» SNK
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Metal Slug Anthology

SNK has wholly Japanese roots. The company has been responsible for the NeoGeo line of hardware. The company is known for its rich history of software with franchises including King of Fighters and Metal Slug.

Ben Herman - USA President
May 14, 2006
"[Wii] has the first support. Xbox 360 has been out for awhile but we haven't brought out a title yet. PS3 is coming, and from our stand point as far as any games for it, they're coming later. So without question, Wii is coming out, we have a game for Wii and. . .you know it's certainly the first thing...so the first is usually. . . the first child is usually closest to your heart. But we do have some strong expectations that Sony will do very well. I'm sure Xbox 360 will continue to do well. The Wii, is just...the buzz at the show is very strong."


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Wii Status: unknown

Victor Bunn
Sept. 28, 2005
"I think that Nintendo has just designed the controllers for the generation after the one that is upon us. The biggest problem with the next generation is that there is really no difference between the Xbox 360 and the PS3. Both consoles are going to have gorgeous graphics, online options and the like. If Nintendo went the usual, typical route, then we would be looking at three consoles that are too similar. With their new controller, Nintendo has given us something distinctive, something that is unique. They have given us something that is not quite what you expected and a reason to look forward to the next gen. I know what I'm getting when I play with a 360 controller or a PS3 controller. There are no real surprises there. That's not a bad thing but it also doesn't really excite me about the experience. The Metroid Prime demo really blew me away when I read the impressions. I think that dual analog control schemes for FPS are loony compared to mouse-look setups. The NDS is the only other real option for accurate FPS controls outside of a PC. The Revolution controller offers a potential option outside of the PC as well as a potentially good use of light gun schemes, steering wheel set ups, mouse-like selection and management in strategy games...the possibilities are there. I think Nintendo is on the right track by trying to do something different. If they tried to fight the good fight between Sony and Microsoft, they would lose horribly. Even if Nintendo secured great third party support, branding would work against them since most of the core demograph would get theirs on 360 or PS3 first anyway. Nintendo needed to get creative to bring something new to the fold, while keeping their fanbase and pushing the industry. I say, "Well done! Show me the actual Revolution and some games Nintendo. Now, you have my attention."


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Wii Status: none

Sony Computer Entertainment is Sony's game development arm in North America. The Santa Monica studio in particular has made a name for itself with the highly rated God of War for PlayStation 2.

Phil Harrison - Executive VP of SCEA
May 14, 2006
"I think Nintendo will be the second system consumers purchase after PlayStation 3. I haven't had a chance to check out the Wii myself, but Nintendo has a great history of innovation and has always done great things for gaming and long may they do so. But as it relates to our strategy they are very much in a different market."

David Jaffe - Game Director (God of War)
Dec. 19, 2005
"I like it, can't wait to play with it...worried -- as a player -- it could be a novelty that gets old...but Nintendo is not dumb and they must know the whole 'novelty burnout' is a risk so they are probably doing all they can to make sure that doesn't happen...I think it's a great idea..."

Johnnemann Nordhagen
Feb. 15, 2006
"The obvious answer is first-person shooters, but I think that the question almost misses the point. Trying to shoehorn existing genres into the controller concept is not the exciting part of the new system, although I don't doubt we'll see some excellent interpretations of things like RTS games. To me, the promise of the new controller is that it allows new types of games. The question that should be asked is not "How can we do what we've been doing on this controller?" but rather "What does this controller allow that was not possible or not elegant previously?" Much like the DS games that would not have been enjoyable on any other system, I'm looking forward to the games that can only exist on Revolution."


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» Sora
Wii Status: unknown

Sora is a company established by Masahiro Sakurai, the former lead designer at HAL Laboratory. He has had a hand in the Super Smash Bros. series, Kirby and Meteos. Sakurai is currently working with Nintendo on Super Smash Bros. Brawl for Wii.

