Update: Wow, that was fast. The controller is sold out. Uh, people must have way more money than we do. Send us one, plz?
If you're looking for more of an authentic experience when playing those Virtual Console games, then know that Play Asia is now allowing folks to order the Super Famicom Classic Controller. Of course, if you want that authentic experience, you're going to have to pay for it. The controller is going for a whopping $70 at the site. Frankly, we'd advise tracking down a SNES controller and doing one of those wireless hacks to the thing. It's got to cost a lot less than seventy freakin' dollars.
Paul Henry Smith is one smart dude. He has created the Fauxharmonic Orchestra, a simulation of a real orchestra, brought to you by the Wiimote, Balance Board, and his brain. We're not classical buffs by any means, but what we're hearing (and seeing) is pretty impressive. We have on criticism, though. It looks like Paul is wearing his shoes in the video. Dude, you're going to scuff your very expensive peripheral!
Otherwise, kudos, Paul, on a job well done.
Gallery: Peripherals that paved the way for the Balance Board
Nintendo fans have been practicing parkour with their very own platforming princess since the 8-bit days. Now it seems another traceuse is stepping in on the territory Samus pioneered. On the surface, it doesn't seem as if Mirror's Edge has very much in common with the Metroid franchise. Yet,the respective series heroines' exploits can be experienced and enjoyed in either first person 3D or 2D sidescrolling viewpoints.
Mirror's Edge 2D is currently in the beta stages of development with its destined platforms still unannounced. It hasn't yet got any of the fascist oppressors seen in the 3D version, but they'd only get in the way of the acrobatics that are on impressive display here. Rarely do we get to control such fluid and graceful 2D animation, and it makes the treat all the more delectable when you get to do it with a Wii Remote.
Usually we leave it up to our own Mike Sylvester when it comes to doing crazy things with the Wiimote, but he might have some competition in Mgestyk Fusion. See, the sensor bar kind of limits the scope of the Wiimote's ability to work in 3D spaces. Mgestyk Fusion replaces the sensor bar with a web cam and, as you can see in the video above, really helps Nintendo's controller to be all it can be. The set-up will be available to witness in person next week at the Montreal International Games Summit. Until then, we'll just have to settle for the video above.
Remember that whole Hillcrest Laboratories thing and the Anascape debacle? Seems Nintendo just can't catch a break, as another small company has stepped up and claimed patent infringement against Nintendo for its Wiimote. The latest, filed on November 10th, comes courtesy of Motiva, a small company based out of Ohio. They claim that Nintendo has infringed on U.S. patent (7,292,151) titled "Human Movement Measurement System."
Motiva is claiming royalties, damages, and attorney fees for their patent, which was originally filed as a rehabilitation aid, however, in the applications section of their patent, they do list video games. So Nintendo and Motiva will now do the courtroom shuffle sometime soon and we'll be sure to update you all when there's more on the matter.
Apple liked what they saw when the Wiimote was unveiled. Back in May, we caught wind of a patent that Apple had for a Wiimote-like remote control of their own, for use with Apple TV. Well, the patent is back again, as you can see above, complete with IR sensor and accelerometer action, and dubbed the Apple Smart Remote. So, we're guessing this thing is going to be unveiled soon and we'll see if Apple's version of the Wiimote can compete with Nintendo and their latest console.
Zombies. It seems like you can't stroll through a secluded eastern European village, tour a bioengineering facility, or attend a Kenny G concert without coming into contact with their kind. "Brains" this and "moan" that is all you ever hear from them, but chances are you've smelled them long before they come into earshot. I, for one, am sick of 'em and if you feel as strongly as I do, I urge you to take up arms.
It's amusing to take them apart piece by piece, but as they shamble ever closer, you'll ultimately have to spread a little gray matter and put them to bed for a final dirt nap. At times like that, you'll need to know that you can rely on your sidearm to do the job. Zombie killin' is no turkey shoot, so a blunderbuss ain't gonna cut it. In this week's Revolutionary, we'll be testing out how straight a shooter the Wii Remote can be.
You know what? We were all kinds of ready to pick up All Star Cheer Squad. The day it released, we were waiting at the GameStop, with our money in hand, ready to pick up the title. In the end, we didn't, because, really, how were we to know if this was the ultimate cheerleading sim? Thankfully, a real cheerleader has stepped in and told us what to think!
