Nunchuck -- Engadget

nunchuck posts

Video: surviving Pleo loses remaining autonomy, gets controlled by Wii Nunchuk

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 25th 2009 at 8:14AM

Aw, how timely. Shortly after the Pleo lineage fell victim to economic pressures, an all-too-cute video has surfaced showing a remaining creature being controlled by a Wii Nunchuk. In reality, the underlying abuse here is quite sad -- for those unaware, Pleo was designed to be entirely autonomous, and the first step to regaining control over it is to implement a "Pleo Stunner" in order to shock him into silence. From there, an XBee-based solution is used to tap into his control system and override every single instinct the poor sap ever had. If you're into this type of sadistic torture (or you're just an aspiring dictator), check the read link for all the instructions you need to fulfill your own evil desires. For those just interested in a good chuckle, the vid's after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Video: surviving Pleo loses remaining autonomy, gets controlled by Wii Nunchuk

Zeemote JS1 wireless controller syncs up with the G1 for game time fun

by Tim Stevens, posted Apr 6th 2009 at 8:44AM

We've already seen the Zeemote JS1 bring wireless nunchuck gaming action (and its vaguely copyright-infringing name) to Sony Ericsson and Nokia handsets. Now it seems the device is leaving those corporate ventures behind, going open source and syncing up with HTC's G1 as shown in the video below. The game the demonstrator is playing doesn't look like much fun (surely some sort of abstract re-imagining of Cosmic Ark), but more entertaining games will likely be showing up in the Android Market soon -- assuming they don't do anything with tethering.

Continue reading Zeemote JS1 wireless controller syncs up with the G1 for game time fun

Nintendo, Nyko settle lawsuit over wireless nunchuks, Nyko agrees to stop hitting itself with ugly stick

by Nilay Patel, posted Dec 17th 2008 at 12:01PM

After six months of what we can only imagine were pained, laborious negotiations, Nintendo and Nyko announced today that they've settled that lawsuit over Nyko's Kama wireless nunchuk controllers. No mention of how much Nyko had to pay up to make this all go away, but apparently the company's agreed to tweak the Kama's design to make it looks less like Ninty's original -- we'd say a good beginning exercise would be to try and figure out why anyone actually needs an off-color wireless nunchuk, and then going on from there.

[Via Joystiq]

PopStar Guitar's slip-on fret sheath exposed

by Tim Stevens, posted Oct 17th 2008 at 9:21AM

Okay, so the prophylactic jokes are strong with this one, but bear with us as we attempt to stick to the straight and narrow about XS Games' PopStar Guitar for Wii. It's a game that, if this were an SAT exam, would be to Guitar Hero as Mini-KISS is to KISS: somewhat short of the real thing. The screen shots look rather simplistic and, of course, familiar, but what stands out is the sheath accessory that slips onto your Wiimote, giving you four (yes, just four) fret buttons to manipulate while you "strum" with the Nunchuck. After a few hours of this we think you're more likely to be in a wrist brace than rock 'n roll heaven. It's an experience you can feel for yourself when the game hits stores at the end of the month.

Wii nunchuck braves the outdoors to steer electric canoe

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 29th 2008 at 2:58PM

While it's not quite the feat that an actual Wiimote-paddled canoe would be (or nearly as silly), this nunchuck-steered contraption is still pretty impressive in its own right, and quite the change in pace from the usual Wiimote-controlled robots. At the heart of the rig is the always-useful Arduino platform, which employs some custom software to control the two electric motors powered by a pair of golf cart batteries, along with some robot servos and a battle bot motor driver. That apparently all adds up to about 6 to 8 hours of cruising time and a leisurely top speed of four miles per hour, not to mention some apparently spot on controls, which you can see in action for yourself in the video after the break.

