The
Wii controller's resemblance to a TV remote sure hasn't been lost on us -- hence the affectionate "Wiimote" moniker that most people have assigned to the unique little controller -- but it doesn't look like it's been lost on Nintendo either. They've just shipped Wiimotes of the channel changing variety to Platinum members of Nintendo Japan's Club Nintendo rewards program. Platinum members also received a wall calendar with artwork from main Nintendo franchises, but somehow we're guessing they'll be a bit more excited by this TV remote that fully apes the form of one of the most discussed game peripherals of all time. The
excitable kids professional reviewers over at IGN are sure pumped. They've posted up an unboxing of their unit, along with the
inevitable comparison shots with other gaming peripherals, TV remotes and slices of bread, etc. Of course, even with those snazzy Japanese labels for each button, we can't imagine this thing would be too incredibly useful as a TV/home theater remote, but it should do fine for fanboys in search of a little wrist conditioning to get in shape for the Wii launch. Keep reading for a couple more pics, or head on over to IGN for the full deal.
posted Oct 16th 2006 12:05PM
i like that they compared it to a dreamcast controller. Dreamcast was and is awesome.
Amen, Gregory.
Mine finally kicked the bucket the other day, it won't read anymore discs.
I got it at launch. It'd been failing off-and-on for about a year, though, to be honest, and I'd hafta clean my discs and try a few times before it would fire up the old Dynamite Cop (rofl who plays that?), but its still an awesome machine.
Ever try using a laser lense cleaner? When my PS2 was getting the Disc Read errors, a lense cleaner would get it working again for several months.
Finally an end to needing 5 remotes to use your entertainment center!
and I agree, the Dreamcast was awesome and a generation ahead for its time. At least Sega still exists and publishes games now and then.
The Wii-mote's packaging is almost identical to the packaging Apple uses for iPod accessories. It also appears designed to make the Wii-mote's side-profile appear thinner. Nintendo is certainly going for style.
An earlier version of these was handed out in Japan many, many months ago as an extremely limited promotion. These aren't new. I'm sure at least the packaging is something new. There have also probably been aesthetic changes as well.
Actually, those are the actual Wii universal remotes from Club Nintendo from way way back (they're just now getting to people) and they're readily available on eBay.
Holy Crap! That person has a PSX!
Holy crap! Neat Wiimote replica!
This baby will definately end up on Ebay, but I hope it would fall from the sky on me soon :p
I'd whish they made the player indicator led thingie glow through the white plastic and just have gray "1 2 3 4" over. Looks great.
Chapree: I think its the real deal. Release in a month; it's out there
ya, wow if that isnt a rip off of Apple's nano packaging.
yah, totally apple nano rip off because EVERYONE knows apple invented the plastic box ¬_¬
Me and my friend both have dreamcasts sitting next to our 360s with a little space for the wii left over :) but this controller thingy is kinda, whatever....
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&from=R10&satitle=wii+remote&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D2&sadis=200&fpos=ZIP%2FPostal&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1
tons of them on ebay
the remotes go to 10, 11, 12
Mmm.