George Speaks

[Crash]

Secrets Revealed in a Q and A with Nintendo's Vice President
Posted by James O at 10:53 EDT - 05/27/2005
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George Harrison discusses the Revolutions' price, its downloading service and Game Boy Micro's possible MP3 player bundle.

The Nintendo senior vice president of marketing and communications reveals a few more details on the Revolution, the Game Boy Micro and the gaming industry's future.

In in interview with Gamespot, George Harrison said Nintendo will wait until Microsoft sets the price on their Xbox 2 before contemplating a price for the Revolution.

"Microsoft is going to launch this fall. They'll probably have to tell people where they are by, we think, August. That will give us a good chance to understand what they think they can sell it for and also to estimate how much money they're going to lose on their box. "

Harrison also revealed that, as of now, the Revolution's service for downloading NES, SNES and N64 games for play on the Revolution is free of charge. Moreover, Nintendo will even offer some games as bonuses or hidden features in select first-party games.

"We've used some of the older games already as little bonuses, either as bonus gifts or hidden in levels of games. Certainly for the first-party titles we'll be making some of those available. We haven't really talked about whether we would sell them," Harrison said.

As for third-party games for download, Harrison said it will be their decision whether or not to sell them. He even hinted at the possibility of earning free game(s) as a sort of a benefit for buying a current version of the game.

When asked what makes the Revolution so "revolutionary," Harrison said, "eliminating the access fee so there's not really a monthly subscription, and making use of first-party games, downloadable for free...that to us will be really revolutionary."

Harrison also said the Game Boy Micro may come bundled with "Play-Yan," an MP3 and MP4 video file player for the Game Boy. Nintendo is still judging its success in Japan and will wait for an official announcement, Harrison said.

For the full interview, head over to GameSpot.

[GameMaster]

So no access fee and free downloadable first-party games? Pretty cool but I was really hoping for some science fiction fantasy to be the revolutionary factor.

Oh well, can't complain, free Super Smah Bros. Online Battles!

[gekko]

Ok, and?

The pricing was not a big issue. Well, unless they got stupid like Xbox Live Arcade and wanted $14.99 for a game. But there's still so many things they need to do to go from having a cool retro feature, to the greatest console ever made.

[Jonbo298]

er...if the only 'Revolutionary' part is no access fees, Nintendo has stabbed themselves in the face. The stabbings in their feet was the N64 and Gamecube (kind of ) and if this is all Revolution has to offer in terms of 'breaking grounds', then the face is the stab of choice now.

Granted, I am excited as hell that I can play all the old NES/SNES/N64 games from Nintendo for FREE, but if thats all this hype was for, then...wow

[Dark Samurai]

I really doubt that this will be the only revolutionary part of the Revolution. Just wait for the coming months, besides, I'd expect Iwata, or Miyamoto to tell us what exactly the revolution is, not George Harrison...

[dropCGCF]

I wonder if GC games will be playable on the REV.

[BlueFire]

Originally Posted by dropCGCF

I wonder if GC games will be playable on the REV.

Isn't the Revolution backwards compatible?

[gekko]

Originally Posted by Dark Samurai

I really doubt that this will be the only revolutionary part of the Revolution. Just wait for the coming months, besides, I'd expect Iwata, or Miyamoto to tell us what exactly the revolution is, not George Harrison...

I expect an unknown girl with a purse.

And yes, rev is backwards compatible. Even has 4 GC controller ports and 2 mem card slots in the side.

[Teuthida]

That's cool and all but that's the revolutionary feature? I'm been downloading roms for free for years.

Feel sorry for all those poor saps who bought those NES/SNES ports for GBA.

[Acebot44]

Yeah, Like Dan, I've been playing retro games for free for years!

[Stonecutter]

Originally Posted by Danchastu

That's cool and all but that's the revolutionary feature? I'm been downloading roms for free for years.

Feel sorry for all those poor saps who bought those NES/SNES ports for GBA.

Well do remember that the GBA has the distinct advantage of being hand held.

[Professor S]

So the revolution is that Nintendo is desperate enough to try and bribe people with free games so that they buy their console...

*runs out of the room while members throw hot, rotten garbage at him*

[MuGen]

Well i dont expect the true revolution to come from this harrison guy. it has to be said by iwata or miyamoto. but....if any aspect of what harrison said was true..........omg for nintendo

[Jason1]

No way in hell thats the Revolution we've all been talking about. Damn awsome? Absolutley. But certaintly not the revolution.

[DarrenMcLeod]

Why the hell are you guys saying that this is the Revolution? Not once in that statement did I read it saying "The Revolution we've been hiding is NES GAMES!" Iwata and Miyamoto have both stated the Revolution has something to do with the controller, I do believe.