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Posts tagged with "accessories"

New Wii Straps On The Way?

By seaempty. Saturday, 4. August 2007, 08:27:19

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A member over at Nintendo World Report has taken a photograph of some new Wii Straps that seem to be heading into circulation.

The new design replaces the sliding tightener, to one that can be locked in place. I've never really had much of a problem with the current straps, and I think that the new design is possibly a bit restrictive.

Though until I have to be a new Wii Remote, I won't get a chance to compare!

Has anyone seen these new straps for themselves?

No comments

Penguin United Wii Remote Charging Dock - A Review

By seaempty. Sunday, 4. March 2007, 12:25:45

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N+ member Khadgar recently purchased some rechargeable battery packs for his Wii Remotes. He has kindly written a review of the accessories for us, and taken a couple of pictures which display the equipment in all it's glory. Bigger photos can be found in Accessories album, and without further ado, here is Khadgar's review...

When the Nintendo Wii first came out the biggest gripe I had about it was that the Wii remotes used batteries. I've never been a big fan of batteries ever since my first Gameboy would eat them faster than Hungry Hungry Hippos eat white marbles. It looks like the Wii remotes are no exception. I never understood why they just didn't put removable lithium ion batteries in the Wii remotes along with USB cables to charge them with. They could sell docks separately like Apple does with their iPod dock. I've looked for other alternatives, but none of them seemed right... until I saw the Penguin United Wii Remote Charging Dock on eBay while trying to see how cheaply I could get a classic controller for (I still don't have one). Without knowing much about it being the Nintendo geek I am I bought two of them, one for each of my remotes. As the product wasn't yet released I had to wait a couple of weeks to get them in, but when I did it was to heck with everything else. Dustin had to set up his remote docks.

Each package comes with the following:

1× Wii Remote Charging Dock
1× USB Connection Cable
1× Rechargable Lithium Ion Battery
1× Custom Battery Cover for Charging


Setup

When I first opened the box and took everything out (frantically of course!) I was shocked to see that the connector in the back of the dock was not USB and that it uses a proprietary (at least to my knowledge) cable that has a mini power connector on the end that hooks into the dock and USB on the other end that hooks into the back of the Wii. I don't understand this as a straight USB (even mini) to USB cable would be cheaper than using some special made one and be better in the long run as if someone needs to get the cable replaced they could just go to a local Radio Shack or some other store and buy one. I plugged the dock in without any trouble, however. It's quite simple and straightforward. The cable is small, so hiding it from the open is quite easy.

After that I proceeded to get out my two Wii remotes, pop off the battery covers, and pull the batteries out. I found that the battery packs that come with this dock are a bit difficult to get in there, and there's a trick to it. It took a small bit of thinking to figure out how to get it in there, but after you know how it's not much trouble to get it in there. Hold the remote right-side up and hold the battery with the + and - sign at the bottom. Hold the battery at an angle, put the front of it into the hole, push forward, and then push down on the other end of the battery. The battery then pops in. It's an extremely tight fit.

To charge these batteries you cannot use the battery covers that came with the remote. You have to use custom ones with two metal pieces on the back that the charger sends power to to charge the battery. I would have thought that the battery could be charged through the port on the bottom of the Wii remote similar to how the iPod is charged through its connector, but I guess the port cannot receive power, only send it to whatever's attached to it. One thing I noticed about the new battery cover that it is a tad bit darker than the plastic on the Wii remote and is more of a matte finish than the slick surface of the Wii remote. It's not that big of an eyesore, but I think they should have spent a bit more attention to detail and used the same type of plastic the original battery cover used.

Usage

The instructions that came with the dock state to let the remote charge for 12 hours before using. I couldn't wait that long :smile:, so I fired up my Wii with the remote. Everything seemed to work fine. When displaying the amount of juice the battery pack had from the home menu I was surprised to see there was 3 bars there without even a charge. I played a few hours of Zelda, and put my remote in the dock. You know the Wii remote is charging because of a blue LED light in the base. By the way, the charge on the battery pack didn't go to two bars.

