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Wii Power Gloves? Nope.
What's more useless: plastic shove-on attachments or boxing gloves with Wiimote pockets? We suppose those attachments are, but these 'un-official' Wii boxing gloves rank among the lamest of 3rd-party peripherals.Maybe if you have a tendency to fling your Wiimote the gloves are $22 well spent; then again, Wii Sports' boxing requires players to hold the Wiimote vertically. You won't be punching with these gloves on; you'll be knocking on doors. Awkward.A better Wii "Power Glove": Wii Remote Power Glove Hack[Via VideoGamesBlogger]
Wii to get original downloadable titles, 'Game Channel' possible
Remarks made by Hudson Entertainment director of marketing John Lee, during an interview with Game Informer, have sparked rumor that a 'Game Channel,' dealing in original downloadable titles, could be headed to Wii. Lee didn't make any specific implications, but did cleverly acknowledge that Nintendo had plans to distribute original downloadable games. When asked if Hudson had plans to do so, Lee claimed, "No," but added, "However, in the future, you should rephrase that question to: Are there any plans to launch original content on some downloadable service on the Wii, and you might get a different answer."CVG brought the issue up with Nintendo, which responded, "We cannot confirm at this time in what format the new content will be delivered, but in the future there will be original games available for download through the Wii Shop." While still unconfirmed, it's likely that Nintendo could launch a new Channel to further separate original games, once purchased from Wii Shop Channel, from Virtual Console fare. We also suspect that most of these new offerings will utilize the Wiimote (and Nunchuk) instead of the Classic Controller.
Rumor: Nintendo developing wireless nunchuk
Usually tips of this sort, submitted by readers, are quickly moved to our email's trash section. Without any definitive proof or even a photoshop picture (plus the grammatical errors the link exhibits), we count these pages of speculation as nothing more than a shallow attempt at receiving a link from our site. This time, however, the idea of a wireless nunchuk has a little more traction with us and the community.See, nothing would satisfy us more than a wireless nunchuk adapter. We've been thinking that from the very beginning since the Wiimote and nunchuk were both seen linked together. We can't be the only ones wishing for one of these?[Thanks Dennis!]
Today's hottest game video: World of Wiimote
Today's most-watched YouTube game video shows more Wiimote-as-PC-input-device goodness; the simple hack drives World of Warcraft with the Bluetooth Wiimote-and-Nunchuk combination. Yes, by visiting wiili.org, you, too can become an uber-dork. (The controller hack is rooted in geekdom, but using it for WoW pushes it far into dork territory). Or try using the Wiimote to drive R.C. cars, Roombas, or a home entertainment system if that's more your style.See the video after the break.
Metareview - Elebits
Back in May Elebits was showing signs of Katamari-like appeal. Seven months later the final product certainly stands out among Wii's early titles. A classic? Nah, but Elebits is one of the better available showcases of Wii's motion-driven potential; plus it dares to experiment with the WiiConnect24 service.If you've already plowed through Twilight Princess and surgery ain't your bag, Elebits should be a strong candidate for your attention, even if it's not a lasting experience. IGN (83/100) - "Elebits begins with a misstep in the form of a poorly presented storyline ... Once the game starts proper, though, Elebits shines ... The game dishes out a surprising level of hidden strategy, too, due in large to a clever balance between the electrified items in the stages and the ability of your capturing gun ... but the real stars of Elebits are the control and, of course, the physics ... This title is destined for sleeper status." GameSpot (75/100) - "Functionally [Elebits is] a first-person shooter for younger audiences ... You'll bust through the game's story mode in under six hours and fail maybe one or two stages during the entire course of the mode ... Though the game is simple, there's an oddly compelling quality to the action." Game Informer (70/100) - "[Elebits] taps into the same vein of quirky fun as titles like Katamari Damacy, but isn't as endearing ... With such a simple concept, it is really up to the control scheme and the Wii remote to salvage the experience, and it is only partly successful ... I couldn't shake the feeling that the game's big draw – total power over the surrounding world – will one day just be a small part of a much more involving and full-featured title...probably starring Jedi." See also: Joystiq hands-on: Elebits (Wii)
Wiimote is America's best-selling game accessory
NPD numbers are out for accessories in November, and big surprise -- Wii wins. Is there anything we're not winning these days? More than half of all console buyers picked up an extra controller; full sales numbers for the Wii weigh in at 476,000 for last month, and 270,000 Wiimotes were sold. Only 153,000 nunchuks sold, however. Looks like Wii Sports is multiplayer king for now (but what about the boxing?)Rolling in at second is the Xbox 360 controller, with 251,000, and the PS3's vaunted Sixaxis controller slides in near the bottom with only 98,000 controllers moving off the shelves. More people bought PS2 controllers than PS3. It's interesting to note that we don't even have the Wii Play/Wiimote bundle here in the States yet, and even so, Wiimotes are selling like crazy. Of course, extra controllers are necessary for some of the console's best moments, but it'll be interesting to see how many controllers sell when there's the bonus of a game for only a few dollars more.
