riiflex
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Peripheral company 'Power Play' shares accessories that will never be
Power Play attempted to join the crowded Wiimote accessory market, and had designs on expanding to other consoles, with the intention of creating products of a higher quality than the usual cheap items -- "even if it meant a higher price point," according to Power Play CEO Paul Holcomb. The company's first release, the "Riiflex" dumbbells for Wii Remotes, came out in 2009. The Riiflex is an only child: Power Play shut down before any more products could be put out. According to Holcomb, "In the end, this proved to be the company's downfall because retailers and distributors gravitate towards cheap plastic novelties rather than high end products," due to the high margins of those cheap items. In addition, existing relationships between some peripheral companies, distributors, and retail buyers make it surprisingly hard to break into what seems like a wide-open market. Holcomb said that some companies are "joined at the hip" with distributors, and "entrenched in almost every major retail chain." Holcomb sent Joystiq designs for what were to be Power Play's future products, including adjustable Riiflex dumbbells designed by Holcomb himself, the "Riiflex Kick," designed by Creature and Enginuity Works, a step attachment for the Wii Balance Board that also included storage and acted as a carrying case, and some interesting iPhone controllers, including a gamepad designed by Greg Aper with assistance from Enginuity Works and a gun shell designed by Holcomb (which was intended either to interface with an iPad or iPod -- or include its own secondary screen!) Check our gallery to see the premium accessories that won't ever find their way onto or around your consoles or controllers.%Gallery-111881%
Riiflex Wiimote dumbbells cease being a joke, now on sale
You know, we were surprised these Wii Remote appendages actually made it to the pre-order stage way back in April of last year, a feeling which slowly dissipated as they failed to make it out to real retail. Until now. The 2lb / 1kg Riiflex sleeves for your Nintendo-approved wand are ready to purchase, starting at a cent under $30, though the 5lb variety promised earlier is yet to make an appearance -- perhaps it's become yet another victim of the harsh, cutthroat economics of the Wii peripheral business. Anyhow, if you wanna take your Wii Fitness to the next level, the source link will get the set of two to your door with free delivery, though it might be a bit late in helping you shape up for V day.
Want a weightier Wii experience? Try 'Riiflex'
In one of the most unexpectedly practical ideas to hit the world of ridiculous Wii accessories, Power Play Corporation has announced the upcoming release of "Riiflex," a set of dumbbells designed to fit the Wiimote and Nunchuk inside. Just making the controllers heavier allows you to turn normal waggling into a workout! This item was announced back in January, and now it's available for preorder at an unfortunately hefty $34.95 price for two-pound weights, or $39.95 for four-pound weights.The Wiimote attachment features a hole in the front for the pointer, and both the Wiimote and Nunchuk holders allow access to the triggers. Of course, most dumbbell training courses consist mostly of repetitive motions targeting specific muscle groups, and not just, uh, waving one arm around while holding the other one still, but we still think this is a neat idea. Especially when compared to other crummy Wiimote shells!%Gallery-49604%[Via Engadget]
Riiflex Wiimote weights up for pre-order
Look out, vulnerable televisions -- your worst nightmare is already up for pre-order. The two- and four-pound Riiflex Wiimote weights have escaped the "yeah right" stage and are now just months away from piercing all manners of living room fixtures. The pair (one for your Wiimote, one for your nunchuck) of two pounders will set you back $34.95, while the heftier ones run $5 more pet set. Wait, are you seriously considering these? Be honest.[Thanks, Jon]Update: Riiflex pinged us to say that pre-orders will get 30 percent off.
Wiimote weights, because you're a flabby mess of a gamer
At least, that's the thinking we imagine went on in the meeting when the concept of the riiflex was developed. And they surely don't get in the way of the buttons, as these 2- and 5-pound attachments promise "access to all Wii Remote functions." Well then, sign us up! While we're cutting down enemies in Santa Destroy, we can get totally ripped.Then there's the danger of adding pounds to your Wiimote. You know how there's always that person that gets a little too into bowling in Wii Sports? With this they're likely to throw a Wiimote through your TV, past the wall, and right into the neighbor's nice new car. Don't say we didn't warn you.[Via Engadget]
Riiflex Wiimote weights add extra mass, extra momentum
If you thought your flying Wiimotes weren't harmful enough stock, perhaps you'd like to add a little more inertia into the mix? Additional danger is probably not the idea behind Riiflex, snap-on weights for your controller that will come in 2- and 5-pound increments, but we think that will probably be the net result in many cases. After all, if a flimsy plastic Wiimote can pierce a television or mortally wound a small dog, what kind of damage could a 5-pound version inflict? We look forward to seeing pictures of the aftermath if and when these ever ship.
