Sega is running a contest for its Dreamcast-turned-Wii port, Samba de Amigo. As you can see above, the winner will receive a pair of the maraca peripherals, as well as a copy of the game, and a special edition iPod nano. Not a bad prize pack, if we may say so, and there is a total of 11 prize packs up for grabs.
So what do you have to do to enter? It's rather easy. All you need to do is have someone take a picture of you doing a creative Samba pose. The 11 most creative, as determined by the judges, will be awarded the prize packs.
There's also the obligatory fine print, so head on over here to read up on how to get involved. Good luck!
It seems that Nintendo isn't quite as draconian as we thought about the Wii Download Ticket code accompanying new purchases of the WiiSpeak microphone. Previous statements suggested that there was absolutely no way to obtain a code without purchasing new hardware -- even if you have bought new hardware and require a replacement code.
The statement from Nintendo of Europe reads "Any consumer who may have misplaced their Wii Download Ticket number for the Wii Speak Channel or require a new number following a Wii exchange may contact their local Nintendo Customer Services department, where they can request a replacement Wii Download Ticket number."
There's no word of secondhand purchases or any other circumstances, but it seems likely that if Nintendo is at all willing to offer replacement codes, the friendly customer service representatives won't be too stingy with Download Ticket codes. Just don't buy a used WiiSpeak expecting to get the free code.
Boxing manufacturer Everlast has revealed that it will be joining the burgeoning Wiimote/Nunchuk add-on market, starting with these $30 synthetic leather boxing gloves. Why? Because it's the end times, that's why.
Still, The New York Times seems impressed. "The gloves give you some sense of being in the ring," lies the once-respected newspaper. Obviously, we don't have to tell Wii Fanboy readers that this is tat, but, y'know, inform your relatives/friends or something, before you find yourself wearing these Christmas morning.
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
Nyko is doubling the effectiveness of their previous charging dock, adding two more slots and two more NiMH rechargeable battery packs to the mix. Dubbed the Nyko Quad Charger, the new charging station will be available in North America next month, just in time for the holidays, and will cost you $49.99.
Hit up our gallery below for a closer look at the docking station.
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.
This month, Hori will release their own take on the Classic Controller, called, shockingly enough, the Hori Classic Controller. The new controller combines the designs of the GameCube and Classic controllers, with the former's general shape, stick layout and shoulder buttons, and the latter's face button layout and Wii-specific extra buttons. It also has individual autofire switches for each button, which make it look scary, like a mini Steel Battalion controller or something.
Black and white versions of this controller will be available starting November 27, and a light blue version will follow on December 4. All will cost 2,980 yen ($30.50). Play-Asia is currently taking preorders for $29.90.
This looks ideal for people who like the feel of the GameCube controller but hate the scrambled button layout -- or for people who want to artificially boost their performance in the myriad shmups on the VC.
MTV Multiplayer's Stephen Totilo opened his review WiiSpeak microphone box and discovered the secret behind the associated Wii Speak Channel: it's a free download, yes, but that download requires the entry of a one-time-use code included in the box. At first blush, this isn't a big deal, because anyone who wants to use the Wii Speak Channel is probably going to have a microphone anyway, right?
The problem, as Totilo identifies, is that you can't buy the thing used and expect the channel, because the "Download Ticket" will have been used. And Nintendo won't replace it. The channel won't be available for purchase, or for free download without the ticket. So buy the thing new or plan to chat only in games.
A Go Nintendo reader spotted this on the shelves of his local Target: a "Multi-Player Controller Set" containing a Wii Remote, a Nunchuk, and a Wii Wheel. This kind of thing obviously makes sense to Nintendo as Christmas approaches (the season where Wii excels, some would say), and we could really get behind the idea of a good value bundle of second/third/fourth peripherals (still need a fourth Wiimote and Nunchuk at Casa de Greenhough!).
It's just a shame that the price is such a sham: $74.99?! All three of these peripherals are available separately at Amazon for a total of $63.91 (which qualifies for free shipping), but here's the real laugh: you can buy an individual Wiimote, Nunchuk, and Wii Wheel for $74.97 at Target itself. D'oh! Knock at least fifteen bones off this and you've got our attention.
Dengeki has posted hands-on impressions of the EXARSTICK, the non-Tatsunoko themed version of the Tatsunoko vs. Capcomarcade stick. Overall, the tester is pleased with the stick's movement in both buttons and joystick (which uses an arcade-standard square gate). Possible problems included a relatively light weight, which has an adverse effect on stability, and buttons that have limited tactile feedback (they don't push down very far). Oh, and by the way, the article features lots of pictures, up close and from different angles.
It turns out that the Virtual Console-style EXARSTICK and the Tatsunoko stick are different after all! The EXARSTICK has the Minus and Plus buttons mapped to the two oval-shaped buttons on the top row, to match the Select and Start buttons of the Super Nintendo controller (both sticks have Super Nintendo-friendly face button layouts), with the three circular buttons on the right corresponding to ZL, ZR, and Home. The Tatsunoko vs. Capcom stick uses those two oval buttons for ZL and ZR, with Minus, Plus, and Home on the circular buttons.
Contrary to what we originally heard, it looks like the Wii Speak Channel won't be launching alongside Animal Crossing: City Folk on November 16th.
IGN snapped a picture of the WiiSpeak box, complete with a disclaimer that the Channel (which allows chat outside of Animal Crossing) will actually appear in December. When in December isn't clear, though we know the Channel will be available in Europe from December 5th, so maybe then. Until then, you're just going to have to pick fruit and chat simultaneously. We can probably cope with that!
Nyko's been manufacturing peripherals for awhile now. We've spent time with the Kama wireless Nunchuk, their wireless Nunchuk adapter and even the Perfect Shot. Now their latest peripheral, the Wing, attempts to best Nintendo's Classic Controller through wireless technology. Does it succeed? Read on and find out!
Gene Simmons is getting himself a ticket on the money train that is the rhythm game scene with the branded guitar peripheral you see above. While on other consoles the peripheral will work with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero, for Wii, it'll only work with the latter, initially, as the version hitting shelves on December 1st is limited in functionality. If you can wait, though, on January 31st a version that is compatible with both games will release.
The listed price for the peripheral is $79.99. Anybody like what they see?
Mad Catz, the peripheral manufacturer, has gone into a multi-year agreement to create peripherals for the Wii installments in the Rock Band franchise. The exclusive rights to manufacturer and distribute extend to all regions, except for Asia, and will allow them to produce the bass guitar and portable drum set.
"Together we will provide Rock Band fans the opportunity to enhance their gameplay with Mad Catz' premium instruments for Nintendo's extremely popular Wii system," said president and CEO of Mad Catz, Darren Richardson. This multi-year agreement will start in early 2009.
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.
We've spent some time with other Nyko gadgetry before. Just recently, we put the Wing wireless controller through its paces, as well as the Kama Wireless Nunchuck and the Perfect Shot. Don't forget about their Frontman guitar, either. And, please, take a minute to remember the dearly de-partied Party Station.
This month, Hori will release their own take on the Classic Controller, called, shockingly enough, the Hori Classic Controller. The new controller combines the designs of the GameCube and Classic controllers, with the former's general shape, stick layout and shoulder buttons, and the latter's face button layout and Wii-specific extra buttons. It also has individual autofire switches for each button, which make it look scary, like a mini Steel Battalion controller or something.
Mad Catz, the peripheral manufacturer, has gone into a multi-year agreement to create peripherals for the Wii installments in the Rock Band franchise. The exclusive rights to manufacturer and distribute extend to all regions, except for Asia, and will allow them to produce the bass guitar and portable drum set. 