Masahiro Sakurai - (Kirby, Smash Brothers, Meteos)
Oct. 21, 2005
"I'm sympathetic for Nintendo's stance of reducing hurdles for games. For that reason, I think it's good that the controller buttons have been reduced to just one. A long remote controller shape with just one button. This has impact. The DS, with its touch screen, made games a ways easier to understand. However, with the D-pad and buttons, and also the touch panel, controls actually became more complicated. I think it would be good if the same thing doesn't happen with Revolution."


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» Spike
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Jawa
Necro-Nesia

Spike is a long-time Japanese publisher of games. The company is known for its Fire Pro Wrestling series and is also the developer of Dragon Ball Z Tenakaichi.


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Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Dragon Quest Swords: Masked Queen
FF Crystal Chronicles: Crystal Bearers
Untitled Virtual Console Game


On the original Nintendo and Super Nintendo, Square and Enix were Nintendo's largest supporters. That is of course, until the less-costly and more freedom allowing disc-media of the PlayStation appeared. The two companies departed from Nintendo which led Yamauchi and Square in particular to have a distaste for each other. Fortunately, with the GameCube, the relationship with Square has been repaired. The two companies, courtesy of Yamauchi's personal Fund Q, have brought such titles as Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and Sword of Mana to the Game Boy Advance as well as Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles to the GameCube. Square Enix is the ultimate RPG publisher in the world with such series as Final Fantasy, Dragon Quest, Seiken Densetsu, and much more. Having its support is vital in the Japanese market. The studio has confirmed that they are in development with Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles for the Wii.

Yoshinori Kitase - Producer (Final Fantasy VII)
Oct. 26, 2005
Kitase reveals that he loves to go home after a long day's work, lay down, pick up the television remote with one hand and flip channels on the television. Games require him to move and hold the controller with both hands, and for first-person shooters, things get even worse, as he's required to set up a table, mouse and keyboard. Kitase believes that the Revolution controller will allow people to play while laying down, using the controller to shoot things and wield guns. More strikingly, he states that the Revolution controller doesn't just change the content of a game, but the lifestyle of its players.

Kouichi Ishii - Producer (World of Mana)
Dec. 15, 2005
"It'd be a shame if developers only transferred existing games to this system. They've got to envision a more creative route then buckle up for a wild ride."
Sept. 18, 2005
I believe creators will enjoy making games [with the controller]. You'll have to change game design methods from the core. For instance, you'll have to start by looking back at your play as a kid and think of what kinds of things you could do if developing for the Revolution. If you can do this, then surely you will be able to make a completely new form of play, different from current games."

Yuji Horii - Designer (Dragon Quest)
Jan. 13, 2006
"When I was making Manga, I met up with the technology of computer games," he told journalists. "I loved the fact that it was interactive, that you do something and you get feedback. I thought that an interactive story where you get feedback and rewards from everything that you do would be interesting. I like the idea of interactivity with the hardware, so there, where you mention the Nintendo controller, it's a new interface, and it's exciting to have that reaction. You do something, and it reacts to you. It's human nature that to have some feedback from your actions it rewarding."
Sept. 18, 2005
"At first introduction to the controller, I was surprised. There should have been a controller like this before, but surprisingly, there was not. I believe people will not hesitate to use this controller. Just like a remote control for your TV, people touch it without understanding how to use it. Starting with DS, I believe Nintendo has made game machines that are for the feeling of touch. The Revolution controller has evolved this feeling of touch even farther."

Akitori Kawazu - Producer (Final Fantasy XII)
Sept. 18, 2005
"The first thing that came to my mind was, 'Controlling with one hand? Wow, that's a bold approach.' It's great to see the movements of your hands and arms, especially the subtle action twist reflected on the strain the physical feeling you get; it's not what I expected. I believe this will challenge us as creators, to figure out how we are going to utilize this fundamental change."


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Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Princess Company

Starfish is a Japanese developer founded on September 20, 1993. The company is known for its fishing games released on Game Boy and PlayStation.


