
what should a new machine do? Much more. An unprecedented gameplay
experience. Something no other machine has delivered before.

"The definition for a new machine must be different. I want you to know that
Nintendo is working on our next system and that system will create a gaming
revolution. Internal development is underway.







"I could give you our technical specs, as I'd know you'd like that, but I
won't for a simple reason: they really don't matter. The time when
horsepower alone made all the difference is over.

"Work on Revolution is well underway. When you see it you will be excited
because you will experience a gaming revolution."

Q: Will Revolution feature more powerful hardware than GameCube?

A: Yes.

Q: What are Revolution's technical specs?

A: Currently unknown.

Rumors abound indicated that Nintendo could separately be working on two
systems and that ultimately one would be chosen for retail. System 1
allegedly featured a 2.7GHz PowerPC G5 processor, 512MBs of RAM, and a
600MHz graphics chip. System 2 allegedly featured dual 1.8GHz PowerPC G5
processors. 256MBS of DDR Main Memory RAM, 128MBS of GDDR3 Video RAM and a
500MHz graphics chip. Both systems allegedly featured a built in 15GB hard
drive. As of this time, these rumors cannot be validated.

Q: How will Revolution be unique?

A: That is the big question. The console is codenamed Revolution for a
reason: Nintendo expects it to be revolutionary. The system will, according
to Nintendo, fundamentally change how games are played -- literally.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has said in recent interviews that the
dual-screened Nintendo DS offers a hint of what to expect from Revolution.
DS players can use a stylus pen to input control data into the portable
device. It's very possible that Revolution may feature similar
functionality.

Nintendo believes that technology alone cannot advance videogames, which is
why it plans to take Revolution into a dramatic new direction.

Iwata in June 2004 described Revolution as a videogame machine "of a
different nature that does not follow the conventional path of new game
systems that increase speed and visual quality for making elaborate games."
He added: "The rule of satisfying customers by increasing specifications
worked once, but no longer applies now."

Q: Will Revolution feature screens on the console or the controller?

A: No. At a June 2004 analyst briefing in Japan, Nintendo president Satoru
Iwata said: We have no intention of making a two screen console akin to the
[Nintendo] DS."

Q: Will Revolution hook up to a television?

A: Yes. It will also be able to interface with a computer monitor. In June
2004 Nintendo engineer Genyo Takeda said: "You'll be able to play
[Revolution] not just by linking up to a television but to a computer
monitor as well."

Q: Will Revolution go online?

A: Currently unknown. Nintendo continues to stress that it does not yet
believe in an online gaming model from a business standpoint. However, the
company at E3 2004 announced that its portable device Nintendo DS would be
able to go online using 802.11b and 802.11g Wi-Fi wireless capabilities. The
company may seek to offer a similar option for Revolution owners.






Q: Who are Nintendo's hardware partners on Revolution?

A: During the course of the last two years, several major hardware companies
have been linked to Revolution including IBM, ATI, and NEC.

In December 2002 Bloomberg reported that Nintendo had agreed to collaborate
with NEC on a system LSI that would serve as the core for the new console.

Just a few months later GameCube graphics chip maker ATI announced a vague
"technology development agreement" for use in future "Nintendo products."
Unconfirmed reports from insiders alleged that ATI had been in development
with the graphics chip for Revolution well before that announcement.

And several unsubstantiated rumors have suggested that IBM will deliver a
modified version of its PowerPC G5 processor for Revolution.

Q: When will Revolution be released?

A: "If you're asking for a specific date for our next system -- we don't
have one. Nintendo is going to remain competitive and will launch around the
same time as competitors. not later than," said Nintendo of America's vice
president of corporate affairs in a May 2004 interview. This is the same
line other Nintendo executives, including company president Satoru Iwata,
have said for months.

Nintendo feels that its inability to bring GameCube to market before
PlayStation 2 gave Sony an advantage that it could never overcome. For that
reason, Nintendo will not launch Revolution after PlayStation 3.

Revolution will launch sometime in 2006.

Q: How much will Revolution cost?

A:: Currently unknown. But we feel confident that Nintendo will aim for a
mass-market friendly price on the lower side of the spectrum.

Q: When will Nintendo reveal more about Revolution?

A: At the Electronics Entertainment Expo 2005, which begins May 2005 in Los
Angeles.


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