Wii Warm Up: Plugging it in

by Alisha Karabinus { Oct 10th 2008 at 8:05AM }

After seeing Taiko No Tatsujin Wii yesterday, we definitely think the drum looks pretty sweet ... but we also noticed something mildly annoying: it plugs into the Wii remote, like so many other things. Now, look, we're not saying this feature is in any way a gamebreaker -- it's just one of those features that begs the question of whether or not there would have been a better way. Of course, we are completely picky bastards, so perhaps this is something you don't even think about. Or is it?

Gallery: Taiko no Tatsujin Wii

Tags: drum, namco-bandai, rhythm, taiko, taiko-no-tatsujin

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Makoto99 @ Oct 10th 2008 8:19AM

I don't know much about the game, but why is it annoying that it plugs into a remote that you can (as pictured) set on the table with the drum?

Or do you pick up the drum and go prancing around the room chanting and beating it as if you just slew the mighty lion or what? I haven't really heard much about this game and have now idea what the point is, or why a tethered drum is a big deal. Anyone?

Lanceh @ Oct 10th 2008 8:26AM

It's not a big deal. As the Wii Warm Up admits, they're being picky bastards.

Neal Dench @ Oct 10th 2008 8:28AM

Where else would you plug it in? Not the USB socket, surely. Presumably, having it completely wireless brings up a whole slew of sticky issues (bluetooth/infrared, registering new devices, blah blah blah ...)

Buntaro @ Oct 10th 2008 10:00AM

I like it this way. I wouldn't mind a pocket under the drum to hide the remote though.

I am not really in favor of using the USB port or Gamecube Controller sockets for this, as they might get cut in a future hardware revision. I know that Nintendo stands for backward compatibility, but still...

BobTheElephant @ Oct 10th 2008 10:10AM

personally, I'd rather a wired controller for something like this, it wouldn't drain the wiimote battery.

Waffala @ Oct 10th 2008 11:56AM

It would drain its own batteries instead? I'd rather have it drain my rechargable Wiimote battery than eat AAs for breakfast, lunch and dinner like my balance board.

Jayenkai @ Oct 10th 2008 10:13AM

It's cheaper..
The tech's in the Wiimote, all you gotta do is wire up the sensors, and send the data to the Wiimote.. Job done.

WalkingCarpet @ Oct 10th 2008 10:52AM

Exactly. None of the stuff that tethers to the Wii Remote ever bothers me because it does make it cheaper. All of this stuff would be like 20 bucks more expensive if they built all of the tech into the accessories.

TheOverlord#2 @ Oct 10th 2008 10:26AM

I think it works perfectly. Having a drum connected connected by wires would be a lot worse than a wireless drum(and thank god they decided not to make it Wiimote&Nunchuk controlled). I have the DK Bongos and if they could be wireless, they'd be so much more fun.
Also, you pay less for batteries because it runs off the Wiimote's batteries.

Ronny @ Oct 10th 2008 11:05AM

As Activision has said, Nintendo's guidelines are that every peripheral should be connected to the wiimote, or something to that effect. Harmonix decided they don't need to follow the guidelines which is why the instruments for GH:WT and Rock Band are not compatible.

Just_a_guy @ Oct 10th 2008 12:39PM

I am glad this plugs into the wiimote. I don't want to use 1,000,000 batteries!

Sonic_13 @ Oct 10th 2008 1:04PM

I'm glad to hear that the drum plugs into the Wii Remote. I think all accessories for Wii should plug into the Wii Remote, whether it be instruments for Guitar Hero or just a nunchuk or classic controller.

It's actually one of my favorite things about the Wii Remote - how versatile it is.

bhengh @ Oct 10th 2008 2:18PM

There is nothing wrong with this. It's got to plug into something (otherwise it will cost much more), so the choices are the Wii Remote, the Gamecube ports, or USB. Wiimote wins, because that enables you to play from anywhere in the room without running a wire back to your TV. It's the best choice.

Why don't you like plugging things into the Wii Remote?

darksamus @ Oct 10th 2008 3:42PM

uite frankly, I'm glad to see the drum period. I have the PS2 version of Taiko Drum Master, and it rocks. When I first saw footage of Taiko no Tatsujin Wii, I was worried that it would fare like Donkey Kong and ditch the drums. I am just glad to see the drum for Taiko period, even if it plugs into the Wiimote. Tethering it to a USB port would limit the cord length too much, and making it a standalone would just eat more batteries.