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Wii Status: unknown

Starbreeze AB, a Swedish game developer, was founded in 1998. The company merged with O3 Games in 2001. It developed Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay for the Xbox and is currently developing "The Darkness" for the Xbox 360.

Mikael Wahlberg
Sept. 28, 2005
"This will benefit everyone around Nintendo...They have literally been thinking outside of the box this time. Let's hope it works. Watching the player's behavior tells a lot about the experience they receive. But what they need to do now is to put these new tools in to the hands of the developers and see what comes out of it. New technology of this kind always seems to have some new angel of use that they didn't think of...Like the mouse and FPSes."


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» Success
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Machi Kuru Domino

Success is a Japanese console and PC developer. The company recently made headlines for its unique Touch Detective game for the Nintendo DS.


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» Sunsoft
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Untitled Virtual Console Game

Sunsoft is a Japanese development studio founded in 1985. The company got its start developing Arcade games and software for the Game Boy, much of which was licensed.


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Wii Status: none

The company doesn't have much of a hand in video game development. Its expertise is in the network industry and the production of Java technology.

Chris Melissinos - Chief Gaming Officer
Sept. 19, 2005
"This is why I love Nintendo. Just when people think that innovation is dead and game design/implementation is becoming a barren wasteland, the House of Mario does something so off the wall that people stand up and take notice. What other game hardware company would have the guts to release a controller that looks like a TV remote? No one but Nintendo...Not only do I believe that the controller will help usher in a new generation of game design, I think the Revolution has a better chance of succeeding than most analysts and critics believe. The combination of their "motion centric" controller, deep catalog of content spanning 20+ years and kick ass next generation games, puts Nintendo is in the best position to broaden the market and bring those gamers, who stopped playing, back to the television with their family in tow. I want to thank Nintendo for not maintaining the status quo, for constantly pushing the industry to rethink how games can be implemented and, most importantly, for reminding us that how we play is just as important as what we play."


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Wii Status: confirmed developer
Announced Software: Leaderboard
Gottlieb Pinball Classis

System 3, also known as Studio 3, got its start on the Commodore 64. The studio has been developing games for close to 20 years. One of their more well-known series is called Last Ninja. In addition to Wii development, System 3 is also bringing several titles to the Nintendo DS.


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» Team 17
Wii Status: unknown

Team 17 is based in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, UK. The company began operations in 1990 publishing titles for the Amiga. The studio is known for its Worms series of games and recently remade Lemmings for the PlayStation Portable.

Martyn Brown - Director
Aug. 14, 2006
"Historically we've been platform-agnostic, which is a poncy way of suggesting we're not too fussy! Most of that has come from our work on Worms, which has been on more platforms than the Flying Scotsman. We plan to continue to develop games on whatever platform it makes sense to do so on. Wii is a different ball-game because it requires a different conceptual approach if you want to make the best of it. The other two platforms are the ones packed with more horsepower, and I think it's obvious that you need to try and concentrate more on the substance than the style - which you have to take for granted will be, or at least should be, of a high quality."


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» Tomy
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Untitled Action Game
Untitled Battle Game
Untitled 3D Action Game
Untitled Virtual Console Game

Tomy makes toys as well as games. The company is old-school, established back in 1924. Some of Tomy's well-known licenses include ZOIDS and Naruto.


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» Taito
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Cooking Mama - International Friends
Let's Go By Train!
Turn IT Around!
Untitled Virtual Console Game

Taito is a Japanese developer that got its start in the arcades. It has several famous games under its belt including Arkanoid, Bust-A-Move and Bubble Bobble. Most recently the studio published the RPG Lost Magic for the Nintendo DS.


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» Tecmo
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Super Swing Golf PANGYA
Untitled Virtual Console Game

Tecmo is known for its outspoken producer, difficult games, and scantily clad women. The company has developed such titles as Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden, Fatal Frame, and Monster Rancher.

