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Nyko Wii Wands get a dash of color
Just as Nintendo finally decides to bring some of that noir goodness over to the US, Nyko pops up with no less than four new colorways for its Wand Wii remote. We're no anthropologists here, but we reckon one of these new options will do a lot better in sales than the other three. All the same, with Nintendo furnishing Japan with blue and pink Wiimotes, Nyko has played it safe and followed suit. These should be hitting Walmart right about now with an MSRP of $29.99, so look out for them at your next government-sponsored Wii bowl-a-thon. %Gallery-75714%
Nyko's 'Wand' controller easier to look at in different colors
Despite the interesting "Trans-Port" technology and the lower price, we'd have to say that the defining characteristic of the Nyko Wand is its ugliness. The four new colors for the device, in our opinion, help ameliorate that ugly factor. It could be because the red and blue buttons are gone in favor of a more monochrome look, or it could be because it's slightly harder to compare these to the stock Wiimote. These four color options will be available in North America and Europe this holiday season. They have already launched in Japan, along with many other colors. Nyko also announced the Charge Base IC, an induction charging dock that uses magnets to hold controllers in place, and also features a USB port for charging other items. %Gallery-70342%
Nyko drops price on Wand, ships controller bundles
Nyko announced today that its two Wand controller bundles, which include the company's weird-looking Wiimote and extension controllers, have shipped -- a bit late of the original June date, but at least they made it out before spring 2010. The Action Pak includes a Wand and a gun controller, which uses Nyko's "Trans-Port" function to include operable buttons on the gun itself (and not just a lever that hits the B button). The Core Pak includes a Nunchuk-alike with rumble.The company also announced that it has knocked five bucks off the price of the standalone Wand controller, now offering the device for $29.99. That seems like a boon to Wii owners in a hurry to acquire a full complement of four Wiimotes.
Nyko: Project Natal not a threat, but a 'challenge'
When Microsoft unveiled its controller-free camera technology dubbed Project Natal during E3 last week, you'd think that gaming peripheral makers might start asking President Obama for a bailout. But not so. At least not for Nyko. The manufacturer of third-party accessories, whose core business is unlicensed Wii products, doesn't see physical controllers going away anytime soon. In fact, Chris Arbogast, Nyko's director of marketing, has a hard time seeing casual gamers letting go of the Wii remote. "People in the casual market like feeling something physical to keep your hands aligned," he said. "When you grab the Wiimote and swing it, it feels like you're swinging a baseball bat, versus pantomining swinging a bat. I think that if you take all [the controllers] away and you're just pantomiming everything, there may be some disconnect with realism there." Obviously, working for Nyko, Arbogast has to stay positive. However, if Project Natal does take off, we wondered if the company has a Plan B. Arbogast said it might force Nyko to "think outside the box." "We'll have to think of other ways we can accessorize and augment the players' experience," he said. "Not with a controller anymore, but with other things to add to that camera functionality. It could be a whole new avenue of business that opens up for us because we'll be forced to challenge ourselves." Luckily for Nyko, Project Natal is probably a long ways off, with analysts saying it won't trump the Wii just yet. Until then, you can enjoy another innovation in camera technology: the Nyko DSi Zoom Case.
Well, Nyko's lost it
Guys, Nyko just sent over its line-up for E3 and well, unless they're giving us a little E3 humor (and trust us, we'd appreciate it) the entirety of the company is hopped up on goofballs. More than just out of ideas, Nyko seems to have sacrificed other good ideas on some sort of altar.The Charge Grip Flex for the PSP we get, it's a grip that charges. But the Type Pad Pro, a keyboard addition for the Nyko Wand? Nutty. And please, let's all just bask in the glow of the Zoom Case, a protective case for the DSi with a 8x zoom built in: You know, for all the serious photography you're doing with the DSi.See what we mean? Lost it.%Gallery-64806%
Nyko launches Type Pad Pro for Wii, gonzo Zoom Case for DSi
Oh, Nyko -- always keeping us on our toes. After showcasing the Wii Pistol Grip at CeBIT, the company is swinging big at E3 with a few new accessories. Starting things off is the abomination you see above, which sure looks an awful lot like some janky knockoff cellphone we peeked back in August. Officially, the Zoom Case for DSi protects your handheld and provides an 8x zoom for magnifying the external camera; never mind the fact that it makes your DSi infinitely less portable. Moving on, there's the Charge Grip Flex, a accessory for the PSP-2000 and PSP-3000 that sports a built-in rechargeable battery and a bonus gripping surface. For the Xbox 360, there's the SpeakerCom 360, which enables your parents to hear all those whining tweens brag in fantastically high tones about how they just "pwned you." Lastly, there's the Type Pad Pro for Wii, a wireless keypad (via USB) that makes typing in Opera or messaging your pals a heck of a lot simpler. Mum's the word on pricing and availability right now, but all that should change soon enough.
