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Nintendo will stop repairing Wii consoles in March
Nintendo's Wii has had a phenomenal run since its 2006 launch, selling more than 101 million consoles across its seven-year lifespan. Now, years after it was supplanted by the Wii U and then the Switch, Nintendo is announcing that it'll no longer service damaged Wiis in Japan and will stop accepting new units on March 31st.
A look at the evolution of modern video game controllers
If anything's kept pace with how video games have changed over the years, it's how we interact with them. Our biggest touchpoint with virtual worlds is the gamepad and -- akin to how games themselves have evolved from simple 2D affairs into 100-hour-long labyrinths in three dimensions -- controllers have changed to accommodate that. What you'll find in the gallery below is a comprehensive look at gamepads from the past 30-plus years of gaming, including high points and missteps alike. [Image: Adafruit Industries/Flickr]
Nintendo releasing larger capacity Wii U GamePad battery in Japan
Nintendo is boosting the Wii U GamePad with an enhanced battery, announced for Japan today. The replacement battery stuffs in 2,500mAh, compared to the original 1,500mAh. That equates to 5 to 8 hours of charge, a good deal up on the 3 to 5 currently offered. The battery, which needs to be manually installed, is priced at ¥3,150 (around $31), and dated for July 25 in Japan. When approached, a Nintendo spokesperson told us today's reveal is specifically a "Japanese announcement," and that "all other territories will make announcements if relevant." So we'll have to wait and see if the battery's coming west. Also getting a power-up is the Wiimote, via a new fast-charging pack. Nintendo promises the pack, which includes a new battery, backplate, and charging stand, both charges the peripheral quicker and for longer. Wii and Wii U owners in Japan can buy the upgraded battery alone for ¥2,625 ($26), or get the whole pack for ¥4,200 ($41).
Nintendo Japan announces white 32GB Wii U, Wiimote quick charger
An official extended battery for its Wii U Gamepad isn't the only thing Nintendo Japan posted on its website tonight, as it also added a white option for the Wii U 32GB Premium set, a 30th Anniversary Luigi special edition 3DS XL and quick charging option for the Wiimote. Surveys surfaced earlier this year suggesting a fast charging option on the way for the Wiimote, and in Japan gamers will be able to add the accessory -- consisting of replacement battery / backplate and charging stand, pictured after the break -- starting July 13th for 4,200 yen ($41) , and 2,625 yen ($26) for the battery alone. That should allow not only faster charging, but also longer battery life than Wii gamers have been used to. July 13th is the same day the white Wii U premium will arrive as well, coming at the same price and packing the same accessories as the existing black 32GB console. Finally, Nintendo listed all the details for the special Luigi edition 3DS XL announced recently on Nintendo Direct. Of course, none of these are the games that even Iwata admits the Wii U needs, but a few more choices can't hurt, can they?
Philips uWand motion-sensing STB remote hands-on (video)
Philips brought its uWand motion-sensing set-top-box back to CES this year, and as we hadn't shown you the unit in action, we'd take a look and see what it promises. The company has just signed deals with Broadcom, Marvell and Intel to integrate its Wiimote-style controller into the trio's home-entertainment hardware. Playing with it for a few minutes, we were impressed by its accuracy, although gestures did take a little time to get used to. If you'd like to catch your humble narrator looking out of touch with a TV, watch the footage after the break.
YouTube app hits the play button on Wii today
Even though Nintendo is days away from launching its new console, that hasn't stopped the Wii from muscling in on the spotlight with new features. A free YouTube app has made its way onto the Wii today, the YouTube Blog has announced.Like other YouTube console apps users can access their accounts to view and manage saved playlists of cat videos as well as search for other cat-based videos they have somehow managed to miss. Technology is great, right? But it can be slow, as evidenced by the Wii getting a YouTube app in the year 2012.
Alternative Wii U controller design makes brief appearance on Twitter, goes into hiding
Excited for Nintendo's new tablet-esque controller? So are the kids in TT Games' QA department. An over-excited tester tweeted out an image of a slightly different Wii U slab than the one we laid hands on at E3 2011, teasing "look we what we have at work!" Answering the call does indeed reveal something worth looking at -- a somewhat wider looking Wii U slate featuring two full-sized analog sticks (as opposed to 3DS-like circle pads), a pair of unmarked button-like squares, and a new starboard home for the controller's plus and minus buttons. The tweet was summarily pulled, of course, but not before our friends at Joystiq nabbed a screenshot. Naturally, the rumor mill started right up, churning out speculation of developer specific slabs, early prototypes and late redesigns. The truth? We'll probably need to wait until E3 to find out, but we reached out to Nintendo for a comment all the same. We'll let you know if we hear anything more than the usual "Nintendo doesn't comment on rumors and speculation" line.