Tomonobu Itagaki - Producer (Dead or Alive, Ninja Gaiden)
Jun. 15, 2005
Itagaki is looking forward to the Revolution, much in the same way he eagerly anticipated the DS. He revealed that he's a fan of Nintendo's Pikmin series, and he looks forward to playing its next release on the Revolution.

Keisuke Kikuchi - (Kagero II, Fatal Frame)
June 15, 2005
"It's difficult to comment on it, since there's been very little information, but I'm looking forward to the controller that's yet to be announced."


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» THQ
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Barnyard
Disney's Cars
SpongeBob SquarePants: Krusty Krab

"THQ" used to stand for Toy Head-Quarters, reflecting the company's early focus as a toy manufacturer. However, since 1994 the Company has focused exclusively on the development and publishing of video games. THQ confirmed during a year-end press event in September 2005 that it would fully support Nintendo's next-generation console with software. THQ is known for its licensed software from Nickelodeon, Disney/Pixar, World Wrestling Entertainment, Scooby-Doo and original properties such as Full Spectrum Warrior and MX Unleashed. The company has been a reliable supporter of all recent Nintendo platforms. Nintendo's handhelds in particular are where a significant portion of the company's revenue is gained.

Brian Farrell - CEO
Sep. 14, 2006
"With escalating costs for both developing games and for consumers buying new game systems, we applaud Nintendo's drive to spread gaming to the masses - and we fully support that approach."
Jul. 17, 2006
"We love the Wii - it's all about having fun, right? Games are about having fun and sometimes this industry takes itself a bit too seriously. A lot of our properties, like Cars and Spongebob and others, really map well... Potentially even wrestling - I can think of a lot of great things to do with the controller for that product as well."
Sept. 18, 2005
"Nintendo has long been a trailblazer, and this controller design reinforces that reputation. We enthusiastically support Nintendo's next console because we believe their approach of continual innovation is very much in line with our own strategy of creating unique and innovative games for the next generation of hardware."

Jack Sorensen - Executive Vice President of Worldwide Studios
Dec. 18, 2005
"When we first watched it, we thought, frankly, 'what the hell is this?'. The main thing is getting it in your hands. Once you do that, it's pretty intuitive. It's not about more buttons. It's about ease of use for consumers...I'm surprised and happy with the direction Nintendo is going."
Dec. 15, 2005
"Think about how many players you know that move controllers upward when pressing the jump button or turn it while steering in a racing game. With Revolution, these movements can be made to affect gameplay. Any genre that's suffered from traditional controller limitations stands to initially benefit the most, particularly ones with too many complex button combinations. Also, mouse-oriented PC genres (RTS, adventure games) could become much more console-friendly with the Revolution controller."
Dec. 8, 2005
"Within a matter of weeks we had literally dozens if not well over a hundred kinds of play patterns that could be done with the controller, There's almost too much that people can think of, which is a sign that it's inspirational..."


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Wii Status: likely

Throwback Entertainment is based in Toronto, Canada, and was founded in 2004. The company purchased several franchises from the bankrupt publisher Acclaim Entertainment, including games such as Re-Volt, Extreme-G, Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance, and Vexx.

Thomas Maduri - CEO
Jul. 10, 2006
"I think a fundamental problem Acclaim had with many of these franchises is there weren't services like Xbox Live Arcade, or non-traditional platforms like Nintendo is providing with the DS, and [the] anticipated Wii console, available to them when many of these games were created. A game like Re-Volt or Iggy's Reckin' Balls would be a perfect fit for the Xbox Live Arcade service. They provide quick gameplay, and do not possess a substantial learning curve for the controls. These services will create new markets using existing console technology, so in that sense they will be console-based, but in a non-mainstream format. Throwback is planning on taking advantage of those and any other yet-to-be-announced platforms or services we could potentially benefit from."


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Wii Status: unknown

This is a music studio that provides music and sounds for games. The musical score for Earthworm Jim is one of the studio's first recordings.