[Thanks, Yash]

Continue reading Wii nunchuck braves the outdoors to steer electric canoe

Nintendo sues Nyko over nunchucks, ninjas still silent

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 13th 2008 at 2:22PM

It looks like Nyko's nunchuck controllers for the Wii could possibly be getting a whole lot more limited, at least if a recently filed lawsuit plays out the way Nintendo would like. As Bloomberg reports, Nintendo is claiming that Nyko's wireless Kama nunchucks not only infringe on its trademarks for the Nunchuk name and packaging, but that they wholly appropriate the "novel shape, design, overall appearance and even the color and materials used in the Nintendo Nunchuk controller." For its part, Nyko is not surprisingly only saying that it has "not knowingly violated anyone's intellectual property," and that they're "still examining this."

[Via Wii Fanboy]

Nyko intros "limited edition" Kama Wii nunchucks

by Donald Melanson, posted Apr 23rd 2008 at 7:04PM

Nyko's already let loose a wireless nunchuck and a cord-free adapter for your standard issue nunchuck, but if those options are a little too subdued for your taste, you may want to consider one of the company's new "limited edition" Kama models, which are also wireless and available in your choice of four colors of varying degrees of garishness. That includes gray, black, pink and gold (or gold details, it seems), each of which are limited to between 150 and 300 units and cost $35 each. Yes, that's a premium over the standard model, but just imagine the looks of adoration you'll get when you whip one of these out at your next Wii Sports tourney.

[Via Wii Fanboy]

Update: Nyko's PR rep informs us that the limited edition Kama wireless 'chucks are in fact the same price as their standard wireless nunchuck ($35), which itself demands a premium over Nintendo's regular wired model.

Wiimote cuff links: an accelerometer short of greatness

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 22nd 2008 at 7:35AM

It's somewhat unfortunate that they kept you waiting, but the same folks who brought those Sony fanboys their very own PlayStation controller cuff links have now doled out an option for Mario's closest of friends. The Wiimote cuff links don't stop with just a sterling silver Wiimote -- oh no, you'll also find a finely crafted nunchuk on the bottom end to keep the purists smiling. Sure, an actual Wii console only demands an extra Benjamin over the $150 pair, but it's not like you can find the former in stock anywhere, anyway.

[Thanks, Paul]

Nyko reveals cord-free adapter for Wii Nunchuck, retrofitters rejoice

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 30th 2008 at 7:06AM

Oh sure, one could argue (quite successfully, we might add) that Nyko's Wireless Nunchuck was quite the blessing for those sick and tired of the factory tether, but what about all us chaps and dames who already purchased Nintendo's version of the Nunchuck? Fret not, Wii faithful, as Nyko is coming to your rescue once more. The aptly-titled Cord-Free Adapter for Wii Nunchuck enables current wired Nunchuck owners to simply holster their peripherals, wind up the cord and enjoy all sorts of wireless freedom. Granted, we still feel that this February-bound accessory is priced a touch high at $19.99, but hey, it's cheaper than buying an all new third-party 'chuck, eh?

Zeetoo's Zeemote: the Wiimote for your cellphone

by Darren Murph, posted Jan 2nd 2008 at 7:01PM

Zeetoo's Zeemote has actually been around the block a time or two before, but now it looks like this drawing board darling has grown legs. Reportedly, the Boston-area firm has secured some €4.7 million ($6.9 million) in funding from Nauta, Commonwealth Ventures and Egan Capital, which it will likely use to further develop and commercialize a wireless joystick for mobiles that looks (and sounds) strikingly similar to some other peripheral we've grown fond of. The Zeemote would purportedly communicate via Bluetooth in order to make gaming slightly more palatable on vanilla handsets, but we can't say we're champing at the bit to clutter up our precious pocket space with one of these things anytime soon.

