hori
Latest
Hori Fighting Stick, unboxed and in the nude
Japanese site Game Watch got a hold of Hori's Fighting Stick Wii, posting photos of the arcade controller out of its box and in use at their office. They might as well have put up pictures of themselves caressing its white casing, smirking at the camera with a "you wish your life was as good as ours" look, shirt half unbuttoned to suggest the night ahead, for all the jealousy they've aroused in us. Quarter circle forward past the post break break to see a couple of those images. The Wii remote dangling off of the arcade stick, unfortunately, isn't very attractive. We prefer not having to hook anything on for wireless controls, but we wouldn't have minded the Classic-Controller-styled setup if there was at least a way to unobtrusively attach the remote; it's not like there isn't any room inside the arcade stick's mostly empty shell.
Hori Fighting Stick replaces the Classic Controller in our hearts
Hori's official Fighting Stick Wii product page is up, and with it are new pictures for us to stare at dreamily, imagining Hadoukens and Shoryukens pulled off with clicky aplomb. It's official: this thing is delicious. Deliciously, the page confirms it to be functionally interchangeable with the Classic Controller, meaning that VC games and Smash Bros. are a go. Like the Classic Controller, this joystick requires the Wiimote to be connected. But most of us are used to being semi-tethered to our Wiimotes by now. Unlike the now-boring Classic Controller, the Fighting Stick Wii has an individual turbo switch for each button, which enables super-Takahashi Meijin button pressing at 20 times per second.
Now we just need some fighting games
It's no Real Arcade Pro, but Hori's Fighting Stick Wii is still better than any US-marketed joystick, if previous Fighting Sticks are any indication. Wii owners, of course, will prefer this to the RAP for the simple fact that it works on the Wii. Also, as far as we can tell, it's either wireless or near-wireless. It's got the Home button on it, so it's unlikely to be a rebranded Gamecube controller. Therefore we expect that it either plugs into the Wiimote in the manner of the Classic Controller, or plugs into nothing in the manner of something awesomely convenient. (There's also the USB option, but let's not even talk about that.) Gamestop is taking preorders for this stick in anticipation of a November 6th release, at a price of $49.99. Trust us, that's extraordinarily reasonable for an arcade stick of any quality. Surprisingly, Europe seems to be getting this peripheral before the US: Amazon.co.uk lists the item as shipping on the 17th of this month! That's in line with the estimated Japanese release date provided by Play-Asia; however, neither Amazon.co.jp nor Hori's own website make any mention of this stick.We suppose there's Metal Slug, but it seems like a shame to have such a nice arcade stick for a system with no major fighting games (unless Guilty Gear XX Accent Core actually comes out). Not that the SNES Street Fighter II ports aren't great! It would just feel a bit weird buying a $50 joystick for $8 games.
A wonderfully cheap alternative to a special edition DS
Envious of the special edition It's a Wonderful World DS Lite? We were too. But now everyone who buys it, we tell ourselves, is a sucker, because Hori is releasing a Wonderful World DS Lite accessory pack for only 1,449 yen ($11.89), which actually looks better than the real thing.The accessory kit includes a clear Protect Case with Wonderful World art and what may be the English logo-- we can definitely make out "Wonderful World" in that scribble. It also includes a black extending stylus with a skull logo and "TIME LIMIT within 7 DAYS" printed in red on the body. While we quite like the appearance of the case, we have to wonder why both special-edition Wonderful World designs (this Protect Case and the special-edition DS Lite) are so monochrome, when the game is characterized by explosive, vivid color. We have yet to find a retailer selling this package, but when we do, it'll be, you know ... oh, there's a word for something that is really great. We wonder what it is ... It's got a w in it somewhere. Oh, yeah-- awesome.
Joystiq impressions: HORI VF5 joystick for 360
At Sega's Virtua Fighter 5 360 demo station at E3, there were two shiny HORI joysticks, which are being released alongside the 360 release of VF5. While we were (barely) bested by Sega's employee in our matches, we definitely enjoyed the hardware on which we played. The buttons and joystick have a nice, durable feel to them. The joystick has a definite tactile click to it, and it's not too loud either, which is nice. The buttons click solidly and the joystick inputs seemed spot on. We managed some nice body checks with Akira with no problem at all, and diagonal inputs were easily recognized too. The Sega rep informed us that the stick should retail for around $50 or so, which seems fairly standard. Considering the DOA4 stick is now nearly impossible to find (and damned expensive if you do), you'll definitely want to pick up the HORI stick if you're serious about your virtual fighting.