Tommy Tallarico - President
Sept. 19, 2005
"Nintendo has always prided itself on innovation and this controller is no exception. I think this move by Nintendo will secure them the uniqueness they seek. The only way that a new console will succeed is if they have third party publisher support. My only concern is that developers and publishers may have a difficult time in developing software for a single platform (which this controller ultimately forces them to do). Many publishers rely on multiple platform products in order to make the next gen console leap. It will be interesting to see how much support the Revolution gets compared to the PS3, 360, PC, and let's not forget the current systems which will still have at least two years of life left in them."


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Wii Status: likely


This venerated group of ex-Konami employees is well respected for producing titles with solid control, complex play mechanics, stunning graphics and a high degree of difficulty and replay value. The only Nintendo 64 game from Treasure that ever came to the United States was Mischief Makers; a quirky 2-D platformer released back in late 1997. Nevertheless, Nintendo and Treasure have had a close relationship for many years. The two companies collaborated on Sin and Punishment: Successor of Earth released only in Japan for the N64. Treasure most recently developed the Nintendo-published GameCube game Wario World.

Masato Maegawa - President and Co-Founder
Nov. 14, 2005
We have started to talk about the Revolution with Nintendo, but not in any great detail. Please wait a little longer."


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» Ubisoft
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Open Season
Rayman Raving Rabbids
Red Steel
Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
Far Cry Vengeance
GT Pro Series
Monster 4x4 World Circuit
Prince of Persia
Splinter Cell: Double Agent
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Ubisoft is known for its innovative gameplay and astounding graphics. Michel Ancel is head of one of Ubisoft's most respected game studios having developed titles such as Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil, and King Kong. Other popular Ubisoft series include Prince of Persia and Splinter Cell. Word has it that Ubisoft has a total of three FPS titles in development for the Wii.

Laurent DeToc President of Ubisoft North America
Sept. 14, 2006
"The Wii control scheme opens up unexplored areas for our talented teams to innovate when creating games. It's invigorating for us. We believe that it will help create a new level of interest in video games and engage more players around the world."

Michel Ancel - Designer (Rayman, Beyond Good & Evil, King Kong)
Sept. 19, 2005
"I feel just like a child with a new toy, opening millions of new doors of possibilities. More than an improvement, this way of playing is creating a new dimension. Its simple, when Nintendo unveils its hardware, every member of the team starts imagining crazy ideas. Its opening their minds. The fact of adding 3D gestures as the way of communicating with the game is just the perfect kind of innovation that can bring new games to new gamers. To me, it can bring the consoles what the mouse brought to the PC at its time. It's a 3D pointer with rotation information! Now, you're going to handle virtual objects, make recognition signs. Its closer to the way we act in real world, thats why its going to be mass market. Im sure that people will go crazy given the ability to interact so easily with virtual worlds. Im just mad about it!"

Carlo Delallana
Sept. 28, 2005
"This new control system really differentiates Nintendo from its competition and should allow them to position the Revolution in the marketplace very clearly. IDG did a study that shows that more households will go multiconsole when the next-gen systems hit. Gamers may consider the Revolution as a good companion system to their more mainstream consoles (Xbox 360 or PS3). There's a lot of potential with the controller as far as game design, I'm sure designers all over the world are probably thinking of ways to exploit this technology. We could see some really amazing games and possibly new game genres making its debut on the Revolution. How much support the Revolution gets is entirely up to Nintendo. Software sells hardware and the launch line-up for the Revolution and clever marketing from Nintendo will determine if this gamble pays off. This is a chance for developers to break out of the mold of "formulaic game design" and really explore what games can be, possibly expanding the audience at the same time."