Nyko's Metal Pedal now available, includes splitter for double bass
click to enlarge Are you bored of only using one foot in your music games? Did you decide not to slap down the cash for a Guitar Hero: Metallica pre-order? If you answered yes to both of these question, then this post is for you! Nyko announced today that it has released its Metal Pedal, a replacement bass pedal that's compatible with all Rock Band and Guitar Hero drum kits on all platforms. Sure, the pedal's metal-plated construction should make it attractive to all the leadfoots out there, but there's another addition worth noting. The Metal Pedal comes with a splitter that allows players to hook up two bass pedals to either Rock Band or Guitar Hero drum kits. A quick note on compatibility: According to Nyko, the Metal Pedal splitter can be used with the standard bass pedal for Rock Band 2 or Guitar Hero drum kits. The splitter functionality does not work with Rock Band 1 drum kits. Keep in mind that this only applies to the splitter, the Metal Pedal by itself is still compatible with all existing Rock Band and Guitar Hero drum kits.The Metal Pedal is shipping now and will retail for $19.99.%Gallery-38538%
Video: Nyko Wand Wii remote flung wildly in Wii Bowling
While focused on little gizmos like the Palm Pre at CES, we somehow missed the opportunity to play with Nyko's Wiimote wannabe back in January. Thankfully, the peripheral company was on hand here in Germany with its full lineup, and we dropped in for a few snapshots as well as a hilarious visual demonstration of just how suitable this thing is at replacing bona fide Wiimotes. As you'll notice in the gallery below, Nintendo's version is just a smidgen taller while the Nyko edition sports a covered back that's easier to grip; outside of that, however, the two feel generally alike when held. It should be noted that the Nyko reps had outfitted the actual Wiimote with its backing in order to prevent any unwanted LCD shatterings, and hey, we can respect that. We also threw in a few shots of the Wii Wand strapped inside the now-ancient Perfect Shot gun holster -- for no other reason than to say we wielded a weapon on company time, really.%Gallery-46716%Update: Nyko pinged us to say that the gun we toyed with is actually the newer, more refined version of the Perfect Shot, or more specifically, the Pistol Grip attachment for the Wand. It'll be available this Spring in the Wand Action Pack.
Nyko reveals price, date, bundles for Wand controller
The Wand, Nyko's take on the Wiimote, has a feature unique enough to interest us despite the appearance of the thing (seriously, it wasn't just hit with the ugly stick, it is the ugly stick): its "Trans-Port" allows for extension controllers to have real, digital buttons of their own, instead of having to leave space for the Wiimote buttons or use levers to manually push them. The attachments also use their own rumble motors.Nyko has just announced the details of the Wand's release, revealing that it will be released on its own in April for $34.99, and in two bundles in June: the "Core Pak" and the "Action Pak." The $49.99 Action Pak contains one Wand and one Pistol Grip attachment, which has its own Trans-Port connector on the bottom for connection of additional Nyko accessories. It also features a hilarious orange cap, so people don't think the Wiimote is a real gun. The Core Pak includes a "Wired Kama with Rumble," a version of the Nunchuk with separate rumble motors. It will also be available for $49.99.Between the slightly reduced price and the improved functionality, we're starting to think about going all-Nyko with our Wii controllers. That seems ... wrong, somehow.%Gallery-41092%
Revolutionary: 3rd Party Control
Last week at CES, Nyko surprise announced their first entry into the 3rd party Wiimote market, the Wand. Though it has been beaten to market by a few other Wiimote clones, this may be the first Wii Remote you'll find encroaching on Nintendo's shelf space in your local game shop. We won't begin to speculate why no one else's products can be readily found in brick 'n' mortars, but we'll be grateful to finally have some choice. So far, this has been an unusual generation for controller-makers on all platforms. Microsoft doesn't license out its wireless technology, so 3rd party gamepads have to connect via USB. Sony's gyrating, vibrating, rechargeable DUALSHOCK 3 controllers may just be too complex for 3rd parties to replicate in full functionality when the userbase is too small to make a profit from. And the 3rd parties have seemed to be satisfied raking in the dough with non-essential add-ons and shells for Nintendo's own brand of controller. It does indeed come as a surprise that Nyko is now bringing out a Wiimote, and an enhanced one at that. Before we've had a chance to review the Wand, let's examine why its introduction has been long overdue.
