Revolution Launch Titles - Speculation inside

[botticus]

So George Harrison (VP Marketing) says there will be ~20 launch titles, and about a third of those will be Nintendo titles. All dependent upon development progress over the next 6+ months, of course. Even though this speculation will be unnecessary after E3 or maybe later, Nintendo fans have nothing else to talk about, so I figure we can keep track of and discuss potential Rev launch titles.

Here's what we have so far:

Red Steel (Ubisoft)
- 4 player split-screen multiplayer
- no information on online yet
- controller tutorial built into the gameplay, probably why Nintendo is allowing this one some great publicity

Metroid Prime 3 (Nintendo/Retro)

Super Smash Brothers (Nintendo)

Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam (Activision)

Mario (Nintendo)
- it's gotta be, doesn't it?

Pangya Golf (Tecmo)
- likely Wi-Fi

Has anyone heard of any others?

[Michaellvortega]

Smash bro's at launch guarantees I buy a REV.Smash bro's online threatens my use of Xbox live.

[Mattte]

I believe a new Miyamoto game has been slated for launch. Don't know what it is, but I remember hearing it.

[Vinny]

There's no way Nintendo would launch with three of their biggest IPs... I just don't think that's smart.

We Red Steel will launch for sure and Tecmo said it'll have a golf game ready, and that's it.

I'm guessing SSB is a safe bet, a new Miyamoto IP has been confirmed I believe, and I know this will sound crazy to many but I have a feeling that Pennant Chase will make it out as a Revo launch title... think about it, a baseball game using the remote for swinging and pitching. If any company can do it, it's Nintendo. That leaves 3 others...

I'm guessing that at least one of these will be a non-game... with the huge success of Nintendogs and the Brain Training games in Japan, I doubt Nintendo wouldn't want to take advantage of the hype. A Pokemon game and some weird game that'll use the remote (like a cooking game) will complete the 6 Nintendo launch titles. Of course, there's a good chance that they will launch with the long delayed Mario 128- I'm guessing that's a strong possibility as Nintendo has been whoring Mario like no other on the GC.

[dcfox]

Is the "Sadness" slated for launch?

[Ikohn4ever]

Is the "Sadness" slated for launch?


i dont think they even have a dev kit yet

[Mattte]

and I know this will sound crazy to many but I have a feeling that Pennant Chase will make it out as a Revo launch title... think about it, a baseball game using the remote for swinging and pitching. If any company can do it, it's Nintendo.


Completely forgot about that game.

The deal with MLB is that only 2K Sports has the rights to the liscense, and no other 3rd parties can use it (EA and such). But, 1st party developers (Nintendo/Sony) can still use the liscense.

Is that right?

[Foolman]

Is Spider-man 3 actually slated for launch? I don't think that makes much sense since the movie is supposed to be coming sometime in 2007.

[daroga]

Completely forgot about that game.

The deal with MLB is that only 2K Sports has the rights to the liscense, and no other 3rd parties can use it (EA and such). But, 1st party developers (Nintendo/Sony) can still use the liscense.

Is that right?
I don't think so. I think the exclusivity deals prevent anyone from using the MLB or NFL other tha 2K or EA respectively.

[CoffeeEdge]

No way on Spider-man 3; they're going to save that one for Summer 2007, to launch alongside the movie. I also highly doubt Metroid Prime 3; I just don't think it will be done by then.

Smash Bros seems really likely to be a launch or near-launch game, and a major selling-point for the Online play on Revo.

And for Mario, I have no idea. Mario 128 has been so completely shrouded all this time, and we know so little, I just can't call it.

Red Steel will, of course, be there at launch, and I think they Tony Hawk is possible; it'll be the season for the yearly Tony Hawk release, so I think that's very possible.


Anyway, as has been said, I think we'll get the whole list at E3.

[Blind the Thief]

We've got less than a month fellas, then we'll know for sure!

[David85]

I don't think Metriod Prime 3 will be released on launch day, but around it.

And I don't see why everyone is going "I don't think it's smart for them to release their major games at once". Nintendo has said that is what they need to do, and most likely will. After that they can make completely new, different games, but first they need to get people to buy the system. Having a mega luanch will do that.

TH is supposed to be for launch. Mario better be there, and SSB is already said to.

But I think that baseball game will be seen again.