It's the little things that grab you
Now that many of us have had the time to get friendly with our Wiis and maybe toss a Wiimote around here or there, let's take a moment to celebrate the little things the small details. In the frenzy of anticipating and buying and box-opening, sometimes we lose track of the details, the really fabulous things about a new console that begin to shine after a few days of serious gameplay. Fanboys that we are, we like to pull those details into the spotlight and coo over them whilst giving our European friends an idea of what's in store for them. Thus, after the jump we've listed a few of the little things that warm our fanboy hearts -- and we wanna hear what you love most about the Wii as well. Of course, not everything is always perfect ... so we might have a few little beefs as well ....
Look out: Wiimote attachments cluttering the closet
Not that this Hyrulian sword and shield combo is an authentic retail item, but the apparent mock-up could be foreshadowing an impending flood of first-party, third-party, and homebrewed attachments targeting Wii. What's to stop a campaign of branded plastic snap-on Link swords and Samus arm cannons from saturating the market; or Nerf-style racket and bat heads endorsed by superstar athletes?Cheap to produce, and when marketed correctly (e.g., exclusive 'Collector's Edition' material), the sort of trinkets the kiddies (and diehards) gotta have.[Via Aeropause]
Small town scores big Wii numbers
Chris McVeigh, one of our Canadian reader-moles, sent a detailed report about Wii sales in Bathurst, New Brunswick. McVeigh's small town of 15,000 is overflowing with Wii goodness; the local Wal-Mart stocked 96 Wii systems and is still long on remotes and nunchuks.While the store sold its Wii consoles by noon -- McVeigh got one without any camp-out -- his story reminds us to search for remotes and nunchuks in rural areas; those stores may still have stock. Road trip to Bathurst, anyone?[Thanks, Chris.]
Wii wins "best of what's new" from Popular Science
The Nintendo Wii, a stunning system aimed at totally immersing the player in the gaming experience like never seen before, has turned a few heads since its unveiling a few years ago at E3. Since then, through excellent first-hand impressions and a strong marketing campaign, the system has received quite the buzz. For good reason, as not only is the motion-sensitive controller just about the stuff dreams are made of, but a robust Virtual Console service holding some of the greatest in retro titles on an owner's system, allowing for play at any time is another feature not worth overlooking.Popular Science recently bestowed their award of Best of What's New 2006 on the Wii. They lauded its approach, of how the Wii took a step back from photo-realistic graphics and the raw processing power of its competition. Instead, they imagine the Wii as being the present reincarnation of gaming from old; a mixture of a simple control scheme and simple graphics, which together are sure to equal big fun.
Wii's Zelda charms non-gamer, Wii Sports, others fail
Wii was recently put to the test by the BBC's Rebecca Morelle, a self-proclaimed "videogame-phobe." Looks alone were winning Morelle over until she was handed a controller and clumsily gyrated herself into embarrassment playing WarioWare. A few rounds of Wii Sports didn't help -- the awkwardness only grew. After Trauma Center and Excite Truck the playtest had improved to just "so far, so OK." Enter: Twilight Princess. To Nintendo's surprise, it wasn't the disjointed inanity of WarioWare or the "swing away" nature of Wii Sports -- as Morelle notes, some just lack sporting ability -- that would win over the uninitiated. Instead, Morelle reveals that narrative lifted her veil of skepticism; a sense that her movements and the characters on screen were combining to create a coherent story. Nintendo should not underestimate the power of its key franchises to command emotional attachments (like, go easies on the party games, 'kay?). Marked by intuitive control, Wii might be (so-called) videogame-phobes' best shot at understanding these narratives that we hold so close to our hearts. [Thanks, Aisling]
Wii's 5 different ways to Metal Slug
Call it a bonus, call it a gimmick, but we're bound to see Wii games getting packed with wacky control schemes. First up Metal Slug Anthology, promising five nontraditional schemes in addition to GameCube controller support. We suppose it'll add some replay value, but some of these just look like annoyances: "Nunchuk Control Stick" - movement and fire controlled with Nunchuk; grenades tossed by flicking Wiimote "Tilt Wii Remote" - tilts control movement; d-pad "up" to jump (no nunchuk attached) "Wii Remote" - classic controls; flick to toss grenades (no nunchuk attached) "Arcade" - hold Wiimote vertical against surface (emulates joystick); nunchuk fires and jumps (flick it for grenades) "Nunchuk Only" - Nunchuk controls all (except weapon switch and alternate attack) [Via 1UP]
Wii unscrewed: inside the nunchuk
Nope. No stinkin' flux capacitor in here. Just a bunch of plastic and junk. Next!
