Cheaper, sleeker, just as pointless: the latest portable Wii screen

by Chris Greenhough { Aug 14th 2008 at 3:38PM }

Portable screens for home consoles, we will never understand you. Playing Wii Sports in the car? Did nobody learn anything about the serious dangers of bowling in confined spaces from the Japanese Wii safety manual? And all on a tinier screen than you'd ever use at home?

Clearly, not everybody is so indifferent. This clip-on LCD 16:9 panel from Thinkgeek isn't the first of its kind, and we're willing to bet it won't be the last. It's an eye-straining seven inches from corner to corner, but at $109.99 is the cheapest option we've seen to date for those who can't bear to leave their console behind when they step outdoors. $109.99? Hey, what else can you buy for almost that amount? Oh, yes. More shots past the break.

Tags: car, lcd, portable, screen

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Don @ Aug 14th 2008 3:46PM

That thing is so awesome.

thesimplicity @ Aug 14th 2008 3:48PM

That's actually a great price for a 7" LCD with exposed composite inputs... you know, if you're up for making a sub-$200 portable SNES...

aneurysmi @ Aug 15th 2008 3:52AM

why not just get an emulator for ds/psp/iphone/laptop/you name it?

Pixel-One @ Aug 14th 2008 4:03PM

Wii Sports on the go? Maybe not. But non-IR pointer or motion control related games? Good to go.

Smash Bros. Mario Galaxy. Super Paper Mario. Twilight Princess. THE ENTIRE VIRTUAL CONSOLE LIBRARY.

Not such a bad idea after all.

TomSkib @ Aug 14th 2008 4:25PM

Couldn't have said it better myself. :o)

Erik Stroud @ Aug 14th 2008 5:54PM

I just use my psp for SNES on the go. Though, this woulod be nice. I'm just not gonna spend $109.99.

Garu @ Aug 14th 2008 4:10PM

That's almost as big as Michael Scott's wall mounted flat screen TV on "The Office".

WaffleTehNut @ Aug 14th 2008 4:34PM

HAH! I loved that episode.

pakkman781 @ Aug 14th 2008 4:24PM

Argh, another one of those "WANT, but need gas more..." moments :(

Gewurztraminer says: R.O.B. is the last Cylon! @ Aug 14th 2008 5:01PM

I used to have one of these for the slimmed down PSone, with the rechargeable battery. It was quite the spectacle just to be able to play Final Fantasy VII on a cross country plane ride.

Although, if we're shopping ThinkGeek here, I'd rather save up for the Flux Capacitor =D

Brian Huneke @ Aug 14th 2008 5:18PM

That power adapter isn't actually plugged into the Wii in the second screenshot. Silly and obsessive maybe, bit it's the first thing I saw.

Oh well. I'd want one if I didn't always end up as the driver on trips.

Ryan @ Aug 14th 2008 6:03PM

You NWF editors should stop ripping on the portable console gadgets. Read the comments to the posts you referenced; your readers obviously find no reason to print a large "WHY?" on the product photo.

WKM122 @ Aug 14th 2008 6:16PM

Ah, I love the office!
Can't wait till season 5!!

Quiggy @ Aug 14th 2008 6:26PM

I had a portable screen on my Gamecube for a long time. Why? Didn't have enough room for a TV anywhere. These are ideal if you need your console to store away somewhere small.

Kevin McGuire @ Aug 14th 2008 7:47PM

I have to disagree with your opening statement slightly. Small LCD's that attach to a game system are a great idea, but only if used more than once a year. Imagine a family of four going on a long car ride. Sure they could have a Game Boy (or DS these days), but to be able to let them play their games that don't need precision pointing and such, that is a fantastic idea. Though pricey.

techfreak713 @ Aug 14th 2008 11:47PM

only one issue i can see with it, the sensor bar's ir points are just as wide as the normal one. has anyone on here ever tried pointing at the sensor bar from about two feet away or closer? it doesnt work. which means you have to pull ur arm back close to ur chest to use any ir functionality, which is pretty darn uncomfortable.