[RedvsBlue]

I don't think so. I think the exclusivity deals prevent anyone from using the MLB or NFL other tha 2K or EA respectively.


Ok here's the deal. First off the MLB license and the NFL license are 2 totally seperate issues. As far as NFL is concerned EA is the ONLY company who can make an NFL game, period. MLB is a little different in that the only 3rd party software company that can make MLB games is 2k, HOWEVER, any company that makes a console can obtain a license from the MLB to make MLB games for that specific console.

I have this to say about Red Steel though. The game looks cool and using the controller but thnk about this. Hold your hand out at arms length without supporting it with your other arm for 15 minutes. Hell, make it 10, and your gonna start getting tired after about 5. If you have to hold your hand at arm's legth for the entire game your not gonna be able to play for more than little bit at a time because your arm is going to get sore. That's one of the things I was thinking about as I was looking at all those people holding the ocntroller in this month's GI. I dunno maybe I could be wrong but it just seems like it wouldn't be the most comfortable.

[Vegan]

Ugh, please don't make a thread title that implies a list guaranteed confirmed titles, only to have a list that's mostly guesses.

[Vegan]

I have this to say about Red Steel though. The game looks cool and using the controller but thnk about this. Hold your hand out at arms length without supporting it with your other arm for 15 minutes. Hell, make it 10, and your gonna start getting tired after about 5. If you have to hold your hand at arm's legth for the entire game your not gonna be able to play for more than little bit at a time because your arm is going to get sore. That's one of the things I was thinking about as I was looking at all those people holding the ocntroller in this month's GI. I dunno maybe I could be wrong but it just seems like it wouldn't be the most comfortable.

This was addressed many months ago by people who got to play some tests. That is not how you play the games. The Red Steel pictures wer undoubtedly taken as overemphasized presentations, not actual depictions of how the controller will work.

[RedvsBlue]

This was addressed many months ago by people who got to play some tests. That is not how you play the games. The Red Steel pictures wer undoubtedly taken as overemphasized presentations, not actual depictions of how the controller will work.

Even if they were overemphasived its going to be very difficult to aim accurately onscreen when your arm is resting at your side.

[Michaellvortega]

Sitting down with the rev control resetting on your lap, people behind you might think they caught you masturbating?

[daroga]

Ok here's the deal. First off the MLB license and the NFL license are 2 totally seperate issues. As far as NFL is concerned EA is the ONLY company who can make an NFL game, period. MLB is a little different in that the only 3rd party software company that can make MLB games is 2k, HOWEVER, any company that makes a console can obtain a license from the MLB to make MLB games for that specific console.
Ah, ok. Didn't realize there was a difference between the two. Thanks for the clarification! :)

[botticus]

Ugh, please don't make a thread title that implies a list guaranteed confirmed titles, only to have a list that's mostly guesses.
Well, as I mentioned in the OP, it's speculation, based on what's been heard so far, so I'm not making any guanratees.

Oops, sorry about Spider-Man... went back to the article about it, says Activision is planning at least one launch title, probably unrelated ot Spider-Man. Took it off the list for now.

[FriskyTanuki]

I'm guessing SSB is a safe bet, a new Miyamoto IP has been confirmed I believe, and I know this will sound crazy to many but I have a feeling that Pennant Chase will make it out as a Revo launch title... think about it, a baseball game using the remote for swinging and pitching. If any company can do it, it's Nintendo. That leaves 3 others...
Penant Chase looked pretty bad on the Gamecube, so I'd hope that they'd make it a worthwhile game for those that would be interested. However, I'm pretty sure that it will not be a launch title, as the fall isn't the place to sell a baseball game and expect it to sell well, as sports fans will want their football, basketball, or hockey fix around November, not baseball. Next spring, maybe, but not in the fall.

Where was Tony Hawk DJ announced as a Revolution launch title? I don't think they've even specified the platforms that the game will be on.

[pimpinc333]

Zelda: TotP ;)

[botticus]

Where was Tony Hawk DJ announced as a Revolution launch title? I don't think they've even specified the platforms that the game will be on.
http://blogs.ign.com/Matt-IGN/2006/04/04/9389/

Insofar as you believe Matt.

[munch]

How bad ass would a bowling game be? just a thought.

[Vegan]

the fall isn't the place to sell a baseball game and expect it to sell well, as sports fans will want their football, basketball, or hockey fix around November, not baseball. Next spring, maybe, but not in the fall.

