GameStop prepping line of Wii accessories

Apparently not content with simply selling other company's wares, Gamestop has decided to get in on the Wii accessory madness itself, introducing its own line of Wii add-ons of varying utility. Sure to attract more than a few stares is the company's Afterglow Cooler (pictured above), which promises to keep the already cool console even cooler, with some blue LED lighting adding some justification for the $15 price tag. The rest of Gamestop's accessories take on the ever-expandable Wiimote, including a $10 silicon grip that replaces the controller's battery cover to reduce slippage (check it out after the break), and a full compliment of now-familiar Wii Sports accessories (also viewable after the break), available in a bundle for $20. Look for the whole lot to be available sometime before the end of this quarter.

[Thanks, Spike J]

[Jesse S @ Feb 23rd 2007 11:45PM]

Ugly accessories? They'll sell MILLIONS!

[elan @ Feb 23rd 2007 11:56PM]

This third-party stuff always breaks, and looks terrible.

[sredlums @ Feb 23rd 2007 11:57PM]

Exactly where do you read 'ugly'??

[Jesse S @ Feb 24th 2007 2:08AM]

Are you THAT dumb? Just look at them...

[John Doe @ Feb 24th 2007 12:45AM]

Egh. Horrid. Maybe I'm in the minority here but golf clubs, rackets, bats shouldn't just snap onto the Wiimote via some attachment body. It should be inside the device so you get a better grip and as such makes it feel more realistic. I do like the grip pad though, but I'm going to assume it comes in colors other then hot pink.
Finally you have the cooler...umm why? No really. Why? Oh I get it. It looks cool...

[Cosmos @ Feb 24th 2007 12:48AM]

Make it stop. Somebody, FFS, make it stop!

[Tavis Veighey @ Feb 24th 2007 1:38AM]

I'll just put EGrips on my WiiMote. They will not make it more fragle, and they are easily replaceable!

[Kev50027 @ Feb 24th 2007 2:10AM]

I dunno about that Wii.. Kid down the hall got one and he says he loves it but everyone else in the hall calls him nuts, nobody else enjoys playing it. Nintendo wanted to get everyone into gaming, but they still churned out a childish system that seems like it would appeal to 10-16 year olds more than 20+

Sure there may be others who play it, but the games that come out for it.. and stuff.. eh. I think I'll keep saving up for a PS3.

[John Doe @ Feb 24th 2007 3:57AM]

Well that is the biggest load of bullshit that I've ever read. I've been seeing Wii's at a number of conventions since the system was released and people who are hardly children are playing, and outright enjoying the Wii. And I'm not talking a small handful of people. The thing is consistently popular because the system is a device that is built for social events. The 360 and PS3 may very well have graphics that blow the Wii out of the water, but the Wii has something that neither have: social draw.

[Seth @ Feb 27th 2007 3:40AM]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but this isnt a "I dont like the Wii" forum. Talk about the topic, not other stuff.

Wii accessories are great, Silicone controller Skins are the best so far, and they are on ebay.

[WillT @ Feb 26th 2007 11:03AM]

We should boycott Gamestop/EBgames/whatever else because they currently hold a monopoly on used games. I recently went searching for a used copy of Black and White, and I found that none of those franchise stores even had PC games. That leaves Best Buy and department stores. Their prices are also completely uncompetitive. 17.99 For a used Greatest Hits game? That's effed up. Not only that, but I went to 2 different stores (EB Games, and Gamestop) in the same mall and not only were the prices, and the price tags the same, but they even had the same graphics on their used game cases. Sorry for the rant, but I just thought I could vent here because it's not completely irrelevent.

[scepia @ Feb 24th 2007 3:02AM]

"Nintendo wanted to get everyone into gaming, but they still churned out a childish system"

What exactly is childish about Twilight Princess? Oh yeah, it isn't covered in blood. Horrors!!!

[sredlums @ Feb 24th 2007 8:31AM]

Whoa Jesse, chill out.

I'm not suggesting this stuff is not ugly, learn to read, please.

All I was saying that your post suggested that the article implied they were ugly (and that you thought that might be true, but that they were gonna sell millions nevertheless).
And since it is not mentioned in the article that they are ugly, I was wondering if I missed something.
Now I understand that you just wanted to say that you think they are ugly.
Instead of insulting me, maybe you should learn how to learn how to express your thoughts better... (or to explain it more clear so that you might understand it: the questionmark shouldn't be in your post, got it?).

[Kylearan @ Feb 24th 2007 11:46AM]

I love these gratuitous sports accessories, encouraging a total lack of imagination by the gamer. Adds no utility whatsoever, just looks the part more; guess the Wiimote has to LOOK like a baseball bat (looks more like a certain kind of "massager") to play like one. Still, it'll probably encourage the fence sitters who think gaming is dumb into thinking, "Hey, look -- it's a baseball bat controller" and want to pick it up. More game and system sales, to be sure, but not necessarily better games. As for GameStop getting into the accessory business -- anything for a quick buck for our overpriced used game seller.

[denverkr @ Feb 24th 2007 12:03PM]

Gamestop should try carrying the Wii system first

[drez @ Feb 24th 2007 1:44PM]

ummmmm john doe ever hear about something called online multiplayer im pretty sure thats a social draw

[Eric Leung @ Feb 24th 2007 6:25PM]

... ever hear of get a life and friends that will come play with you?
oh never mind... you're too busy getting all your virtual buddies

[GadgetGav @ Feb 24th 2007 6:04PM]

I'm with denverkr, they should at least try carrying the newest Wii releases, the factory accessories, or the system.
Maybe they were forced into their own range because they keep getting beaten to the real items by WalMart and Target. I've been in 4 different GameStops on about 10 occasions in the last two months and they never have anything in stock (despite all the "take this to the counter" tags hanging up) and they can never say when or even if they'll get anything in stock. Worst. Wii. Retailer. Ever.

[Colin @ Feb 25th 2007 7:11PM]

Don't bother getting those grips. If you want a good grip, get the Nyko Charger Dock http://www.amazon.com/NYKO-TECHNOLOGIES-87000-Charge-Station/dp/B000LFJNF2. You get two reachargeable battery packs for your Wiimote that have rubber grips on the back. No more spending $50 a month on AA's!

[Colin @ Feb 25th 2007 7:20PM]

And just for those of you guys who are trashing the Wii, I'll agree with you on a few points. 360 and PS3 definitely have much better graphics, and a lot of the big titles as well. However, my girlfriend is actually willing to pick up a Wiimote without any complaining. Ever try to get your average girl to play Halo? Yeah, I thought so.

[Kev50027 @ Feb 27th 2007 12:48PM]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but not only are you wrong, we can discuss anything that is related to the article (and the Wii is in the title, so it IS related to the article), but I need to make another point:

Engadget's blind Nintendo fanboyism is getting old. They diss the PS3 every chance they get, and tout the Wii every chance they get. Ugh..