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8bitjoystick.com presents via the Intarweb E3 2005
Well it's that time of year again. Since I don't have a press pass and a week to fly down to LA I am going to be linking to the coverage of E3 rather than actually getting my ass over there. I might have to save up for a HDTV since the PS3 and Xbox360 are going to be HDTV enabled.
Sony
This was the big unveiling of the PlayStation3 and it is looking like it is going to live up the the hype and expectations. It looks like the PS3 is going to be more powerful than the Xbox 360 and the Nintendo Revolution. I know that Microsoft is going to have the Xbox 360 out in late 2005 but Sony loyalists might hold off and save their cash for the PS3 that is going to be out in Summer 2006. If you look at the Sega Dreamcast lots of gamers put off the newer system because they knew that the PS2 was coming later. Sony has one hell of a user base and there are going to be millions of gamers that might take a pass on the Xbox 360 but we shall see. It is interesting to see that there is a hard drive bay in the PS3 but it is not going to ship with a hard drive. I am stoked about the wireless support but I am not so thrilled about the boomerang controller design but you can always plug in an older PS2 DuoShock2 controller. The PSOne, PS2, CD, DVD and Blu-Ray Disk ROM support is pretty cool. I am surprised that there is no global online network for PS3 games but then it is still over a year until we can expect to be able to buy a PS3. The PS3 is looking to build on most of the things that made the PlayStation and PlayStation2 the juggernauts of video gaming. I think he Spiderman font logo looks lame but that is ok. I still want one really bad.
PlayStation3
The PS3 Press junket describes it as
The PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) computer entertainment system combines state-of-the-art technologies featuring Cell, a processor jointly developed by IBM, Sony Group and Toshiba Corporation, graphics processor (RSX) co-developed by NVIDIA Corporation and SCEI, and XDR memory developed by Rambus Inc. It also adopts BD-ROM (Blu-ray Disc ROM) with maximum storage capacity of 54 GB (dual layer), enabling delivery of entertainment content in full high-definition (HD) quality, under a secure environment made possible through the most advanced copyright protection technology. To match the accelerating convergence of digital consumer electronics and computer technology, PS3 supports high quality display in resolution of 1080p(*) as standard, which is far superior to 720p/1080i.
PS3 price rumours begin to emerge
PlayStation Portable
No word on the rumored Network Disk with a web browser. I need to check out the new games that were announced for the PSP.
PSP: First Guilty Gear Judgment screens
Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories The PSP GTA game is going to be set in good old Liberty City from GTA 3.
PlayStation2
Sony has stated that they plan on supporting PS2 software until 2010 so the existing software lineup on the PS2 should move nicely on the PS3. I just hope they can work out a way so you don't have to switch between memory card when you go from a PSOne to a PS2 to a PS3 game.
Nightmare Before Christmas: Oogie’s Revenge for PS2
Hands on with Kingdom Hearts II
Nintendo
Nintendo is showing a mockup of their next generation game console that they are currently calling the Nintendo Revolution. No one knows if that is going to be the final name but it might be. The Xbox was only supposed to be an internal nick name that stuck. Last year people thought that Nintendo might not even come out with a next generation game system or that they would let Sony and Microsoft muscle them out of the market. Nintendo has proven that they are going to be around for years to come. I think that Nintendo is right on when they designed the Revolution to be compatible with the Gamecube. They also have emulators for it so it can play N-64, SNES, NES games on it. Oh yeah. It looks like it will have a larger slot loading optical drive that can handle tiny game cube disks with larger 12 cm Revolution disks. I don't think that is a standard DVD size but I don't care because I don't need another DVD player. It is very cool that Nintendo is planning a worldwide internet gaming network like Xbox Live and wireless networking with the Nintendo DS. Nintendo did not show a lot of info about the graphical capabilities off but I am sure that it will kick ass as a next generation Gamecube. Nintendo also did not show the controller for the Revolution but the system is at least a years off. Betcha 200 Yen that the Nintendo Revolution will have wireless controllers and that it will not be that different than the Gamecube since it will play Gamecube software. I have no doubt in my mind that I will get a Nintendo Revolution on the day that it comes out in mid 2006. I hope they stick with the name "Revolution".
