When Nintendo first released its new controller for the Revolution, it caught nearly everyone by surprise. It is different, and that is the point. Now, we have all had a little more time to digest the remote control look of this modular controller. What does the industry think?

The primary topics around the next-generation of gaming consoles has been the supposed high price of the PS3 and Microsoft’s move to segment its offering. Nintendo has definitely changed that discussion and reshaped the race for the next-gen.

Developers believe that it will be increasingly difficult to adapt the standard controller configuration to this new controller. This may limit cross platform games, and that may be both a good and a bad thing. This controller, assuming we do not see something similar for the Xbox 360 or PS3, will allow for games that are unique to the Revolution. If this happens, Nintendo will have successfully differentiated itself from Microsoft and Sony, but it may make it more difficult from a cost perspective on game developers.

The new controller style opens the ability to bring many casual style games directly into the console market, such as fishing games, pet care games, etc. It also offers the ability for developers to re-examine ways to control current game types (e.g. baseball comes to mind). Only a few developers have embraced Sony’s EyeToy, but it has been widely successful with consumers.

One of the key benefits of the new controller is the ability to remove the strict hand control requirement seen in the micro-movements of many games. This “motion centric” device allows for non-hardcore gamers to play the same games without having the superior hand control of the more experienced players. Its modular design also allows for add-ons that give traditional players the feel they are used to with other controllers.