Topic: Nunchuck

[MaryJane]

I was just wondering what people's general impressions have been of this device. It's been kicked around and discussed and many different threads, but here's a chance to localize it all.

What actually got me thinking is reading IGN's eyes-on with the upcoming game Heatseeker, that I for one have been excited about since it was announced, mainly because it involves fighter jets, which I love, but haven't seen a decent game for in a long long long time. The game uses the nunchuck as the "joystick" (if you will allow the term) of the fighter jet that you're piloting, and you use it exactly as how you would if you were sitting in a cockpit. The article also mentions the fact that EA will also be making use of Nunchuck controls for SSX Blur. If you've played Zelda:TP you've also used the Nunchuck for controls such as spin attack, I forget what the "upgraded" spin attack is called, and shield thrust in WiiSports boxing, the Nunchuck works just as well as the Wii-Remote, and although that isn't saying much for the game, it says a lot for the Nunchuck itself.

When I first saw the Nunchuck some may remember I was disappointed because I wanted (and still want actually) games that utilize only the Wii-Remote (like Dragon Quest) to play them. However after spending some quality time with the Nunchuck in Zelda, and Madden, I have a new found appreciation of the little bastard child of the Wii, and I'm wondering what you guys think of it, and what possibilities it holds.

[IceCold]

Well, you need it for the movement in 3D games (the remote only wouldn't work - no resistance and no neutral point). I still think the accelerometers are a bit imprecise, but they don't need to be really accurate. It worked well in Red Steel. I saw BWii vidoes, and they use it for rolls/jumps, which is a good use of it.

[Crimm]

You know, it would be nice if people could come up with games that don't need it.  I really think for Nintendo to deliver on the promise of "intuitive" gameplay it cannot include the nunchuck.

That said, I think we'll find it is the defacto controller for most Wii games.  That is in line with what I expected pretty much from TGS '05 until now.  I think the biggest problem with the nunchuck, especially since it was apparent that many (if not most) games would use it, is that it isn't included with the remote.

[NWR_pap64]

I think its too expensive...Seriously, its mainly a joystick with buttons and some motion sensors. I know the motion sensors can cost a pretty penny, but at 20 bucks its too much. 15 should've been more ideal, with 10 dollars being wishful thinking.

But all bitching aside, I already mentioned that the nunchuk is essential in order for some games to control well, so whether you like it or not, if the developer needs it they will use it.

[Strell]

You can get it for 15 if you have Gamer Gift Cards at a Best Buy near you.  And if you don't, try to find someone who does.

Just sayin'.

[Crimm]

They're also harder to find than pirate treasure.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Crimm
You know, it would be nice if people could come up with games that don't need it.  I really think for Nintendo to deliver on the promise of "intuitive" gameplay it cannot include the nunchuck.

I disagree completely, intuitive is a collection of its parts. If Nunchuck was to be axed, it would severely hamper what kinds of games could be done on the Wii, that is NOT what we want, the Wii will definately turn into a severely handicapped system control wise and make it a very "niche" or even gimmicky product. There are some control methods that are tried and true, they should be added in combination with the Wiimote, not taken away. That is how things have worked out for gaming, intuitive controls were added in addition to tested control schemes (some were taken away as well).

[couchmonkey]

I get what Crimm is saying: I'd also like to see a few more games that don't use the nunchuck at all.  Maybe more to the point, I want to see more game developers really taking into consideration what they could do with the Wii remote.  Though to be fair, it's mostly due to last-gen ports that we see a lot of games that don't seem to do a lot with the remote.

However, I seem to remember Iwata saying that Nintendo hoped the nunchuck configuration would become the new industry standard for game controllers, so Nintendo is clearly looking in that direction.

[Ceric]

Any Controller that has Samus for a Mum is fine by me.

[MaryJane]

Lol Ceric.

Couchmonkey makes a good point in the fact that a lot of games for Wii even the upcoming ones like Heatseeker, and Paper Mario, are ports from last-gen games. Thus games aren't really taking full advantage of either the Remote or Nunchucks capabilities because they were originally designed for other systems.

Does anyone know what's going t obe the first full developed for the Wii games? It's obviously going to be a while before it comes, unless it comes from Nintendo who has always had the development kit, since games take a good numbers of years to make. Perhaps games like Disaster: Day of Crisis, or H.A.M.M.E.R will be the first. As far as I know all third parties games have been ports generally speaking, and even Nintendo's big guns, (i.e Zelda, Paper Mario, and WarioWare?) have been upgraded. Hopefully later this year around Christmas time if we're lucky we'll begin seeing games utilizing 50% of the Wii systems true capabilities, including graphics and more importantly controller.

The Nunchuck really does open up new possibilities, and it will be interesting to see how developers can make it work in even better conjuction with the Remote in the upcoming months and years.

