Wii Fanboy hands-on with the Nyko Wing controller
Nyko's been manufacturing peripherals for awhile now. We've spent time with the Kama wireless Nunchuk, their wireless Nunchuk adapter and even the Perfect Shot. Now their latest peripheral, the Wing, attempts to best Nintendo's Classic Controller through wireless technology. Does it succeed? Read on and find out!
The first thing I noticed stacking them up side-by-side was that the Wing feels more natural in my hands. Not that the Classic Controller doesn't, but the ergonomic design of the Wing makes it easier to grip and more comfortable. Also, Nyko's controller is just a tad bigger, meaning its more suited to an adult's hands.
Another area the Wing succeeds over the Classic Controller is the analog sticks. The Wing's analog sticks have extra grip on them, more than the Classic Controller's single ring, meaning there's less slipping and sliding your thumbs around on the sticks. Not a huge problem, mind you, but it does help one notice the fault in Nintendo's controller.
The Wing doesn't beat the Classic Controller in all areas, however. For one, the d-pad on the Wing is a lot less sturdy than the Classic Controller's. It has more play, but it's made from less sturdy material than that of Nintendo's controller. I've used the Wing for several hours, and the d-pad hasn't become less stable and games haven't failed to recognize my inputs, but I am still concerned at the longevity of the Wing's d-pad.
And, finally, what of battery life? Well, to tell the truth, I haven't noticed a big difference. Since it uses a wireless dongle that attaches to the Wiimote, it uses the AA batteries in the Wiimote, as well as the AAA in the Wing. However, before using the Wing, I would generally get 8-10 hours of gameplay out of the Wiimote, depending on what I was playing, of course. With the Wing, it's about the same. To say I was surprised would be an understatement.
In the end, the Wing is a great solution. Sure, it's an extra $10 (MSRP lists it at $30, but you can find it for just a few bucks over $20 online), but you're going wireless and you're getting a controller that is more comfortable and will let you play for longer. If you've got the extra cash and are in need of a Classic Controller alternative, check out the Wing.
