Must-have Nintendo Wii accessories

(Credit: CNET)

If the $50 price drop on the Nintendo Wii was enough to make you pull the trigger, we definitely recommend checking out a few accessories for the console. Sure, not all of them are necessary, but we think most of them will improve your overall experience with the Wii.

(Credit: Nyko)

The first pair of accessories you'll probably want to invest in is another Wii remote ($35) and nunchuk ($20) attachment. The Wii only ships with one set and if you plan on playing with more than one person, you're going to need these. While the nunchuk doesn't require batteries, the remotes do. Replacing their AA batteries can become expensive so we highly recommend picking up one of our favorite chargers, the Nyko Charge Station (in either two- or four-capacity models).

While the Wii can be hooked up to your television right out of the box, we definitely think you should consider upgrading the AV wires that ship with the console, especially if you have an HDTV. The Nintendo Wii Component Cable ($30) will give you a better picture and allow for 480p output.

Now that we've taken care of the basics, it's time to look at a few nonessential items for the Wii. While you don't need any plastic attachments for the system, the Wii Zapper ($20) is the cheapest plastic add-on around and it comes with a great shooting game (Link's Crossbow Training) to practice with.

(Credit: CNET)

Nintendo recently introduced Wii MotionPlus ($20), a small device that attaches to the bottom of a Wii remote and improves overall accuracy and performance of motion control. While there aren't many games that take advantage of it, there are some that do require it (Wii Sports Resort, Red Steel 2). Don't forget, you'll need one unit for each Wii remote control you have.

Finally, if you're serious about retro gaming, you may want to consider purchasing the Nyko Wing Wireless Classic Controller($30). The Wii gives you access to a huge library of old school games via the Virtual Console and the Wing controller is the best way to play these older games. The included Wii remote will only work with some of the games, but the Wing's compatibility runs across the board.

For an easy to read, side-by-side breakdown of these accessories, check our must-have Nintendo Wii accessory roundup.

[meblake78]

Are the wireless sensor bars worth purchasing over the stock Nintendo sensor bar? Are there any that you would recommend? Thanks!

[lkk84]

I would say they aren't worth it considering I once saw a video on cnet where you can use candles instead of the sensor bar... sorry I don't have a link

[rationalreview]

They are worth it, just try it with and without in Tiger Woods 10. Huge difference in gameplay.

[paradiseshore]

WAIT - ONLY the Nyko wireless bar is worth it - IF - you get one that works. My first, ran 4 hours and died. Never came back to life, I called Nyko and they played stupid with 'take it back'. So I did, regrettably, and got another since nothing else was there. This one's been fantastic, works great on regular and rechargeable NiCad's too going on average of 8hrs plus. There's an alarm on it for 1-2 hours if you want a reminder so you don't leave it on accidentally too and the performance has been great.

Now the Psyclone - what a piece of (#*$#(!!!! They have no idea what they're doing, nothing from them seems to work right but the wireless bar they make is by far the largest example of rip-off stupidity on the planet. Can't reach them, they don't respond to e-mail forms either. Their manuals are junk, lucky there's any English in them? Now, I got that with my Wii from someone else and it still works - I'll only give it that much. It's internal batteries were a bad idea because I have to charge the bar - not the batteries! Only bonus is that I have a USB A to Mini B cable (cheap, Meritline and others) I use for a digital camera and cell phones. What's that matter? I can use the USB port on my HDTV to charge the stupid bar! Yep, TV's on, bar's trickle charging. So I keep that around in case the other fails or runs out of charged batteries.

Why is the Psyco-clone bar a POS? Simple, it's that totally annoying 1 or 2 hour timer. Period. No choice on running it till it drops. No choice on having the USB plugged in CONSTANTLY charging it either! 1-2 hours later it's howling up a storm breaking eardrums until you get up and reset it. It's freakin wireless!!! Why would I want to get up?

So overall Nyko makes the best accessories and I say that with the consideration of the first wireless bar fiasco, some strange recharge station's for this and my 360 as well as Intercoolers for the 360 they should have been sued for years ago. So by no means do I love Nyko, but the stuff they show here IS the best choice for your Wii.

[danki6x]

rationalreview was surely talking about the motionplus, not the wireless bar.

[sav1981]

Nintendo is accessorizing the heck out of consumers. What's next a pulse monitor? Oh wait they already have that too.

