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Video: surviving Pleo loses remaining autonomy, gets controlled by Wii Nunchuk
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]
Funchuks: they're more fun than regular Nunchuks because they're colorful
Happy Tiny Wii Controllers Day! We're celebrating the first TWCD by posting ... tiny Wii controllers! Either that or it's a total coincidence that two news items about tiny Wii controllers have shown up today. We prefer the explanation that makes today a holiday.Logic3's Nunchuk Mini, also called "Funchuks" in the press release, are basically smaller Nunchuks in a bunch of different colors, all with jaunty green analog sticks. Despite the fact that they cost exactly as much as Nintendo's official Nunchuk but lack Nintendo's reputation for quality, we find these things enchanting. They're small, you see. We want to buy all of them and use a different one every day. [Via Kotaku]
Amazon celebrates new year with savings on accessories
Those of you who still have some spare cash in your wallet at the conclusion of yet another holiday season, know that Amazon wants it. They've put all of their gaming accessories on sale, taking 10% off the price of certain items. If you were looking for that extra Wiimote (and aren't expecting it as a gift), they qualify. Or, you could just grab Wii Play with a Wiimote, if you're into that sort of thing. The Nyko Perfect Shot, the Zapper, WiiSpeak, and even Wii Wheels qualify. There's a lot to check out.Planning on picking something up? Do it before January 10, 2009. Offer expires then.
Nintendo and Nyko settle Nunchuk dispute peacefully
Nintendo and Nyko have finally come to an agreement over the Kama Wireless Nunchuck. Nintendo filed suit against the peripherals manufacturer back in June, claiming that the Kama imitated Nintendo's own Nunchuk too closely in form and shape.As part of the settlement agreement, Nyko will be allowed to continue selling the Kama, but in a redesigned form. Even before this announcement, Nyko changed the shape of the Kama to this weird ridged thing. Nyko will show a wired Kama controller and Wing Classic Controller at the 2009 CES."We are pleased to have resolved this dispute," NOA's Reggie Fils-Aime said in the very short press release announcing the settlement. "The Nunchuk and Wii brands are familiar to consumers worldwide, and Nintendo is dedicated to vigorous defense of those brands."
Nice idea, terrible value: the Multiplayer Controller Set
A Go Nintendo reader spotted this on the shelves of his local Target: a "Multi-Player Controller Set" containing a Wii Remote, a Nunchuk, and a Wii Wheel. This kind of thing obviously makes sense to Nintendo as Christmas approaches (the season where Wii excels, some would say), and we could really get behind the idea of a good value bundle of second/third/fourth peripherals (still need a fourth Wiimote and Nunchuk at Casa de Greenhough!). It's just a shame that the price is such a sham: $74.99?! All three of these peripherals are available separately at Amazon for a total of $63.91 (which qualifies for free shipping), but here's the real laugh: you can buy an individual Wiimote, Nunchuk, and Wii Wheel for $74.97 at Target itself. D'oh! Knock at least fifteen bones off this and you've got our attention.%Gallery-19823%[Thanks, Sonic_13!]
Revolutionary: The Perfect Controller, part 2
Game controllers have come a long way since we were holding a box with a protruding stick and tapping a single button. Now they're so packed full of cutting edge (yet inexpensive) tech, I'd half expect to see a Wii Remote and Nunchuk in the cockpit of the space shuttle* as a cost-cutting measure. As advanced as the Wiimote is, a lot of us have found a thing or two that could be revised about its design. I've gone to the most extreme reaches of my imagination, and come up with a design concept that I believe is about as radical a step beyond our current Wiimote, as that controller is beyond every console controller that came before it. And just like Nintendo's own design, my perfect controller would be based around technology that is already being used today in different applications.*Warning: The Wii Remote and Nunchuk's accelerometers will not work in space. NASA engineers, be advised to wait for the MotionPlus.
