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Reggie ain't sweating Project Natal, 'Sphere'

by David Hinkle { Nov 13th 2009 at 6:00PM }

In the dilapidated, war-torn streets of the gaming industry, the Console Wars™ have taken their toll on not only the landscape, but also the inhabitants of this once peaceful land. With war mongerers Sony and Microsoft preparing their next wave of battle tech -- motion control devices like the "PlayStation Motion Controller" (rumored: 'Sphere') and Project Natal, respectively -- Nintendo's battle general, Reggie Fils-Aime, recently continued his criticism of rivals by commenting to wartime reporters at Gamasutra that Nintendo isn't really shaking on its Balance Board.

General Fils-Aime said that Nintendo will "applaud anything that will further expand the market of game players" and that the expansion of this kind of technology is really "in everyone's best interest," even though he admits Nintendo could lose some of its marketshare as a result. However, he does feel confident in Nintendo's "head-start of over 51 million controllers."

Sanyo's new Wii remote charger accepts MotionPlus

by Richard Mitchell { Nov 12th 2009 at 4:45PM }

So, you've gotten yourself a fancy Wii remote charger, but you're tired of having to remove both MotionPlus and the rubber jacket before each recharging session. What's a dedicated fanboy to do? Run out and buy Sanyo's new Eneloop charging station. The device is powered by the Wii's USB port, accepts two Wii remotes and has room for both the MotionPlus add-on and its accompanying jacket. For those who haven't taken the MotionPlus plunge yet, the stand will also work with the standard Wii remote and jacket.

Best of all, the charger has no actual contacts, so you just have to pop the remote into the cradle to start charging, no connection required. It's even licensed by Nintendo. The only problem: Thus far it has only been announced for Japan. Until Sanyo decides to offer it elsewhere, savvy importers can pick one up for about $80.

[Via Engadget]

See the Wii Remote in pink and blue

by JC Fletcher { Oct 20th 2009 at 4:15PM }

During a retailer conference, Nintendo of Japan announced intentions to release Wiimotes in blue and pink on December 3. GAME Watch has posted images of the chromatically enhanced controllers, which reveal a blue that looks similar to, if a little darker than, the lovely, limited Wii Sports Resort Wiimotes given away in Japan.

When these are released, Nintendo will have achieved a milestone: a different Wii Remote color for each of four players. Currently, no announcements have been made outside of Japan, but with the black Wiimote on the way to North America, and the black system and Classic Controller Pro announced for Europe today, it seems like only a matter of time before all Wiimote variants are available everywhere.

Black Wiimote, MotionPlus, and Nunchuk out before Black Friday

by JC Fletcher { Oct 14th 2009 at 12:45PM }

If you've been holding off on inviting friends over because you've been waiting to pick up some cool black controllers, good news! You'll be able to remove yourself from multiplayer exile and play some Wii Sports Resort next month.

On November 16, Nintendo will release the black Wiimote and MotionPlus bundle for $50, and the matching black Nunchuk for $20. From then on, it will be a race to be the first person to reference Wesley Snipes' signature line from Passenger 57 in multiplayer games. Of course, you'll then also have to win or you'll sound stupid.

Blaze unveils Wii-like motion controller for PS3

by Justin McElroy { Oct 13th 2009 at 11:30PM }

The subset of people who really want motion control on their PS3s yet refuse to wait for Sony to actually add it is pretty small, but never let it be said that peripheral maker Blaze is willing to leave money on the table. The company has just announced the Motion Freedom 3D controller for the system, and it looks unmistakably like a Wiimote for the PS3.

The release promises the "all new device opens up unthinkable gaming possibilities," which we're taking to mean that no one actually thought to make any games for it.

Okay, fine, Blaze says it at least works with Sega Tennis and Tiger Woods, but we can't imagine that such a retrofitted solution would be worth investing in before Sony's official offering arrives.

