GameBoy Evolution

[Lt. Drebin]

Wow. So the PSP is supposed to be the most graphically advenced handheld. That may be true...but it won't last too long. Nintendo is going to have a coup on the handheld market, not that they don't already, but in the near future, companies are going to need kryptonite to enter this market.

I got this from another forum I visit, and the word from Matt at IGN.com is that the GameBoy Evolution, as he calls it, has progressed mightily. Basically, Nintendo lost interest in it because they want it to be a portable GameCube, and do it cost-effectivly...it wasn't happening. GameCube games on the go.....actual GameCube media...absolutly awesome. Apparently that was a front...they've been hard at work on it since and the DS is NOT, again NOT, their next-gen "Gameboy" or handheld. It's just something new.....a bridge so to speak. The DS is here to slow the PSP until Nintendo feels comfortable releasing the giant. Anyway, here's the stuff from IGN.com a few days ago. Sorry if this was posted..but I didn't see it in my search. :rolling:

http://cube.ign.com/mail/

"The Next Game Boy

matt you seem down on the ds but what about the next game boy do you think that could compete with PSP?

Matt responds: Don't let my rants fool you. I'm not down on the DS. I'm just waiting to see its true potential realized. As for the next Game Boy, which I'll call Game Boy Evolution since this seems to be the popular title for it, I'm extremely optimistic.
Actually, based on things I've heard, the paths of the DS and GBE have intersected already. Sources claim that the idea for the next Game Boy took flight right about the same time GameCube launched. The device was merely supposed to be a portable GameCube. Nintendo was hoping to create a synergy between the two platforms. However, for whatever reason -- probably an inability to miniaturize the GameCube at a consumer-friendly price -- the Game Boy successor was abandoned. Instead, Nintendo opted to use an old piece of tech: a hardware dubbed Nitro that was originally developed to be an update to the Game Boy line during the PS1 era. At former NCL president Hiroshi Yamauchi's suggestion, the tech was enhanced with a second screen and later a touch-sensitive interface. Thus, the DS was born.

What's interesting is that work on Game Boy Evolution is allegedly further along than most of us would probably guess. And more intriguing still, sources claim that Nintendo is once again trying to make the machine a portable GameCube.

If that comes to fruition, I will likely be singing the praises of Game Boy Evolution from the very start. It would be an amazing accomplishment. The machine would have a potential library of 500 games from launch. Imagine being able to play Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Resident Evil 4, Wave Race, and Pikmin on the go. It's a Nintendo fan's dream come true."

(January 20, 2005 mailbag if the mailbag is updated again)

:bounce:

 

[WhiteZero]

It's too bad they wasted time developing the DS instead of focusing on the Evolution.

 

[Fat Tony!]

So they are having two portable consoles? Crazeh

 

[Lt. Drebin]

I think of it as genius marketing.

The GameCube has life in it still. Why hamper those sales?? The DS will slow the PSP. I think the PSP will sell more eventually, but not as much as if the market were all its own. Now Nintendo has bought themselves time to get the Evolution right and ready to go and at the same time ride the sales of both the DS and GameCube still. Genius.

 

[Warbie]

It's too bad they wasted time developing the DS instead of focusing on the Evolution.

ohh shush :/

The DS is a fantastic piece of kit that has sold amazingly well - Nintendo are rightly proud of it (and laughing as the dollars come flooding in)

Also, the DS was never meant to be a sequal to the GBA - rather an attempt at something brand new (something very rare these day, and worthy of praise)

 

[Brian Damage]

Seems to me that the DS and the break could have brought new technologies to aid in the miniaturisation, too.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

Whatever the case may be. The longer Nintendo has to work on this handheld, the better it will be for us the buyers...as in less costly.

They won't have to develop any new media for the GBE so they're already saving cash on R&D. And developers will be in love with the fact that they'll have such an easy time making games for the GBE because they've been doing it for such a long time already. Those savings will be passed on to the consumer.

Even though I don't expect to see this until around the time we see the Nintendo Revolution in stores, Nintendo has effectivly extended the life of the GC for at least another 6 years. Nintendo has positioned themselves nicely...handheld dominance and a competetive console....not a shabby deal.