[mdub311]

This is why the Wii isn't as cheep as you might think. Sure the console is only $200 now, but you're going to spend over $400 once you're done buying accessories. And it can't do HD graphics, which is really bad if you own an HDTV (it makes standard def stuff look really bad). It's a rip off, but Nintendo sure is making a handsome profit from it!

[rationalreview]

Well....in today's iPhone, Blackberry, iTouch, DSi handheld world, um...no HD on the Wii isn't hurting them. It's all about gameplay, and I own the PeeWii60 and am happy with all three in their own respected ways.Nintendo has the best and funnest games overall. Xbox has the best online situation by far over the other two. PS3 has the coolest looking games, but get's negatives in gameplay and replayability. Call it overkill. Go look at any iPhone forum and they're all happy with tiny games with crappy graphics, cause, they are fun to play for them. PSP has the same problems that the PS3 has, the games look cool, but just aren't that fun.

All the consoles have the same accesory inflation problem on the price. Xbox Live is pricey over the long term, wii adapters are gonna penny you to death, and ps3, well, ps3 is just expensive and one rechargable wireless controller will set you back a hefty amount. They're all kind of similar in that respect.

[play7]

Again withe HD issue? Please stop with comparing with other systems......Wii is good at what it does best......

[retroboy77]

I can't wait for Natal. A one time purchase and voila, glorious motion sensing.

[electroplid]

you hope.. it could be buggy as hell...

[DJ_Lae]

$30 component cables? Or you could buy ones that provide an identical picture from monoprice for $3.

Sorry, but you can't use generic component cables for the Wii (you have to use a proprietary connector to hook it up with the Graphics card). You might still find some good deals on some though.

[Mr_fleabite]

You mean like this?

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10830&cs_id=1083001&p_id=3490&seq=1&format=2

check it out before you call him out.

[PJamesL]

I have these and they work perfectly, as usual, no need for the overpriced proprietary cables. I use monoprice cables for everything.

[dxbandit360]

Do not waste your money on the charge station for the controllers. Bought one and it stopped charging controller pack after only 4 weeks. I later bought some rechargeable AA batteries and charger......10 months and counting and no problems - plus I can use rechargeable batteries in xbox controller.

[electroplid]

yeah ... rechargeable batteries work just fine for me as well.

[george_liquor]

A pair of NIMH rechargeable AAs will run the Wiimote for months and, of course, you can drop them in other things, like the 360's controller.

[wusupjohn]

I remember the first time I played with rokenbok.

[NervClaX]

Let's break this down...

$200 Nintendo Wii
$35 2nd Wiimote
$20 2nd Nunchuck
$25.50 Nyko Charge Station
$30 Wii Component Cable (480p? WOW! And so cheap!)
$20 Wii Zapper
$20 Wii MotionPlus "Don't forget, you'll need one unit for each Wii remote control you have."
$ 20 2nd Wii MotionPlus (Sorry, guess I forgot.)
$30 Nyko Wing Wireless Classic Controller

Grand Total: $400.50

You're freaking nuts.

[Mr_fleabite]

Whoa whoa easy, just remember according to Nintendo you are getting a "state of the art" system here.

[electroplid]

a game system that anyone regardless of age or gaming experience can pick up play and have fun = PRICELESS

[geminisalsero]

Here is the link for the candles: http://cnettv.cnet.com/replace-your-wii-sensor-bar/9742-1_53-50004759.html?tag=mncol

[paulygparty]

Wavebird Controllers are the way to go for retro gaming. Do they not work with everything the Nyko Wireless does?

[KneelBeforeZod80]

A lot of people I know who bought Wii's don't play them anymore. From what I gather, this is a very common phenomenon. Sure Nintendo may have done well this generation and sold a lot of Wii's, but I have to wonder how many of those people will be back for the next generation.

[NervClaX]

That's true. I bought a Wii for a friend's kids the first Christmas it was out and they haven't picked it up in a long time. When they do, they play a couple songs on Guitar Hero or Rock Band and they're done. I used to buy them popular games for their birthdays and holidays like Super Mario Galaxy, Super Smash Bros, etc. They would still be in their original plastic wrappers if I didn't play them myself. Don't even get me started on the $40 I wasted getting each of them 2000 Wii Points.

I'm done. I'm getting them socks this Christmas.

[bluemist9999]

The games I play the most on the Wii, honestly, are the Virtual Console games---the classic Nintendo and Sega games. But, you're right, the Wii doesn't get extensive use in my house.