Quantum of Solace has Zapper support, online multiplayer
For those of you who've been tracking Quantum of Solace over at The Stiq, you know that most of the worthwhile things to discuss about the game have come from the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions. Well, it would appear that Activision isn't leaving Wii owners out to dry, as some cool features are being utilized in the Wii version of the title. For one, there will be multiple control schemes. Gamers can use the tried-and-true Wiimote and Nunchuk setup, or they can bust out their Zapper and play with that. On top of that, Activision has also confirmed the game will feature online multiplayer, as well as 4-player split-screen local multiplayer, which is exclusive to the Wii installment.Activision is also hard at work to make sure the game is no graphical slouch. Seeing as how the engine behind the game is the same used in Call of Duty 4, we're sure Quantum of Solace will have some lovely visuals.
Cord-free Wireless Adapter is almost cost-free
How much do you hate the cord tethering your Wiimote to your Nunchuk? Do you have about ten dollars' worth of hate within you? If so, you're in luck: Amazon and GameStop (that we've found so far) have cut the price of Nyko's Cord-Free Wireless Adapter in half, to a mere $9.99. That's not a lot to pay for something that makes your Nunchuk both cord-free and wireless.When we tested this device, we found it to be exactly what is advertised: a way to make your Nunchuk wireless. The only issues at the time were with the price and the battery consumption. Now half of one problem has been taken care of! We've spent some time with other Nyko gadgetry before. For a more holistic approach to unwiring the Nunchuk, check out the Kama Wireless Nunchuck, and for more things to stick to your Wiimote, have a look at the Perfect Shot and the Frontman guitar. And take a minute to remember the dearly de-partied Party Station.
Start bulking up your Wiimote early
Are you desperate for some extra length? Do you yearn for that extra inch that could give you the edge over others? Do you want increased size right now?Well, good news: you don't have to wait for Wii MotionPlus's Spring 2009 launch for a chance to elongate your Wii Remote. The makers (it's not specified who) of this new wireless Nunchuk are happy for you to get adding to Nintendo's wand right now. Available from today at China-based outlet Divineo, this 'chuk comes with a tiny wireless receiver that plugs into the bottom of your Wiimote -- very much like the Nyko Kama model which we reviewed earlier this year.At $24.95, this is ten bucks cheaper than Nyko's effort, or you could buy five for $21 apiece and, um, give us the spare? We're just floating ideas here![Via DCEmu]
Revolutionary: Synaesthetic
This week I wanted to take on scripting for an indie game, and one that came in high regard was Synaesthete. I didn't know much about it when I first tried it out, except that it was a cross-breed of rhythm games and action shooters, and I was hopeful that it would lend itself to the Wii experience as well as the last rhythm hybrid I tried out. One level was all it took to start the script-writing cogs turning in my head, and after much experimentation, I wound up with a script that dynamically changes what makes this brilliant game so fun to play. At first, nothing about Synaesthete makes it scream out that it was born for Wii, but ultimately, the addition of Wii controls has made this game my new addiction. I truly believe that a Wii port of this title would be hailed as the "next big thing."
Spore Creature Creator spawns Wiimote and nunchuk
Click for super-huge image Much like the creature that resembles an Xbox 360 controller, someone has gone ahead and created the Wiimote and nunchuk-like combo you see above. While we haven't played any Spore Creature Creator ourselves, we do hear it's fun. Heck, if you can make the thing above there, it can't be all bad.Any other gaming controllers or characters you've seen done up in the game?[Thanks, Amiculi!]
Fanswag: Death JR. and the Nyko Kama nunchuk go to ...
Well, with every dawn, there must be a sunset. And, with that, we bring our latest giveaway to an end. The two winners have been crowned via random drawing, and are as follows: dubbalubagis (Grand prize winner - Death Jr., Nyko Kama nunchuk) Fryguy (Death Jr.) Thank you all for entering and better luck next time!
Fanswag reminder: Today is your last day to enter
Yup folks, today is the last and final day you can enter in our giveaway. We're unloading prizes onto two lucky readers, which include copies of Death Jr. for the Wii, as well as a Nyko Kama wireless nunchuk. How can you pass on free stuff? So, head on over to the original contest post today and check out the official rules.
Fanswag reminder: Get a Nyko Kama wireless nunchuk, Death Jr.