CES 2009: There's yet more from Nyko
We showed off Nyko's big gun at CES, the Wand, already, but we thought you might like to take a look at their other CES offerings. Above, you can see the first of two new charging peripherals, the Charge Station EX. We know some of you aren't exactly burning through Wii batteries at the moment, but to those proud few, you'll want to consider the EX over the original Charge Station. Besides the same price point ($34.99) and a sleeker design, the EX also includes a progressive indicator to le you keep track of how the charge is going.In addition to the EX, the company's also showing off the Kama Charger, which, true to its name, charges the company's recently-out-of-legal-limbo wireless nunchuk and one Wiimote. If the concept still manages to elude you, you can check out a picture after the jump. There's still no price, but you'll learn it when both of these devices drop in April of this year.
CES 2009: Will Nyko's Wand work with MotionPlus?
We'd like to say one way or another, but when Joystiq stopped by Nyko's booth at CES yesterday to try out the Wiimote alternative, the rep couldn't commit. Nyko hopes the Wand will be compatible, but they're not ready to say one way or the other.On top of that, Joystiq offered up some general observations while testing out the Wand at Nyko's booth. You can check out the hands-on piece right here.%Gallery-41092%
CES 2009: Hands-on with Nyko's replacement Wiimote, The Wand
It's common knowledge that the Wii's third-party games generally pale in comparison to Nintendo's first-party efforts. But it seems as though that same observation will no longer be true about the system's controllers when Nyko rolls out its Wiimote replacement, The Wand, in April or May of this year. We took the controller for a spin (and a twist and a wave) earlier today at the company's CES booth.
CES 2009: Nyko's Wiimote imitator is lawsuit-proof
It's genius, really -- Nintendo sued Nyko for making the Kama Wireless Nunchuck too similar in design to Nintendo's own. But there is no way Nintendo would ever even suggest that Nyko's "Wand" looks at all like the Wiimote, out of respect for the Wiimote. Nyko has replaced the clean lines and muted color scheme of the Wiimote with an odd-shaped body, weird, jagged D-pad, and brightly-colored, square buttons. In addition to the garishness feature, the Wand has one rather cool ability: when connected to compatible extensions, Wiimote functions can be transferred to the extension. For example, their pistol grip for the Wand rumbles and has a real B button on the trigger, rather than a mechanical lever that pushes the Wiimote's B button -- not to mention that there's an A button on the back.They also introduced the Charge Station EX, a revision of the popular Charge Station that adds battery level indicators, and a Kama Charge Kit that includes a rechargeable Kama Wireless Nunchuck and a rechargeable battery pack for the Wiimote. Pictures of all of these new accessories are in our gallery! All are expected to be in US stores this April.%Gallery-41092%[Via press release]
Nyko brings Wand Wii remote, Charge Station EX and Kama Charge kit to CES
What would CES be without a little video gaming, huh? Thanks to Nyko, we won't ever have to find out (at least in 2009), as it's bringing a smattering of new Nintendo Wii accessories to the desert. Kicking things off right is the simply titled Wand, which is said to be the "world's most advanced alternative to the Wii remote." Aside from doing everything the Wiimote does, the April-bound device also features the firm's Trans-Port technology, which "enables control and vibration feedback to be electrically replicated on a compatible attachment accessory." Up next is the Charge Station EX ($34.99 this April), which improves upon its successor by adding a LED battery indicator and a "new sleek look." Finally, the Kama Charge Kit is an all-in-one charging solution while simultaneously stores and charges both the Wiimote and Kama controllers in one unit. All the fine print is hosted just after the break.
