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Wii Fanboy hands-on: Nyko Kama wireless nunchuk
When we received our Nyko Kama wireless nunchuk, we thought about what games would be the most appropriate to use the nunchuk with. As such, pretty much all of our games qualified as good candidates, so we went with Super Mario Galaxy, No More Heroes and Wii Sports. How did the Kama stack up against Nintendo's nunchuk? Read on to find out!%Gallery-21332%
The Mario Kart Wii controller showdown
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo/The_definitive_Mario_Kart_Wii_controller_showdown'; There are five ways to handle your racer in Mario Kart Wii: Wii Remote solo, Wii Remote embedded in Wii Wheel, Wii Remote with Nunchuk, Classic Controller, and GameCube controller. But, removing all other variables, which control method is the best? Are there really limitations to not using the Wii Wheel? We decided to pull out the ever-trusty "scientific method" and determine, once and for all, the best kart controller.
A rainbow of Nunchuks [Update]
A fairly dreary, rubbish "rainbow," admittedly, but a rainbow of sorts. These 'chuks are all part of Nyko's new Kama range of wireless nunchuks, and are classified as gray, black, pink, and gold (the one on the right, apparently). They also happen to be limited edition, and that's probably why Nyko is happy to charge us $35 per nunchuk, a considerable mark-up on the $20 you'd pay for a standard wired Nunchuck (how passé!). The gray ones are up for sale now (there's 300 of them to go round), and the other colors will follow in the coming days (the black and gold are the rarest, numbering only 150). Nyko already has a wireless nunchuck out on the market previously released a wireless Nunchuck adapter, so we don't doubt that these would also do the job nicely. However, unlike the adapter, this is a standalone wireless Nunchuck. No messy cords to bundle up. But $35 for a peripheral that will clash with our lovely white Wiimotes? We'll pass on this one.%Gallery-21332%[Via Siliconera][Update: Update: Corrected a few errors in the article. $35 is the standard price for all of Nyko's Kama wireless nunchucks: the limited edition Kama line of nunchucks cost the same as Nyko's standard Kama Wireless Nunchucks soon to be released.]
Wiimote cufflinks, for the Wii owner who has everything
"For those times that you are away from your beloved gaming system, at least you can pretend to be fighting your evil nemesis, Gargamel."Rather than referencing the arch-nemesis of the Smurfs, we presume the folks at Cufflinks.com actually meant to say Ganon. Still, we'll forgive them the odd error, because hey, these sterling silver Wiimote cufflinks are pretty much the dapperest accessories we've ever seen for Wii lovers. They're fully reversible thanks to the tiny silver nunchuk on the end, and are just about discreet enough for your next wedding/awards ceremony/court appearance.But before you reach for your wallet, know this: at $150, they're not that much cheaper than a Wii itself.[Via Engadget]
Shadowbane dev studio to create MMO for the Wii
Here's a weird Venn diagram for you: those of you who remember Shadowbane with fondness and also love the Nintendo Wii will be totally excited about this piece of news. Stray Bullet, the Austin, Texas MMO developer, have announced that they're working on a new MMO. At the same time, they've posted a few openings on Gamasutra's JobSeeker board, one for a Senior Programmer for an un-named Wii project, and the other for a Gameplay Programmer for an MMO project. Neither posting mentions the other, but chances are, they're for the same project. Really, there's no bad time for wild speculation, so let's get the ball rolling! We're envisioning, obviously enough, actual hack and slash combat with the nunchuk and wiimote. Maybe crafting might take on a whole new dimension with the use of the motion-sensing abilities of the Wii. Maybe it'll be a massively Mii experience! Whatever's coming down the pike, we'll keep our ears to the ground for more info. With this on the way, can the Animal Crossing MMO be far behind? Hey ... what're the odds that this is the Animal Crossing MMO?
