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Take-Two sells Joytech to MadCatz
As we were making fun of Joytech for some of their more offensive accessory offerings, we bet that you had no idea the company was actually a subsidiary of Take-Two. Well, that's your fact for the day, a new wrinkle for your brain. ... Ooh, actually, wait, you need to go ahead and forget that fact. Take-Two announced today that they just sold the whole thing to Mad Catz.Take-Two says that divesting themselves of Joytech is all part of a plan to focus on its core publishing business. We don't know if it's a financial help, but we know that Take-Two is probably better off spiritually without Joytech in its midst.
Joytech's Sharp Shooter looks like Wii Blaster, but isn't
So while Wii fans wait around for the promised "Zapper Style" Wiimote shell (a.k.a. "The Blaster"), peripherals big shot Joytech has snuck onto the scene with a similar product called the Sharp Shooter. The lack of details on Joytech's site means all we know is that "the Sharp Shooter brings Wii shooting games to life with amazing realism," though how the contraption actually pulls this off is still somewhat of a mystery. No word on price or release dates either, but we can comfort ourselves in knowing that when the Shooter does hit shelves, it will work on "ALL TV's and displays" (emphasis theirs, not ours).[Via Joystiq]
Hey Wii Blaster, meet Joytech's Sharp Shooter
As we wait to see the final model of Nintendo's Wii Blaster, peripheral manufacturer Joytech is showing off the Sharp Shooter. The Sharp Shooter combines the nunchuk with the Wiimote. No word yet if this is the same method the Wii Blaster will use to form the gun, but it does raise questions about the two unit's accelerometers interfering with each other.We have absolutely no idea if this is meant to be competition for the Wii Blaster or is just some strange thing for ... well, we can't figure out what game it would be useful in. Guess we'll just have to wait and see the Wii Blaster to help explain our Sharp Shooter questions. No word on release date or cost for the Sharp Shooter.[Via WiiFanboy]
Wiimote and nunchuk form like Voltron
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gaming_news/Wiimote_and_nunchuk_form_like_Voltron'; While one could just go ahead and mod their Wiimote into a gun, Joytech is set to offer gamers a less permanent solution for their needs. Dubbed the Sharp Shooter, this little thingamabob allows one to take their Wiimote and nunchuk, confine them into this gun-like apparatus and then go ahead and play shooters or FPS titles in that way. No word on when it's going to release as of right now.We think reader BPMΩ said it best when he questioned how confining the nunchuk and Wiimote together into this thing would affect the accelerometer in both once they're essentially bundled together. It's a good point, one that is strong enough to probably break the sale for us. Then again, they could send us one to review ....[Thanks, BPMΩ!]
Don't want that extra space heater? Cooling fans can help
If your George Foreman Taco black mirror Spider-Man device is getting a little too warm for your comfort (possibly heating up your room a teensy little bit), then you might want to look into some cooling options. One option is to stick a small fan behind the system, set it on high, and hope that you don't make a tornado or something. Another option is to set your PS3 by an open window with a crisp breeze -- the danger there should be obvious. Or, you could pre-order this fancy cooling fan doo-dad from Joytech.The features of this device, attached to the rear of your PS3, are: "Heat Diffusion System" draws heat away from console 'Silent-Running' design for quiet operation during play Prevents potentially dangerous overheating during sustained use Never used one of these things before, but then again, rarely has playtime exceeded a few hours at once. Exceptions: whenever a new RPG is purchased. If it's good, then wave goodbye to the weekend. Oh, like Fire Emblem for the GameCube -- that was pretty addicting. Smashed through that in three days. Luckily, it was summer and I had nothing to do. Anyone here got any good "all-day-game" stories? I've got more, but I'll spare you unless you ask.
Nyko Wii-charge station now available
We've been waiting a while for this Wii-charge station to save us from the Wiimotes vampiric treatment of batteries and now she's out. Nyko's charge station is currently a Gamestop exclusive and will be available at other retailers mid-April. Apparently this is a good deal for Gamestop because currently the item is on back order online and isn't in stock with the random selection of stores we contacted.We attempted to find out from Mad Catz and Joytech when their charge station will be out, but we haven't received word from either company. For right now it looks like Nyko can roll around in their mountains of cash, happy in the knowledge that they have pwned the market. All we can say is that the Nyko recharge station does exactly what it's supposed to. The NiMH batteries stay charged as long as they find their way back to the cradle every few days and the rubber backing is a nice touch. The Wiimotes now have a nice little home instead of lying about. The station retails for $29.99 and if you're a consistent Wii user, you've paid that much in batteries already. No word yet of a first-party Nintendo charge station.
Wii-chargable batt....no. No, never mind.