Hori's Fighting Stick Wii joystick to head stateside
Sure hope you didn't spend too much in a bidding war over that homegrown Wii joystick back in December, as it looks like accessory maker extraordinaire Hori is planning to unveil something mighty similar real soon. According to Play-Asia, the firm's Fighting Stick Wii controller will be hitting the Japanese market in August, giving virtual console gamers a swank alternative to the Wii Classic Controller. Additionally, IGN has supposedly confirmed that an American release "is planned," and while a US pricetag has yet to emerge, those overseas can get their order in now for $52.90.[Via IGN]
Hori brings non-wacky controller to the Wii
With almost every controller accessory and attachment for the Wii seeming more hare-brained than the last, it's a relief to come across a more traditional product. The only evidence to suggest any link between Hori's Fighting Stick and the Wii, besides its white and blue colors, are the three buttons on the top right labeled with the remote's home, plus, and minus symbols. Uh, and the parts where it says "Wii."Though it isn't completely clear yet what purpose the top left switches serve, they're probably meant for turbo/slow/hold functions. Like Hori's fighting sticks for other consoles, this one employs the Japanese design favored by the hardcore -- convex buttons, ball top stick (Sanwa, likely), arced button placement, and what we assume to be a square gate. It might take some time for you to adjust to the layout if you're used to western setups. Play-Asia's $52.90 import price might sound expensive, but it's indicative of Hori's reputation as a manufacturer of relatively high-quality arcade sticks. Hopefully, the Wii will actually have some fighting games that are compatible with the stick by the time its November release in Japan comes around. Check past the post break for a larger image.
Ace Combat 6 stick cheaper than a real jet
Namco Bandai has announced that it will release a special bundle for its upcoming aeronautical adventure, Ace Combat 6. The bundle will include the game, a limited edition Xbox 360 faceplate and the sweet flight stick combo seen above. The stick is manufactured by HORI, makers of the ultra-hard-to-find Dead or Alive 4 arcade stick. But how much does it cost, you say? Not $89.95! No, not $79.95. Not even $69.95! That's right, the Ace Combat 6 bundle will retail for ... $150! The bundle is expected to arrive this holiday season. Any flight sim junkies out there willing to take the plunge? [Via Joystiq]
Hori gives you easy alternative to Xbox 360 laptop
Unfortunately for Hori, the forthcoming 12.1-inch Monitor EX just pales in comparison to the barrage of real Xbox 360 laptops from Ben Heckendorn, but just in case your DIY skills (or lack of funding) is barring you from acquiring such genuine products, we suppose this will do. Similar to the unsightly screens that have already been made available for other consoles, this version does manage to up the ante by cramming more screen real estate between the bezel, handling 720p content, and accepting signal via VGA. Furthermore, you'll find built-in stereo speakers beneath the display in case you're not keen on using headphones, and you should be fully prepared to locate another AC outlet just for this sucka. Reportedly, Japanese users can look for a ¥36,750 ($308) pricetag when it lands in July, but unless plans change and a darker hue is announced, this will probably look fairly awkward when paired with the Xbox 360 Elite.[Thanks, Steve]
The pride of our pocket protectors
Unless you're the type who sharpens a pencil down to its metal crown, the DS Lite stylus just doesn't compare to the familiar weight, thickness, and balance of a pen or pencil. Hori's latest Touch Pen looks like a comfortable and convenient alternative to the stock stylus. Users drop a standard stylus into the Touch Pen Attachment's casing just like with an ink refill. Including two replaceable styli with every purchase seems a bit unnecessary, but we're not going to argue with free stuff. The pen's wider and taller body will be able to rest on your hand, and the rubber grip makes sure that the stick won't slip out of your fingers during a hectic game of Elite Beat Agents. The Touch Pen Attachment is as portable as any other writing utensil, but you can also latch it onto the back of your handheld with the two plastic bumps on the clip. From the product shots we've seen, the nubs fit right into the holes meant for the DS Lite's strap. The pens come in White, Black, and Pink, retailing for about $6.00 each. Head past the post break for more photos of the Touch Pen Attachment DS Lite. [via DCEmu]
Hori's Dust and Nicotine Guard 3 keeps your PS3 from inhaling
If you rock your PS3 with a side of smoke and filth, then Hori's got you covered with its new Dust and Nicotine Guard 3. We definitely don't advocate you sucking down cancer sticks in your nicotine-stained apartment swarming with dust bunnies, but if you're gonna do it, there's no sense in your PS3 suffering with you. The $17 filter accessory won't be available to grimy gamers 'til April 26th (plenty of time for them to save the cash and kick the habit).[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Hori says: buy our dust and nicotine guard!
Yes, the PS3 doesn't like it when you smoke around it. It's trying to find a cure for your rudeness via the Folding@Home program. It's still searching. Kablam! How did that zinger taste? A little bitter, we'd reckon. All poorly constructed insult jokes aside, Hori is releasing a dust/nicotine guard for your PS3. It comes out in late April at an affordable $17. But... why?Seriously, all these PS3 accessories seem so... foolish. If I were a smoker, I'd never do it in my home. It just makes no sense. Smoke alarms, making the ceiling yellow, creating an odor that just does not get out of your fabrics... it's an OCD person's worst nightmare. If you coupled this guard with the cooling fan we talked about a few days ago, we're fairly certain your PS3 will last at least a year less than a "naked" system. Too much crap can do more harm than good. So, get this thing if you smoke whilst playing video games, otherwise, laugh at some of the sillier inventions out there.
