JoyTech planning bevy of Wiimote add-ons: the onslaught begins

With a controller as add-on-friendly as Nintendo's Wiimote, we knew it was just a matter of time before peripheral makers everywhere hopped on the sure-to-be-overcrowded bandwagon of completely unnecessary adornments. That sleek, handheld device we once knew and loved will soon become the literal center of attention if JoyTech's smorgasbord of accessories gets ahold of it. While we knew a steering wheel contraption was coming down the pike, it looks like JoyTech is beating everyone else to the punch by unveiling a slew of Wiicessories that are supposed to "enhance your gameplay," but stand a good chance of just adding unwanted girth. Nevertheless, we know the firm is pumping out a racing grip, golf grip, and racket grip to help hone your Wii Sports skills, while offering up Wii Silicon Gloves in a range of colors to presumably prevent the awful scenario only known as butterfingers from happening in your living room. Lastly, the Wii Power Station boasts dual battery packs, recharging ports, and a retractable cable to store your Nunchuck. While we've no idea how much money you'll end up pouring into that fanciful controller, you can find these hanging around Wii displays shortly after tomorrow night's launch.

[Via Joystiq]

[John Doe @ Nov 18th 2006 5:13PM]

Gah. Couldn't they at least make it it look like the items you are using with color?

[humpty @ Nov 18th 2006 5:22PM]

Isn the point of the wiimote to simplify things.. do people want multiple attachments laying around their living room.

Those things have gimmick written all over them.

[Tobias @ Nov 18th 2006 5:25PM]

Is it just me or does that steering wheel accessory just look like a pain to use?

[Jonhimslf @ Nov 18th 2006 5:26PM]

You wrote, "coming down the pike". Is it not "coming down the pipe"? I'm all for using cliches, but at least use the right one.. it's like saying "As a matter a fact" instead of "matter of fact"

Regardless, I'll have to give these the thumbs down and agree with you in saying they'll add unwanted girth.. might be cool for a little bit but I would hate to have these all hanging around my tv set... too much clutter.

[Jonhimslf @ Nov 18th 2006 5:28PM]

I could be wrong about the pike thing though, most likely am.. it just sounds weird. Maybe I'm the one misusing cliches!

[John @ Nov 18th 2006 5:43PM]

Yes! I know it seems tacky, but I hope this trend catches on. How long until I can attach a real blade to my controller?

[AKBlade13 @ Nov 18th 2006 6:07PM]

The only thing I have to say that is wanted is the recharable battery kit.

Everything else might not be necessary.

AKBlade13

[Brandon West @ Nov 18th 2006 6:07PM]

@Jonhimslf - way more than you ever wanted to know about the origins of "coming down the pike" can be found at http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/34/messages/119.html .

Back to the article, the beauty of the wiimote stems from the abstracted design - it assumes the functionality of all of these tools (steering wheels, rackets, etc), but can also do so much more because it's not limited by form factor. Adding that element back in is just plain dumb. What happens when you have the racket case attached and suddenly you're playing a racecar mini-game?

[Grey Acumen @ Nov 18th 2006 7:33PM]

I agree with you fully, Brandon, this is exactly my issue with these products, save perhaps the powerstation (Depending on how well it actually functions)

I'm sure people will get them, but they'll be discarded and probably dropped down to $1 for each after a couple months.

Wii is a great concept, but Nintendo cannot allow itself to et bogged down by these things or it will become a gimmick.

[metayoshi @ Nov 18th 2006 6:30PM]

That Wii Power Station is EXACTLY what I was waiting for. I don't know why Nintendo chose to go the "2 AA batteries" route with the Wiimote.

[Faisal @ Nov 18th 2006 6:30PM]

ummmm is it just me...or does that accessory to the right look like a vibrator...no?

...sorry :(

[funkycoldm3dina @ Nov 18th 2006 6:47PM]

i think that the one on the right, if that vibrates then i will make sure to get one for my woman!!! if it doesn't i will still get one for my woman.

[funkycoldm3dina @ Nov 18th 2006 6:54PM]

what amazes me to some extent is that people have to realise to some extent that the PS3 is crammed full of the latest technology in terms of audio and visual. When will people understand that to create a PS3 is nothing short of phenomenal. I do not intend to put the other consoles down but the consumer has to grasp the logistics of trying to get a console out in time for the public. If i seem to be condoning the actions of Sony, then so be it.

[Brennan @ Nov 18th 2006 6:59PM]

these r gimmicks, forget buying these. What is a Power Station? Is it just rechargeable batteries is all or is there more to it?

There is already ppl lining up for the Wii in my area at Best Buy n Target, Moreno Valley, CA.

[Grey Acumen @ Nov 18th 2006 7:26PM]

This is a dark day for nintendo. Admittedly, I was expecting it, but I was also expecting a much higher caliber than what I see from this here. The steering wheel is cute, but about the closest thing to an actually useful accessory.

What I'm really looking for in accessories are truly innovative controls. For instance a sensor that could attach to your feet and be able to tell where your feet were. If that was done, we could potentially play DDR type games without any pads at all.
There are a number of other possible controls that could be developed, the problem nintendo must overcome at the moment is the "One game only" controller attachments that are bound to pop up.

It would be incredibly interesting to see a g-force addon that would use gyroscopes in order to create true resistance when using the Wiimote. That would be a big drain on battery power though.
A microphone/ear piece attachment is sure to come out once they have the games to support it. I'm also seeing an actual keyboard as being a possibility if nintendo actually takes the step to having a full internet browser. This would allow you to use the wiimote as your mouse button and possibly play games online.

There are tons of possibilities for Nintendo, but these aren't them.

[MrPumpernickel @ Nov 18th 2006 8:40PM]

Allow me just to throw some words out there:

Powerglove
R.O.B.
Virtualboy

Crash and burn, crash and bloody burn.

[PPC @ Nov 19th 2006 3:52PM]

LMAO! I thought i was the only one who remembered these.

[SJ @ Nov 18th 2006 8:43PM]

The one on the right looks interesting.

The Wiibrator..!! Rumble down town! Hehehe ^^

[dave @ Nov 19th 2006 1:18AM]

sounds like a few of you are blaming nintendo for these things, they're 3rd party. there are always 3rd party companies producing lame add ons and "enhanced" controllers. they're just trying to rake some money out of nintendo's market. some will fall for it, others will simply buy rechargeable batteries.

"funkycoldm3dina:" what are you talking about???

[Paul Yan @ Nov 19th 2006 3:57AM]

wouldn't it be hard to press the buttons when your hands on the wheel??

[Andy @ Nov 20th 2006 9:57AM]

This all seems pretty pointless...except for the power station for the wiimotes. I'll probably pick up a couple of those.