Want a (Wire) Free Nunchuck?

The Wii’s controllers may be the perfect controller. In addition to looking good and working good, it also has no wires back to the Wii! Anything not wireless now is so 90’s!

However, as many fans of Zelda and Wii Sports boxing will attest – the Nunchuck is not quite as blessed. The Nunchuck is forever shackled to it’s sleeker sibling, embarrassing both in the process. While it seems like a small sacrifice – I know I was not alone in hoping for this to be rectified. There have been rumors that Nintendo would introduce a wireless version but to date, nothing.

While my prayers for Jennifer Anniston to call me have yet got unanswered, it appears someone may be listening after all. A third party, Nyko has just revealed that they will be making a wireless Nunchuck available in early 2008. The company recently unveiled the product to IGN and it looks pretty slick.

While pricing and further details are still unknown, it has been revealed that the new peripheral will utilize a 2.4 GHz wireless to communicate with a receiver module built into a jack that fits neatly into the usual port. Set to make a public debut at CES next month, Nyko’s Wireless Nunchuck will replicate most aspects of the original Nintendo model but will finally cut the cord between the controllers.

UPDATE: You can now view further images HERE. 

Wii Most Wanted - December 2007

Wii Most Wanted - December 2007*

1. Super Mario Galaxy
2. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
3. Big Brain Academy: Wii Degree
4. Mario Strikers Charged
5. The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
6. Mario Party 8
7. Wii Play
8. Pokémon Battle Revolution
9. Wario Ware: Smooth Moves
10. Excite Truck

* list as per Nintendo.com, logic and criteria unknown

Are Wii There Yet?

The Wii is fast becoming the stuff of urban Christmas legend. Stores have been inundated with people calling daily and walking in asking for it, only to be told they’re sold out. When a store does get a shipment, they’re snapped up in minutes. All over North America, the system is so in demand that:

- A shopper lucky enough to get one has the parcel double-bagged by store staff so no one can see the name through the plastic, and is given a security escort to her car by mall staff.

- A clerk at another store says he never knows when a shipment is coming in, because a truckload of the merchandise was stolen in the Toronto area — so now they only know when the delivery shows up at the door.

- Every day has another report of people being mugged, cars and homes broken into – all to get the desired Wii.

For the second year running, this video game system has become the hot, unattainable item this holiday season, along with games such as Guitar Hero. There is no question that there will be lots of disappointed kids come Christmas as supply once again falls far short of the demand. There is little doubt that stores are being buried under an avalanche of requests. BestBuy has gone as far as to add the following disclaimer to their main page:

Thank you for your interest in Nintendo Wii and Guitar Hero 3.

Unfortunately, as these are two of the hottest gifts this season, our stock continues to fall short of the demand. We are doing our best to correct this and will put out new stock in our stores as soon it arrives.

Happy Holidays and thanks for choosing Best Buy.
While I was able to purchase a Wii back in October, I have to tell you that my own recent requests for Guitar Hero 3 for the Wii, while they used to be answered apologetically are now more often answered simply with an incredulous laugh. While many people have voiced the opinion that this is a marketing ploy at Nintendo, you should keep in mind that they are shipping 1.8 million Wiis a month. Now, I have no way of knowing whether they could increase this capacity but it would certainly appear that they are holding up their end of the bargain. That being said, only a few short months ago, many people were able to get Wiis simply by going to the store and asking for one. However, this became increasingly difficult as Christmas approached. Now? Well, it is next to impossible. No one has them anymore and when a store somehow manages to get a shipment in, they go fast. All retailers are in agreement that there are no Wiis in, and they don’t know when they’re coming.

“Purolator and UPS will not say anything to us anymore,” said an employee at EB Games. “One of their trucks got held up at gunpoint, so after that they will not say anything about when they are being shipped.”

But the Internet has come to the rescue for some, with auction sites like eBay and their ilk offering new ones for sale but at prices in excess of $400 for the system that retails for $269. While many object to the gouging, I know many parents who are more than happy to shell out the dough to put the system under the Christmas tree. Even at this price, the Wiis continue to sell.

So, what’s the fascination with the Wii and why hasn’t Nintendo been able to keep it on the shelf? Well, for one, kids and parents alike seem to appreciate the physical aspect of the game. While it is not exactly a run in the park, anyone who has tried one can clearly state that your thumbs are not the only thing that gets a workout. I can vouch to actually feeling muscle stiffness the day after a prolonged session. It has also cut across gender and generational lines, unlike other high-priced game systems that rely mostly on first-person shooter games — the domain of mostly teenage males. In fact, a cursory glance at the Wii game shelf, while still somewhat limited, will offer something for everyone. As a happy Wii owner I have to tell you that I love mine! - sorry to rub it in for those looking.

The Wii has sold more than six million units in the U.S. since it was launched a little over a year ago.

(NAME AND ADDRESS WITHELD FOR SECURITY REASONS)

Guitar Hero III - the Saga Continues?

Guitar Hero III is undoubtably the hardest Wii game to get your hands on this holiday season. However, what we have to remember is that the game actually launched back in late October. I’m certain that this means that some are considering, or have already cleaned up the old axe in order to sell it. Not so fast – there may still be some groupie-love in your future. I know what you’re thinking, “I’ve unlocked everything, rocked out to every song and am ready to retire.”

Well get that pick back out! The show must go on — RedOctane has recently stated that it will come up with downloadable goodness for Wii Guitar Hero III in 2008. Although no exact date was given, we can be sure that we will all be strumming for some time to come.

See ya’ backstage!