Zapper
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Nintendo teaching people how to use the Zapper
Maybe it's just us, but if we were writing a tutorial for the Wii Zapper, it would go something like this: Attach Wiimote. Aim. Pull trigger. Then again, perhaps we're underestimating the complexity of the peripheral, because if you saw the guide Nintendo has posted on its website to assembling and using the add-on, it would be easy to believe that the Zapper contains many deep, convoluted mysteries. Surely even the greenest gamer can't struggle to understand the concept?[Via Punch Jump]
Fanswag: and the Zapper + Umbrella Chronicles winner is ...
Our latest giveaway has come to a close and a winner has been crowned. In spinning the big wheel of random selection, we've chosen the 522nd comment as the winning entry. Just who was behind that 522nd comment? It was none other than: Lam, who thinks everything compared to Duck Hunt sucked Congratulations go out to Lam, who will no doubt enjoy the prize. To the rest of you, better luck next time and thanks for reading Wii Fanboy!
LEGO Wii Zapper puts old blocks to good use
What better way to complement your LEGO-fied Wii than to build a LEGO-based Zapper holster for your Wiimote? mrklaw managed to do just that with a colorful assortment of old blocks, and yes, he even left an opening in the rear for the nunchuck. There's also a finely crafted trigger depressor that mashes in the B button underneath, but we've no idea how well this thing would hold together after hours of flailing around while trying to peg on-screen baddies. Nevertheless, it's a whole lot cheaper (provided you've got the parts, and c'mon, you've got the parts) than the alternatives out there, and it's a darn good excuse to bust out the bricks your SO made you lock away after your 28th birthday.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
Roll your own ugly Wii Zapper using LEGOs
Too cheap to invest in the official Wii Zapper? White plastic not your thing? Tired of sexy curves and long for the pointy edges of the NES days? NeoGAF user Mrklaw's got your back, with a self-made gun housing for the Wii Remote.It sure ain't pretty, but it is practical; the trigger actually depresses the B button, just like the official Zapper. It looks like it might be a bit unruly to hold, but who are we to judge? Special props go to Mrklaw for not even trying to use consistent colors in his design, instead opting for that cacophony of bright-colored plastic that just screams "LEGO." Kudos.[Via Nintendo Wii Fanboy]
A cheap and colorful way to make your own Zapper
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo_wii/A_cheap_and_colorful_way_to_make_your_own_Zapper'; If you're anything like us, you have a collection of Lego firearms that're much too finely-crafted to take apart and throw back into their plastic pail homes -- detailed handguns, elaborate sniper rifles, and delicately heavy bazookas, all constructed out of multicolored blocks. Not everyone is as appreciative of these brick-built blasters as we are, so we've kept them hidden from the view of friends, significant others, and future offspring hellbent on breaking all of our cool stuff. Suffice it to say, our Lego guns have been a private pleasure. NeoGAF forumer Mrklaw has finally given us a reason to bring out those toy cannons from their hiding places under the bed and in the guest bedroom closet, though, with his DIY Zapper. He fashioned the shell after one of Brando's pistols, leaving an opening in the back for the nunchuck to attach and using a "sliding bit of Technic Lego which pulls against the B button" as a trigger. We're planning to adapt one of our own bulky Lego shotguns to house a Wii remote later tonight; it's gonna be off the chain.%Gallery-31614%
Reminder: We're giving away a Wii Zapper and Umbrella Chronicles [update]
It's not the bundle you see above, but it is a bundle, per se. See, we're trying to unload this Wii Zapper and copy of Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles we have laying around. We figured we'd share the love and spread the wealth. And who better to share with than the lovely readers of Wii Fanboy? Nobody, that's who.So, be sure to head on over to the original post and enter for your chance to win. That is, if you haven't already and right now, you've only got a few hours left to do so. Remember, one entry per person, you must be a legal resident of the United States and you must be 18 years old to enter. Multiple entries will get you disqualified.[Update: if you want to enter (and haven't already), you need to go over to the original post, linked above, and comment there. We've turned comments off on this entry to reduce confusion. Good luck to all who enter!]
