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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)
The Wiimote drum machine
We're not going to cover every Wiimote hack that comes down the pipe (especially given the rate they now seem to be flooding in), but this one's just too good to pass up. Building on earlier Wiimote developments, Bob Somers took up the less practical but equally daunting task of turning the humble Wiimote into a one-handed air drumming machine. As the video after break clearly shows, Bob was not only successful, but able to bust out a decent tune as well, complete with 80's-style electronic drum sounds. What's not so clear, however, is whether you can use two Wiimotes for some full-on drumming action, though it would seem to be within the realm of possibility (assuming you can get your hands on second one). While Bob has made the necessary software freely available for download, it seems that (as of this writing) his site has been temporarily shut down by his hosting provider in the face of the barrage of Phil Collins wannabes. In the meantime, it looks like you're only options are to keep checking in or hope that a mirror pops up. [Via Joystiq]
Nintendo addresses Wiimote damage issues: sends eMail
In case you need it spelled out for you -- and some of you most certainly do -- Nintendo is now offering updated safety information for use of the Wii Remote. In a mass emailer titled "Important Safety Information for Playing Wii," Nintendo offers the following tips: "Wear the wrist strap when using the Wii Remote." Sure, as long as it doesn't break. "Do not let go of the remote during game play. For example, in a game like Wii Sports bowling, the ball is thrown by simply releasing the B Button on the remote, not by letting go of the remote!" You listening Tyler? Stay at least "three feet" away from the television and other objects. Ah, sorry, our bad Nintendo. Full text after the break.[Thanks, Michael F. and everyone who sent this in]
Today's hottest game video: Wiimote on Windows
Today's most-watched YouTube game video shows a Wiimote controlling a Windows PC mouse pointer. (Go here if you're looking for that other video.) The Bluetooth connection uses the freely available GlovePIE to make sense of the movements; download the software to try it out at home.We're excited about the hacking and modding cultural movement; it seems bigger than ever. Hats off to the Wiili guys and anyone else who adds unintended features to our consoles.See the video after the break.
Wiimote dangerous in novice hands
Like so many others this past Thursday, I used Thanksgiving to introduce Wii into the hands of family members. Then my mom introduced her backhand into my 8 year-old cousin's head. BOOM!Admittedly, I wasn't around to supervise witness the scene, but quickly responded to the explosion of sound. A gasp. A yelp. A thud -- batteries and cover striking the floor. The strap held; and I snatched up the Wiimote, still dangling from my mother's wrist.After applying an ice pack to my cousin's smarting head, mom recounted the incident: As she stepped into a backhand return, my cousin excitedly bounced forward anticipating the ball, her head just at the height of mom's strike. The collision was enough to snap off the prongs that hold the top of the battery cover, sending the cover and batteries flying, scattering across the hardwood. Thankfully, no long-term damage to report (unless you count mom's abrupt retirement from Wii Sports).It seems Nintendo has anticipated such misadventure, offering replacement battery covers (currently on back order) for purchase on its online store. Note to self: Mom owes me $1, plus shipping.See also:A Wii Thanksgiving test on the familyA Wii Thanksgiving test on the family: Part 2
Joystiq Cares: Proper Wii-mote usage
Following a recent post of a television becoming collateral damage in the console wars, we have received similar reports. Now is a good time to go over some basic Wii-mote concepts: Please make sure to always use the provided strap and adjust it to the size of your wrist. If your hands get profusely sweaty so to potentially cause slippage, there are non-surgical options available -- such as powder -- to keep your hands dry. The Wii-mote only requires semi-subtle movements to operate properly. Full-motion movement can only increase the probability of an incident. Don't Wii angry and don't Wii drunk! Every snapping incident we've heard of so far has been caused by loss of grip and unnecessary force. We hope these tips help save just one television or prevent a grandma's ashes from being knocked off the mantle place. Please Wii responsibly.
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]
There's a Wiimote in my pocket (Wii annoyance #005)
The Classic Controller hid the awkward lap placement shown on the packaging insertDangling from the end of the Classic Controller is the Wiimote. What are we supposed to do with this thing?Some have speculated that Nintendo will release a device (a separate purchase?) that will allow the Wiimote to be clipped to the back of the Classic Controller; however, this still wouldn't eliminate that pesky cable connecting the two controllers. For now, we're forced to rest the Wiimote awkwardly on our laps or stuff it into our pockets -- we suppose duct tape is an option too. Our advice: stick with GameCube's wireless Wavebird for all your Virtual Console needs (it's only about $10 more than the Classic Controller and it's more compatible to boot!).Wii delights vs. Wii annoyancesPS3 delights vs. PS3 annoyancesXbox 360 delights vs. Xbox 360 annoyances
Wii video madness -- how to play with the Wiimote
Aside from now wanting to eat the Wiimote, we enjoy playing with them too. There are three new Japanese commercials giving quick instructions on how to use the Wiimote in Wii Sports and Wario Ware: Smooth Moves. You won't understand what they are saying but the visuals help. Some of the brief displays given were golf, tennis, bowling (it's neat to hear the announcer pronounce it), pool, driving and balancing in Wario Ware among others. [Thanks HAZ!]
Wii: last minute rumors [update 1]
It's almost time, fanboys and girls, for the big announcement that is almost certain to bring us the launch details on the Wii. What does that mean for Wii Fanboy?Rumor roundup time! Yee-haw!After the jump, we not only bring you a rumor compendium, but we also offer the official (!) Wii Fanboy predictions on launch and release date.
PixArt to provide object tracking tech for Wii
Ever wonder who will be responsible for the motion sensing part of Nintendo's motion-sensing Wii remote? PixArt Imaging Corporation, "a market leader in CMOS sensor SoC (System-On-a-Chip) and related application semiconductors," has issued a press release announcing a strategic relationship to provide object-tracking technology to Nintendo:PixArt's Multi-Object Tracking™ engine (MOT sensor™) technology can track multiple objects in an unbelievably quick and responsive way. As a result, Nintendo can enable its new gaming controller to interact with people by tracking the movement of the Wii Remote. The playing experience will be unprecedented, exciting and easy, even for young children or older people who cannot operate the traditional gaming controllers. It's not clear from the release whether PixArt's tech will improve the performance of the remote or if this is what was used in the E3 demo units. God know there are plenty of people who can't operate traditional gaming controllers. Some of them write for this blog.