[Via Engadget]

Nintendo announces new Pokemon spinoff, new Wiimote colors, hardware bundles at retailer event

by JC Fletcher { Oct 8th 2009 at 6:00PM }

Nintendo of Japan held a retailer conference during which it announced some new products and dated important releases for the Japanese market. The biggest new game announcement is Pokepark Wii: Pikachu's Big Adventure, coming out in Japan on December 5. This action game features your Pokemans performing in events at a theme park. Examples include a Sky Race and Marine Slider event, which offer advantages to Pokemon of flying and water types.

Other announcements for Japan include hardware bundles for Tales of Graces and Samurai Warriors 3. The Graces bundle will be out on December 10, and includes a white Wii, Classic Controller Pro, and the game for ¥27,800. Samurai Warriors 3 will be sold with a black Wii, Classic Controller Pro, and post card set for ¥27,300, or with just the controller for ¥8,715, or alone for ¥7,140. Don't need a Wii but still want to drop a bunch of money? Pick up the Treasure Box edition, with the game, the controller, a figurine, a soundtrack, and an artbook for ¥11,865.

Also announced: new blue and pink Wiimotes, to be released on December 3, just in time for the newly-announced Japanese release of New Super Mario Bros. Wii. The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks will be released on December 23.

Darth Vader senses your Wiimote's presence

by Randy Nelson { Sep 30th 2009 at 3:14PM }

With the economy the way it is, even Sith Lords are having to work second jobs. Take Darth Vader here, who's moonlighting as the absolute coolest Wii sensor bar holder ever. (We're sure his supervisor will say something similar on his quarterly performance report.)

You can hire Lord Vader for the sum of $49.99 from the official Star Wars Shop website, and he'll drop out of hyperspace (a.k.a. arriving via FedEx) sometime in November. Just be forewarned that his heavy breathing might ruin the atmosphere during those quiet, extremely tense gaming moments. But hey -- as much as old "Iron Lung Ani" needs the work, nobody's Forcing you to hire him.

[Via Gizmodo]

Nintendo announces new Wiimote, DSi colors for North America

by Kevin Kelly { Sep 1st 2009 at 12:10AM }

Nintendo just announced that you'll finally be able to get a new color for your Wii ... mote. Black. This holiday season the company will be making a black Wiimote bundle available with the Wiimote and Wii MotionPlus, including a black Wii jacket, which is very slimming. However, you'll have to buy your black Nunchuk as a standalone, also available Holiday 2009.

According to the presser, "The Black bundle is the first new color for the Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus," so let's hope this means a rainbow of colors coming down the pipeline next year. Right now this has nothing to go with, especially since the Wii won't be available in black over here, only in Japan. No mention of new console colors, nor of the blue Wiimote, seen recently at the World Hobby Fair. Will this be a case of having to chase down colors and accessories in different regions?

Nintendo is also bringing new DSi colors to North America, in the form of pink and white, available starting September 13. So we'll now have black, blue, white, and pink DSi ... why no funky colors like Japan? They get all the cool stuff.

Gallery: Nintendo Colors

Nyko's 'Wand' controller easier to look at in different colors

by JC Fletcher { Aug 18th 2009 at 1:00PM }

Despite the interesting "Trans-Port" technology and the lower price, we'd have to say that the defining characteristic of the Nyko Wand is its ugliness. The four new colors for the device, in our opinion, help ameliorate that ugly factor. It could be because the red and blue buttons are gone in favor of a more monochrome look, or it could be because it's slightly harder to compare these to the stock Wiimote. These four color options will be available in North America and Europe this holiday season. They have already launched in Japan, along with many other colors.

Nyko also announced the Charge Base IC, an induction charging dock that uses magnets to hold controllers in place, and also features a USB port for charging other items.

Gallery: Nyko Wand (Wii) new colors

Nyko drops price on Wand, ships controller bundles

by JC Fletcher { Aug 11th 2009 at 3:30PM }

Nyko announced today that its two Wand controller bundles, which include the company's weird-looking Wiimote and extension controllers, have shipped -- a bit late of the original June date, but at least they made it out before spring 2010. The Action Pak includes a Wand and a gun controller, which uses Nyko's "Trans-Port" function to include operable buttons on the gun itself (and not just a lever that hits the B button). The Core Pak includes a Nunchuk-alike with rumble.