 

[<RJMC>]

so is making a new handeld?

is not enough whit the DS?

 

[Brian Damage]

The DS doesn't run Gamecube games, RJMC.

 

[Warbie]

The DS doesn't run Gamecube games, RJMC.

Or connect to Nintendo's next gen console system. (*imagines playing 4 Swords on new hardware and faints* )

 

[Death.Trap]

Or connect to Nintendo's next gen console system. (*imagines playing 4 Swords on new hardware and faints* )

Four swords adventures? The zelda game?


I've been playing ocarina of time lately on my n64...the only console I've ever had. Awesome game.

 

[<RJMC>]

The DS doesn't run Gamecube games, RJMC.

so that new handeld will run GC games?

thats look interesting

 

[Lt. Drebin]

so that new handeld will run GC games?

thats look interesting

Yes sir.

It's exactly the same as a GameCube, except portable...same media and everything.

Pardon my French, but I think developers are going to go ape-shit when this thing finally surfaces. Developers won't need any "feeling it out" games...they'll be able to dive right in. They'll already know what the GameCube is capable of and the process will be quick and simple.

Hopefully we'll get some official word of this near the end of the year when Revolution starts revving up.

 

[venturon]

God I pity the poor person who has to design the button layout.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

God I pity the poor person who has to design the button layout.

A noble effort no doubt.

Just breathe and take your time. Nintendo has always been good with control layouts, so I have no worries.

 

[Gray Fox]

I'm confused about this a little bit, the things you people are critizinig the PSP for are exactly the same things you love this handheld for. I thought atleast Warbie would go nuts over this.

If nintendo is going to do this they are going to fail, they did the same thing with the GC, and the ps2 had far better sales, the same thing will be with this. It's going to come much later than the PSP, by that time the PSP will allreasdy have conquered a lot of the market and have lots of titles for it, and will once agin sell superior, Nintendo should use the gc power to make soemthing even more original then DS, this power gives them the more opportunities then they ever had beofre for a handheld.

 

[Warbie]

Again we disagree.

First, this isn't about sales. How many units sold has absolutely no bearing on the quality of these machines. (the PS2 is clearly the 'casual/mainstream' gamers choice. Does that make it a better console? who cares ) Also, the GameCube was far from being a failure.

The GC is a more powerful machine than the PS2 (fact) and has considerably better games available (IMO) For that reason alone the Evolution is more attractive to me. Also, if it really is backwards compatible, then I'm sold (having a large library of quality games waiting for it already. Just imagine being able to play Resident Evil 4 )

There should be no confusion either - it was known from the begining that the DS wasn't the next Gameboy
(which is likely to be more of the same, but with more power. Much like the PSP. Not that exciting, sure, but fun nonetheless)

If Nintendo want to produce an innovative and unique piece of kit like the DS, then why shouldn't they? (it's already a huge financial success) They'd also be nuts to not keep the Gameboy franchise alive (You really think the next Gameboy won't be a success?? want to make a bet? )

I agree that the Gameboy Evolution doesn't excite me as much as the DS - but i'll probably end up picking one up just for connectivity between it and the Revolution (anyone whose played 4 Swords will know why )

As long as Nintendo continue to make profits they'll continue to make great hardware and the best video games around. I can't see this changing anytime soon. (as mentioned in an earlier thread ... Nintendo aren't competing with Microsoft and Sony for the title of 'mainstream console of choice'. They have a niche all of their own, and continue to flourish regardless of how well the Playstation and Xbox sell)

 

[mortiz]

The GC is a more powerful machine than the PS2 (fact) and has considerably better games available (IMO)

Very debatable, the Gamecube may have a higher proportion of good games, but the PS2 probably still has as many if not more great games available to it. It's just with the PS2 you get a lot of pap as well.

 

[Warbie]

It's all subjective.

Other than Ico, the ps2 has had very few titles which shine (imo) The layer of dust above my PS2 speaks volumes (if only about my tastes )

 

[Lt. Drebin]

I'm confused about this a little bit, the things you people are critizinig the PSP for are exactly the same things you love this handheld for. I thought atleast Warbie would go nuts over this.

