Topic: Nyko Announces Controller With Built-In MotionPlus

[Kairon]

Nyko's combination controller will retail for the price of a normal Wii Remote.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=20739

 If there's one thing that's guaranteed to sell for the Wii, it's controllers. To that end, Nyko has announced a new alternative to Nintendo's official Wii Remote, the Wand +.    

   

Nyko touts that the Wand +, a follow-up to last year's Wand controller for the Wii, will be fully compatible with all Wii software, including Wii MotionPlus games. In fact, whereas owners of the Wii Remote need to plug-in the Wii MotionPlus accessory for that functionality, Nyko has built their support for Wii MotionPlus into the controller itself, requiring no additional accessories. In addition to that, the Wand + will feature the same Trans-Port technology that its predecessor had, allowing compatible accessories attached to the Wand + to simulate pressing out-of-reach buttons or to take advantage of force-feedback functionality.    

Whereas the suggested retail prices for the Wii Remote and Wii MotionPlus products add up to nearly $60, Nyko has announced that the Wand + will carry a suggested retail price of $39.99 when it becomes available this March.    

   

Nyko revealed the Wand + as part of their CES 2010 line-up. The company will also be showing the Charge Base Quad IC, which recharges up to four Wii controllers without the need to peel off silicon sleeves, open battery cases, or unplug accessories. The Charge Base Quad IC also offers a USB port to recharge USB-powered devices, and will come in both white and black color schemes.    

CES 2010: Nyko Technologies Unveils Full CES Product Lineup    

Wand + and Charge Base Quad IC Among Many Accessories Making Their Debut    

LOS ANGELES - January 7, 2010    

Nyko Technologies®, the leading videogame peripherals manufacturer, today debuted its full lineup of new products at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 in Las Vegas. In addition to the previously announced Type Pad Pro for Wii™, Speaker Com 360 and Charge Base IC in black, the following lineup of brand new videogame accessories will be on display for exclusive hands-on demo:    

Wand +™    

The Wand + is designed to be the most advanced and user-friendly controller on the market for the Wii. Instead of requiring additional attachments or dongles for accurate motion control, the Wand + features Full Motion Technology™ built directly into the controller, allowing full 1:1 movement tracking that is compatible with all games that utilize the Wii Motion Plus™ attachment. By building the technology into the controller, the Wand + provides all the functionality Wii gamers expect, plus the versatility and convenience they deserve; no more dongles, no more custom sleeves or incompatibility with docks and other accessories not able to accommodate attached dongles. The Wand + also contains NykoÂ’s award-winning Trans-Port Technology, which allows key action buttons to be digitally replicated on other devices and pass sound and vibration signals to attached peripherals for the ultimate immersive gameplay experience. The Wand + features a fresh new design for a sleek, high-tech minimalist look.    

The Wand + will be available at select retail stores nationwide in March 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $39.99.    

Charge Base Quad™ IC    

Based on the popular Charge Base IC for the Wii, the Charge Base Quad IC utilizes induction technology to charge up to four controllers. Like the original Charge Base IC, the design of the Charge Base Quad IC enables Wii Remotes or Wands to be charged without having to remove silicone sleeves, Wii Motion Plus™ or other attachments. The Charge Base Quad IC also features dual charge indicator lights and a powered USB port that can be used for charging other devices.    

The Charge Base Quad IC, available in white and black, will be available at select retail stores nationwide in March 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $49.99.    

Media Hub Slim™    

The Media Hub Slim works with the PlayStation®3 Slim (PS3 Slim) in vertical or horizontal position and easily snaps onto the console to match the color and contour of the PS3 Slim, and allows users to connect double the USB devices such as flash drives, PSP, MP3 players and guitar/drum controllers.    

The Media Hub Slim adds two additional USB ports and a media card reader slot that supports SD cards and Sony Memory Sticks to enable content to be easily transferred to a PS3 Slim. In addition, the Media Hub Slim also includes a remote for basic control of menus, movies, music and more. Its unique design requires no tools or internal modifications, draws its power directly from the PS3 Slim and easily installs in just seconds.    

The Media Hub Slim will be available at stores nationwide in April 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $19.99.    

Intercooler Slim™    

The latest installment in the companyÂ’s popular Intercooler line of game console cooling devices, the Intercooler Slim includes three powerful fans to reduce ambient air temperature by moving hot air away from the PS3 Slim. The Intercooler Slim can be easily snapped onto the back of the console, and with a patented power pass through connection, no AC adaptor is required. The device features variable fan-speed control for customized cooling, automatically turns on and off with the PS3 Slim and can be used with the console in vertical and horizontal position.    

The Intercooler Slim will be available at select retail stores nationwide in February 2010 and will retail for an MSRP of $19.99.    

"CES gives Nyko a platform to truly set the tone for the coming year in gaming accessories," said Chris Arbogast, director of marketing at Nyko Technologies. "This year is no exception, with great new products for the recently released PlayStation 3 Slim, and new accessories like the Wand+ and Charge Base Quad IC designed to heighten consumer expectations of third-party peripherals."

[BlackNMild2k1]

from what I've seen of it, it looks like it fits into the Nintendo condom and the Nintendo battery cover should fit on back of it as well. Which mean it also fits into any and all Wiimote accessories and if it's anything like the original wand, it is an actual quality piece of hardware that functions identically to the Nintendo Wiimote for $20 less.

I hope this does so well that maybe Nintendo will lower the price of their wiimotes.