Hey folks, did you know we're giving away some freebies? Yup, we've got a Nyko Kama wireless nunchuk to hand out, as well 2 copies of Death Jr. for you. Don't waste time looking at this post here. Head on over to the original contest post and check out the details.%Gallery-24649%
Alone in the Dark with Wiimote and Nunchuk
A fresh take on Waggletech® as Alone in the Dark for Wii developer, Hydravision Entertainment, proves its penchant for virtual charades in this new trailer. Seriously, the "flasher" maneuver? Brilliant! Who knew the Wiimote and Nunchuk could be used to mimic the parting of a trench coat? Still, there's nothing quite as immersifying as the overhand bludgeon. Classic.
Nintendo sues Nyko over Kama Wireless Nunchuck
That Kama Wireless Nunchuck we're giving away may become something of a collector's item in the near future. Nintendo has sued Nyko, manufacturer of the device, claiming that the Kama violates Nintendo's patents for the original Nunchuk, imitating the controller in "novel shape, design, overall appearance and even the color and materials used in the Nintendo Nunchuk controller."Nyko spokesperson C.C. Swiney told Bloomberg that they do not believe that they have violated Nintendo's patents with the Kama, but that they are "still examining this." We've had a look at both controllers ourselves, and we think they're actually pretty different. If you look closely at the Nintendo Nunchuk, you can see that it has a cord coming out of it.Could Nintendo have their own wireless Nunchuk on the way? Or have they decided to start cracking down on third-party controllers now after over 20 years for some other reason? Is the Kama really that similar to the Nunchuk? [Via Kotaku]
Pirates come up with their own Wiimote, nunchuk
We all know how piracy is very bad for the gaming industry. But, this is a first for us. it seems those filthy pirates are not only counterfeiting discs, but also creating knock-off hardware, as evidenced by the fake Wiimote and nunchuk you see above. Thankfully, site YYJoy has done a lot of hard work to make sure you aren't one of the folks unlucky enough to buy one of these.Not only do they compare the quality of construction between Nintendo's official first-party hardware, but they also do a thorough inspection of the packaging, providing us with tips on how to spot these knock-offs on the shelf.[Thanks, Deevo!]Source - Packaging and plastic comparisonSource - Pirated Wiimote internal guts
Korea's Wii controllers are a steal
As if Korean Wii gamers weren't lucky enough, what with all the preorder incentives publishers have been handing out over there, apparently, shops in the East Asian country are selling Wii remotes, nunchuks, and Classic Controllers at hella cheap prices.Blogger Nuck Rumas shot the photo above of a Korean Lotte Mart's Wii shelf, and, in addition to the Wii system's foreign packaging, you can see some surprisingly low-priced accessories. Wii remotes are marked at ???28,000 (approx. $27) -- compare that to the $40 stores usually charge in the U.S. Of course, compared to Wii remote prices in several other territories, $40 is a bargain, too: Japan: ¥3,800 (approx. $36) Canada: $44.99 (approx. $44) Australia: $69.95 (approx. $67) New Zealand: $99.95 (approx. $76) Europe: €39 (approx. $61) UK: £29.99 (approx. $59) Also, Classic Controllers and nunchuks in Korea both sell for ???15,000 (approx. $15), compared to the $20 U.S. retailers ask for them. That might not sound like much of a difference, but keep in mind that shops in Korea don't charge an extra sales tax at the register. It all adds up!
Brando reveals a wireless nunchuk
Much like Nyko's wireless adapter, Brando is offering up their own version, for the same price ($20). Unlike the Nyko Kama, this is merely an adapter, which houses the original, wired nunchuk and allows you to wrap up the wires, as pictured. We're not sure how comfortable Brando's option is, but if it's anything like the Nyko adapter, it's a really good option for those that hate wires.Anybody interested in a wireless adapter for their nunchuk? Does the wire bother you that much or are you fine with having the wire there?[Via Engadget]
Wireless Wii nunchuk adapter frees you from cabled bondage
The Wii Wireless Adapter for Wii Nunchuk controller, as it's so eloquently called, connects to your current nunchuk, untethering you from that not-always-necessary Wii Remote (or simply preventing the cable waggle). It's powered by two AA batteries and is available from Brando for $20. It's not the first wireless nunchuk we've seen, but from the looks of this one, it could help direct your finger to that hard-to-find Z button.
