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TGS: Revolution Controller Revealed!

Nintendo let the cat out of the bag.

This morning in Japan (or tonight for the rest of North America), Nintendo President Satoru Iwata took center stage at his scheduled Tokyo Game Show keynote address to the industry. During his speech, Iwata unleashed upon the game industry its big secret: the controller for Nintendos upcoming next-generation console, tentatively named Nintendo Revolution.

The controller is in the shape of a TV remote control and sports a sleek, futuristic design something very Apple-inspired, in fact. But what makes it so revolutionary and innovative? It detects a full range of motion and allows you to use the remote-like controller as a mouse, only in full 3D. On top of that, it also features built-in rumble and force feedback. Additionally, it features tilt functionality.

The controller sports a small amount of face buttons and a directional pad but also features a trigger on the back side of the controller. Additionally, it features three buttons in the middle of the controller home, select and start. You can even flip the controller around and hold it like an NES controller. Also concerning controller design itself, the Revolution controller features an expansion slot that can be used for a number of innovation add-ons. For instance, Nintendo has already highlighted one such add-on that adds an analog stick to the left side of the controller. This should be ideal for first-person shooter-type games.

For instance, Nintendo let select members of the media play with a Metroid Prime demo that recreated the first area of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. In this demo, the analog stick add-on was used to move Samus around the screen while the Revolution controller itself was used to look around. A series of other demos were shown off as well.

The controller is said to be light and comfortable. It is completely wireless and runs on batteries. The Revolution itself allows up to four of controllers to be used at once, just like the GameCube and Nintendo 64.

"The response from all major publishers worldwide has been extremely positive. Beyond its other innovations, the new controller gives third parties flexibility, allowing them the option to use as many or as few of the controller features as they desire," Nintendo said in a press release today.

You can click here for our own photos from the actual keynote.

Also including: Exclusive keynote video footage

Well have much more on Nintendo Revolution and its innovative controller in the future.

UPDATE 9/16/05 11:57p.m. EST by Chris Playo

Iwata has already been recorded saying that the gaming industry's reaction to the Nintendo Revolution has been a very positive one. Since then, several major publishes / developers have voiced their reaction over the unique next generation gaming console.

"'You've done it!' was my impression! This was totally unexpected, I was pleasantly surprised because the controller is comfortable, and yet provides something brand new." said legendary game developer Hideo Kojima of Konami

Kojima went on to describe how the NES revolutionized the industry with its controller, and proceeded to praise the Revolution's for its intuitive design. "Even though it was a surprise to me, once I had held the controller I quickly understood how it could be used."

He was not unique in describing his adoration for the controller. Brian Farrell, president and CEO of THQ said "Nintendo has long been a trailblazer, and this controller design reinforces that reputation, we enthusiastically support Nintendo's next console because we believe their approach of continual innovation is very much in line with our own strategy of creating unique and innovative games for the next generation of hardware."

Members of the industry have already begun comparing the system to the Nintendo DS. Just as the DS introduced touch screen gameplay, dual screens, and wireless capabilities, the Revolution is set to debut with a several innovative features.

"What we're seeing from this controller is the same thing we saw with Nintendo DS," said Chuck Huebner, Head of Worldwide Studios, Activision, Inc. "It's a system that's designed with an eye on enticing new players to the video game industry, and that's something we firmly support."

The system's controller is being hailed for it's intuitive and precise method of control.

"Game control is essential it's the area where perhaps the most game-play improvement can be made," said John Schappert, Sr. Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Arts Canada. "While our portfolio represents a full array of titles across all genres, I think our sports titles might be the first to immediately take advantage of what this novel 'freehand' type of control has to offer."

"We were among the first publishers to see the control design in action," said Serge Hascoet, Chief Creative Officer of Ubisoft. "We're excited about the new controller and are looking forward to taking advantage of its innovative aspects."

Given the fact that the Nintendo DS has been such a tremendous success both in the United States and in Japan; fans of the company should have an optimistic outlook towards the arrival of the Revolution.