Europe to get Opoona this July
The dearth of top-notch Wii RPGs meant there was a quite a bit riding on Opoona, which Koei has just confirmed will be coming to Europe in July.Sadly, some damning reviews of the game upon its North American release proved to be the thumbtack to our lovely, shiny balloon of hope, but if you absolutely must play an RPG on your Wii (and have some bizarre aversion to purchasing the masterful Phantasy Star II from the Virtual Console), then you could probably do worse than Koei's nunchuk-only "lifestyle RPG."%Gallery-15530%[Via press release]
Friday Video: Nunchuk camera hack
This one is fairly old, but pretty darn good. Well, good if you like robots. And nunchuks. Odds are if you're reading this site, you do. Success!Anyway, the video may be lacking in the "how to do this" area, but it is certainly not lacking that cool factor. We can imagine a million different uses for a robotic camera such as this. Let us list a few: Finding loose snack chips that fell behind the sofa Powerpoint presentations (just attach a pointer to the camera's head) Spying on your ex-girlfriend or boyfriend Creating your very own Roboquad [Via Hack A Day]
Wii: The bad and the ugly
Even Wii lovers can find a few things to complain about, but let's be real here -- if you're going to complain, make sure your beef is accurate (and worth writing home about). Chad Sapieha of the Globe and Mail's Controller Freak blog seems to disagree with that, however. While we have to offer up kudos over the fact that he spread the anti-love around evenly among all three current-generation consoles in his recent post of hate, we still take issue with some of his Wii complaints. His first complaint about the Wii is that it isn't as cheap as it appears. In order to play the best multiplayer games on the system, he says, within the comfort of your home with friends, you have to buy three more controllers and three nunchuks. To support this, he uses the examples of Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Wii Sports. However, you don't need four nunchuks for the latter unless you feel like building a rounded tower, and the only game that even requires four Wii remotes is four-player tennis. As for Brawl, it seems likely to us that most Wii owners who have picked up Brawl have a GameCube controller or two lying around, and since that seems to be the preferred way to play anyway, that certainly cuts down the expense. Next he mentions the required investment of a 4 GB card for "avid downloaders," but we're of the opinion that "avid downloaders" who are strapped for cash might just do what Nintendo recommends, and download, delete, and re-download at need. We're not saying the Wii's storage system is without problem, but a 4 GB card is hardly a must.Sapieha's other complaints strike chords, however, even if one is the most rehashed complaint of all: friend codes. His other issue? The lack of demos for Virtual Console games. While we agree that demos would be awesome, there's no shortage of videos of Virtual Console games available. Not only can you get them on Nintendo's official site, but you can see 'em right here, too. It may not be as good as a demo, but it's better than nothing.The point? If these are the worst things we can find to complain about, Wii owners are doing okay.
Reminder: Last day for Nyko accessories
Today is it, the end of our latest giveaway. When the clock strikes midnight tonight (Eastern Time), we will stop accepting entries and begin the long and painful process of selecting a winner. So head on over to the original contest post and read up on how you too can enter for a chance at these three Nyko peripherals.Good luck!
Now Brits can Zap troublesome cords
Do wires make your life a living hell? Okay, so probably not, but if you are a bit tired of playing games with your Wii Remote tethered to a nunchuk, then peripheral manufacturer Zappies has a solution for you: its new Nunchuk Wireless Kit."But Greenhough, you deluded oaf," I hear you cry, "Such a device is already available, thanks to Nyko's very fine Wireless Nunchuk." You're absolutely correct, dear reader, but here's the thing: according to Amazon, Nyko's own wireless wonder doesn't release in the UK until May 25th, where it will sell for around £26. Conversely, Zappies' device is available in Britain (and only Britain) right here, right now for a more reasonable £20.It works in much the same way as Nyko's model, with a wireless receiver that snaps into the bottom of your Wii Remote, and wireless housing for your Nunchuk and its obtrusive cord. Oh, and you'll get 20 hours from 2 AAA batteries. The only thing it lacks? The Wii Fanboy seal of approval.[Via press release]
Metareview: Opoona
In last week's bevy of releases beginning with 'O,' one title stood as a shining beacon of hope ... rather, we shined a beacon of hope on it, crossing our fingers that the quirky Opoona might rise from the ashes of its lackluster Japanese reception as a worthwhile title. Instead, it looks like the nunchuk-controlled RPG is destined for the annals of mediocrity. Alas, poor Opoona, we hardly knew ye.Games Radar: 60% -- Ultimately, the tedium seemed to get in the way of the game's best qualities. "The already threadbare plot comes to a grinding halt every time you have to take a 10 minute detour over to the ol' licensing office and get your job level increased. The incredibly inefficient city design is unnecessarily confusing as well, adding even more time to your errands. It's extra frustrating that you have a wireless PDA device that constantly downloads new data and could just as easily receive the job/license info while you're out doing the quests ... Give credit to Opoona for trying to wedge a lot of new ideas into its paper thin premise, but the half baked 'lifestyle' elements can't hide the fact that it's a very simplistic and ultimately uninteresting RPG."1UP: 50% -- Like so many titles, fascinating, but flawed. "Despite its good looks, Opoona really stumbles in its localization. The game's English translation is rough and lifeless, with multiple typos and characters that barely sound different from one another, not to mention out-and-out confusion when NPCs say things like "head to that door" when there are multiple doors in a room -- confusion like that unnecessarily slows down progress.Opoona's heart is undeniably in the right place. As an RPG, it's pretty standard, yet it manages to be just plain comforting thanks to its quirky looks and sounds -- and even its easy one-handed control option. The game only really stresses you out when you're figuring out what job to do next and where to go, but once you clear those barriers -- and don't always expect grandeur -- it's not a bad trip."Nintendo Power: 70% -- The Nintendo mag found unrealized potential. "While Opoona boasts nice backgrounds and music, and is fundamentally solid, it's definitely rough around the edges ... These flaws, fortunately, don't ruin the game, but don't expect something with a lot of polish."%Gallery-15530%
Wii Fanswag: Wireless nunchuk, Perfect Shot and Frontman guitar
Perhaps you caught our review of both the wireless nunchuk adapter and Perfect Shot? Why no Frontman love? Well, we're busy bloggers and we just couldn't get around to it. The giveaway machine needs to keep chugging along, though, so we're unloading the unopened Frontman peripheral (valued at $60) along with the nunchuk adapter (valued at $20) and Perfect Shot (valued at $15), onto one lucky reader!What do you have to do to get in on this? Just leave a comment telling us why you deserve to win and that's it! Simple, right? We keep telling you we like it simple! Protip: you can enter once each day and must be a current, legal resident of the United States or Canada (excluding Quebec). The giveaway begins as of right now.When does your chance to enter end? 11:59PM ET on Sunday, April 6th 2008. Get your comments in before then and we'll select our winner come the following day. For a full and very complete list of rules, click here. Good luck to you all!