If you're like us, you've essentially forestalled any and all social responsibilities as of November 19th, 2006. That also means that, if you're like us, you've spent an additional bazillion dollars on those accursed double-A alkaline batteries. Where, Nintendo, are our rechargeables?Well, it seems as if Nintendo won't man up and get the job done, another company is gonna step up to the plate. Joytech, perpetual manufacturer of all things accessory, will release a recharging/docking station for two Wiimotes sometime early next year. Just insert the included rechargeable pack into the Wiimote, and place them into the vertical dock ... we prefer to think of them as thrones of power ... and you'll be ready for another 25ish hours of gaming.It's about time.
Rechargeable Wii Remote batteries and dock in 2007
Joytech is preparing a Wii Remote docking station with built-in charger for an early 2007 release. While we could care less about the company's plastic rackets -- although the second definition of "racket" is fitting -- we're interested in this disposable-battery replacement.We expected Nintendo to release this sort of charger, but if it works, we don't care who makes it. Joytech gives you rechargeable batteries and replacement covers for two Remotes. Nestle a controller into the dock, and it will lap up delicious electrons. While the design isn't perfect -- the pull-out claws that hold the Nunchuks look useless -- the $39 charger may be able to draw power from the Wii's USB port, saving an outlet in our rat's nest of power cables.[Via Engadget]
JoyTech announces Wii PowerStation to keep your Wiimotes juiced
JoyTech's no stranger to the Wii accessory scene, and the firm is hitting us up once more with its Wii PowerStation. As the title implies, this docking unit can safely house two Hattori Hanzo swords potentially dangerous Wiimotes, and comes stocked with twin rechargeable battery packs to save you those late night trips to the battery department. Additionally, there's a pull-out cradle on each side to place your nunchuck, and while there's nothing to prove (or disprove) the theory, it looks as if the charging station can receive power from any USB port. So if the days on end of Wii Sportin' it are chewing through the Engergizers at an unacceptable rate, you can pick this up in late January for £19.97 ($39).[Via VideoGamesBlogger, thanks Mark]
JoyTech planning bevy of Wiimote add-ons: the onslaught begins
With a controller as add-on-friendly as Nintendo's Wiimote, we knew it was just a matter of time before peripheral makers everywhere hopped on the sure-to-be-overcrowded bandwagon of completely unnecessary adornments. That sleek, handheld device we once knew and loved will soon become the literal center of attention if JoyTech's smorgasbord of accessories gets ahold of it. While we knew a steering wheel contraption was coming down the pike, it looks like JoyTech is beating everyone else to the punch by unveiling a slew of Wiicessories that are supposed to "enhance your gameplay," but stand a good chance of just adding unwanted girth. Nevertheless, we know the firm is pumping out a racing grip, golf grip, and racket grip to help hone your Wii Sports skills, while offering up Wii Silicon Gloves in a range of colors to presumably prevent the awful scenario only known as butterfingers from happening in your living room. Lastly, the Wii Power Station boasts dual battery packs, recharging ports, and a retractable cable to store your Nunchuck. While we've no idea how much money you'll end up pouring into that fanciful controller, you can find these hanging around Wii displays shortly after tomorrow night's launch.[Via Joystiq]
Catering to your horizontal style needs
As with any new console, third parties have begun their attempt to flood the market with silly accessories and "conveniences" for proud new Wii owners. Accessories are probably the single most profitable category (in terms of return on investment) in the video game industry, and big names like Pelican and MadCatz always come to the forefront.JoyTech, however, are the culprits of the latest accessorization, and most of it is absolute crap. Though we believe the particular accessory shown above, the Wii Controller Grip, will make any horizontal style games a bit more comfortable, some of the nonsense like Wii Sports Pack is the lowest of the low. Follow the link at your own risk ... cheap third-party crap resides therein.
JoyTech's LCD makes your Xbox 360 portable -- or something
Yeah, we've seen plenty of LCDs haphazardly attached to about every recent console out there in hopes of creating a portable system of sorts, but we're not sure they've ever looked quite as ridiculous as this 9.2-incher from JoyTech. Sure, 9.2-inches is a decent bit of display as far as these setups go, and the 800 x 480 widescreen resolution is welcome, but with as hot as the 360 gets already, we don't think it'll take very kindly to having its side vents sealed off by a hunk of plastic. We also can't imagine this thing riding on your lap while you game in the backseat of your next roadtrip, but it doesn't look like even JoyTech would presume that, and instead probably hope to squeeze this into a few tight dorm rooms that would otherwise resign to being entries in Xbox 360 Fanboy's most pathetic 360 setup contest.[Via Xbox 360 Fanboy]