Nintendo patent application lends a look at Wii U's core technology, add-ons too
Little did we know that, just two months after we were trying the Wii U for ourselves, Nintendo was busy patenting nearly everything its unique game console would have to offer. A pair of just-published US Patent Office applications filed last August get into the nuts and bolts of how the controller and the legacy Wii remote will play with the new device. It's clear that the patent work had started before Nintendo had redesigned the main system -- the box at the center of the patents looks like the existing Wii -- but it does show the nitty-gritty of things we only saw at last year's Nintendo E3 keynote, such as the gun attachment or playing golf with a combination of the Wii U controller and the traditional Wiimote. Nintendo also gave itself some wiggle room on the controller's screen size: although the LCD is officially 6.2 inches across, the patent allows that it might be "5 inches or larger." We're wondering how much of the overall look and technology will survive through to the finished Wii U design's unveiling at this year's E3. For now, though, you can explore the patents yourself at the links below.
Epic Mickey 2 controllers invoke the power of the brush, are made for you and me
Do you like your M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E with a side of eXtreme? So do the developers at Junction Point, which is why a sequel to the mouse's first Epic is on its way. But the impending release of that title's not all grown-up Mouseketeers-cum-gamers have to look forward to, as two special WiiMote peripherals are also apparently on deck. Shown off at a preview event for Epic Mickey 2, the prototype accessories are made to mimic in-game "weapons," like Oswald's controller and Mickey's paintbrush. The designs aren't final, but as you'll see in the source below, they should make for an excellent addition to any diehard's Disneyana collection.
Look at these adorable Epic Mickey 2 Wii controller prototypes
You may not get HD graphics if you stick with the Wii for Epic Mickey 2, but you will have the opportunity to experience a more tactile verisimilitude. During a preview event for the sequel, Junction Point showed off prototypes for two new Nunchuk controllers based on in-game items.The first is an updated version of PDP's "Paintbrush Chuk" accessory, designed to mimic Mickey's paintbrush. The new version has the Epic Mickey 2 logo and a glowing blue paint blob at the end of the brush. The second, and inexplicably more desirable of the two, is a Nunchuk based on Oswald's remote device, silver and boxy. It's like a literal "Wii Remote" (except, of course, it's a Nunchuk attached to an existing Wii Remote).Being that these were both prototypes, and the game hadn't even technically been officially announced yet, there weren't any details to be had about pricing or availability. We'll keep you updated, because these silly controllers are fun.%Gallery-151326%
Developer pairs robot with gaming controllers for remote cat grooming, affection expression
You could take the time to make your cat feel loved. Or you could augment a robot to do it for you. Software engineer Taylor Veltrop has accomplished this by combining a 21-inch-tall Nao robot, a few Wiimotes, a Kinect sensor bar, a treadmill and a head-mounted display. The configuration, which represents about a year's work and several thousand dollars in parts, uses the Kinect and Wii remotes to control the robot's arms, the sensor bar and treadmill to provide movement and the head-mounted display to move the Nao's head and adjust its camera angle. This is still a work in progress, and doesn't include things like two-way audio, which Veltrop plans to implement using an integrated microphone and speakers. Click past the break for a video of robotic feline grooming action.
Nintendo looks to keep you warm, bundled even, with two more 3DS packages
So you've got a few folks on your holiday shopping list that just aren't Zelda fans. You can still spring for some Nintendo hardware with two more bundles due out December 4th. Inside, you'll find a pink Nintendo 3DS paired with your choice of nintendogs + cats: French Bulldog and New Friends or nintendogs + cats: Toy Poodle and New Friends. Both of the aforementioned bundles will set you back $169.99 -- the same cost of a lonely 3DS system purchased solo. If a pink handheld just isn't what you're after, you may opt for one of The Big N's other bundles already on shelves, including the Midnight Blue DSi XL. In need of a quick refresher before hitting the mall? Check out the PR below for a complete list of Nintendo's holiday package offerings.
Nintendo patent posits Wiimote touchpad extension, looks like plumbing schematic
This patent from Nintendo envisions how it could bring a touch interface to its Wiimotes through an (admittedly unwieldy-looking) controller extension. While the Wii U already looks set to bring touchscreen fun to all things big-screened and Nintendo-themed, this concept offers up touch functionality to existing Wiis through an infrared LED that picks up the location of your finger and transmits it periscope-style to the IR sensor on the Wiimote. If the screen remains untouched, the controller acts as normal -- or as normal as it can with that extra hardware heft.
Nintendo patents periscope-esque Wiimote touchpad attachment
A Nintendo patent shows that Nintendo is, or was, considering the graft of Wii U-like features onto the regular old Wiimote. The company applied for a patent for a device that adds a touch panel to the Wiimote, using an infrared LED and mirrors to feed info about the position of your finger into the Wiimote's IR sensor. The patent describes using it as a mouse pointer or a drawing interface. You know, touch panel stuff. The tech doesn't exactly emulate the WiiPad, as the touch panel is just for controls, and isn't a screen. It's unclear whether this is something Nintendo is planning for the future -- for enhancing Wiimotes for use on Wii U -- or if it's just an idea someone cooked up.
