The only button on the device is the trigger. This is simply a hinged piece of plastic that relies entirely on pressing the B button in the Wii Remote. It's obvious that the designers intended this to be the primary means of interacting with games designed for the Zapper. In fact, the way the unit is put together renders every other button on the Wii Remote all but useless, as they can't be reached in any comfortable or quick motion. Thankfully, the Nunchuk is mounted in such a way that both the Z and C buttons are accessible, along with the control stick. Do the math, though. That's only three buttons, so don't expect many complex gaming experiences to come out of this device.
Probably the biggest knock against the device is that it actually makes games harder to play. In Link's Crossbow Training (the game that comes with the device), I would routinely score higher when I held the Wii Remote in my hand. This is due largely to the fact that I had much more precision in simple wrist motions than I did trying to move the entire Zapper assembly. There just isn't a perfect way to hold it. Everyone who has picked it up and tried to play with it has gone through several different methods of holding it before settling on one and commenting that nothing felt quite right. Overall, it's just quite awkward. The instruction manual even suggests taking the Nunchuk off and holding it in your left hand while holding the Zapper in your right. This feels cool, but fails in practice. You will immediately start holding the Zapper up to your eye to aim (much like aiming was done with the original NES Zapper). The pointing device of the Wii Remote doesn't work in this manner, as it can't account for different television sizes, so the precise aiming does not help at all.
If you had to place the Zapper somewhere on the spectrum of Wii accessories, it would fall much closer to those silly Wii Sports attachments than the Nunchuk or Classic Controller. If you think you'll have more fun shooting something that feels more gun-like, feel free to pick it up. If you think you need it to play any of the shooter games coming out, think again.
Pros:
Construction: 7.0
The Wii Zapper is at least manufactured well. Everything fits snuggly, and some clever engineering was used to hide most of the cable that attaches the Nunchuk. For the most part, it feels sturdy and solid. I don't perceive anything major breaking off, like one of the handles. The trigger feels a little flimsy when it doesn't have the B button of a Wii Remote behind to brace it. It'd also be a bit nicer if the cover used to conceal the Nunchuk wire snapped into place a bit better.
Final: 4.0
While the inclusion of Link's Crossbow Training skews the value scale slightly, as a standalone product, the Wii Zapper doesn't really matter. When something designed to enhance the experience can actually hinder it, there are fundamental problems with the product.
Quote
Originally posted by: Shecky
How are people holding this thing? And what is your dominant hand?
I'm right handed and I think held it with my left hand on the forward trigger.
I may try it again, reversing that grip or by playing disjoint (removing the numchuck from the zapper with only the Wii remote inserted)
Quote
Originally posted by: Rhoq
I am holding it like I would if I were playing without it: Right hand pulls trigger, left hand controls Nunchuck.