Natalie, a cheerleader with the New York Jets Flight Crew, put the game through its paces, stomping on the Balance Board and using the Wiimote and Nunchuk to bust poses all over the place. Her final verdict? Well, she enjoyed it, but you're just going to have to watch the video past the break for the rest of her thoughts.
Seriously, though, somebody should tell her that Nintendo doesn't suggest wearing huge boots while using the Balance Board. Doesn't she know how expensive that thing is?
We fully expected Japanese accessory company Hori to release a version of their Fighting Stick Wii with Tatsunoko vs. Capcom art. They frequently release branded versions of their less expensive (as in, not Real Arcade Pro) sticks to coincide with new fighting games. But another company somehow got the deal with Capcom, and plans to release Classic Controller-compatible sticks both with and without Tatsunoko artwork this year.
Exar, the company responsible for the Wii Neo Geo Stick 2, will release the EXARSTICK on November 27 for 5229 yen ($54) and the TATSUNOKO VS. CAPCOM STICK on December 11 for 6279 yen ($65). The only differences between the two seem to be cosmetic: in addition to the obvious artwork differences, the buttons and outer casing on the Tatsunoko stick are different colors than those in the plain stick, which is Wii white and blue with Super Famicom-color buttons.
We don't know how this compares to the Fighting Stick in terms of quality -- at these prices, we don't expect either to use genuine arcade parts -- but at least it looks like something that needs to be sitting on our coffee table right now.
Uh, if you play with your face, that is. Just go with it.
The Rage Wireless Wii guitar from Performance Design Products has been recalled due to its tendency to burn human flesh if not handled correctly. Well, it burned one set of flesh, at least, and that was enough. According to the official recall, if the batteries are installed incorrectly, something with the circuit board will cause those batteries to leak. That can't possibly enhance your fake-music-playing experience. If you happen to have one of these, check the manufacturer's website for more recall information.
Do not buy (or keep) guitars that have the potential to hurt you worse than you have ever been burned. Buy a safe guitar instead. Y'know, like one of these.
The WowWee Rovio is quite the little gizmo. A mobile spy bot with Wi-Fi and a webcam, you can use the robot to speak, see and hear anything through the internet. Utilizing a bluetooth adapter and a Wiimote, the folks over at Robodance have come up with a way to control it with Nintendo's innovative controller, as you can see in the video above. Consider us impressed.
The Wiimote is a powerful tool. Enjoy things such as this? Then be sure to check out our column, Revolutionary, where Mike Sylvester shows us how to do the extraordinary.
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?
Taiko no Tatsujin (Taiko Drum Master) is currently delighting Tokyo Game Show attendees on the showfloor, allowing us a first glimpse of the drum controller that comes with the game. It looks sturdy and very ... hittable! We look forward to seeing how it comes packaged, though are slightly saddened that this version won't have its own Taiko-themed stand.
Also worth noting: judging by these photos, the drum is wireless, and connects directly to the Wiimote, à la the Classic Controller. Beat a path past the break for more pictures.
Those of you looking for a rechargeable solution to your Wiimote's power needs, manufacturer MeWe has just come up with a new device: the Quad Charger. As you can see above, it includes LEDs to let you know the power status of your recharging Wiimotes, as well as the capacity to charge four simultaneously. And, of course, it comes with four rechargeable packs (Ni-MH).
The MeWe Quad Charger is currently available and costs $49.95.
Game controllers have come a long way since we were holding a box with a protruding stick and tapping a single button. Now they're so packed full of cutting edge (yet inexpensive) tech, I'd half expect to see a Wii Remote and Nunchuk in the cockpit of the space shuttle* as a cost-cutting measure. As advanced as the Wiimote is, a lot of us have found a thing or two that could be revised about its design. I've gone to the most extreme reaches of my imagination, and come up with a design concept that I believe is about as radical a step beyond our current Wiimote, as that controller is beyond every console controller that came before it. And just like Nintendo's own design, my perfect controller would be based around technology that is already being used today in different applications.
*Warning: The Wii Remote and Nunchuk's accelerometers will not work in space. NASA engineers, be advised to wait for the MotionPlus.