Wii Warm Up: Zapping
The Wii Zapper got a lot of attention before it hit, for a variety of reasons. Some people looked forward to it, while others did not; some people hated the design, and others thought it was kinda nifty. Some people even thought it might make psycho killers of us all. But in the end, only one thing matters -- how it handles. Have you given it a shot? If so, what do you think? And, uh, If it's turned you into a psycho killer, we want to know that, too. It's important to keep up with you guys.
Fanswag: Win a Zapper and Umbrella Chronicles
We thought about just giving away a Wii Zapper, but why stop there? We love to hook you guys (and gals) up with free stuff. It's, like, our thing. So, we decided to toss in a pretty badass game to go along with it in Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles. And, since we aren't getting the bundle above, we figured we could kind of make our own special bundle.What do you need to do? Well, first you have to read the rules. Then, leave a comment (multiple comments will get you disqualified, so only one entry please) here telling us your favorite NES game that utilized the Nintendo Zapper (you can find a list of compatible games here). Then, you have to make sure your comment is in before December 3rd, 2007 at 11:59PM EST. Finally, all you need to do is sit back and relax. The winner will be announced on Tuesday and chosen via random drawing. The lucky winner will receive one Wii Zapper ($25) and one copy of Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles ($50).Best of luck to you all and thanks for reading Wii Fanboy!
Nyko's Perfect Shot Wiimote accessory -- less toy, more gun
Those who found the Zapper a tad too childish for their sadistic imaginations should probably adore Nyko's alternative, as the Perfect Shot Gun doesn't dumb down its appearance whatsoever. Rather, this Wiimote attachment resembles an actual pistol in most every way -- save for the plastic shell, vivid accents and its inability to fire actual bullets -- and it even features a pass-through port for the nunchuck / classic controller. Regrettably, it seems that this one won't be shipping in time for the holidays (unless Amazon's fibbing), but don't let that slow you down from paying your $12.99 and counting down the days till it hits your doorstep.[Via NintendoWiiFanboy]
Perfect Shot is perfect fodder for hysterical headlines
If, like the Washington Post, you expect hysteria to reign over the Zapper, just wait until the mainstream press catches a glimpse of Nyko's contribution to the ever-growing pile of third-party alternatives.The "Perfect Shot" is the most gun-like shell we've seen to date, a world away from the Zapper's unoffending curves and thoroughly un-gun-like appearance. And we'd bet our very last cent on it provoking outraged bleating from the press (and perhaps even a certain lawyer), who will no doubt make gossamer-thin links between a plastic toy and real-life violence in the process.So, in a Wii Fanboy world exclusive, we're going to beat them to the punch: if you want to train your child to be a cold-blooded, callous killer, you can pick up the Nyko Perfect Shot for just $13 on Amazon from December 24, and raise a murderer.
WRUP: Pew pew edition
Many of you are probably rocking your Wii Zapper (hopefully gunning down some zombies), but there are also other releases to be considered this week. There's just so much to play right now! So, you can imagine our weekend is going to be chock full of game time. What about you? What game (or games) will you be rocking? Did you get a Zapper?