Revolution
Nintendo says that the Revolution will have
Sophisticated Design. The new console is approximately the size of three standard DVD cases stacked together, and it was displayed in a variety of prototype colors at E3. The console will come with a sleek silver stand allowing it to be displayed vertically or horizontally.
Backward Compatibility. Revolution will play all of your favorite Nintendo GameCube games. An innovative self-loading media bay will play both 12-centimeter optical discs used for the new system as well as Nintendo GameCube discs. You can also equip a small, self-contained attachment to play movies and other DVD content.
Huge Historic Library. Revolution will have downloadable access to 20 years of fan-favorite titles originally released for Nintendo 64, the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) and even the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
Big Names. Nintendo announced that new franchise properties will be added to current super-star franchises including Mario, Zelda, Super Smash Bros., Donkey Kong and Metroid.
Wi-Fi Freedom. A worldwide network of Nintendo players can gather to compete in a comfortable, inviting environment using Nintendo's newly announced wireless gaming service, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.
Nintendo Announces the Revolution
Multicolor Nintendo Revolution
Square Enix Announces Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Series for the Nintendo Revolution
Gameboy Micro
Nintendo went ahead and designed yet another version of the Gameboy Advance. This is pretty cool but I am a bit jaded because I owned a Gameboy Advance, then a Gameboy Advance SP, then a Gameboy Player and finally a Nintendo DS. I am not so sure that I am going to get a fifth gameboy Advance system but it is cool how tiny they made it. It is unlikely that the Gameboy Micro is the next generation Gameboy system that is going to give the PSP a run for it's money at graphics power. They are probably making a sumo load of cash off Gameboy Advance games and this system is yet another vehicle to promote GBA software sales.
The press junket reads:
The sporty, silver metal Game Boy Micro measures a mere 4 inches wide, 2 inches tall and 0.7 inches deep, allowing it to sit comfortably alongside today’s hippest technological gadgets. It weighs an astonishing 2.8 ounces, or about the weight of 80 paper clips. Yet Game Boy Micro has the same processing power and plays the same games as Game Boy Advance SP models, complete with standard face controls and gleaming shoulder and Start/Select buttons that literally shine.
Game Boy Micro represents the latest evolution in the image of the Game Boy Advance line, but it is not a successor to any current system. Game Boy Micro will be released this fall. The system comes with a built-in, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and supports standard headphones.
Nintendo's Game Boy Micro Projects Dynamic New Image
Gamecube
Gamecube software might pick up now that the software publishers know that their games will be playable on the next generation Nintendo hardware. Damn the new Zelda game looks good enough to eat.
New Legend of Zelda Game Makes Fans Howl for Nintendo GameCube
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess : Screen shots and trailer
Dance Dance Revolution Mario Mix
Nintendo DS
Nintendo announced a world wide internet gaming network for the DS and a whole slew of games for it. I know that it is not going to overpower the PSP but I am sure that there will be some great games for it and I see the DS developing into a niche market.
Compete Against Nintendo DS Owners Around the World with Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
More Than 50 Titles Ready for Nintendo DS
Microsoft
While technically Microsoft showed the Xbox 360 on MTV last Thursday they were pretty light on the details but now at E3 they bore all. They are claiming that there will be selective compatibility with existing Xbox 1 software and that the major titles will be supported. I would get rid of an existing Xbox if I had a big selection of games. Sony was able to pull off backwards compatibility through emulation but I am not sure about emulating an Xbox. They are including a hard drive in the Xbox 360 but it will be removable and upgradable. I am not excited about the removable face plates and I'll have to see if the micro transaction system is going to be cool or a pain. I mean it would suck if you had to pay to unlock content in the game that you already paid for. The Xbox 360 looks very very good but I might want to see the PS3 until I commit to buying one. I am sure that it will be quite dope.
Xbox 360
Microsoft's Press junket has this to say about the Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is designed with a singular platform vision that fuses high-performance hardware with intelligent software and services, so the player is always in power. Offering the greatest value in entertainment today, Microsoft detailed more key platform experiences that come standard with every Xbox 360 system:
An IBM PowerPC-based CPU with three symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each, packing the most advanced A.I. and physics processing available.
A custom ATI Graphics processor and more than 512 MB of memory for high-definition games and entertainment applications.
