CES 2009: Nyko's Wiimote imitator is lawsuit-proof

by JC Fletcher { Jan 8th 2009 at 3:28PM }

It's genius, really -- Nintendo sued Nyko for making the Kama Wireless Nunchuck too similar in design to Nintendo's own. But there is no way Nintendo would ever even suggest that Nyko's "Wand" looks at all like the Wiimote, out of respect for the Wiimote. Nyko has replaced the clean lines and muted color scheme of the Wiimote with an odd-shaped body, weird, jagged D-pad, and brightly-colored, square buttons.

In addition to the garishness feature, the Wand has one rather cool ability: when connected to compatible extensions, Wiimote functions can be transferred to the extension. For example, their pistol grip for the Wand rumbles and has a real B button on the trigger, rather than a mechanical lever that pushes the Wiimote's B button -- not to mention that there's an A button on the back.

They also introduced the Charge Station EX, a revision of the popular Charge Station that adds battery level indicators, and a Kama Charge Kit that includes a rechargeable Kama Wireless Nunchuck and a rechargeable battery pack for the Wiimote. Pictures of all of these new accessories are in our gallery! All are expected to be in US stores this April.

Gallery: Nyko CES 2009 accessories

[Via press release]

Tags: ces, ces-2009, charge-station, consumer-electronics-show, kama, kama-charge-kit, nyko, wand, wiimote

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

therpham @ Jan 8th 2009 3:56PM

I must say, that's a rather snazzy video they have for it, and the peripheral functionality is a cool idea.

Linkdude @ Jan 8th 2009 4:02PM

wow. it looks really good. The gun "shell" became an actual attachment too. Nice.

Andazeus @ Jan 8th 2009 4:23PM

While this imitation is truly uninspiring (even with the peripheral option: whats the advantage compared to a physical lever?), the snazzy style of the ad is definitely something, Nintendo is seriously lacking right now.

JC Fletcher @ Jan 8th 2009 5:09PM

The B button may not be a big deal, but they can put A/+/-/etc. on extensions, too, which is.

Ghaleon @ Jan 8th 2009 4:49PM

Nice. The worst thing about their "gun" shell was the gimundous width of the pistol grip though -- although how much force you needed to pull the trigger was obscene, too.

Adolph @ Jan 8th 2009 4:59PM

I hope they increased quality of the internal speaker.

Nintendo's is TERRIBLE.

shadow @ Jan 8th 2009 11:15PM

Wow, assuming build quality is up to snuff, this thing looks like a good buy. The fact that the gun attachment adds a proper B trigger and expansion and what not makes it hard not to wanna buy it. This looks especially good for umbrella chronicles, where the wii-zapper, fails, id rather have the nyko perfect shot in that case

Matias @ Jan 8th 2009 7:49PM

It looks awesome, specially the gun, it looks way better than the zapper.

These are bough online right? because it would be the only way to get them where I live.

ChromeAlchemist @ Jan 8th 2009 8:42PM

wait, so I have to buy ANOTHER nyko gun? Oh well, whatever, now I will have two.

Shoeboy @ Jan 9th 2009 9:30AM

FINALLY! Another option for a Wii Remote. I'm tired of having to buy over priced Nintendo products ($25 nunchuck and $45 Wii Remote).

I'm glad to see that NYKO really tried to innovate instead of just duplicate. The added rumble support and support for controlling the remote buttons via other devices is great too.

One thing I'm not sure of and I am worried about is compatibility.

In any case good job NYKO!