Linux kernel hits 3.1, adds support for NFC and Wiimotes
In May Linux finally saw the release of kernel version 3.0, an evolutionary update to the popular open-source platform that was nearly 15 years in the making. Today, version 3.1 is making its debut, once again primarily offering small tweaks like better support for Intel's Ivy Bridge and Cedar Trail chips and improved power management. But there are some new features getting baked in, including support for NFC and drivers for Wiimotes. The brave amongst you can download the sources from Git now (it hasn't been posted to Kernel.org just yet), but we suggest you hold out until your distro of choice releases an official update.
LG Smart TV goes on the charm offensive, appeals to Adobe developers
LG wants to bring the world of Adobe Flash to your living room. Yes, 2012's lineup of Smart TVs, theater systems and Blu-ray players are all set to arrive with support for both Flash Player and AIR 3, and the Korean manufacturer is keen to get developers signed up for its next-generation Smart TV SDK. The new software development kit will include a simplified dashboard, the ability to render 2D apps in 3D and even "console-quality gaming." Throw in Adobe's new Game Input API, and we could see tablets, joysticks and even LG-made smartphones used to control on-screen action. LG has informed us that these upgrades will be limited to next year's catalogue -- your 2011 purchases won't support the new software, and will have to make do with the slightly weedier Adobe Flash Lite. New Smart TVs will also be compatible with the Wiimote-esque Magic Motion Remote, bringing gesture-based awkwardness to menu selection.
SUFFER '11 farming robot plays a multitude of roles, takes commands via Wiimote (video)
So much for stereotypes, eh? The future of farming is being painted in a far different light here at NEXT Aarhus, where a team from the University of Southern Denmark brought in the largest Wiimote-controlled robot that we've ever seen. The heretofore unnamed beast (going by SUFFER '11 for the time being) is a farming-centric machine that's designed to take the load off of the landowners (while providing a bit of enjoyment all the while). Put simply, this modular bot can have various apparatuses swapped into its midsection -- one pop-in attachment could pick potatoes, while another could disperse pesticide, for example. There's even a module that'll enable it to detect rows and plow down the obvious routes, making it that much easier for farmers of the next millennium to take time off. Of course, the standout feature from our perspective was the inbuilt Bluetooth and WiFi, which allowed the demonstrator to operate the 'bot with a standard Wii remote. Per usual, the vid's after the break. %Gallery-131985%
Nintendo's Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword and golden Wiimote headed for November 20th release
It's hard to believe Link (read: you) has been saving Hyrule and the kidnap-prone Zelda for 25 long years. To commemorate this video gaming milestone, and its upcoming Skyward Sword installment, Nintendo's issuing a limited edition Fabergé egg. Alright, we kid, it's actually the golden Wii Remote Plus we told you about back at E3, except now we've got a release date and pricing. Hitting retailers' shelves on November 20th, gamers can opt for the golden remote bundle at $69.99, or the standalone game for $49.99. Although the swanky controller won't be sold separately, all initial units of both offerings will come with a gratis The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary Symphony Concert music CD. You can head past the break to check out the Big N's official presser.
Maker Faire pony has Wiimote-controlled indigestion, belches fire (video)
There's a good reason why My Little Pony wasn't marketed to boys. Shown off at the 2011 Maker Faire in Detroit, this animatronic, fire-breathing horsie got to spread a little heat thanks to the Louisville, KY-based modding duo, LVL1. The partially Wiimote-controlled mechanical filly is the result of the duo's Hackerspace efforts, and plans are already underway to loose this steed into the great, fully wireless open. Also on deck for the hot-mouthed stallion: a flame-spewing cabbage patch doll riding companion. How's that for a DIY-perversion of your precious 80s youth? Peep the full pyromania-tinged project after the break.
Wii Cyberbike gives you a workout, costs more than the system itself
We've seen this sort of preposterousness before from BigBen, and we're no closer to falling in love now than we were back in 2009. This behemoth allows you to get the full experience in the console's Cyber Cycling Sports title, and the feeling of actually accomplishing something in the process? A presumably marketable side effect. The updated Cyberbike Magnetic Edition is available in North America this time around, relying on -- surprise, surprise -- magnetic resistance to offer a costly workout for those under 286 pounds. This oversized peripheral is available now for $199.99 (bike and game combo), which puts it a bit too far above the cost of an actual console ($150) for us to consider giving it a shot. Plus, we've already committed to biking downtown for our eventual Wii U pickup -- and frankly, that's enough to cover our yearly workout quota.
