Nintendo Revolution's Classic Games to be Free.

[schild]

Wow. Good move. When we spoke with Nintendo about the price of their classic “emulated” games on the Revolution, they were coy and left the pricing up to our imaginations. I assumed they’d follow the GBA model — 10-12 bucks for a classic would be fair. But George Harrison of Nintendo just sprung a surprise. Classic Nintendo titles will be free. Buy the console, take it home, plug it in and start playing your old faves. They’ll have to be careful not to offer too much out of the gate. After all, you want people to spend money on the software. But as far as exciting services to offer with their new hardware, it’s hard to come up with a better idea.

Muahah. That's fucking awesome. I never have to buy another Nintendo game again. Just that box. I can only assume it's a roundabout way to make people pay for a Nintendo Online subscription though. MarioNET or whatever gay shit the suits come up with. If it were me, I'd go with MasterBlasterNET. Uhm...anyway, yea, I'm not entirely sure what they're thinking. But hey, if they think they can make money grow on trees, more power to them.

Oh, that was from Joystiq or something-a-rather.

[Daydreamer]

Super Metroid on HiDef Flatscreen with 5.1 surround sound .... *drools*

[schild]

Yea, it'll be great when the Revolution tries to autocorrect the resolution and it gets more jagged. Monuaural sound coming out of 5 speakers will be sweet also. Really though, I don't plan on hooking my Revolution up a hi-def tv. It's definately going to be the system that is hooked up to a TV outside on the porch. Running cables through walls ftw.

[SurfD]

Out of curiosity, how far back does their definition of "Classic" go?  The entire NES library?  The entire NES+SNES+Origional Gameboy libraries?  Only select titles?

As to the online thing, give it 2, maybe 3 weeks tops after the thing comes out before every game "Officially Nintendo Supported"  on it can be retrieved from an FTP / BT / IRC network and safely placed on the Revolutions harddrive without ever needing to subscribe to a Nintendo online service.

[Daydreamer]

Yea, it'll be great when the Revolution tries to autocorrect the resolution and it gets more jagged. Monuaural sound coming out of 5 speakers will be sweet also. Really though, I don't plan on hooking my Revolution up a hi-def tv. It's definately going to be the system that is hooked up to a TV outside on the porch. Running cables through walls ftw.

Hey don't be hatin'! SM had stereo sound!

[voodoolily]

I had been under the impression (from where, I'm not sure) that all prior games would be available, all the way up to N64. I haven't been able figure out why all the Mario games aren't on the GBA, or a collector's edition disk for the GC (like the one for Zelda). I know Mario 3 is out on GBA and MArio 64 (the very best of the Mario games, IMO) is on the DS, but I want it all on the same system, bitches!

In addition to the classics, I juicy-drool crave N64 games like COnkers and the Banjo Kazooie series, but I am loathe to re-buy the N64 and squeeze it into my already daisy-chained-as-all-getout gaming system. I actually have a very adult, sophisticated decor in my living room that I don't want muddled with more media than will fit into my Ikea Eksjo TV cabinet, so my gear needs to fit into my geek room (a <150 sq. ft. spare bedroom).

The free idea is king because if I can buy NES games for $5 a pop in the bargain bin at Gamestop why would I want to pay any more than that (besides for the "duh" reason I listed above).

Nice avatar, schild. Is it Pussy FTW Week already?

[schild]

Ahem, Ikea Eksjo? You just made that up too. I know the names there are insane, but uhm erhmmm munhhh unnffffff, pak chooie unf.

I don't imagine Nintendo could charge much more than $1 a game and $2 for games + online rom-state saving so you could save and go to a friends house and play. If they haven't already figured out that they'd make a fucking killing, they're going to owe me money for that idea.

Like I said, ideas are cheap.

[voodoolily]

I couldn't find the umlauts key. They don;t have the tv cabinet anymore (I knew you'd call me on it, so I checked!), but here's the coffee table:




The cabinet is like that but with clinical, slightly blue-green frosted glass doors.

THis is the table I truly get wet for:



An Ikea is opening in Portland in 2206. Jealous much?

[schild]

2006? I have an Ikea less than 6 miles from me. It's like the third biggest in America.

I can spit and hit it.

Edit: And holy fuck did this get derailed fast. But I guess there's not much to say about uh, Tetris 1 or Metroid or uhm....Alleyway that hasn't already been said 50 times.

[voodoolily]

I am the one who is jealous.