Nicholas Eypert - Creative Director
Dec. 15, 2005
"The Revolution controller breaks the 'push button' experience of other platforms, where the player must go through an abstract action--pushing a button--to complete an action. With the Revolution, the action is completely natural and physical. We can propose new types of interactions that are easy and fun, as they rely on a simple gesture. We can translate into video game interactions all the tools you manipulate with your hand: the sculptor's tool, the doctor's scalpel, the fireman's hose...imagine you are a doctor curing patients or an architect who builds his own house! It opens up so many possibilities that we already have too many ideas. All the designers that I've spoken with at Ubisoft are buzzing with amazing ideas."

Yves Guillemot - CEO
Jan. 1, 2006
"We think September could be the right time for Sony in the US and November in Europe. Japan a bit earlier, say June or July." He expects Nintendo to aim for a similar launch date in the US and Japan, but fears that Europe might have to wait for the Revolution until early 2007.

Serge Hascoet - Chief Creative Officer
Sept. 18, 2005
"We were among the first publishers to see the control design in action. We're excited about the new controller and are looking forward to taking advantage of its innovative aspects."


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» Valve
Wii Status: unknown

Valve is known for its creators Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington. The company has created the celebrated first-person shooter Half-Life series for the PC as well as Counter-Strike.

Robin Walker - Lead Designer
Dec. 2, 2005
Responding to the question -- What kind of game would you like to design for Revolution: Theres a couple I could think of, but Im not really sure, because I havent seen the console.


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Wii Status: unknown
Parent Company: Activision

Vicarious Visions was founded in 1994 and is currently based in New York. The studio was purchased by Activision in 2005. It made a name for itself with the development of quality handheld software such as Tony Hawk's American Sk8land for the Nintendo DS.

Karthik Bala - CEO
Dec. 8, 2005
"There are a number of things you can imagine that a Revolution controller [could do] that would be quite cool: Wielding a baseball bat, for example, or a golf club, tennis racket or anything like that or in a fighting game or a first-person shooter or Spider-Man casting a web or Tony Hawk trying to manipulate a skateboard."
Nov. 26, 2005
For developers, programming the controller shouldn't be all that challenging. Now, coming up with a great game design -- that will be challenging! I think what Nintendo is going after is giving players new kinds of game experiences -- not just the same old with better graphics. I think you are going to see some established franchises appear on the Revolution that are going to be genius on the platform. Of course the game won't be exactly the same game as [it would be on] PS3 or Xbox 360 -- but really, what's the point in that? I think we all need to widen the lens and not see the next generation of consoles being direct competitors of each other. Stop comparing hardware specs and who's got the bigger CPU. Just give me some good games with more innovation in game design...dammit! Much like the DS, I think people are underestimating what the system is capable of. We all know that [Nintendo] will produce one or two killer titles at or near launch for the system. But it's a strong third-party portfolio that will be the key to success. I believe Nintendo is well aware of this and it will be interesting to see how the launch lineup unfolds for Revolution.


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Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Crash Bandicoot
Ice Age 2: Meltdown

Vivendi is a large publisher of games. It owns a diverse lineup of studios including Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra Entertainment, Swordfish Studios and High Moon Studios. Several of its game licenses include Spyro and Crash Bandicoot.


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Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: Untitled Game

Warner Bros. Games is a newly formed games division of Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. The company is making an effort to get its foot into the video game industry with its first big project to arrive on Wii.


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» Yukes
Wii Status: confirmed publisher
Announced Software: The Dog Island

Yukes is a Japanese development studio founded on February 26, 1993, and named after CEO Yukinori Taniguchi. The company is known for its wrestling games.


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» Zoonami
Wii Status: unknown


Nintendo confirmed its partnership with UK development studio, Zoonami, to make a GameCube project. The title, with science-fiction elements, was tentatively dubbed Game Zero. Few details were revealed and nothing has been heard of the game since. Zoonami's president, Martin Hollis, former head of software at Rare, has led projects such as Perfect Dark and Goldeneye 007. Is it possible the game formerly known as Game Zero will make an appearance on Wii? Anything is possible, but don't hold your breath.


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