(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.
8X zoom for your DSi.
(Credit: Nyko)Hot off the heels of the company's Wand accessory release for the Nintendo Wii, video game accessory manufacturer Nyko debuted three new products at this year's E3 convention.
The Zoom Case for Nintendo DSi is certainly the most interesting DSi accessory we've seen yet, boasting an 8X zoom lens attachment. The protective case is textured for a better grip on the system and the zoom lens itself can be detached and transported in a case of its own. Good thing for that or this accessory would have removed the "portable" feature of the DSi.
For those PSP owners not choosing to upgrade to the new PSP Go, the Charge Flex Grip will provide your handheld (the PSP-2000 or the 3000) with an improved grip as well as up to 1.5 times more play with an embedded rechargeable battery. More high-res photos await! ... Read more
Is the Wand better than the Nintendo original?
Back at CES 2009, a relatively nonexistent gaming presence was rescued by the Nyko Wand, a third-party Wii remote control that promised a complete overhaul of the Nintendo original. Most exciting of all was the device's Trans-Port technology, which allows for button commands to be transferred through the Nunchuk port at the base of the remote.
Now that Nyko has released the Wand, we're glad to see some of the improvements over the Nintendo Wii remote, but a few design flaws and unanswered operational abilities dampen the device's potential.
Check out our full review of the Nyko Wand to see whether it's a legitimate replacement over the Nintendo original.
Unlike with the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, there aren't any first-party controller charging accessories readily available for the Nintendo Wii. At this point in the console's lifecycle, there are literally dozens of third-party devices that promise the most efficient and painless experience in getting your Wii remotes juiced.
There are plenty of variables to consider in picking out the best charging system. Price, charging style, and number of battery packs are all features you'll want to compare.
Lucky for you, we've put every Wii charger we could find through our vigorous testing procedures and have narrowed down a list of our favorites. Read through our top picks for the best Wii remote chargers and decide which is best for you.
It's no secret that gaming's presence at CES can barely be felt, but we were lucky enough to find some diamonds in the rough, including a few that made us want to phone a lawyer.
While there was no new gaming software to be found, there was a respectable amount of gaming hardware and accessories that stole our attention. Nyko stood out with the company's Wand and
...Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
While the Nyko Wand took our Best of CES gaming award, we were also fans of a few additional accessories the company announced for the Nintendo Wii.
We really like the Kama Wireless Nunchuk we reviewed a few months ago, and Nyko has decided to improve on the item again. We know Nintendo had a fairly unpublicized grievance with the Kama's ...
Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
We chose the Nyko Wand as a Best of CES gaming finalist because the product not only improves on the original Nintendo design, but because of the controller's innovative Trans-Port interface.
Check out our slide show detailing the features of the Wand and see how it will combine with accessories like the Pistol Grip.
Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
(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:
Nyko)
If there's one accessory we'd label as a must-have for the Nintendo Wii, it would be the Nyko Charge Station. The company also recently released a Quad Charge Station, allowing you to simultaneously store and charge up to four Wii remotes.
At CES, Nyko has announced a successor to the Charge Station, the EX. However, the only real upgrade is the addition of a battery meter
...Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
(Credit:
Nyko)
In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet.
The Nyko Wand looks a lot like the Wii remote we're all used to, but instead can output commands and even vibration through the controller's port at the bottom of the device. Using what Nyko calls Trans-Port technology, the new interface
...Read the full post at CNET's CES 2009 blog.
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