Wii Fanboy Review: Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
Before we start this, you might want to know that this blogger is a huge Resident Evil fan. I've got every Resident Evil game, countless posters, shirts and figurines from the various games. The original was one of the most important games in my development as a gamer. It helped make me the gamer I am today.And when the franchise hit the GameCube, it was the icing on the cake. The Resident Evil remake that appeared on the system was amazing, along with Resident Evil 0 and the game that even franchise haters couldn't ignore, Resident Evil 4. As the first original game in the series on a Nintendo console since RE 4, this was an important game in my eyes.One has to consider the other spin-off Resident Evil titles, also. You might be skeptical to try out Umbrella Chronicles because of the Gun Survivor or Outbreak games. This, thankfully, is not in the same league as that riffraff.%Gallery-3286%
Metareview: Link's Crossbow Training
Four quick explanations for why we're using this lounging lizard for the metareview's post image: Uh, he's green. Just like Link. As you can tell from his pose, he's not too impressed with Link's Crossbow Training. Look at the damn guy. Do we really need to explain ourselves? We wish we could do a metareview on the lizard instead. Consider the lizard a bonus that we're throwing in with this metareview bundle. Priced ridiculously low at $20, Nintendo's Zapper bundle seems like an easy buy for most gamers, but for those of you who're waiting for impressions on its pack-in game, Link's Crossbow Training, we've got you covered. GameDaily -- 80%: While GameDaily feels there's enough in there to keep you playing longer than just an hour or two, the reviewer still wishes there was more to the game: "Although it doesn't have as many options (Practice, four person multiplayer) as Nintendo's famous pack-in, Wii Sports, Crossbow Training will keep you entertained for hours, especially if you love Zelda. And yet, it could have been so much better. Had the developers programmed online leader boards, millions of trigger happy gamers could compete with each other for the best scores." IGN -- 70%: IGN disagrees and says there's less than an hour's worth of content, but is willing to forgive the game due to its cheap price: "Lasting Appeal: Over in less than an hour. A two-player mode cannot be played simultaneously. Even getting all platinums in levels is not overly difficult. But again, it's only $19.99." NintendoWorldReport -- 60%: NWR also has some complaints with Link's Crossbow Training's "multiplayer" support: "The game also features a multiplayer mode that misses on almost every level. Up to four players can be chosen, and then any one level can be chosen. Players then pass the Zapper around as they each play the stage alone. This passive multiplayer would make sense if they were doing it to maintain the integrity of high scores, but high scores aren't even recorded when playing in this mode. Overall, just don't expect the game to be a huge party hit, as most of the people will be sitting and watching, awaiting their turns."
Want a Zapper? Go to a store!
One year ago, pretty much everyone failed to predict the success of the Wii. It looks like that may be happening on a smaller scale this week, as online retailers appear to already be out of Zapper/Link's Crossbow Training packs. The ones that aren't out of stock have yet to receive their stock, showing a release date of tomorrow.As of right now, EB/GameStop, Amazon, CompUSA, Sears, and Wal-Mart are "backordered" or "out of stock." Buy.com, Target, and Circuit City list it as coming out tomorrow. Toys R Us, Outpost.com/Fry's, Best Buy, Micro Center and KMart refuse to acknowledge the peripheral's existence.Basically, it looks like if you want one of these things, you're going to have to go outside. Try (the physical locations of) Wal-Mart, CompUSA or Sears where, if the in-store prices match the online prices, you'll be charged the MSRP rather than the premium $25 price some retailers are sticking on there. Of course, shark guns remain cheap and plentiful.
Play Umbrella Chronicles like a reviewer
In the spirit of generating hits for their new blog openness, Capcom has made their Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles reviewer's guide available on Flickr as a gallery. The 12-page document explains all the weapons in the game and how to use them, along with the game's controls. It also introduces the characters, in case the only Resident Evil character with whom you've familiarized yourself is "Zombie."There aren't really any secrets revealed or anything; the reviewer's guide doesn't contain any helpful cheats or other tips to help reviewers fast-track through the game. But it's cool to see this kind of stuff that usually doesn't get released to the public. Also, the thing is nicely laid out.[Via Capcom Blog]
Washington Post expects Wii Zapper backlash, too gun-like
