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I’m not sure why I’m so jazzed up about the Nintendo Revolution, especially considering the fact that the technical specifications for the console haven’t even been announced in definitive manner yet. Despite this, I’m wholly underwhelmed about Microsoft’s X-Box 360, which hits store shelves in less than a week. Perhaps it’s my dislike of Microsoft’s OS that’s eerily making me cheer on Nintendo this time around, but that can’t quite be it, since I’m a current X-Box owner, who never bothered to pick up a Gamecube given it’s rather unappealing library of games.

Yes, that must be it - the library. I’m reminded of Sony’s hype machine when the PS2 was about to come out, and how I couldn’t get over the fact that people were willing to spend dump-trucks of money on eBay to pick up the fancy blue-LED machine whose launch library consisted of zero must-have games. Despite the fact that the Dreamcast, albeit with a poor future, was numerous times cheaper than a PS2, and despite the fact that the Dreamcast’s gaming library was mature, the fanboys helped Sony hype the PS2 into success.

The same thing happened to the X-Box some time later; by the time the PS2’s gaming library was ripe, the hype machine was spinning on Microsoft’s fuel (read: benjamins), and people couldn’t get enough of the X-Box despite it’s lack of exclusive titles. I don’t really recall where the Gamecube came in here, because it was so average it flew totally under the radar. Sure, there was a time or two where I though getting a Gamecube was a fine idea (sometimes based on price alone), but the gaming library really wasn’t all that.

The interesting thing during upcoming console wars, however, is that gaming libraries will play less of a roll. With technological evolution not as drastic this time around, from the average user’s perspective, we will likely have more non-exclusive titles coming up to bat, with few if any differences between the different versions. This may very well be what saves Nintendo from the lower radars, since I’m sure I wasn’t all alone in desiring better titles on the Gamecube.

For instance, my final pull to the X-Box wasn’t based on any exclusive titles. I jumped on the X-Box bandwagon once the library was mature, and when there were options like the Prince of Persia games, the Grand Theft Auto series, et al. While none of these titles were exclusive, they weren’t all available on the Gamecube, ’cause if they had been, my decision would have been easy. Instead, I opted for the X-Box because I knew load times weren’t as bad as the PS2, but somewhere deep inside of my gamer’s heart, there was a hope that my favorite titles would magically appear on the Gamecube. No such luck.

If Nintendo can get more developer support, however, from U.S. Developers like Rockstar, or at least, pretend to make games that are aimed at U.S. Gamers instead of mostly Japanese gamers, then maybe the Revolution will pull the type of audience it needs to survive. Nintendo is finally at a point where they can invest in things like broadband gaming and modern graphics, passing by previous mistakes like the N64’s cartridge-based system and the Gamecube’s lack of online play. And, with a fancy new controller, there’s the possibility that a console manufacturer will actually come up with a way to play first-person shooters (FPS’s) that don’t suck compared to those played on the PC with a mouse and keyboard.

Of course, what Nintendo needs to do is not rely solely on their wacky new controller. They need a launch library that has a couple games that show off just how neat the controller is, but at the same time, they need to support legacy control styles, so old gamers don’t get jaded. Granted, the fact that Revolution owners can play all the older games from previous Nintendo systems will at least make a legacy controller necessary, Nintendo better not charge an arm and a leg for titles that we’ve already paid for once or twice. Quite frankly, these titles should be free, and then Nintendo would have a sure-fire hit on their hands, even sans new gaming library.

Yet, if the launch library is to make any heads turn at all, let’s get some decent games out there for once, so there’s a must-have or two in the group, unlike the X-Box 360’s launch library of rehashed sequels and weak adventure/action titles. After all, why buy a console with accessories that runs me half a grand when there are only sub-par games in the mix.

The real trick will be how Nintendo chooses to face off with the PS3. Which system will come out first to trump the other? Head-to-head, Nintendo will fail against Sony’s marketing hype, but if they beat Sony to the punch, Nintendo has a great chance at pulling up a notch, especially if they have some hard-hitting titles. In fact, delay the new Zelda and put it out for the Revolution, because seriously, why release a major will-be hit for a system that won’t be a flagship in another couple months anyway?

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