http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=624&Itemid=2The Bigger Picture: Revolutionby Owain BennallackThe next generation console war is a three-way battle between Sony,Microsoft and Nintendo. But the fact that Nintendo is always listed last onthat roll call of contenders gives a clue as to the pundit's view of things.The battle is framed as a clash between the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.  Forall its heritage, Nintendo is squeezed out of the ring.Is this view correct? Nintendo's consoles are batting 0/2 to PlayStation,and it's not seen as having the wallet - or the ambition - of its rivals.Where Sony and Microsoft are apparently gunning for a prize beyond simply asuccessful games console, Nintendo executives stress it is going back tobasics with Revolution: a nicely-designed, sufficiently powerful gamesconsole that's affordable and plays great games. The more ambitious itsrivals get, the more strident that strategy must become - through choice ornecessity.Nintendo defenders (and almost everyone who grew up with its games or whoworks in game journalism or development loves the company) point toNintendo's top-quality game franchises. Have Sony and Microsoft given useven a fraction of that innovation? Not yet (although Sony is arguablycatching up, with the likes of SingStar and EyeToy). But Nintendo's rival'smachines undeniably host sufficiently appealing titles to offset Nintendo'sfirst-party advantage, from Grand Theft Auto and Gran Turismo to Knights ofthe Old Republic and Halo.Moreover, Nintendo's best IPs - Mario, Link, and friends - lie far fromtoday's violent and realistic cutting-edge. Hardcore gamers might valuegameplay above all else, but the mass-market buys the total package. Many20-year old GTA fans would no sooner play Mario than watch Madagascar. Arecent Internet survey by Decision Analyst, which found Nintendo the mostimportant brand for 8-12 year old Americans - but falling away above thatdemographic - makes bittersweet reading for Nintendo's supporters.Wildcard drawIf it can't compete on scale and its best brands are skewed too young totake up the slack, what can Nintendo do? Well, it can innovate - and hope todraw a wildcard.Naming the next machine Revolution was the easy (and cheap) part. Deliveringan asteroid strike, a Pok