[BeautifulShy]

My Nyko charger that I got back in 2007 is not really holding a charge anymore and one side doesn't work. The wiimotes always have 2 bars after I charge it. So the Quad Charger will be perfect for me.

[GK]

If I ever needed extra remotes these would be the ones for me. Charger looks great too.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

My Nyko charger that I got back in 2007 is not really holding a charge anymore and one side doesn't work. The wiimotes always have 2 bars after I charge it. So the Quad Charger will be perfect for me.

I think the lesson was supposed to be that you SHOULDN'T trust Nyko chargers.

[Jonnyboy117]

Great idea (and price) from Nyko. I'm surprised that we are already seeing a third-party MotionPlus, because I thought Nintendo had a solid exclusive on that technology from the patent holders.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Nyko had a peripheral agreement with Nintendo didn't they?

I also hear the d-pad on this remote is really good.

[Crimm]

Great idea (and price) from Nyko. I'm surprised that we are already seeing a third-party MotionPlus, because I thought Nintendo had a solid exclusive on that technology from the patent holders.

I thought so as well.  I would assume it would have to use the same technology, or it wouldn't work properly.  I hope we get a review unit; I'm curious how well it works.

[Crimm]

I also hear the d-pad on this remote is really good.

You heard wrong.  It's stupid and looks like the New Mexico state flag.

[Crimm]

So creepy moment - We got an email from a PR agent for G4TV with a link to their hands-on with the Wand+.
 
To answer Jonny's question: it uses technology that Nyko developed on their own, without a Nintendo license.
 
 
http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/701736/Hands-On-Nykos-Wii-Wand-With-Built-in-MotionPlus.html

[King of Twitch]

The price is reallly tempting, but..

"Should Nintendo publish a change to MotionPlus, Nyko will also be able to update the firmware on the Wand+, though it will require sending your controller back to Nyko for flashing."

[Crimm]

I would be amused to see that happen... unless I owned one.  Then I'd be pissed.  However, I doubt I'd be as pissed as Nyko would be.

[DAaaMan64]

I would be amused to see that happen... unless I owned one.  Then I'd be pissed.  However, I doubt I'd be as pissed as Nyko would be.

That'll be the first thing Nintendo does two months into the Nyko sales.

[Crimm]

I would be amused to see that happen... unless I owned one.  Then I'd be pissed.  However, I doubt I'd be as pissed as Nyko would be.

That'll be the first thing Nintendo does two months into the Nyko sales.

Are you kidding?  They'll wait for the first shipment to be on the trucks to stores and do it.  Then once they recalled them and sent them back out they'll do it again.

[MegaByte]

Apparently, before it launched, devs had a hard time with the MotionPlus because Nintendo kept changing the firmware on them.

[BlackNMild2k1]

Who was it that had a Licensed peripheral agreement with Nintendo?
I swear I saw it reported on NWR sometime in the last year or so.

[UncleBob]

The price is reallly tempting, but..

"Should Nintendo publish a change to MotionPlus, Nyko will also be able to update the firmware on the Wand+, though it will require sending your controller back to Nyko for flashing."

I have to warn you, NYKO's customer service isn't something I enjoyed dealing with.  Nor did I enjoy messing with NYKO's product...

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/forums/index.php?topic=21668

[MegaByte]

Who was it that had a Licensed peripheral agreement with Nintendo?
I swear I saw it reported on NWR sometime in the last year or so.

It was Nyko.  They got sued for the wireless Nunchuk design, but later the two settled for cash vs. licensing.

[Kairon]

I would be amused to see that happen... unless I owned one.  Then I'd be pissed.  However, I doubt I'd be as pissed as Nyko would be.

That'll be the first thing Nintendo does two months into the Nyko sales.

Gah. That doesn't sound fun at all.

... I still want a Wand + though...

[Mop it up]

I don't think I'd ever trust a third-party Wii Remote or Nunchuk due to likely durability issues. Remembering back to the Nintendo 64 and its analogue sticks which got worn down easily, I don't have faith that Nintendo got the motion sensor right on their first try. Most third-party N64 controllers had absolutely abysmal sticks and I could just imagine running into a similar problem with third-party products with Wii controllers as well.

[Stratos]

Yes, the N64 3rd party controllers sucked, but it seemed to be rectified on the Gamecube because every 3rd party GC controller worked fine and seemed quite durable.

[Mop it up]

The sticks on GameCube controllers also eventually wear down through normal use, though it takes a lot longer than an ungreased Nintendo 64 stick. Using the rumble makes it wear out a little faster too. They could completely prevent wear if they used a metal shaft, but that's probably too much to ask for.

I imagine the same holds true for the motion sensor in the Wii Remote, it either wasn't created with the most durable of design or it isn't made with the best quality material. I've turned off rumble in my remotes because I'm certain it can't be good for the sensor.

[MegaByte]

Accelerometers are made with silicon that's microns thick.  They're not really comparable to macro materials, and if they were made poorly, they pretty much just wouldn't work.  Such devices also power airbag trigger sensors, so I don't think you have to worry about rumble.

[Mop it up]

What about the people who claim that the motion sensor has either stopped working or has gotten "stuck"? Is that just a natural flaw with the device, or can it be prevented with a design change?

[NWR_insanolord]

It's usually pretty easy to fix a stuck accelerometer. It happened to a friend of mine and he called Nintendo; they told him to smack it hard against his palm and it worked.