controllers
Latest
Novint Falcon takes flight
We've tracked this little guy from his prototype days, through a Switched On feature, and all the way up to this January's release date announcement. Now we can finally say that the Novint Falcon -- top rate purveyor of the game-controlling, force-feedbacking, wrist-snapping, virtual-textured 3D input experience -- is officially on sale. Novint is offering the squat interface on their website for $189, bundled with a limited edition "grip", 24 mini-games and a numbered certificate of authenticity, just in case your skeptical friends don't believe you actually own a Falcon.[Thanks, Sabrina]
Every Saturn game you could possibly want, and then some
Got $5,000 burning a hole in your pocket? That's roughly what it will take to open bidding on the mother of all Sega Saturn collections on eBay right now. Besides 256 games from all three regions, including rarities like Radiant Silvergun and Panzer Dragoon Saga, the auction includes three actual consoles (including a white one that can play burned games and VCDs), six controllers, memory cards, light guns, multitaps, a steering wheel and even a mouse. That's a lot of defunct Sega goodness right there.If you're still balking at the price, consider that the winning bid includes free shipping to the U.S. from Australia. Because really, if you're gonna spend thousands of dollars on a classic system collection, the shipping is what will put you over the edge of reasonable expenditure.
Logitech's PS3 controller: No motion, but yes to rumble
IGN recently got some time with the Logitech Cordless Precision for PlayStation 3. The controller costs $10 less than the official $50 Sixaxis controller and is very similar to their famous PS2 wireless controllers, which worked quite well. This controller should also not be confused with the air-blowing PS3 wired controller Logitech previously released.This new controller (pictured) is heavier than the Sixaxis and uses two AA batteries, giving 50 hours of play according to Logitech. The most bizarre thing going on with this controller is it doesn't have any motion control built into it, but it does come with rumble -- a feature that none of the PS3 games use. Of course, in time, the rumble will come back to Sony, but it is funny that Logitech placed rumble importance over getting the motion control feature license. For all we know at this point, Logitech made the right bet.
Playing Xbox 360 games with a Wii remote [update 1]
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox_360/Playing_Xbox_360_games_with_a_Wii_remote'; As you can probably tell from the image above, this sort of project wouldn't be safe in the hands of a wiring novice. Wii-FTW forum admin Sir CRX hacked his Wiimote and Xbox controller to accept bluetooth commands, sending them to his 360 console. The mod doesn't yet incorporate any of the remote's "waggle" functions and only supports four of its buttons, but Sir CRX has hinted that there will be updates and a possible tutorial coming soon. Head past the post break for video of the cross-console controller in use.
CNET's best video game controllers of all time
CNET UK recently unveiled a "totally subjective" top five list of the best video game controllers of all time. Heading the pack is Atari's one-button joystick, joined by the SNES controller, and the N64 and PS2 controllers. Surprisingly enough, the Xbox 360 pad lands on the list for being the first to make wireless design a standard. The Wii remote was mentioned but quickly dismissed, as it hasn't been around long enough to prove itself as a revolutionary device.It's a rather obvious list that omits innovation in favor of time-tested design. Atari's joystick was nothing short of groundbreaking in its day, as were the SNES and N64 controllers. And we're just broken to bits that the PS3 boomerang never had the chance to fight for a spot on this list.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
Power button mod sheds light on Wii status
It won't be long before LED mods completely overtake our Wii remotes, flushing its white plastic with neon warmth to the point where it burns our fingers whenever we try to wrap them around the glowing batons. We'll stare at the controllers sizzling on the coffee table, ruing the day we started outfitting our remotes with these ridiculous lights.Unlike his previous B-trigger hack which didn't do much beyond looking pretty, Loki's power button mod actually serves a somewhat useful purpose. Following the posted photo walkthrough and soldering instructions, you can install an LED that will let you know whether or not you've actually turned off your Wii after pushing the on/off button. Sure, you can just check the lights at the bottom of your remote, but where's the fun in that?
