This Christmas marks the next era of video gaming, dozens of pre- and post-pubescent boys will be lining up for their chance at grabbing one of the new consoles. However, unlike the major advances in gameplay and graphics seen during the shift between N64/Playstation era to the current era of gaming, the new systems are not that exciting.
The Playstation 3 and Xbox kept the same controller as the current generation and only feature a sleeker console and better graphics. The two giants of the video gaming industry are banking on loyal customers to buy up the next-gen consoles like kids snatching candy from the store.
Former leader Nintendo is hoping gamers are bored with the same four button four trigger controller configuration and reject the new systems in favor for their "Revolution-ary" console. Currently only a code-name, Nintendo Revolution offers gamers a surreal experience never before imagined.
The new controller looks much like a standard television remote-a scary departure from the normal gamer controller block that requires two hands to hold. The wireless controller is also one of the most advanced pieces of hardware ever built (and that is including the consoles themselves). The controller features 3-D spatial sensitivity, meaning the game can sense your movements up, down, left, right, front and back. At the same time, the Revolution controller allows the user to tilt or roll the controller for extra handling, clutch for all those tight Mario Kart races.
Traditional gamers should not fear however, the controller still maintains all the standard face buttons and triggers and features the capability to connect to an analog stick (and potentially different equipment in the future) for excellent first-person shooter gaming.
Nintendo may be taking a great risk with this new system, but if they are successful, they will, once again, for the umpteenth time, change the face of videogaming.
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