[Via Joystiq]

Nyko's Wireless Nunchuck makes you that much less coordinated

by Paul Miller, posted Dec 7th 2007 at 9:16AM

Well, this was inevitable. And we suppose it's not a terrible thing in itself, some people really loathe that cord tying the Wiimote and Nunchuck together, especially in light of how minimalistic the Wii is in most other regards. We, on the other hand, appreciate the defence the tether provides against injuring our house guests any more than necessary with our crazed arm flailings. Who knows if Nintendo will ever get around to releasing a wireless version of the Nunchuck, but Nyko's going to make a buck here either way with its Wireless Nunchuck setup, which is headed for CES next month. There's a 2.4GHz receiver module that has to be plugged into the Wiimote, but the Nunchuck itself is pretty much a virtual clone of Nintendo's -- which is appreciated. No word on price or a release date just yet.

Another third-party Wiimote Blaster hits the scene

by Darren Murph, posted May 2nd 2007 at 9:26AM

The Wiimote blaster love just keeps on comin', as cranking out third-party steering wheels, Wii Sports apparatuses, and full-fledged Link suits apparently isn't good enough. We all know the Zapper holds a dear place in most every gamer's heart, and judging by the variety set to be released for the Wii, accessory manufacturers are keenly aware. The latest Wii gun has popped up at GameStop, and aside from a smallish photograph and "Core Gamer" listed as the developer, we're not too sure about anything else. Of course, there's not too much to understand about how this here device will eventually work, but on or around June 26th, you can plop down your $19.99 and find out once and for all.

[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]

Nintendo's Wiimote / Nunchucks to get colorful makeover?

by Darren Murph, posted Apr 6th 2007 at 7:02AM

We'd highly suggest taking this one with a not-so-healthy does of salt, but according to "wholesale data" originating in the European market, colorful Wiimotes and Nunchucks could be on the horizon. If you'll recall, this isn't the first speculation that we've seen regarding the Big N and a rainbow selection, and unfortunately for everyone, none of those claims have yet to materialize. The data, however, suggests that Nintendo could be releasing Wiimotes / Nunchucks in silver, blue, and "pearl pink" flavors, and while pricing would likely be lower here in the States, Europeans would purportedly end up paying €40 (about $54) and €20 ($27), respectively. The completely unconfirmed distribution date is listed for June 29th, so unless Nintendo pulls one over on us and looses these early, we'll be waiting some time yet to see if this colorful hunch pans out.

[Via Joystiq]

Release dates emerge for Mad Catz Wiimote and "Funchuk"

by Paul Miller, posted Mar 21st 2007 at 3:38PM

Sadly, no new pictures of the two Mad Catz controllers, that as far as we know will be the first such 3rd party controllers for the Wii, but at least we finally have an idea when these things might start hitting store shelves. As promised by Amazon UK, the "Wand Remote Controller" will retail for £24.99 ($49 US) and be released on September 28th, with Amazon selling it for a "bargain" price of £19.99 ($39 US). Mac Catz will be hitting with the "Funchuk Controller" on June 29th for a more palatable £9.99 ($20 US), and Amazon UK is promising a discounted price of £8.99 ($18 US). A pretty long wait, to be sure, and given the generally shoddy construction of nearly all 3rd party controllers in the history of man, we're not really on edge here, but we're sure Mad Catz will still find its way into plenty a home with this pair.

[Thanks, Afzilla]

Read - Wand Remote Controller
Read - Funchuk Controller

Crafty Wii user creates chocolate Wiimote, nunchuck

by Darren Murph, posted Feb 18th 2007 at 6:05AM

If you're even considering making a late night grocery run to stock up on post-Valentine's Day chocolate sales, hold your horses. For those who just so happened to keep the original packaging from your Wiimote and nunchuck as any true geek does, or you need a delicious excuse to run out and grab another set, you're well on your way to edible nirvana. A crafty Flickr user utilized his culinary skills along with the plastic packaging that accompanied his Wii accessories in order to make molds for Wiimote / nunchuck chocolate, which look mighty scrumptious if we may so say ourselves. While we're not experts on creating our own choco bars, it has certainly been done a time or two before, so why not indulge yourself a bit with a little calorie-packed Wiimote after a vigorous round of Wii exercise, cool?