More proof that sports is weird.

[Blind the Thief]

How bad ass would a bowling game be? just a thought.

It might be cool, but I'm not sure if "bad ass" is the phrase I'd use...

[Foolman]

http://gonintendo.com/wp-content/photos/image_1_0.jpg

Two of Activision games and some Sega games(Magazine just has games as plural...). Might be launch titles, might not.

[ryanbph]

Do they really need 20 games at launch, they could come in with 1/2 of that, as long as the virtual console is ready to go with a ton of games. While it would be great to have 20 to pick from, nintendo over the past 2 generations haven't been know to be pumping out games on a monthly basis. The one thing that I liked about the 360 launch was there were a couple games I got/liked, had some fill time with the arcade, and then the 360 got another batch of solid games.

[road3283]

Here's an article from Ign, a few months old, but fuel for the speculation fire.

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/692/692479p1.html

[munch]

It might be cool, but I'm not sure if "bad ass" is the phrase I'd use...

Of course it would be bad ass. Some of the greatest athletes in the world are bowlers!

[evanft]

Even if they were overemphasived its going to be very difficult to aim accurately onscreen when your arm is resting at your side.

So moving a mouse at your side will be difficult? Or moving the analog stick is, too?

[alongx]

And for Mario, I have no idea. Mario 128 has been so completely shrouded all this time, and we know so little, I just can't call it.

I don't remember if it was Iwata or Miyamoto, but one of them said before (I think last TGS) that they wouldn't make the same mistake they did with the GC launch - which was not having Mario escort Cubes onto the store shelves. I think the new Mario is a very safe bet, and I'd bet that Mario's gameplay demo will be the big finale of Nintendo's E3, like Zelda was for the past two years.


Do they really need 20 games at launch, they could come in with 1/2 of that, as long as the virtual console is ready to go with a ton of games. While it would be great to have 20 to pick from, nintendo over the past 2 generations haven't been know to be pumping out games on a monthly basis. The one thing that I liked about the 360 launch was there were a couple games I got/liked, had some fill time with the arcade, and then the 360 got another batch of solid games.

Do they really need 20 games at launch? Probably. When there isn't enough variety, they won't be able to catch as wide of an audience, and Nintendo is aiming for the widest audience possible with the Revolution. I know if Nintendo releases 6-7 games as rumored, it will likely be an expensive launch for me.

And, for the 360 launch, I have heard no praising of MS's release schedule. There were launch titles, then DOA4, then GRAW, now Oblivion. There were 0 updates to backwards compatibility, and few if any new downloadable XBLA games in the mean time. Don't get me wrong, it's almost expected that there'd a drought of games after a console launches - the only console I don't remember there being a drought for was the Dreamcast. That said, Nintendo does need to step it up and have at least one big Nintendo title every month or so after launch, kind of like how they did with the DS (just hopefully have more 3rd party support initially to fill in the release lists more).

[botticus]

Here's an article from Ign, a few months old, but fuel for the speculation fire.

http://revolution.ign.com/articles/692/692479p1.html
Battalion Wars Online? Perfect!

I've added Pangya Golf to the OP, though that article implies it might be a Japan-only release, but not Rev exclusive.

[io]

Dude, I'm gonna buy, like, 5 Revo's if this is a launch title:

Revolution Cooking game
Status: Exclusive
Developer: Nintendo
Source: Wired

In an interview with Wired, EAD producer Hideki Konno confirmed that Nintendo had developed a Revolution title that revolved around the art of cooking. "We have this game with a big wok that you use to cook Chinese food, and it's really interesting to have the meat and vegetables frying in there, and use the controller to flip the food around without it spilling out of the pan." The official teaser trailer for the Revolution's controller also showcased a sequence in which players appeared to be playing a cooking title. It is highly likely that the console will feature a wide assortment of new gameplay experiences, this being one of the very first.

:mrgreen:

[Blind the Thief]

I'm really scared about failing my last semester of college...because if there's a new Smash Bros. game AND a new Mario game, I will NEVER, EVER LEAVE MY HOUSE AGAIN. EVER.

...and that's only two speculated titles. Hell, it seems like there could be more good ones at launch. *drools*

[io]

I'm really scared about failing my last semester of college...because if there's a new Smash Bros. game AND a new Mario game, I will NEVER, EVER LEAVE MY HOUSE AGAIN. EVER.

