As you may or may not know, Nintendo will be releasing their next generation console (codenamed 'Revolution') sometime in 2006. Likewise, Microsoft's Xbox 360 is due later this year, and Sony's Playstation 3 is due early in 2005.


Nintendo's new system has one key feature in particular that sets itself apart from its contenders.

It has the ability to play any game in Nintendo's back catalog. That's right, you can download and play any first-party game for the NES, SNES, and Nintendo 64 on the Revolution. The Revolution is also backwards compatible with the Gamecube disks.

Now, you may ask yourself, "so what? I've been playing these games for years on my PC emulator programs and ROMS."

Well, my pirating friend, not everyone wants to illegally download spyware and trojan infested ROMs, some in shoddy condition, others almost unplayable.

You may notice that I said "first party" games are available to play. This means any game that has been made by Nintendo, like Mario, Zelda, or Metroid.

This does not mean that it won't have 3rd party games, however they will probably need liscensing to do so.


Will this mean we'll finally get to see our favorite old school star wars games like....well Star Wars, Super Empire strikes back, Rogue Squadron 64, and Shadows of the Empire?

I mean, just imagine being able to play these games legally, without having to worry about viruses, shady websites, and also being offered the possibility of extra features, online play, and online support.

Hopefully, Lucasarts will do the right thing and grant Nintendo the liscensing rights to re-release these old games on Nintendo's new system

IGN.com

Oh, and by the way...Nintendo Revolution will have NEW games out as well.