Nintendo Revolution Controller – Gimmick Or Innovation?

I always find it amusing that the word “gimmick” is slapped on Nintendo innovations in gaming while companies like Microsoft and Sony who actually add gimmicks that have nothing to do with gaming such as media functions to play music and video never seem to be labeled with the same term

With the unveiling of the Nintendo Revolution Controller earlier this year, many people have expressed their skepticism. Some people feel that the controller lacks practically and will not be able to function effectively with games, while more harsh critics believe the controller is nothing more than a gimmick.

The company that tries to improve or innovate gaming is not a “gimmick”. A “gimmick” is adding features that have nothing to do with gaming.

Wikipedia defines a gimmick as a “unique or quirky special feature that makes something “stand out” from its contemporaries. Product gimmicks are sometimes considered mere novelties, and not really that relevant to the product’s functioning.”

It is no secret that there are more people using the PSP as a media player instead of a portable gaming console. Even in PSP television ads, Sony stresses how the console is so much more than just a hand held gaming system. Is the PS2 adding DVD playing functionality; is that a gimmick? The Xbox 360 is adding Media Center extension from a PC; is that a gimmick?

Moreover Nintendo have taken many risks in developing technology, – light guns, power-pad, power-glove, Game Boy, virtual boy, DS, Nintendo 64 controller, etc.

Some failed horribly, while others completely changed the market, but the important thing is that Nintendo has tried to develop new ways to entertain us. This is much more than you can say for Microsoft who has admittedly and repeatedly waited for others companies to experience the financial pains of innovation and then copied them when there was a proven market – DOS, Windows, Xbox etc. The bottom line is, these companies will simply never take the risks Nintendo is willing to.

Of course Nintendo is attempting to make a profit, but it is pretty apparent that they also have an interest in innovation and creating products which are fun and entertaining.

Developing products in a proven market is just good business. But we have to remember that at one point, risks are taken in order to develop new products. Most often in the video game industry, Nintendo is the one taking the risks.

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