/hang head in shame

River City Ransom! Now it's re-railed.

[Velorath]

I don't think they know yet exactly what titles they're looking at making available for download, but it doesn't look like it's going to be all of them since they've said that they haven't determined a list yet (not to mention light gun games and stuff like that probably wouldn't be up for download).  And I'm guessing there won't be any VirtualBoy games either.

Still sounds like a good idea, but if it's just Nintendo-made games there's only a handful of titles I'd have any desire to play again.

[Nija]

When the IKEA opened up here in the bay area, weekend traffic changed. The place rocks, but navigating the 580/80/880/980 interchange area is a nightmare on the weekends.

all the NES games being available is cool I guess, but my modded xbox has really spoiled that for me. Only thing I'm really missing would be to buy a n64 controller or two and some adapters, but that would be pushing it.

[Rodent]

It's Eksjö people! Oak-Lake.

The announcement that their first party titles would be free made me the Rev my top priority of the next gen consoles. Fuck Alan Wake and Halo 3, bring me some Kid Icarus and Punch-Out. Hopefully Capcom/Konami/Namco/Natsume etc. jump on the wagon and let you download their games ( probably for a couple of bucks but hell, I'd pay ~5 bucks to get my hands on Final Fight again ).

[AOFanboi]

Note that the NES + SNES + N64 library available will probably be just first party titles (so no Conker's Bad Fur Day antics for instance), unless they can make deals with the developers of the third party titles - some of which have gone bust years ago.

Also, the "free" rumor is Famitsu's claim, not Nintendo who apparently haven't decided on pricing yet.

Courtesy of Spong.

[voodoolily]

Yeah, and since Rare is owned by Microsoft now, my favoritest games would be highly unlikely to acquire. Sigh.

[WayAbvPar]

George Harrison of Nintendo

What kind of evil zombie magic is afoot over there? Maybe their plan is to reunite the Beatles in undeath for a never-ending concert tour. It would just like the Rolling Stones of today...

[HaemishM]

I cannot imagine why they wouldn't micro-charge a buck or two for those games. Hell, just the idea that I can download the old Nintendo games made me consider the Revolution, and I'm not even that big a fan of Nintendo. It's just a nice perk.

But free?

/boggle

[Yegolev]

I cannot imagine why they wouldn't micro-charge a buck or two for those games. Hell, just the idea that I can download the old Nintendo games made me consider the Revolution, and I'm not even that big a fan of Nintendo. It's just a nice perk.

But free?

/boggle

Same reason that big kid on the playground doesn't charge you for your first bag.

[Dodger_]

I cannot imagine why they wouldn't micro-charge a buck or two for those games. Hell, just the idea that I can download the old Nintendo games made me consider the Revolution, and I'm not even that big a fan of Nintendo. It's just a nice perk.

Probably have to be subscribed to Nintendo's online service(monthly or yearly payment) to play any games you've downloaded.  That's my guess for the catch.  I think it would retain subscribers and make more money in the long term than if you were to sell them the individual games.

[Rodent]

I cannot imagine why they wouldn't micro-charge a buck or two for those games. Hell, just the idea that I can download the old Nintendo games made me consider the Revolution, and I'm not even that big a fan of Nintendo. It's just a nice perk.

Probably have to be subscribed to Nintendo's online service(monthly or yearly payment) to play any games you've downloaded.  That's my guess for the catch.  I think it would retain subscribers and make more money in the long term than if you were to sell them the individual games.

I was under the impression Nintendo had on multiple occations said there won't be a subscription fee.

[Yegolev]

I cannot imagine why they wouldn't micro-charge a buck or two for those games. Hell, just the idea that I can download the old Nintendo games made me consider the Revolution, and I'm not even that big a fan of Nintendo. It's just a nice perk.

Probably have to be subscribed to Nintendo's online service(monthly or yearly payment) to play any games you've downloaded.  That's my guess for the catch.  I think it would retain subscribers and make more money in the long term than if you were to sell them the individual games.

I was under the impression Nintendo had on multiple occations said there won't be a subscription fee.

This is what I seem to remember... possibly Miyamoto, but I'm sure this was stated no matter who said it.

[Rodent]

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/games/2005-05-17-revolution_x.htm?POE=TECISVA

Found it.