Pelican adapter promises to bring Guitar Hero to PS3
It looks like the long wait is over for Guitar Hero fans impatient to get their thrash on with the currently Hero-less PlayStation 3, as a new USB adapter from Pelican promises to succeed where others have floundered and enable controllers from both PlayStation 2 versions to work on the newest console. As you may recall, the compatibility problem arises from the guitars' lack of the PS button required to start PSone and PS2 games on the PS3; Pelican's adapter addresses this issue by sporting a PS button of its own, along with three LEDs to indicate whether the unit is in regular, Guitar Hero left, or Guitar Hero right mode. Sounds pretty snazzy, and if it works as promised, may allow you to finally retire the old PS2 once and for all. [Via Joystiq]
PCMag's 10 weird controllers ... yup, 360's keyboard is there
PC Magazine just published a fun list of 10 weird game controllers. Note, they didn't say these were the weirdest controllers ever, so hold off on those comments about the Run'N' Drive. Included on the list are fan favorites like the bizarre $1700 Dream Machine, the thought-powered Project Epoc, and even Microsoft's just-announced Xbox 360 text input device. ... there, now that you've gone through their list, what's missing? And don't say Run'N' Drive, 'cause we already called it.
Fishing with the Wii remote (and how to do it yourself)
var digg_url = 'http://wow.joystiq.com/2007/04/04/fishing-with-the-wii-remote-and-how-to-do-it-yourself/'; Blogger Chris Heald of antiarc.net has a Wii remote and likes to go fishing in WoW. So when he found out (I didn't know this) that the Wii remote is really just a bluetooth device, he figured he could work out some way to combine the two. First, he got Chrono Trigger (omg great game) working, and then, with the use of a GlovePIE script, he set up a way to actually fish in Azeroth, Wii-style. Pretty freakin' cool. But the best part is that he's actually posted the script online, so if you've got a Wii controller sitting around, you could very easily do this yourself. Just make sure your computer can receive bluetooth (adapters are cheap if you don't already have one), download and get GlovePIE running (it's free), input Chris' script, and you should be set.We've seen WoW on the Wii controller before, and our only concern was that the controller was pretty limited in actually playing the game. But fishing is the perfect venue for a motion controller like the Wii-- the controls are simple and don't require text input or complicated sequences. From the video, it looks like Chris' hack works perfectly. Great job, Chris, and very cool.
DIY wireless Sega controller for Wii Virtual Console
It's literally been ages since we've held a piece of Sega hardware in our hands -- even our trusty old GameGear finally made the trip to gadget heaven -- but we'll never forger the first time we picked up a Genesis controller and were floored by the future of gaming. Its name? Altered Beast. Well as we all know, Sega ended up getting lost in the shuffle during the 20th century console wars, and all that's left today is a steady stream of new games and some classics that have found their way onto the Virtual Console. Isn't it appropriate, then, to get into the Sega spirit by playing these retro titles with genuine Sega controllers? Well you ain't gonna find them on shelves anymore, but if you've got an old gamepad lying around like Daniel Hearn did, its not all that difficult to roll your own wireless pad. All the parts you need -- save for the controller body itself -- can be found at the Sparkfuns and and RadioShacks of the world, and the linked guide gives you all the programming / construction resources you'll need. Big ups to the first reader who combines this project with the Mega Drive controller MP3 mod, creating a DAP whose functionality even the iPod can't touch.[Via Wii Fanboy]
SplitFish's EdgeFX controller brings PC-style input to the console