The company also announced that it has knocked five bucks off the price of the standalone Wand controller, now offering the device for $29.99. That seems like a boon to Wii owners in a hurry to acquire a full complement of four Wiimotes.

Miyamoto: Wii MotionPlus technology only possible now

by Griffin McElroy { Jul 21st 2009 at 3:40PM }

Don't even start weaving conspiracies about how Nintendo's recently released Wii MotionPlus peripheral was supposed to be incorporated in the initial Wiimote design. According to Shigeru Miyamoto, such a nickel-and-dime plot is absolutely impossible -- and as we all know, Miyamoto never lies. Look at him, with those pinchable cheeks! Those are not the cheeks of a liar.

In an interview with The Telegraph, Shiggy explained the MotionPlus was only possible due to technological innovations "which took place after Wii launched." Actually, he says the technology was around, but it would have been impossible to use at such a "compact" size and low price. So, did you want Wiimotes to cost $200 and weigh as much as toddlers? No? We didn't think so.

[Via IGN]

Wiimote controls giant claw, brings man and machine closer

by David Hinkle { Jul 9th 2009 at 4:00PM }

When your job is to sit in an office all day, controlling a 15-ton robotic arm, things can get kind of boring. Thankfully, some ingenious operators decided to fool around with the arm at their disposal and managed to implement Wiimote controls. Judging by the YouTube video after the break, taking the thing for a spin with the Wiimote looks like it works quite well, as the gigantic yellow claw pretty much follows the movements of its operator exactly.

If we weren't sure the giant claw cost more money than we could ever hope to see, we'd suggest playing the world's largest crane game, or a bit of Let's See How Far We Can Throw This Minivan.

[Via Make]

Continued →

Black Wii, blue controllers on display at World Hobby Fair

by JC Fletcher { Jun 22nd 2009 at 1:15PM }

During this weekend's World Hobby Fair, both Capcom and Nintendo had booths set up, showing off the new Wii colors and accessories. Capcom's booth had the Monster Hunter 3 bundles as part of its Monster Hunter display, and Nintendo had the blue Wiimote and Nunchuk, of course, to promote Wii Sports Resort -- which, incidentally, was also the inspiration behind a very nice set of giveaway items.

The Nunchuk has always been shiny on top and matte on bottom, but it's much more noticeable, and nice-looking, on the black version. Somehow, the Wiimote jacket also looks cool in matte black, despite being a Wiimote jacket. The Classic Controller Pro, as well, looks like much more of an upgrade in shiny black plastic. Head past the break to see the blue Wii Sports controllers.

Continued →

Rolling stones and cymbals: 505 Games announces Rolling Stone: Drum King

by David Hinkle { May 19th 2009 at 2:25PM }

Well, it's been quite some time since we last touched on 505 Games' We Rock: Drum King. The game seems to have spent a majority of its time in the shadows working toward a deal with Rolling Stone magazine, as the music mag and 505 Games just dropped press releases into our inbox introducing Rolling Stone: Drum King. Looks like somebody's been staying awake in their Synergy 101 class!

The game is planned for a spring release, and still tasks players with keeping smooth timing by mimicking drumming through use of the Wiimote and Nunchuk. It will also feature local multiplayer support for you and a friend, and has over 30 "top quality cover tracks" inspired by real bands. Head past the break for the full list and a trailer snagged from the Amazon product page for the game.

Gallery: Rolling Stone: Drum King

Continued →

Penguin United's new Wii gun doesn't need a Wiimote

by JC Fletcher { May 5th 2009 at 4:15PM }

Penguin United may be best known for its wonderful 24X Gaming Pouch, which allows you to carry a mess of DS games around without the, well, mess. But if its latest Wii product works well, it could have a new claim to (relative) fame.

Penguin's CrossFire Remote Pistol is a Wii Zapper alternative that doesn't require a separate Wiimote. While most Wii guns are merely shells with levers to push the B button, this one is a completely self-contained Wiimote, with an integrated speaker.

The final unit probably won't have jaggies -- this is a product render Penguin sent to us. The device will be available for testing at E3 next month.