The Wii Zapper/Link's Crossbow Training bundle drops tomorrow -- a relatively surreptitious release considering some of the other holiday giants coming out this week. However, something tells us that the political backlash to Nintendo's kinda-gun-shaped-but-not-really peripheral will be anything but furtive -- and Washington Post writer Monica Hesse agrees.In her article, she gives a brief history of toy guns, and how the Zapper fits into the grand saga of controversial faux weaponry. Some of her sources are firmly opposed to the idea of bringing a gun attachment to the otherwise kid-friendly system, but we feel that 14-year-old Damian Crisafulli's response to paranoid parents is the most insightful soundbite in the whole story: "It's plastic that clips to a video game controller." Well said, Damian.[Via GamePolitics]
Metareview: Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles
We've all been as restless as the walking dead waiting for the first original Resident Evil game on the Wii, wondering if the new gun game will manage to outshine the previous Gun Survivor games and provide both a faithful Resident Evil experience and an awesome light-gun game. Now that reviewers have torn into the title, we can find out if Umbrella Chronicles was the Master of Unlocking ... their hearts.Gametrailers -- 83%: This isn't really a summation of the review, nor is it representative of the whole review, but we just wanted to post it, to point out the kinds of things video game reviewers have to think about: "While Umbrella Chronicles is fantastic overall, there are a few gripes. Annoyances like leeches and small spiders jump at the screen, forcing you to mindlessly shake the remote until you've sliced through them all. Slashing at a creature that's presumably on your face breaks the sense of immersion. Also, the vomit that some zombies spew at you can be quickly shot out of the sky, which doesn't make much sense."1UP -- 75%: 1UP's review finds the game slower-paced and more involved than the average gun game, and loaded with Resident Evil series references: "The files, notes, and diaries you'll often attain while doing so are just one example of the copious fan service that seems to be the true driving force behind the entire experience. Whether you're playing from new perspectives in old scenarios or filling in story gaps with cut-scenes or entire levels, there's a ridiculous amount of information and background for Resident Evil nuts to absorb. The convoluted, poorly acted narrative is as dismissive to newcomers as ever, but they'll be in it for different reasons anyhow (zombies + guns = fun)."GamePro -- 85%: GamePro's reviewer decided to tease another console's upcoming game in the review for this one, presumably just to be mean: "It combines the atmospheric charm of the ResEvil series with awesome light-gun gameplay, then throws in a wealth of bonus material to unlock and discover. It's the perfect way to prepare yourself for the upcoming Resident Evil 5."
Wii Zapper gets unboxed
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/nintendo_wii/Pictures_of_the_Wii_Zapper_and_Link_s_Crossbow_Training_getting_unboxed'; For those of you who've been dying to get your hands on the real new Wii Zapper, feast you eyes on these lovely unboxing pictures. Uploaded by flickr user Marvie_3, we get some nice shots of the Wii Zapper itself, as well as the bundled Link's Crossbow Training. So, put your bib on, grab a tasty beverage and get comfortable, because you've got some drooling to do.Who plans on picking this thing up next week?[Via Go Nintendo]
It's like a Zapper, only it's a Blaster (and it sucks)
The Wii Game Blaster seems to get just about everything wrong with its design: It looks more like a handheld vacuum cleaner than a firearm. Zombies would guffaw at the sight of it in between their attempts to lunge at you and gnaw on your arm. The shell uses the nunchuck's buttons as the trigger, not the Wii remote's B-button. You might as well not use a Zapper at all, shooting at the screen with finger guns instead. Because most of the weight is in its barrel, you would need wrists of steel to hold the piece up with one hand for any longer than five minutes. It does have an advantage over the Zapper and other similar peripherals, however, as its frame hides the wires that connect the nunchuck with the remote. Whether or not that innovation justifies the $35 dreamGear charges for the product is debatable. Here is a quick dramatization of how that debate would go:"Is this Game Blaster worth--""No."Despite its faults, the Game Blaster manages to fulfill the sole requirement we have for every light gun shell: Can we act out the Terminator 2 chase scene with it? You know which one we're talking about, when Edward Furlong is on his dirt bike, trying to get away from the T-1000. Arnold Schwarzenegger rides in to rescue the kid, firing away with his shotgun. Remember that? Well, you don't have to; we've pasted it past the break!
Inspect the Zapper even more closely
Seeing as it's (kind of) the next upcoming major Wii peripheral, we think it's worth our time to look at lots of hardware pictures of the thing and scrutinize its design. GAME Watch felt the same way as we do, except they got one.Luckily for us, they took a bunch of detailed pictures from different angles, of the peripheral alone and in use. We thought the picture above was interesting, because we don't usually see the two-handed approach in Zapper demonstrations. We think you'll agree-- it's nice to have the option, but it looks totally goofy with this gun shell design. If only they would give us such a detailed overview of the shark gun!