The evolution of input devices for gaming consoles has certainly been interesting to follow: from Atari's paddles and joysticks to Nintendo's classic NES controller to the modern million-button joypads which delight children and confuse adults, developers are forever seeking ways to increase both the functionality and ergonomics of these peripherals. Well even though today's DualShock and Xbox gamepads are widely praised for their comfort and control, PC gamers still seem to prefer the old keyboard and mouse combo for maximum versatility and fragability (is that even a word?). Fully aware that there will always be folks who enjoy aiming their weapons with a mouse instead of an analog stick, SplitFish -- of MotionFX and DualFX fame -- has just released a new product that attempts to bring PC-style input to Sony's PlayStation 2. The EdgeFX is a two-part system composed of a rumble mouse sporting the standard geometrical buttons and a nunchuck-like wired attachment that contains a D-pad and single thumbstick. Probably the main appeal of this innovative controller is a dedicated "focus" button which adjusts mouse sensitivity on the fly so that you can aim with precision and still swing around wildly when you're surveying the field of play. Available immediately from GameStop for $70, the EdgeFX only supports PS2 for the time being, but SplitFish claims that a PS3 version is in the works and even 360 may "get in the game" if there's adequate interest.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
360 Mouse and KB control available today
You may recall us telling you about TeamXtender's XFPS 360 last month. The XFPS 360 is an adapter that allows you to use mouse and keyboard controls on the Xbox 360. For those of you who've been longing to get one for yourself (or that special someone as a present) look no further. The XFPS is now available for purchase from Video Game Advantage -- TeamXtender's official reseller. The adapter allows you to use more than a mouse and keyboard, too. It's also compatible with pretty much all Playstation 2 controls. Sure, you could plug your DualShock 2 in there, but you could also use all those other PS2 peripherals you have lying around. Light guns, steering wheels, dance mats: if you've got it, it should work. At $79.99, the device isn't cheap, but we're sure the device will be worth it for dedicated FPS players and those with substantial PS2 peripheral collections. Quick, somebody buy one of these and see what happens when you play Gears of War with a guitar.[Via 360-HQ]
RetroZone intros NES, SNES controller adapters
You know, most of us here at Engadget couldn't help but get a bit misty eyed when we saw that new Wii Classic Controller and recalled our fond memories of many a' night spent with the SNES' Ol' Roundy. Of course, there's always that original rectangular classic NES controller that we saved the Princess with in "Super Mario Bros.", which will always have a fond place in our hearts. Whichever you prefer (or perhaps both), RetroUSB has just released SNES and NES controller adapters for the Nintendo Wii, letting your relive your mid-1980s and early 1990s memories of button-pushing in the 21st century; when you download the original Super Mario Bros. or the very first StarFox via Nintendo's Virtual Console service, you can now play them as they were meant to be played. These controller adapters will make the perfect addition for our F-Zero party this weekend -- Captain Falcon FTW!
R.I.P. classic Playstation accessories (PS3 annoyance #1)
We are gathered here today to mourn the practical obsolescence of the various Playstation and PS2 accessories we have gathered over the last ten years. With the Playstation 3 missing the controller ports and memory card slots that have been standard for the last two generations of Sony hardware, we're suddenly stuck with a vast array of Dual Shocks, drums, dance pads and guitars that can't be used to play old games on our new hardware, not to mention all the game saves that are trapped on our memory cards.We're aware that Sony has announced a USB adapter to transfer old memory card data, and that third party USB adapters can revive our old controllers (except for those guitars, it seems), but it's still a little annoying that Sony is asking us to buy extra hardware to support our old accessories. It's admirable that Sony has embraced industry-wide standards like USB, SD, CompactFlash and MemoryStick for wired inputs, but it's regrettable that they've done this at the expense of their old, proprietary hardware. Would it have been so difficult to stick a couple of memory card and controller ports onto the front of what is an already input-filled system?
