Nintendo Co Ltd surprised the game industry on Friday with an unconventional one-handed controller for its next-generation "Revolution" console that aims to draw in new players.
Motion detector sensors in the controller, which resembles a TV remote, allows players to control the game by wielding it like a sword, waving it like a conductor's baton, or swinging it like a baseball bat depending on the game, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata said in a keynote session at the Tokyo Game Show.
"It's designed like a TV remote because that's familiar to everyone including those who are intimidated by a two-handed controller," said Iwata. "Its intuitive form allows both experienced and new gamers to stand on the same starting line."
Nintendo, known for game characters such as Mario, Donkey Kong and Pokemon, unveiled its console, code-named "Revolution", in May, and said it would launch in 2006. The console will give users access to more than 20 years of games from past Nintendo consoles.
The company had kept its controller under careful wraps, fearing its rivals would copy its idea.
"Revolution" will be competing with Microsoft Corp's Xbox 360, which will launch in November, and Sony Corp's Playstation 3, expected to launch next spring.
Nintendo dominates the $25 billion portable game industry, but its current GameCube console lags far behind market leader Sony's current generation Playstation 2. Nintendo's new controller is mainly operated by sensor, which it calls "a direct pointing device" even though it has a control pad and buttons.
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