The next morning I get up and the LEDs on the docks are blinking telling me the remotes are charged. I fire up my Wii and notice that there are still 3 bars showing up. This puzzled me at first, but then I did some math. The battery pack is a 2.4V battery pack, and the Wii requires two 1.5V alkaline batteries to function. Naturally to be fully charged it needs 3V. I don't know why they couldn't have made a 3V lithium ion battery pack that size. My guess is that it is another lack of attention to detail. This could confuse some users thinking that the dock doesn't charge the batteries completely. It does, but not to 3V like the Wii thinks is the maximum charge. I think it's a small price to pay for using this in any case, but for people who haven't figured it out it could make them think they just wasted their money.

Charging

I mentioned that the dock's blue LED light blinked when it was charged. For some people that might be annoying, including myself. The good thing is that you can sit the Wii remote in the dock and not charge it. Just sit the remote gently into the device and let go. It'll sit there, but not all the way in it. To charge you just tap the top of it and it'll sit down farther in the dock to charge. That's nice, but I can't help but notice that they could have just made the dock stop attempting to charge the battery after it's been charged.

I've had two docks since Tuesday, and I've yet to have the need to charge the battery on either remote. The instructions say the charge lasts 38 hours of continuous play. I don't think I've put that many hours in, but I've yet to see it go to two bars. That's a heck of a lot better than how long regular alkaline batteries were lasting me.

You can order the dock straight from Penguin United here. It's $23.99 US. As far as I know it's only sold in the United States and Canada. I'm sure anyone elsewhere can probably snag one through eBay. Since it uses USB power it can be used anywhere around the world regardless of power standards.

The N+ Points

N+ Charges using USB. Can work anywhere in the world regardless of power standards.
N+ Never run out of power (unless you play over 38 hours straight... wouldn't put that past .Ed).
N+ Never buy batteries again for your Wii remotes.
N+ Always know where your remotes are. Organization + functionality in one package.

The N- Points

N- Proprietary USB Cable. Cable is irreplacable if damaged.
N- Battery is a bit awkward to get in.
N- New battery cover doesn't completely match the remote.
N- Will never show fully charged on the Wii home menu even when fully charged.

15 comments

Wii-Shirt

By seaempty. Thursday, 21. December 2006, 13:32:51

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I just thought I'd share this T-shirt design.

Although I do believe the Wii-mote and strap issue is getting out of hand, I am impressed with how it has become an Internet craze - no publicity is bad publicity, and all that jazz.

8 comments

Look What I've Found!

By seaempty. Wednesday, 6. December 2006, 08:43:35

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There is a new thread in the forum, which enables you to post links to anything Nintendo or gaming related that you would like to share. There are tons of interesting articles, pictures, accessories, collectibles, videos etc. out on the web, and if you think it's worth sharing with the group, then post it in this thread in the general section of the forum. Hopefully we'll be able to highlight what you've found in the blog.

To start us off, birdmatt67has been at it again, and has found these two funky skins for the DS Lite (although I have to admit I couldn't never tarnish the gorgeous white finish of my Lite :smile:).


If those don't tickle your fancy, then the site has many, many more. Thanks birdmatt, keep 'em coming!

2 comments

Component Chase Ends With Sexy Results

By .ed. Friday, 1. December 2006, 00:46:21

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3 comments

SanDisk Supports Wii

By seaempty. Friday, 17. November 2006, 14:36:35

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SanDisk, "the original inventor of flash storage cards and is the world's largest supplier of flash data storage card products", have announced that they are producing a special SD card especially for the Wii.

MILPITAS, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- SanDisk(R) Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced that it is shipping special edition SanDisk SD(TM) memory cards to major retailers in conjunction with the release of Nintendo's new Wii(TM) game console, which is compatible with removable flash memory to store game saves, download games and view digital photos.

The white cards, bearing the label "SanDisk For Wii," will be available in three capacities - 512 megabytes (MB), 1 gigabyte (GB) and 2GB - at gaming and major consumer electronics stores. Suggested retail prices range from $34.99 to $89.99.

"We believe that the Nintendo Wii, with its physically interactive format and compelling games, will be a big hit this holiday season, and these co-branded flash cards will make it easy for gamers to purchase memory that allows for the portability of game saves between Wii consoles," said Christina Day, SanDisk senior product marketing manager.