...and that's only two speculated titles. Hell, it seems like there could be more good ones at launch. *drools*

I assume you are at Cal? (last semester of college + your location). If so, I feel for ya. I went there (a while ago :D) but fortunately at the time wasn't addicted to video games and was able to get through those last few tough (being in EECS) semesters with minimal distraction (well, except for girl troubles and a major knee operation that is). But had the Revo existed then I wouldn't have made it - I actually messed around a bit with a NES while I was incapacitated, but didn't find it all that interesting.

[Blind the Thief]

I assume you are at Cal? (last semester of college + your location). If so, I feel for ya. I went there (a while ago :D) but fortunately at the time wasn't addicted to video games and was able to get through those last few tough (being in EECS) semesters with minimal distraction (well, except for girl troubles and a major knee operation that is). But had the Revo existed then I wouldn't have made it - I actually messed around a bit with a NES while I was incapacitated, but didn't find it all that interesting.

Right on the money. Being an econ major, though, my last semester or two won't be all that hard. :)

[road3283]

Battalion Wars Online? Perfect!

I've added Pangya Golf to the OP, though that article implies it might be a Japan-only release, but not Rev exclusive.

Yea, a couple of games in that article caught me by surprise. Hopefully, there'll be many more unveiled at E3.

[FriskyTanuki]

http://blogs.ign.com/Matt-IGN/2006/04/04/9389/

Insofar as you believe Matt.
No official announcement, so I'll wait for official news first. It wouldn't be surprising since the fall is when the new Tony Hawk games come out.

[Kaijufan]

I wouldn't be surprised if Square Enix released Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles 2 on or around the Revolution's launch day.

[RedvsBlue]

So moving a mouse at your side will be difficult? Or moving the analog stick is, too?

No but that's different because the developers plan for this and give you a decent targeting reticule. If you look at the targeting reticule in the screen shots for Red Steel its pretty wide so it won't be easy to use just that to target onscreen.

[Dr Mario Kart]

Its certainly going to take a bit of getting used to, but you have to at least assume that Nintendo and their developers actually are making a system that is USABLE.

[RedvsBlue]

Its certainly going to take a bit of getting used to, but you have to at least assume that Nintendo and their developers actually are making a system that is USABLE.

http://www.vgmuseum.com/systems/vb/vb-1.jpg?

Mario Party with the "glove" fix to prevent hand sores?

[Dr Mario Kart]

I had a feeling that was going to be the response.

Certainly the Virtual Boy is something of an experimental novelty and in a completely different realm altogether than a home console. This is actual serious business.

[jdevlin7756]

Given the fact that Nintendo will flat out lie about their future plans, (umm, no we're not putting out a redesigned DS...) I think that Zelda Twilight Princess is going to be a Rev title at launch.

[RedvsBlue]

I had a feeling that was going to be the response.

Certainly the Virtual Boy is something of an experimental novelty and in a completely different realm altogether than a home console. This is actual serious business.

You're right, all we can do is hope that they've learned from their mistakes and are looking at the practicality of a new system, not just whether it can be done.

[Dr Mario Kart]

Its certainly reasonable to be apprehensive about the technology. When I tell people about the Revolution, thats the number one concern. I think what we might find after the NDA is allegedly lifted on April 20, is that there ARE actually a lot of people working on games.

Anyone who has had actual hands on time with it has had nothing but overwhelmingly good things to say. My faith in the product working well is grounded in statements from these people

If the controller didnt live up to what we are being told that it can do, in any way, then you would expect to see that reflected in some way by either developer actions or developer statements, granted we've been short on info on both of those. The people currently developing for it certainly believe in the platform, so as will I, until proven otherwise.

[Ikohn4ever]

Given the fact that Nintendo will flat out lie about their future plans, (umm, no we're not putting out a redesigned DS...) I think that Zelda Twilight Princess is going to be a Rev title at launch.


first off if you arent hearing from Nintendo of Japan then you almost shouldnt know what to believe, since they dont tell other locations anything. Also there were more denials then the not putting out a redesigned DS.

[Foolman]

Its certainly reasonable to be apprehensive about the technology. When I tell people about the Revolution, thats the number one concern. I think what we might find after the NDA is allegedly lifted on April 20, is that there ARE actually a lot of people working on games.

http://blogs.ign.com/Matt-IGN/2006/04/11/11309/

I wish that were the case.

