The Wii still has the oddest shaped controller out of the 3rd generation consoles. Some would say it’s more of a wand than it is a controller. Using the motion sensor, most games rely on your movement of the controller-wand to interact with the games. In theory there are great games out there that the controller-wand would be extremely functional. Aside from the sports games and games requiring shooting, games requiring sword-like fighting make this an excellent accessory.
But what happens when you just want to hold a solid controller in your hands?
The long Wii controller is awkward when playing games like Mario or any other platformer, so Nintendo finally decides to change the formula with their own controller design. No longer leaving controller design to third party developers, Nintendo introduces the Wii Classic Controller Pro. Updating itself from the original design, the new Pro controller offers double trigger button to offer more options to the left and right of the controller. Taking the model of the Playstation controller, this new design has rubberized bottom grips for a more sturdy grip.
This new accessory will retail for $20 and is expected to be released in April.
Wii Classic Controller Pro is an upgrade to the previous classic controller design.
*This article is purely speculative based on information gathered from a variety of rumor sources and track record of Apple.
Could Apple's new device be the casual gaming machine Nintendo fears?
Many of us have been waiting for Apple’s big announcement with more anticipation than I’ve seen collectively in a very long time. I can remember when the iPhone was first rumored that the world waited, breath held, and excitement at an all time high. I can’t say that any other company has truly fascinated the world as much as Apple has in the last ten years, but then again, very few companies have changed the way we interact the way Apple has. From the launch of the iPod, to the launch of the iPhone, and even dating as far back as their initial Apple computer, the company is known to make waves.
As we approach the big announcement date, the word on everyone’s mind is tablet. I can’t imagine that anyone has not heard the rumors, but this coming Wednesday, along with some other announcements, the world is waiting for the announcement on what they see as the iTablet. Will happen? Does it exist. I’m not here to neither confirm nor deny what’s happening, I’m not privy to that information. But what I will do is make an assumption that I think is at least 85% true.
Should an iTablet of sorts arrive, I’m looking at a device that is purely a media consumption device. I don’t see any content being created with this device, but more for entertainment purposes. While the device will more than likely play movies and audio, it’s being said it could also function as an e-reader. But what I’m looking at is the gaming value.
There have been numerous sources stating that games would play a big factor in this new device and if so why, to what end? Currently the mobile gaming industry throne is held by Nintendo. Since the release of its Gameboy, which was a revolutionary device in its own right, it has been known as a great gateway gaming machine for those not typically used to playing games. Nintendo enjoys its position as being an easy point of entry for the casual gamer that perhaps would not pick up an Xbox or a PS3. This has been the bread and butter for this market, followed by the hardcore fans that thrive on franchises like Mario and Zelda.
The iTouch/iPhone has quickly become the gaming alternative for those of us waiting in line or just passing the time. With quick pick up games that can be played in short bursts and then put down, the release of an iTablet could easily transcend the small screen but bring the same mindset of carrying a slightly larger device that won’t just offer the same gaming diversion, but also offer up video, audio, and published entertainment.
Maybe I’m going out on limb here, but I think Nintendo might be in their sights. Not necessarily as a gaming machine, but rather, eating up their casual gamer market share that are looking for something a little more sophisticated than a Nintendo DS or DSi interations.
What are you thoughts? Do you care? Do you think it’s all hype? Leave your comments and let me know what’s what.
Nintendo Wii has done really well in the game console market, but its still a long way behind Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 when it comes to adding other services and features within the platform. Playstation 3 has blu-ray movie playback capabilities as well as online connectivity through the Playstation Network while the Xbox has a high-definition movie store and also an online chat facility. And yes, both the PS3 and Xbox also have Netflix service.
Nintendo has announced that they will now be adding Netflix service to its Wii console to enable video streaming, according to a report from the NYT.
The new Nintendo Wii feature will allow Netflix subscribers to choose from a catalog of older movies and TV Shows through their Nintendoo Wii and watch them immediately on their connected TV.
When the new feature goes live, Nintendo Wii owners using broadband Internet connection at home and who have been subscribe to Netflix’s DVD-by-mail service for the last 9 months can use the new service without incurring any additional cost. But before Nintendo Wii users can watch the movies, they will have to use a free software disc from Netflix which they need to put into their consoles.
Nintendo is reaching out to older gamers with a revision to its DSi gaming system that breaks from the common ever-shrinking-gadget motif and actually provides a larger system with a bigger screen, perfect for adult-sized hands. The DSi XL was first shown in Japan last fall as the DSi LL, but now it is finally coming to the west.
While the standard DSi has screens measuring in at 3.25 inches diagonally, and the DS Lite only 3.0 inches, both the DSi XL’s screens are a hefty 4.25 inches.In addition to the larger size, the DSi XL’s screens are to feature a wider viewing angle, so you don’t have to be looking straight-on at the screen to enjoy it.
The DSi XL will launch in England on March 5th, and a first quarter US date has been mentioned, but we haven’t been able to exactly pin it down yet. Pricing is also up in the air, but it’s safe to say it’ll be a bit higher than the standard edition DSi.
There’s a lot to be said of the games from our past. I’m just as big a fan of the modern day gaming systems as anyone else, but sometimes we just want to play the classics and by now some of our older systems have collected too much dust, or they just don’t work like they should. So teaming up for a game of Contra, or picking up a game of Spy Hunter just isn’t feasible.
What if it was possible to dust those cartridges off, pop them into an updated gaming system and pick up where your elementary inner child left off. Check out the Retro Mini X Handheld gaming system that does just that. The site claims it’s the “Gameboy that never was,” for all of us that hold the classics near and dear to our heart. Not into the 2.4 inch LED screen? No worries, the handheld system comes with A/V connectors so that you can play on your TV.
For the small price of $50, you get the handheld system, two controllers, and a zapper for those classics like Hogan’s Alley and the infamous Duck Hunt. While the system does not come with any games, that’s why it’s important to dig out those boxes and get those games ready for the wee hours of the night that you’re sure to spend playing these classics again.
It has been announced that the Black Nintendo Wii tat is currently only available in Japan will be heading to Europe on November 6th.
The unit will feature the black console and matching WiiMote, Nunchuk and MotioPlus peripherals. Nintendo is also throwing in Wii Sports and Wii Sports Resort, some nice additions, although we still don’t have a price for the whole bundle.
Nintendo also plans to eventually offer the black colored Classic Controller Pro, although that peripheral won’t be available as part of the package.
While the bundle will go on sale starting November 6th the “general release” date won’t begin until November 20th.
Unfortunately Nintendo is still sitting behind their plans to only sell the white version of their system in the U.S