Nintendo, which mostly ignored the Net with GameCube, also is catching up with the online wave. Revolution will offer broadband access to a free Internet-based player matching service, similar to Xbox Live, that also will have downloadable versions of nearly every Nintendo game — from arcade classic Donkey Kong through current titles such as Mario Sunshine. (Nintendo hasn't decided whether downloading will be free.)

[voodoolily]

Hooray hooray!!

Now I can look forward to 9 months from now.

[WayAbvPar]

Hooray hooray!!

Now I can look forward to 9 months from now.

Did you promise your first-born to Nintendo or something?  :-D

[Margalis]

Yea, it'll be great when the Revolution tries to autocorrect the resolution and it gets more jagged. Monuaural sound coming out of 5 speakers will be sweet also. Really though, I don't plan on hooking my Revolution up a hi-def tv. It's definately going to be the system that is hooked up to a TV outside on the porch. Running cables through walls ftw.

Have you played any of the Nintendo emulated games that are already out? They look fine. Talk about reaching for something to complain about. It takes a certain type of person to turn "here are a bunch of free classic games" into something negative.

I mean, look at all the people complaining about how the PS2 was compatible with the PS1, and praising XBox360 for not being backwards compatible. Living in bizzaro world is fun!

[Rodent]

http://www.cubed3.com/viewnews.php?storyid=3958

List of games according to Famitsu, some of them are meh, some of them are pure gold. Final Fantasy, Goldeneye, Animal Forest/Crossing and the list goes on... I think I may have to go down to Game and pre-order.

[Shockeye]

http://www.cubed3.com/viewnews.php?storyid=3958

List of games according to Famitsu, some of them are meh, some of them are pure gold. Final Fantasy, Goldeneye, Animal Forest/Crossing and the list goes on... I think I may have to go down to Game and pre-order.

Kid Icarus and Pro Wrestling is enough for me.

Although Bionic Commando would be nice.

[Fabricated]

This would be really cool, if I didn't already know about emulators.

Still though, good move Nintendo.

[Velorath]

Yea, it'll be great when the Revolution tries to autocorrect the resolution and it gets more jagged. Monuaural sound coming out of 5 speakers will be sweet also. Really though, I don't plan on hooking my Revolution up a hi-def tv. It's definately going to be the system that is hooked up to a TV outside on the porch. Running cables through walls ftw.

Have you played any of the Nintendo emulated games that are already out? They look fine. Talk about reaching for something to complain about. It takes a certain type of person to turn "here are a bunch of free classic games" into something negative.

I mean, look at all the people complaining about how the PS2 was compatible with the PS1, and praising XBox360 for not being backwards compatible. Living in bizzaro world is fun!

Don't think he was complaining so much as pointing out to Daydreamer that Super Metroid on a Hi-Def Flatscreen with 5.1 surround sound would be pointless since the game wasn't designed for that.

[Shockeye]

This would be really cool, if I didn't already know about emulators.

Still though, good move Nintendo.

Emulators are nice and all, but I'd prefer to play them on my television on the couch without having to move a PC into the family room.

[ahoythematey]

A lot of people pray.  Some pray for true love, some pray for a better world.

Right now, I am praying somebody figures out how to make GoldenEye or PerfectDark online-capable multiplayer through Revolution.

[voodoolily]

HAving seen the list of games on the link that Rodent posted, I'm not ashamed to admit I squeed my pants. My favoritest most favorific Rare games (except Conker's) are there! Hooray!!!!!!!

I am full of glee and squee.

This would be really cool, if I didn't already know about emulators.

Still though, good move Nintendo.

Emulators are nice and all, but I'd prefer to play them on my television on the couch without having to move a PC into the family room.

Me too me too. Wait, can't you just burn shit into it and play it like a regular console? I know, I ask way too many n00b amateur questions. Just remember, though: I know more about gaming than you know about botany. In your face, whoever!

[Shockeye]

I know, I ask way too many n00b amateur questions. Just remember, though: I know more about gaming than you know about botany. In your face, whoever!

I read a great book a couple years back called "The Botany of Desire".

[voodoolily]

Michael Pollan is a great author. It's one of my faves, although the apple chapter got a little boring after awhile.

But I REALLY <3 David Attenborough.

[Shockeye]

Michael Pollan is a great author. It's one of my faves, although the apple chapter got a little boring after awhile.

I dunno, I found the apple stuff pretty interesting, but then I don't know half the shit about apples you probably do.

And if anyone posts "how bout them apples?" or anything along those lines, you're in for a 3 day time-out.