If nintendo is going to do this they are going to fail, they did the same thing with the GC, and the ps2 had far better sales, the same thing will be with this. It's going to come much later than the PSP, by that time the PSP will allreasdy have conquered a lot of the market and have lots of titles for it, and will once agin sell superior, Nintendo should use the gc power to make soemthing even more original then DS, this power gives them the more opportunities then they ever had beofre for a handheld.

I agree to a degree Fox...to this day I still believe the only reason the PS2 has dominated the market is because it was the first console available. It had one whole year all to itself. It would have been greatly slowed if there was something else at the time. I'm not counting the Dreamcast here....a few reasons primarily due to when it was released.

Here is where you see the big difference between these two situations...Nintendo got smart. They decided to release something to prevent what happened with the PS2. Nintendo has developed a bridge to the GBE on the market....the DS. The DS is effectivly preventing the PSP from penetrating the market as it would had it been the sole new handheld available. Make no mistake....the GBE, although all talk right now, is going to be a portable GC..this has been decided by Nintendo and hence will be more powerful than the PSP. I agree, the GBE success would be questionable able had they released it a year later with nothing but the GBA to secure their market. The release of the DS now is pure marketing genius...the PSP is NOT going to sell like it would had there been no DS. The PSP will sellout initially, but it will fail to have all the residual sales the PS2 had simply because, in this case, it has competition that is offering something that it cannot.

It seems Nintendo is not content with making the same mistake a third time. You can bet that the DS is going to more than hold them over until they're ready with the GBE. You can also bet Nintendo is going to have the Revolution out before the PS3....

 

[GhostBoi]

You can also bet Nintendo is going to have the Revolution out before the PS3....

At this point in time, I am really doubting they will, even though I am a huge Nintendo fan.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

At this point in time, I am really doubting they will, even though I am a huge Nintendo fan.

The rumor is the end of 2005. It's going to be close either way. Both are supposed to be at E3.

http://www.gamespot.com/news/2005/01/28/news_6117482.html
http://www.4colorrebellion.com/index.php?p=137

Rumors still....but highly interesting and viable. :thumbs:

 

[<RJMC>]

so will be a portable that can run gamecube

it will be very good considering that will hav the same graphics of the gamecube right?

 

[Lt. Drebin]

so will be a portable that can run gamecube

it will be very good considering that will hav the same graphics of the gamecube right?

The word is that it's a portable GameCube....meaning everything is the same. It's all still speculation at this point, but considering Nintendo's past of being a perfectionist, I think it's safe to assume that when and if we see the GBE it will be graphically equal to the GameCube.

 

[<RJMC>]

The word is that it's a portable GameCube....meaning everything is the same. It's all still speculation at this point, but considering Nintendo's past of being a perfectionist, I think it's safe to assume that when and if we see the GBE it will be graphically equal to the GameCube.

then it will be one very good idea

and when is suposed to be released?

 

[Kazuki_Fuse]

Nintendo's past of being a perfectionist

Yeah The GC controller is gaming perfection personified. lol

 

[GhostBoi]

Yeah The GC controller is gaming perfection personified. lol

Other that the d-pad being a little on the small side it is perfection. :bounce:

 

[Kazuki_Fuse]

Other that the d-pad being a little on the small side it is perfection. :bounce:

Well you know what they say, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It might sound crazy but I like my joystick above my thumb, not below. They didn't make CvS2:EO (EO standing for easy operation) because the GC controller was good on the ole' hands.

 

[Lt. Drebin]

then it will be one very good idea

and when is suposed to be released?

As of now...most of this is rather speculative RJMC.....so there's no official date. There's been few details released other than that Nintendo, recently, has progressed mightily in terms of getting the GBE in a reasonable price range.....around $150.

If I were to guess....I'd say the GBE is going to be released sometime around the time of the Revolution....for development reasons and for the fact that the Gamecube is still doing well and there's no sense in messing with it. Also, Nintendo wants the DS to settle in and make it's mark. It's clear that Nintendo wants to dominate the handheld market by having the two systems out at once....which could bode well for them. So I guess it'll be out sometime early next year.