UK preorders are a go
PC World, the self-styled "Largest Computer Superstore" for the UK (we're impressed) has started taking preorders for the Wii -- and they're offering a nice bundle pack. We hope to see similar offerings on this side of the Atlantic, because this is just too good to pass up. The basic console weighs in at £179.99, and there's an option for a Wii with a second controller (but no nunchuk) for £199.99. For those not too savvy with the conversion of currency, don't let those seemingly low numbers fool you -- our pals in the UK are paying nearly $400 in US dollars for the privilege of a console and a second Wiimote.And then there are the bundles. Super Monkey Ball seems to be the order of the day; it's included in two of the three bundle options on PC World's site. You can choose either Red Steel or Twilight Princess to offset your monkey mayhem, and both bundles include the second Wiimote, and all for £259.99, only sixty pounds more than the console plus extra controller. The third bundle includes Wario Ware: Smooth Moves and Need for Speed: Carbon, as well as the extra controller. PC World promises free delivery with any of these preorders (which is a nice bonus), but doesn't guarantee delivery at launch (which isn't nice at all). Keep us posted on other preorder packs and bonuses, and we'll compare and contrast.
Hardware pr0n: nunchuk undressed
If we had to equate the series of pictures for the Wii's nunchuk that are embedded into the post, after the break, to anything it would be Demi's dancing in Striptease. It has such lovely curves, we want to reach through our monitor and touch it. Our doctor says to not get so worked up, on account of the lack of nourishment caused from living (maybe you could call it living) in a dungeon, as well as the daily beatings, but we can't help it! We wants it! Our precious ...
Wii Play to include Wiimote?
We found your second Wiimote, guys. Play.com has Wii Play (Hajimete no Wii), a collection of minigames designed to show off the Wii's capabilities, listed as including a second controller (but maybe not a nunchuk). Think Wii Sports, but without bigheads. Or, y'know, sports. And hey, instead of being included with your console, it's included with your second Wiimote! So where's our Wii Ultimate Bundle that includes all this stuff for a premium? Since we're going to buy it anyway, if only to get all old school with Duck Hunt. [Thanks, Jules!]
Wii Sports disappears from preorder lists
With the Japanese Wii event only hours away, even old rumors are new again. There have been rumors about Wii Sports being bundled with the system for as long as we've known about the sports games set, and now those rumors are looking a lot more like facts. A reader tipped us off that Wii Sports disappeared as a preorder option from his local GameStop and we got to work. Though the title is still listed on the web sites (at an exorbitant price, natch) at GameStop and EBGames, our favorite EBGames employee confirmed that the title had disappeared from preorder lists ... and was quick to point out the upcoming Nintendo announcement. It was all very, how shall we say ... conspiratorial?To add fuel to the fire -- at GameStop, several of the other older Wii titles (like Red Steel) have box art images linked. Wii Sports does not. And everyone who is "friends with an insider" seems to be weighing in on the subject. One IGN forum poster claims Wii Sports will be bundled not only because it will sell the system, but to make up for the lack of the classic controller in the launch bundle. Now, we're not at all surprised by this. After all, Wii Sports seems to be one of the best ways to demonstrate the capabilities of the Wiimote for everyone, gamer or not. And Nintendo has relied heavily on Wii Sports in their marketing campaigns -- the Wii site is littered with images of happy groups of families and friends having fun with bighead sports. So it only makes sense. But stick around ... we hope to have all the info very soon![Thanks to TVGenius for originally tipping us off!]
Wiimote: past and present
The Wiire has gone ahead and done a nice little comparison piece between the Wiimote that was initially revealed and what the final product is shaping up to be. In discussing the addition of the speaker, as well as the significance of the nunchuk attachment, they break down why they these additions are needed and comment on Nintendo's progression with the controller.[Thanks Shawn!]
