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Neil’s Notes: Nintendo’s console evolution
October 17, 2017
Video game consoles have come a long way from the classic Magnavox and Atari systems, creating more advanced hardware to handle more graphically intense and complex games. However, in recent years it seems as if Nintendo is the only company making big steps in console evolution.
What I mean by this is that although the Xbox and Playstation systems have been doing fine in terms of making a fun console, they haven’t really done anything for the advancement of the gaming industry. I mean, there’s the Kinect, but that’s more of a mistake than an evolution. Sure it was hand’s free motion control, but it often just didn’t read movement well. Nintendo on the other hand has consistently made leaps from console to console that is a clear improvement of the system.
Nintendo’s first large leap was from the Gamecube (2001) to the Wii (2006), which introduced a sensor bar and motion controls to radically redefine and widen gameplay possibilities. This led the way for the Playstation “Move” controller and the Xbox “Kinect” which came out about 4 years later, making it a huge step in console evolution.
Nintendo’s next console would be the Wii U (2012), which introduced a gamepad controller that allowed you to play in any room in your home, as well as being able to play without the television being on. It also implemented a system in some games where up to 8 players could play at time, which was almost unheard of for local multiplayer capabilities. This has yet to be followed up by another console.
Their most recent console has been the Switch (2017), which was the first ever home/portable console hybrid, which introduced new HD rumble controllers and the ability to take a home console on the go, something unheard of before the Switch’s release.
Now, Xbox and Playstation have been fine consoles. They have incredible advanced hardware and software that keeps getting better with every new system. Unfortunately, they have done very little for console evolution, and are utterly outclassed by Nintendo’s innovative drive.