[Dr Mario Kart]

huh, I always heard that it was Matt who had originally proposed April 20.

[mforge]

No but that's different because the developers plan for this and give you a decent targeting reticule. If you look at the targeting reticule in the screen shots for Red Steel its pretty wide so it won't be easy to use just that to target onscreen.

Argggh, no it doesn't work like that. It's not a light gun game, you don't have to aim directly at the screen. The fact that there's a reticle at all, regardless of the size of it, proves this. The sensor bar determines where the FHC is in 3D space. You could put the bar 20 feet to the right of the television and it would work just as well; the only reason you put the bar on or near the TV is so you can point in the general direction of the TV while playing.

You're not using the FHC as a "gun" persay, you're using it as a 3D mouse.

[RedvsBlue]

Argggh, no it doesn't work like that. It's not a light gun game, you don't have to aim directly at the screen. The fact that there's a reticle at all, regardless of the size of it, proves this. The sensor bar determines where the FHC is in 3D space. You could put the bar 20 feet to the right of the television and it would work just as well; the only reason you put the bar on or near the TV is so you can point in the general direction of the TV while playing.

You're not using the FHC as a "gun" persay, you're using it as a 3D mouse.

I fail to see how that isn't a light gun game. Sure its not a traditional light gun game as we know them now but its still pretty similar.

[Dr Mario Kart]

We're sort of splitting hairs and getting all semantic at this point, but we need soemthing to do until E3.

Though I see where you're coming from, I think the mouse analogy works better than the light gun analogy. If I were using a wireless mouse to move the reticule along a 2d plane, no one would be saying it was like a light gun. Now we have a mouse that can move in 3 directions, and all of a sudden its a light gun. The light gun senses light, the rev controller senses motion, even if the results appear similar.

[mofo1115]

I wonder what Smash Revolution will be like with the new controller...

but since smash + online = first time i'm paying full price for a console since snes and n64

[Blind the Thief]

I fail to see how that isn't a light gun game. Sure its not a traditional light gun game as we know them now but its still pretty similar.

Think of the controller's movement doing the job that the left stick does for a FPS game now...where you move the controller, the perspective of the guy you're controlling moves. In light gun games, you simply aim and fire at something on screen, without changing your point of view.

So really, this is much more like an FPS than anything else, if I'm not mistaken.

EDIT:
I wonder what Smash Revolution will be like with the new controller...

but since smash + online = first time i'm paying full price for a console since snes and n64

Yeah, I know exactly what you mean. :drool:

[R1V3R5]

And what about "Mario Kart GP" that Namco released in arcades a while back? It seems that would be an easy game to port (since it ran on a beefed up GC and the Revolution is a beefed up GC) and Mario Kart games always sell.

[Vegan]

If Red Steel is a light gun game, RE4 was one, too.

[Blind the Thief]

And what about "Mario Kart GP" that Namco released in arcades a while back? It seems that would be an easy game to port (since it ran on a beefed up GC and the Revolution is a beefed up GC) and Mario Kart games always sell.

Honestly...I hope not. Once you get over the novelty of playing Mario Kart in an arcade, you realize the other Karts were MUCH better.

[coolz481]

Honestly...I hope not. Once you get over the novelty of playing Mario Kart in an arcade, you realize the other Karts were MUCH better.

Agreed. Between that, Star Fox Assault and the somewhat disappointing Mario Superstar Baseball, I can't imagine Nintendo will be farming out its franchises for Namco to develop any time soon. Klonoa Revolution would be nice, though.

[mforge]

I fail to see how that isn't a light gun game. Sure its not a traditional light gun game as we know them now but its still pretty similar.

Since you don't have to hold the controller at arm's length and aim it at the screen, and since it's not actually registering anything from the TV, I don't know what else would qualify it as a light gun game. Light gun games are tiring because you have to hold the gun in front of you to sight the targets. A sensor at the end of the gun registers light flashes from the screen as a hit if lined up properly.

The sensor bar is determining a point in real space as a "center", and moving the controller from that center changes the in-game view. "Dead center" can be the arm rest on your chair, if you want. It has nothing to do with the TV screen.

[Foolman]

Famitsu says their next issue will contain 'upcoming Revolution titles expected to show up at E3." So I'm guessing quite a few will be launch titles. Just a heads up.