Dreamcast Prototype Controller - Wii Did It!

[Zeus]

Images of a reported Sega Dreamcast remote prototype from back in 1998 look incredibly similar to the Wiimote. Now if people say Sony copied Nintendo, perhaps Nintendo copied Sega? The 'copy' circle just goes on and on...


While looking through some old console prototypes over the weekend, I stumbled across what is described as a prototype controller for the Dreamcast. It looks remarkably similar to the Nintendo Wiimote, with a trigger on the bottom, buttons on top and wireless technology. All that's missing is the Nun-chuk attachment.


<Center><a href="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/segamote.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.maxconsole.net/content_img/segamote1.jpg"></center></a>

News Source: <A href="http://www.gwn.com/articles/article.php/id/745/" target="_blank">gwn.com</a>

[amptor]

perhaps, nintendo bought from sega or.... they hired their engineers. sega doesn't make consoles any more so it'd make sense.

[dreary79]

I asked Zues to post about the powerglove, which was way before the dreamcast, but Zues chose to ignore my request. I think he's anti-Wii.

[swisstony123]

Ha ha brilliant!! That should shut some up some whingers on other forums!
I still like the idea of the wii though:D

[swisstony123]

I asked Zues to post about the powerglove, which was way before the dreamcast, but Zues chose to ignore my request. I think he's anti-Wii.
Yeah but this actually looks abit like the wiimote;)

[dreary79]

That dreamcast controller has been posted all over the net a month ago. And it looks nothing like the Wiimote.

[Zeus]

We're not Anti Wii or Anti any console, it is not our interests to be so seeing as we are maxconsole :).

[dreary79]

We're not Anti Wii or Anti any console, it is not our interests to be so seeing as we are maxconsole :). lol... Zues you make me laugh.

[chukz]

it does look eerily similar but that controller is probably designed to be used with 2 hands at the same time (kind of like taking a 'normal' controller and turning it 90 degrees and playing with it that way). Also I cannot read that text but if it does in fact say anything about motion sensing or pointing device then maybe you can say nintendo took the idea.

Furthermore, this thing does look bulky and ugly... think of Zack Morris' cell phone (from Saved by the Bell :D) and that's what this is, meanwhile the wiimote is more of the newer style, smaller, can use it with one hand, and cannot be confused with a small Dirt Devil Vaccuum.

[dreary79]

http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/IMAGES/1/ASCII-Grip.gifDid Nintendo copy Sony too?

[Havok154]

If you want to, go back to the coleco controller which was also held remote style but required 2 hands.

http://www.vidgame.net/COLECO/COLVIS.html#1

[Feark]

Hey, Nintendo did copy this one also! God dammit!
http://us.inmagine.com/168nwm/stockdisc/sd128/183305sdc.jpg

[Mr Doctor]

:D


I was just about to post the CDi controller ;)

[kronikdaddy]

The fact is, Nintendo has always been innovative with their product's. You could debate all day on how many company's have copid others.
Nintendo was the first console with the A,B,X,Y+ L&R type button layout on a controller, They were first with the analog stick, The rumble pack, A WORKING wireless controller(Might have forgot something) and now motion sensing. If not for nintendo we could be playing halo with a 3" black stick in a square case and a big red button.(Maybee not that drastic but gets the point across)

[daps83777]

they also had alot to do with the modern d-pad. they didn't come up with the initial idea but they created the cross pattern i believe that is still used on d-pads to this day. they have always been innovative. and people that say nintendo copied someone else with the motion sensing, i only have one word: powerglove. it was motion sensing back in the nes days. you guys should check out the movie The Wizard if you don't believe me. if i remember right super mario bros 3 was unvealed in that movie.

[nukleuzdj]

Looks like the sega one would double up as a light gun, where as the wimote does a bit more than just that.

[Mr Doctor]

Nintendo werent even close to be the first with the analogue stick.

[{{909}}]

there were many analogue joysticks for the pc, but nintendo were the first to put it into a joypad and have you used to to control "normal" games and not just flight sims.

[dreary79]

Nintendo werent even close to be the first with the analogue stick.

Who else put out a thumb analog stick first; just asking?

[Havok154]

Who else put out a thumb analog stick first; just asking?

Well technically Nintendo didn't have analog sticks, but improved upon them with digital thumsticks that have varying degrees. Atari used analog controllers but were made to be used with 2-hands so they weren't technically thumbsticks.

As is now widely known, the controller that Nintendo revealed at its Japanese trade show featured an analog thumbstick. After the failure of the Atari 5200 controller, analog joysticks were basically taboo in the video game industry. But Nintendo's thumbstick differed from previous designs in two important ways. First, it wasn't actually analog. Analog joysticks like the 5200's had too many moving parts and were prone to breaking. Nintendo's stick was digital, but provided enough levels of sensitivity that the distinction was moot. Second, Nintendo's stick worked just like a D-pad: you weren't gripping the handle but pushing it with your thumb.

[Mr Doctor]

Who else put out a thumb analog stick first; just asking?
http://members.aol.com/CompHist/vectrex.jpg
....I believe was the first. Could be wrong, ninty definately wasnt the first anyway.

[dreary79]

lol... I could never use my thumb on that.

[Mr Doctor]

Just becuase ninty put a beveled top on it dosnt mean they invented it ;)

In the end of the day, Ninty have done a hell of a lot more for gaming than Sony or MS. Sony have basicly just absorbed other peoples ideas into their own, at least MS gave us the fudging amazing Live system.

Why the devil is sony so popular anyway? Ugly poorly built machines that were never as good as their competitors (PS1 < Saturn.... PS2 < XBox < Dreamcast < Gamecube)