New Doraemon DS Lite accessories
Are you a fan of earless cartoon robot cats from the future? What are we saying-- of course you are. Hori is releasing a new suite of DS Lite accessories in a blue checkerboard theme with Doraemon adornments. 980 yen ($8.42) gets you a pack containing decals for the inside and outside of the DSL, an extending stylus, and screen covers. A soft cloth carrying case with pockets for DS and GBA cartridges goes for another 980 yen.Those are surprisingly reasonable prices for DS accessories! Hopefully NCSX or someone will pick these up for sale in the US. That case looks exceptionally handy to us, with all the pockets.
Hori PS3 Fighting Stick: get your Virtua Fighter on in style
First the 360, then the Wii, now the PS3 is getting its own shot at arcade glory. With Virtua Fighter 5 on all those Sony fanboy wishlists, it's only natural to have a shiny controller like this Hori PS3 Fighting Stick number to pull off those nifty-keen combos with Akira Yuki and company. You can pick up one of these wired and turbo-filled controllers for about $50.
Romance of the Three Accessories
Happy News about Games Related to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Day! So far, it's been a solemn event that we've observed respectfully, thinking about how ugly DS games affect us all. But we've got marginally better news for you, so don't take down your traditional NGRRTK Day decorations. Hori have released some relatively nice DS accessories in a black-and-gold color scheme to tie into the release of Sega's new card-based arcade adaptation Sangokushi Taisen DS, including a stand, a DS card case, and a stylus. Sure, they're not totally new items-- the stand looks to be the same design as the one reviewed by CheapyD, but they're black, with goooooolden eeeeemblems on them.We like the blackness of this set, but we aren't sure about advertising any affiliation with Sangokushi Taisen DS or any other arcade-fad card games. Also, we like to keep our DS systems in our gentle, loving hands while we play, not relegated to a cold, unfeeling stand. It's a DS-fan thing; we have a very positive opinion on the concept of touching.[Update 1: fairly major; this set is NOT a tie-in to Shin Sangoku Musou DS, but to a VERY SIMILAR-LOOKING Sega card-battling game Sangokushi Taisen DS that also uses the classic Three Kingdoms story as its setting.]
DS Lite stand video review
Turns out, the magnetic stand we covered wasn't the only hands-free option to the Japanese consumer as CAG's CheapyD chronicles in his video review of the stand offered up by Hori. CheapyD does his duty, and does it well, as he goes over every inch of the thing and finds it to be useful in his gaming. Coming in at around $15 USD, would you pick this up?[Via CAG]
Hori busts out arcade-style joysticks for the PS3
While it may not be the best option for a game of Resistance, if you want to be prepared for one of the few fighting games that'll be making its way to the PS3 in the coming months, you might want to give one of these offerings from accessory-maker Hori some serious consideration. The Fighting Stick 3 is the less expensive of the two, running a reasonable 5,229 Yen ($45) and sporting a button layout that'll be familiar to anyone that's set foot in an arcade in the last fifteen years, as well as a rapid fire feature for those that need a little help. Taking things up a notch, the $70 Real Arcade Pro 3 will give you the same layout and features, but in a more arcade-authentic package. Both sticks will be available in Japan February 8th, just in time for the downloadable version of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection.
The DS holiday buyer's guide part 2: the casual player
After our first part in an attempt to help you introduce someone else into the wonderful world of handheld gaming, part two is aimed more at the casual type. Someone who already owns the system, maybe a game or two, and finds themself spending a few spare hours each week hitting the stylus. This part in our three part guide is aimed at helping them expand that small fascination. Read on for some thoughtful ideas on what to buy the casual gamer this holiday season!
PS3 rumble controller -- it's being considered... yay?
The title line really says all there is about the topic... but we'll go ahead and dig a little deeper. Let's set aside the countless Immersion Technologies lawsuits, the twisted quips from Sony execs, etc etc. What's going on inside the SIXAXIS? What's the plausibility of rumble? Hori, one of the best officially licensed PS2 peripheral providers in Japan, recently sat down with a Q&A session with Famitsu magazine to go over their plans with the PS3. When it came to rumble, Hori said about the idea: "We have some ideas. However, we'd need cooperation from software makers." This is exactly the point that gets breezed by many times -- it doesn't matter if a controller has rumble unless the software has the code in it to... well... make the rumble work. It's not the question of "if" a controller can have both rumble and tilt -- it definitely can. The question is "if" software makers will care to incorporate both tilt and rumble in their software. Hopefully, third party software companies will decide to work with a third party peripheral company to give us first rate rumblings. That worked out pretty well. 3 + 3 = 1 in my book, anyway.
Extendable stylus from Hori
You know, if you're anything like me, you should be locked up get a lot of hand cramps when trying to play Meteos or Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney for any kind of extended period of time. Most of this can be attributed to the small size of the stylus (some of us aren't lucky enough to have a DS Lite yet to enjoy its better stylus). So I was pretty psyched when I saw an extendable stylus that actually fits in the slot on the DS. In checking around to see if different types of stylus with this feature were available (I honestly couldn't find anywhere to purchase it at the original link), I came across this for the small sum of $2.99 US that also locks into the DS' slot. [Via Nintendo Gal]
