Nintendo sues Nyko over Kama Wireless Nunchuck

by JC Fletcher { Jun 13th 2008 at 10:15AM }

That Kama Wireless Nunchuck we're giving away may become something of a collector's item in the near future. Nintendo has sued Nyko, manufacturer of the device, claiming that the Kama violates Nintendo's patents for the original Nunchuk, imitating the controller in "novel shape, design, overall appearance and even the color and materials used in the Nintendo Nunchuk controller."

Nyko spokesperson C.C. Swiney told Bloomberg that they do not believe that they have violated Nintendo's patents with the Kama, but that they are "still examining this." We've had a look at both controllers ourselves, and we think they're actually pretty different. If you look closely at the Nintendo Nunchuk, you can see that it has a cord coming out of it.

Could Nintendo have their own wireless Nunchuk on the way? Or have they decided to start cracking down on third-party controllers now after over 20 years for some other reason? Is the Kama really that similar to the Nunchuk?

[Via Kotaku]

Tags: kama, lawsuit, nunchuk, nyko, wireless-nunchuck

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

igorponweed @ Jun 13th 2008 10:30AM

Really. O_o So un-Nintendo.

Michael @ Jun 13th 2008 10:45AM

I'd really like a wireless nunchuk. I really go at it with Wii Boxing, and I can't tell you how many times the nunchuk wire has whipped up and smacked me in the face. Red welts kinda takes the fun out of it.

Michael
michaelandchrissy.com

Jim @ Jun 13th 2008 10:57AM

"If you look closely at the Nintendo Nunchuk, you can see that it has a cord coming out of it."

love it. lol.

Sisyphus @ Jun 13th 2008 11:23AM

I've always wondered about the legality of 3rd party controllers. Seems like the most obvious kind of patent infringement.

Nebinator @ Jun 13th 2008 7:45PM

Exactly!

the real mii @ Jun 13th 2008 12:10PM

if you look at alot of the 3rd party controllers out there, they usually do look significantly different from the originals in overall design. with the nunchuk piece, the device itself does look alot closer to the original than most other 3rd party devices. plus more so if nintendo has actually patented a wireless version?

Matthew @ Jun 13th 2008 12:26PM

I think hinting to Nintendo own wireless could be correct, however in the past it was never an issue so I couldn't see now. UNLESS, Nintendo is having some insane markup on the price for it and fears losing sales... meh.

cbylife @ Jun 13th 2008 12:31PM

i don't get why nintendos nunchuck wasn't wireless to begin with? you've got a wireless wiimote, a wavebird, wifi connectivity...

i think nintendo was quite capable of making the nunchuck wireless. i think they just had plans to make more money off of us later on. just like apple, they're always coming out with updates for the same product we already own that we can't live without.

Neo Senku @ Jun 13th 2008 1:18PM

Yeah i gotta agree. Nintendo and its in house developers have always done somethings that common sense says that they should have knew better. However the money making bit seems to be the most plausible of answers.

Good_Bytes @ Jun 13th 2008 12:54PM

batteries, (even rechargeable ones) are expensive.
I want a wired one.
I have a a 4 battery charger, and I have 2 Wiimotes.
It takes me 7 hours to recharge my 2 batteries. Imagine 6... waiting sound like fun!

No thanks

DeadPlasmaCell @ Jun 13th 2008 2:07PM

wow.. you should get a rapid charger then. I use an Energizer rapid charger and it recharges 4 AA/AAA's in about 30 min. You can get a giant pack (about 24) of the Rechargeable energizers at Sam's Club or similar for about $25 (last time I bought some at least)

Good_Bytes @ Jun 13th 2008 2:46PM

Yes I heard about that... The problem is that not only I line in Canada, but also Quebec. And, you just don't have much variety in stores.
Even thus our Canadian dollar matched the one in the US, we still pay 1.5 to 2 times the price than the US (like if our currency was worth 0.50-0.60cent US).
So you nice Energizer recharger is about 60-90$. Now I know it is not very expensive compared in getting non-rechargeable batteries. The thing is I have a recharger now, it works... why get another one. Sure it is slow, but it is not an immediate need. If such charger would be 30-40$ then sure I would buy it.

Kev (gamertag: ksiddique) @ Jun 13th 2008 5:43PM

FYI... Rapid chargers kill your rechargeables faster. Use a slow charger whenever possible.

ShadowmanX @ Jun 13th 2008 1:01PM

Nintendo sure has been acting odd as of late, what with calling the the guys who have clung onto the Game Cube and said that it wasn't a complete waste, as Nerds and Otaku for wanting more Storage space, to them starting to have a watchful eye for Third Party controllers (I know its only one, but I'm hoping a trends not going to start up)

Dmobxxx @ Jun 13th 2008 8:04PM

Get with it Nintendo. People don't like wires. Well, maybe some, but the ranks are dwindling...FAST. I mean, you gave us the WONDERFUL Wiimote, and then you gave us some shit to plug into it!????? I know, I know, you want to keep cost down for the "expanded audience". However, it must be said that, to them...YOU ARE A FAD.

You should have made the nunchuk wireless to begin with. Don't punish other companies for stepping in to fill the void left by your ironic myopia. You are currently at the top of the hill, but a valley ALWAYS follows.

But, I still love you...assholes :)