Gail Tilden, vice president of brand management for Nintendo of America, headquartered in Redmond, Wash., said, "We're happy to partner with SanDisk, the leading supplier of flash memory cards in the world, for our launch of the Nintendo Wii. In order for owners to use innovative features such as the Wii Photo Channel, an SD card is a vital accessory."

Billy Pidgeon, gaming analyst for IDC, a leading consumer electronics research company, said that game refreshes with new elements from the Web should drive up demand for memory storage. "For game publishers, this is an excellent way to extend the lifespan of a game," he said. "Also, many older games are getting a second life because they can be re-introduced to a new audience through downloading."

Pidgeon said IDC research indicates that most gamers buy accessories for their consoles. "Along with new consoles and popular games, peripherals are a key revenue driver," he said. "IDC research indicates that memory cards are second only to game controllers in accessories purchased for videogame consoles."

The Nintendo Wii can utilize the SanDisk Wii SD card in several ways. It can store game saves as well as back up Virtual Console games in the Wii Shop Channel. Also, the SanDisk Wii SD card can be used to display JPEG images from digital cameras, with sizes of up to 8,192 x 8,192 pixels. Further, the Wii will accept video files created in QuickTime (motion JPEG) with sizes of up to 848 x 480 pixels. And the Wii will play MP3 audio tracks as background music during a slide show of digital still photos.


There are no pictures available yet, but as you can see, I've included an "artist's" impression. I personally already have a 1GB SD card ready and raring to go. What about you? Are you splashing out on one? Is the internal 512MB enough for you, or do you crave more? Are you willing to pay more for a special Wii version?

via TMCnet

2 comments

New Wii Accessories

By seaempty. Sunday, 8. October 2006, 09:55:35

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Engadget have posted a whole host of pictures for new accessories for the Wii. Some of them are very intriguing indeed, and they all appear to have Nintendo's Official Seal of Quality. For a start there's the "controller gloves" who's purpose is two-fold. One, to protect the controller in case you get a bit carried away whilst swinging it, and two, it allows you to customise your Wii-mote in a way. Here are some pics:


I don't think I'll be buying one, as I like the Wii-mote's simple white design as it is, but I guess that until you start using it, you won't be able to tell if it needs protection!

Also shown is a curious item: a box of "Dog Tags and Lapel Pins". Is the Wii becoming a fashion icon?

The final accessory I'll bring to your attention is what looks to be a carry case. By the size of it, I would say it would be used to transport your Wii-motes and Nunchuks to friend's houses for Wii Parties.


Oh, and on the same site, they've managed to get hold of the various retail mark-ups on the Wii products:

WII CONSOLE - 249.99 / 237.50
WII REMOTE CONTROLL - 39.99 / 32.00
WII POINTS CARD - 24.99 / 17.00
WII CLASSIC CONTROLLER - 19.99 / 14.50
WII NUNCHUK CONTROLLER - 19.99 / 14.50
WII GPAK ORGANIZER&TRAVEL - 29.99 / 18.95
WII RAYMAN RAVING RABIDS - 49.99 / 41.2
WII THE LEGEND OF ZELDA:TW - 49.99 / 40.00
WII RED STEEL REVOLUTION - 49.99 / 41.22

The price on the left is retail price, and on the right, cost price.

9 comments

How Do You Solve A Problem Like My-Wii-AA?

By seaempty. Monday, 25. September 2006, 11:06:14

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OK, not so much as a problem, but more of a concern I have. From my experience with the Wavebird controller for the GameCube, and the wireless controller for the 360, it's a bit of a pain that they run on standard batteries. I invested in a recharge pack for the 360 which is great. When I heard that the Wii-mote is being powered by AA batteries, I was a bit disapointed. It's a little gripe, but a gripe nonetheless.

I came accross these batteries the other day, and they may be a solution. The back of the Wii console shows two USB 2.0 ports, ideal for charging up these bad boys, and apparently

Charging for just a few minutes provides extra hours of instant use for most input devices


They may well be rubbish, and the Wii-mote is meant to last for 30-60 hours on batteries anyhow, but it may save money in the long run.

2 comments

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