PS3's SIXAXIS goes under the knife
When it comes to consumer electronics, there are basically two types of people in the world: those folks who'd rather remain blissfully ignorant about the inner-workings of their toys, and those who rip open a product's packaging, toss the instructions in the garbage, and immediately break out their screwdrivers and desoldering kits to discover exactly what makes their new tech tick. From the sheer number of naked gadget photo spreads we've featured on these pages, it's pretty clear that we fall into this latter group, which is why our heart started beating a little faster when we came across a thorough gallery of the PS3's SIXAXIS controller cracked open and splayed out for all of us silicon pr0n fiends to ogle. Thanks to a ChinaGBA forum contributor named Panpp, we not only have close-up shots of the SIXAXIS's every nook and cranny, but a layer-by-layer dissection of all its motion-sensing, rumble-free, non-replaceable battery goodness. So keep reading for a few more pics, and then hit the Read link for even more controller carnage (spoiler: we went over every photo with a magnifying glass, and unlike those sneaky engineers over at Apple, it seems that Sony isn't in the business of hiding highly-desirable, crippled components in its hardware).[Thanks, ChronoZaga]
SIXAXIS batteries not swappable, but Sony will replace controllers for free
After having printed so many negative stories about Sony lately -- concerning its battery debacle, Blu-ray delays, and factually-questionable marketing, to name a few -- we're overjoyed to report on a company policy that will be sure to please gamers planning to pick up a PS3. Yesterday it was revealed that the wireless (and rumble-less) SIXAXIS controllers would not sport user-replaceable batteries, and given the fact that lithium ion cells only have a finite number of charges in them, it seemed that users would have to shell out $50 every time one of their gamepads crapped out. Not that this is necessarily a huge deal in a world where $300 iPods are also considered disposable, but it would still be kind of a slap in the face after throwing down $500 or $600 for a console with a purported 10-year life span. Well Sony feels for you starving gamers, so even though the party line is that "it'll be many years before there's any degradation in terms of battery performance," a spokesperson confirmed to Gamesindustry.biz that "we will be providing a service to exchange these items." Unless the service consists of an CSR giving you directions to the nearest GameStop, it would seem like Sony is planning on replacing dead controllers for free, which is a pretty nice feature in this world of planned obsolescence. Congrats on making the right decision here, Sony -- now is there any way we can get you to reconsider tossing a few decent cables into the box as well?[Via Joystiq]
Innovative controllers rounded up
This article over at bit-tech.net looks at ten of the more offbeat game control schemes -- from bongos and maracas to cameras and dance mats. It's a nice reminder that gaming isn't all "up up down down" and that sometimes you can have a little fun with the controller as well as with the game.Of course, collecting multiple peripherals, one for each game, quickly becomes a hassle -- will next-gen's out of the box accessories render a cupboardful of controllers unnecessary? Or will we see some manufacturers continue to make third-party peripherals because their games simply aren't possible otherwise? Perhaps it'll be a bit of both -- the thought of playing Guitar Hero with a PS3 joypad, or dance games with the Wii, has us reaching for our plug-in accessories already.
MS sued over controller design
Some no-name company from Texas is dragging Microsoft and Nintendo to court over 12 supposed patent infringements related to game controllers, that amazingly went un-noticed until now. Sony, fresh off a losing court battle over force feedback technology, seems to have avoided the dual shakedown this time around. Who holds the patent on transparent extortion schemes?[Thanks Randy]
Let's play the patent game: more Wii controllers?
We thought we were past this whole "Sony copied Nintendo copied blah" stuff, but CVG via Tech-On points out that the new patent we blogged about earlier could possibly be perceived as another pass at Nintendo's Wii controller. You know, besides the other one.If you take a close look at the odd picture that comes along with the patent, you will notice a pen-like apparatus used in conjunction with the camera. This is for image-mapping and converting movements into the 3D environment. But what exactly are we seeing here anyway? I don't think Super Scribbler 3D is in the cards, so could it be a controller not unlike the Nintendo Wii's? Even more motion-sensing from the Sony camp could backfire. But not if they decide to bring us back our old controller in favor of this new motion-sensing one. Of course, Nintendo fans would have something to say about it if this pen-like device stepped up to replace the DualShake as we currently know it. And then again, maybe we're shooting in the dark here and it's nothing to give any attention to at all. Your thoughts?
More Wiimote details revealed
Although we know quite a bit more about the Wiimote now than we did before E3, many of the specifics about this controller have remained a closely-guarded secret, so we were pretty stoked to learn that the folks over at IGN were able to get their hands on a big fat developer documentation kit chock full of juicy details. For starters, we now know that this wireless input device will be powered by a pair of regular AA alkalines, giving the unit 30 hours of battery life with the precision aim function activated, or up to 60 hours if only the accelerometer is being used. It's also being reported that remaining battery life will be indicated at startup by those four LEDs on the front of the controller, which will serve double duty to show which player is communicating with the console at a given moment. Other tidbits here include deets on synchronization (yes, the Wiimote definitely uses Bluetooth), some more specifics about the built-in rumble motor, and speculation about the controller's use of 6KB of internal memory and possible use as a digital camera. For the sake of brevity, we've glossed over most of the revelations here, so make sure to follow the Read link for all sorts of info that Nintendo doesn't want you to know yet.[Via Joystiq]