All games optimized for 16:9 aspect ratio, HD output (720p and 1080i), multichannel surround sound output, and full-screen anti-aliasing.
Detachable and expandable 20GB hard drive to download demos and trailers along with new game levels, maps, weapons, vehicles, skins, community-created content, and more to rip music for playback and to listen to custom playlists in every game.
A wireless controller with Microsoft-patented wireless technology.
Xbox Guide Button on every controller to instantly connect gamers to their games, friends, and music and to power on or power off Xbox 360 without their having to leave the couch.
Gamer Profile software that remembers what players have achieved in games.
Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live, including a built-in Ethernet port for connectivity; Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content; a Message Center to receive voice and video messages from friends; functionality that let users talk to friends, even while watching movies or listening to music; and an Xbox Live Headset.
Three USB 2.0 ports for the Xbox Live Camera peripheral and to plug in wired game controllers that are also common for Windows-based PCs.
Ability to stream media from a portable media device, digital camera, and Windows XP-based PC.
Progressive-scan DVD movie playback out of the box; DVD and CD music and photo playback out of the box; support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, Windows Media Audio CD, MP3 CD, and JPEG Photo CD.
Media Center Extender built in to access recorded TV (including high-definition TV) and digital movies (including high-definition film), music, video, and photos stored on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs through any Xbox 360 system.
Support for up to four wireless game controllers and an optional Universal Media Remote with Windows XP Media Center Edition Button for Media Center Edition functionality.
Support for Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter via 802.11b, g, and a.
Interactive, full-screen 3-D visualizers.
Two memory unit ports to save data on portable memory units, starting at 64 MB.
Detachable "face," so each console can be personalized.
Parental Controls to help restrict the games and movies that are played.
Xbox Live controls to manage Friends List, voice and video communication, and Gamer Profile sharing.
The Engadget & Joystiq Interview: Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS, DEVELOPERS!
Xbox 360 designed to appeal to Japanese and nongamers
Live from E3: Xbox 360 Controller
Xbox 360 - The Undiluted Hyperbole
E3: Xbox 360 "backwards compatibility" explained
Overall I see the market being able to support all three game companies and I don't see one company totally dominating. I think the backwards compatibility trend to be a very good thing. I defiantly see the whole art of video-gaming maturing and is gaining the respect it deserves.
Jake at May 19, 2005 
Games
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Comments
Strangely enough the announcment that I've been most excited about so far has been MGS3: Sustenance since it will include the MSX Metal Gear and Metal Gear 2: Solid Snake - no more playing the unofficial translations with clunky emulation!!
Posted by: InsaneDavid at May 19, 2005 1:56 AM
"PS3 supports high quality display in resolution of 1080p(*) as standard, which is far superior to 720p/1080i."
What does the (*) say?
Posted by: Jim at May 19, 2005 6:13 AM
I dunno it was in the press release.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at May 19, 2005 8:03 AM
Good work there Jake, but you forgot to make one important point. Nintendo keeps saying the Revolution will "change the way we play videogames". Thus, the Revolution. However, they did not introduce one single thing about the Revolution that's revolutionary. Thus, I am very suspicious about their new console. I'm a huge Nintendo fan but I'm prepared to be very, very disappointed. They haven't inovated anything in a long time. Time to jump ship to Playstation I believe.
Posted by: alnyden at May 19, 2005 8:55 AM
200 Yen is only about $2 haha
Posted by: Shawn at May 19, 2005 9:38 AM
Yeah I know. $2.16 actually.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at May 19, 2005 12:01 PM
An interesting bullet on the Revolutions PR:
"Freedom of design: A dynamic development architecture equally accommodates both big-budget, high-profile game "masterpieces" as well as indie games conceived by individual developers equipped with only a big idea."
Posted by: Anthony at May 19, 2005 12:10 PM
The PS3 controller looks like a boomerang. I heard the Xbox 360 will be 360 times as dope as the original Xbox.
Posted by: BBQ at May 19, 2005 12:47 PM
Yeah Anthony we don't know if that means that if game development for the Nintendo Revolution will be open to any coder or it could just be marketing hype.
It would be really cool if they had something like the PS Yaruze! and PS2 Linux.
Posted by: Jake of 8bitjoystick.com at May 19, 2005 1:18 PM
