the new nintendo

Nintendo has finally announced the first concrete details regarding it's under -development new super console currently known as Project Dolphin. Releasing new details on both the partners working with Nintendo on the project and the first specifications of the console, Nintendo has thrown down the gauntlet to it's rival Sony and the Playstation 2.
     The new console has been confirmed to be using the latest DVD technology supplied by Matsushita together with a PowerPC based main processor from IBM and a graphics chip designed by Palo Alto company ArtX.
     Nintendo's announcement has revealed the following technological statistics about their forthcoming super-console:
 
CPU: Custom 400MHz IBM PowerPC
Graphics: Custom 200MHz ArtX Chip
Software Storage: Matsushita DVD

       The computer giant IBM will supply the main proccessor, a custom version of it's PowerPC chip which up to now has featured as the processor of choice for Apple Power Macs. Expected to clock in at 400MHz, Nintendo hopes that this chip will rival the power of th Playstation 2's much talked about 'Emotion Engine'.
     The PowerPC heart of the new console will be paired up with a graphics chip being designed by ex-Silicon Graphics designer Wei Yen. Yen heads up the computer graphics design firm, ArtX, which confirmed their partnership with Nintendo in designing the new console some time ago. The advantage of Nintendo using a more 'off-the-shelf' processor such as the PowerPC chip, means that it will enable them to quicken the production of the system. Sony's choice to develop their custom in-house Emotion Engine means that it is less cost efective than using IBM's technology, with millions of yen being pumped into research and the manufacturing process.
     As was expected, Nintendo has choosen to drop it's traditional cartridge medium and has instead embraced DVD technology for Project Dolphin. Matsushita is set to develop and supply the DVD drive and discs that will feature in the new console. Nintendo is also to work together with Mastushita on so called 'Digital Convergence' products which incorporate game machine technology with audio-video.

Although all the chips are refered to as being custom made, Project Dolphin is more of an
off-the-shelf product than either Playstation 2 or even the PC-esque Dreamcast hardware. This should ensure not just a low price point but also a quick development time for the console.
     Project Dolphin is set for a release in September/October 2000, just a few months after the expected release of Playstation 2. Such a move could prevent the struggle Nintendo had when it introduced the N64 over a year after the other next generation consoles.     
     Matsushita, in colaboration with Nintendo, are concerntrating hard on devising effective 'anti-piracy' technology for their forthcoming DVD based software. The main 'excuse' for using silicon based software with the N64 was apparently to reduce the risk of piracy, something which Nintendo are extremely concerned about.

main                                              games                                            downloads

[email protected]

Free Evaluation Copy