(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.
(Credit:
Joystiq)
Just when you thought Nintendo Wii accessories couldn't get any more bizarre, along comes a patent filing that has left us speechless. According to the actual online patent page, the proposed inflatable air cushion will have room for a Wii remote and can be used to simulate riding on the back of an animal or being in the driver's seat of a vehicle.
Judging by the rest of the images in the set, the user would be able to plug in a Nunchuk attachment as well. The sample figure drawings also suggest the cushion itself wouldn't be flat but round, allowing the rider to lean in any direction and control onscreen action.
Since this is only news about the filing of a patent, it's tough to speculate when or even if we'll ever see this kind of device used with the Wii. That said, it certainly sparks the debate about whether these accessories are getting out of hand.
What do you think? Would you ever spin around on something like this?
(Source: Joystiq)
Finally, a decent deal on Wii controllers!
(Credit: Nintendo)I didn't mind dropping $250 for the Nintendo Wii game system (well, OK, of course I did), but $60 for each additional controller and nunchuk? That, my friends, was painful. ("What do you mean you're going outside to play? Get back here and bowl with your family!")
If only Buy.com had had these deals back then: a refurbished Wii wireless controller for $22.99 shipped and a refurbished Wii nunchuk for $11.99 shipped. Grab 'em both and you're out the door for $34.98.
These are official Nintendo controllers, not third-party knock-offs. The only thing that gives me pause is the warranty: Buy.com's product pages don't indicate who covers it or for how long.
My guess, based on some quick research, is that the warranty expires after 30 days. That's pretty short, so you'll have to decide if it's worth an extra $25 to get new gear with a full one-year warranty.
Me, I'd snap these up in a heartbeat if I didn't already have four controllers. For which I paid full price. Oh, cruel fate! ("Hey, where do you think you're going, family? I paid for doubles tennis, and I'm going to play doubles tennis!")
SIDE DEAL: Newegg has Xbox 360 wireless controllers on sale for $29.99 shipped. These are new, Microsoft-branded units. It is rare to find them selling below the $39.99 list price.
(Credit:
Nyko)
When we reviewed the Nyko Kama Wireless Nunchuk our biggest complaint was that it required two AAA batteries. That aside, we really enjoyed the luxury of removing the wire that normal tethers your Wii remote to the nunchuk.
Nyko has responded to some of our gripes with the Kama Charge Kit, a rechargeable version of the Kama nunchuk that docks and charges in a special cradle molded for
...Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
(Credit:
Asus)
Asus has announced its first-ever motion control wireless joystick that the company is calling the Eee Stick. Now where have we seen this before? Ah that's right; it's almost an exact copy of the Remote/Nunchuk combination that you use with your Nintendo Wii. The Eee Stick uses a 2.4GHz RF USB dongle and requires two AA batteries for each controller.
The Eee Stick will allow you to "get into the swing of gaming" as it will be bundled with certain Eee PC and Eee Box products. While the Eee Stick will work with any PC, Asus recommends using it only with games designed for the device (which come packaged along with it). Unfortunately, there is no information about what any of these games are or what they actually look like.
The Eee Stick can operate in three modes: 3D Motion mode will emulate any movement along any axis on screen, Pointing mode will be used as a "light gun," and Tilt mode, which will sense movement forward, backward, and to the sides.
(Via Engadget)
Is that a nunchuk or a defibrillator?
We recently reviewed the Nyko Kama Wireless Nunchuk for the Nintendo Wii, and while we considered it to be a luxury item, we thought it was a great way to rid yourself of that last wire from your Wii experience.
Now from Engadget comes word of a new wireless solution to the original nunchuk, but instead of offering a self-contained wireless unit, this adapter takes your current nunchuk and turns it into a wireless one. Just like the Nyko, this uses two AAA batteries and operates on a 2.4GHz transmitter.
From the pictures on the product page, it doesn't look like this contraption could be as comfortable as the Kama, but it does cost $15 less. However, with the Nyko you are getting an additional nunchuk as opposed to this adapter that simply adds on to one you already have. Also, the receiving adapter that you'll plug into your Wii remote looks a lot bigger than the tiny one that Nyko requires.
Product page: Wii Wireless Adapter for Wii Nunchuk Controller from Brando Workshop.
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