Nintendo and Nyko settle Nunchuk dispute peacefully
Nintendo and Nyko have finally come to an agreement over the Kama Wireless Nunchuck. Nintendo filed suit against the peripherals manufacturer back in June, claiming that the Kama imitated Nintendo's own Nunchuk too closely in form and shape.As part of the settlement agreement, Nyko will be allowed to continue selling the Kama, but in a redesigned form. Even before this announcement, Nyko changed the shape of the Kama to this weird ridged thing. Nyko will show a wired Kama controller and Wing Classic Controller at the 2009 CES."We are pleased to have resolved this dispute," NOA's Reggie Fils-Aime said in the very short press release announcing the settlement. "The Nunchuk and Wii brands are familiar to consumers worldwide, and Nintendo is dedicated to vigorous defense of those brands."
Nintendo, Nyko settle lawsuit over wireless nunchuks, Nyko agrees to stop hitting itself with ugly stick
After six months of what we can only imagine were pained, laborious negotiations, Nintendo and Nyko announced today that they've settled that lawsuit over Nyko's Kama wireless nunchuk controllers. No mention of how much Nyko had to pay up to make this all go away, but apparently the company's agreed to tweak the Kama's design to make it looks less like Ninty's original -- we'd say a good beginning exercise would be to try and figure out why anyone actually needs an off-color wireless nunchuk, and then going on from there.[Via Joystiq]
Nintendo settles lawsuit over Nyko's Kama
After what we imagine was a fairly one-sided legal battle (considering one of the parties has enough cash to resurrect Clarence Darrow), Nintendo has settled its lawsuit with Nyko over the wireless Kama nunchuk controller. No further details were provided, except to say Nyko would be allowed to continue to sell "a redesigned version" of the Kama.When asked why the suit was dropped, Nintendo spokesman Mario Mario said, "Well, we just didn't know where we were going to put any more money. ... I'm not joking. Look at my giant belly. I'm actually slim now, but the company makes me carry about a hundred grand in rolled-up 20s in my overalls. It's perverse."
Nyko's Metal Pedal adds weight to your gaming drum kits
Dry your eyes, drummer. We feel your sense of loss at the news that Rock Band 2 may not be getting its promised second kick pedal after all, ruling out proper reenactments of Lars' two-foot prowess (without a little modding). Now at least you can improve the quality of that one kicker you do have, replacing it with something a little more weighty. Nyko's aptly-named Metal Pedal, a bargain at $20, works with both Rock Band games as well as Guitar Hero: World Tour on all platforms, and is made of real metal to give a more authentic heft. No, nothing will feel quite like the real thing, but it's surely better than that cracked hunk of plastic you've been meaning to send back to Harmonix for months.
Nyko's 'Metal Pedal' for RB and GHWT takes licking, keeps kicking
click to enlarge Have you be cursed with the world's heaviest feet? Do you leave footprints in concrete? Do you go through Rock Band or Guitar Hero bass pedals like tissue paper? If you answered yes to the third question, Nyko has your solution, the Metal Pedal. The pedal is compatible with Guitar Hero: World Tour as well as both the original Rock Band and Rock Band 2 and is metal plated to stand up to your torturous kicking. Unfortunately, the Metal Pedal isn't hitting stores until January 2009, so you'll have to wait a bit before you can fork over the $20 price tag. Of course, as Joystiq notes, you could always try the DIY alternative, the Pedal Metal.Now, if you answered yes to the first two questions, well, you're on the wrong website. Sorry.[Via Joystiq] Gallery: Nyko Metal Pedal