Nyko's wireless Wii nunchuk adapter hits the FCC, itself with the ugly stick
No matter how we might try and stop it, Nyko's wireless Wii nunchuk adapter / abomination ceaselessly advances upon the unsuspecting American consumer, stopping at nothing to ruin the delicate aesthetics of the Wii controllers and pump us full of even more unnecessary RF. The adapter and its receiver have just hit the FCC, and our nation's government has managed to use every ounce of photographic skill at its disposal to render these mutant hunks of plastic in as flattering a light as possible -- just look at that stained blue backdrop. Seriously, is anyone going to drop $20 on this thing? Isn't that money better spent on games? Explain yourself in comments, in ten words or less.[Thanks, Mickel]Read - Wireless adapterRead - Receiver
Wii Warm Up: Accessories
There are a lot of different Wii accessories out there. You've got recharge docks, light gun shells and wireless nunchuk adapters, just to name a few. There are plenty of accessories available for Wii gamers to plunk down cash for.So what accessories do you have? Do you own a Classic Controller? Plan on loving the Wii Wheel or Balance Board when they release? Tell us about your accessories or what accessories you have an eye on!
Wii Fanboy Review: Nyko's wireless nunchuk adapter [update]
When I heard that Nyko was going to manufacture a wireless adapter for the nunchuk, I was pretty happy. Any chance I can take to eliminate needless wires in my life is something I definitely look to do. So when Nyko said they'd send me a wireless nunchuk adapter for review, I leaped at the opportunity.%Gallery-18213%
Wii Fanboy poll: Best way to play Brawl?
So, you've had more than 24 hours to play Brawl. You've unlocked several characters, took the fight online and probably spent some time gawking at your trophies. But, the real question lurking in the back of many a fanboy's (and fangirl's) mind is: which control scheme is the best to go with?%Gallery-3347%
Oodles of Opoona
Someone really wants to make sure you're not forgetting about poor little Opoona, the nunchuk-controlled RPG set for release later this month. To that end, a sudden burst of videos seems to have appeared, demonstrating everything from the battles to the futuristic world of the rotund protagonist. And frankly, we're pleased that we're getting to see so much of the title. Let's hope Opoona has a chance out of the gate this time, though with Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the horizon, we're a little worried about every other game releasing this month (and maybe next!).Head past the break for a few more tantalizing video snippets.%Gallery-15530%
DIY Zapper made out of mystery material [update]
Update: Apparently, this was some sort of contest regarding homemade Zappers in Chile. You can see all of the entrants here.Scotch tape? Newspaper? A combination of both?Hey, we're all for the Zapper mods around here, but we don't like them so much when we have to figure out what they're exactly made of. On top of that, this thing is just ... well, it's ugly. Other DIY solutions at least had some semblance of being something you could actually look at. This just looks like a garbled mess of paper, scotch tape and cardboard. We'll give the folks responsible an "A" for effort, though. Anything to save twenty bucks, amirite?If you have a DIY Zapper you created or stumbled upon while surfing the vast ocean of tubes that is the internet, drop us a line. We like to hear about these kinds of things.[Via Go Nintendo]
The uber compassionate One-handed Wiimote mod
A wide majority of gamers don't have to worry about the logistics of actually interacting with their video games of choice -- the simplicity of picking up a controller and playing a game is the main draw of home consoles. However, gamers who suffer from certain physical handicaps are often not in the minds of console and controller designers, often excluding them with peripherals they may find difficult to use. Luckily, the Earth's got people like Ryan Culy.Culy designed the pictured Wii Remote/Nunchuk hybrid with one of his friends, who had lost most of his left arm, in mind. By moving the C and Z buttons from the 'Chuk to the Wiimote, and by detaching the joystick and motion sensor so that they could be controlled by an elbow, the two peripherals can now be used with one arm. It's a very kind gesture from Culy -- one we hope will inspire future console and peripheral designers to keep gamers of all shapes and sizes in mind when they create their products.
First early footage of Samba de Amigo for Wii
Since it was revealed months ago, rhythm gamers have wondered what Samba de Amigo for the Wii would actually look like in action. Now that Dutch site SegaOnline has put up what's reportedly the first footage from an early build of the game, it turns out that the Wii version looks ... a lot like the Dreamcast version.While the return of the game's signature aesthetic and gameplay is inspiring, the actual controls displayed on the video are much less so. The below footage shows the on-screen "maraca" location sensor jumping around like a Mexican bean as the player shakes it up. A rough translation of the site's report even goes so far as to say that "this version is not even equipped with good control." Here's hoping Gearbox can fix that, er, minor problem by the time the game sees eventual release.
