What is Project Dolphin? It's a
question that has only been asked recently, and one that
has received only the briefest of responses. With Sony's
recent release of preliminary specifications for the next
generation Playstation, Nintendo was pressured to
announce their plans for a successor to the N64.
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Preliminary Technical Specifications Main Processor:
400 MHz Gekko processor developed and
manufactured by IBM |
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Project Dolphin is the codename for the next Nintendo system. Dolphin? Don't worry-it's not the official name of the system, and never will be. So far, Nintendo has given no word on the moniker the new system will bear. What they did give in their pre-E3 announcement was a little technical information-and a promise to give Sony a run for its money.
The graphics chip for Dolphin is being produced by graphics engineering startup ArtX. The company is led by Wei Yen, former head of Nintendo operations at Silicon Graphics and leader of the team that was responsible for the N64's graphics. Nintendo has struck a deal with NEC to produce the chip.
The main processor for Dolphin is IBM's 400 MHz Gekko processor, an extension of the PowerPC architecture. The chip will be manufactured using IBM's proprietary .18 micron copper technology. (I don't know what it means, but it sounds cool.)
The Dolphin will use DVD as its storage medium, though the disks will be slightly modified to deter piracy. There will be two 'verisons' of the Dolphin--a video game only system manufactured by Nintendo, and a full featured version manufactured by Matsushita that will be capable DVD playback, among other features. Unfortunately, the Matsushita unit will be avaliable only in Japan. There will be no DVD capable Dolphin in the US.
Most other information that you may hear about Project Dolphin is rumor, so be careful what you believe. Among other things, Dolphin will reportedly have support for a modem, though it is unclear whether it will be part of the initial system or an add-on. Also, controllers for Dolphin may have force feedback built in, eliminating the need for a rumble pack. Controllers may also expand on analog input to include analog buttons (push harder, go faster).
Unfortunately, this will probably all we will hear about Project Dolphin for a while. With the N64 poised for a still lengthy life, led by almost guaranteed Rare hits like Perfect Dark and Donkey Kong 64, keeping Project Dolphin secret for the time being is a big priority for Nintendo. Current plans call for Dolphin to be released by the end of 2000, but we're not holding our breath. We expect to hear more from Nintendo after the holiday season, when there is no longer the danger of sales being hurt by people waiting for Dolphin.
As soon as more information is released on Project Dolphin, we guarantee we won't be the first to have it. Or the second either...