[Ian Sane]

I don't like the idea that Nintendo should just stick to the remote alone to prove the concept.  That seems so political almost.  What's the point?  Nintendo should aim to provide the best controller for their console, not force something to justify an idea.  If you have to force a controller's usage then the controller isn't anything worth a damn anyway.  Ideas will either come naturally or they won't at all.  I personally don't think Nintendo CAN prove the concept.  I think the remote alone is just too limiting.  It lacks the flexibility to be a true controller standard.

But the nunchuk helps provide that needed functionality without compromising the remote itself.  It's the ideal middle-ground.  The remote can still be used as intended but if some extra functions are needed they're available.  My only complaint is that they don't package the two parts together because really the combination of the two of them is the true standard controller for the Wii.  It's going to be whether Nintendo wants it or not.

[ShyGuy]

I predict that Wii 2 will do away with the nunchuk but simply have one controller that is a hybrid between the wiimote and nunchuk. Some games will use one, some will use two.

[ryancoke]

Quote
Originally posted by: ShyGuy
I predict that Wii 2 will do away with the nunchuk but simply have one controller that is a hybrid between the wiimote and nunchuk. Some games will use one, some will use two.

I don't think that would be possible. That would be like if you added an analog stick to the wiimote. You wouldn't be able to accurately point at the screen and use the analog stick on the same remote at the same time. The nunchuk needs to be a seperate entity (even if it's connected by a cord).  What I would like to see is games that use 2 wiimotes at the same time. Wiisports boxing feels weird to have a nunchuk as one fist and the wiimote as the other.

[Kairon]

Two hands is better than one.

The nunchuck is great.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[MaryJane]

I agree with Ian on that games shouldn't be forced to use one controller, however I'm similarly concerened that the Nunchuck is a crutch, yes it works well, but if developers didn't have it, wouldn't they create games that perfectly utilize only the Remote? Maybe they wouldn't be as excited to create games who knows?

The Nunchuck is essential to the Wii, for proper 3D movements, and the additional two buttons help also.

I'm actually excited now to see how far control schemes using the Nunchuck can go?  

[Ian Sane]

"I agree with Ian on that games shouldn't be forced to use one controller, however I'm similarly concerened that the Nunchuck is a crutch, yes it works well, but if developers didn't have it, wouldn't they create games that perfectly utilize only the Remote? Maybe they wouldn't be as excited to create games who knows?"

Would they learn to use the remote perfectly or just make crappier games because they can't get around the limitations?  If the remote really is a suitable controller by itself then I'd say it's Nintendo's responsibility to set the trend.  If they don't I don't expect third parties to do it.  One could view the d-pad on the N64 controller as a crutch.  The analog stick was the innovation and putting the d-pad on there gave an excuse for a developer to go with the tried-and-true and not experiment.  But most N64 games use the stick.  Most of the games that don't have a logical reason for using the d-pad instead.  Part of that is because Nintendo made excellent use of the analog stick in their first party games.  Thus it became obvious to developers when the analog stick was the better option.

[TrueNerd]

The balance stone (I like that name better) has impressed me, mostly because I didn't think it would be as responsive and sensitive as it is. It has already shown it is rather versatile and that only bodes well for the future. I for one can't wait to rip shields away from enemies in Prime 3.  

[Kairon]

I don't see what all the hullabaloo is. The nunchuk is great! tilt controls in your other hand, independent of your wiimote hand!

I mean, some games don't need it, like Wii Bowling or golf games, or Brain Academy or wario ware or likely MP8...

But some games just naturally necessitate it as well, like SSX sounds to using the nunchuck to control "carving."

The nunchuck isn't a crutch, or it isn't extraneous, it's a necessary part of the experience and almost as much a part of the wiimote idea as the wiimote itself: a controller that is intuitive, and can be simplified to the intuitive wiimote or given more traditional functionality while maintaining that simplicity.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[GoldenPhoenix]

Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
I don't see what all the hullabaloo is. The nunchuk is great! tilt controls in your other hand, independent of your wiimote hand!

I mean, some games don't need it, like Wii Bowling or golf games, or Brain Academy or wario ware or likely MP8...

But some games just naturally necessitate it as well, like SSX sounds to using the nunchuck to control "carving."

The nunchuck isn't a crutch, or it isn't extraneous, it's a necessary part of the experience and almost as much a part of the wiimote idea as the wiimote itself: a controller that is intuitive, and can be simplified to the intuitive wiimote or given more traditional functionality while maintaining that simplicity.

~Carmine "Cai" M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

Kairon speaks the truth!

[Leck]

I heard Nintendo are making a game where you throw Nun's around.  Its called "Nunchuck".

...

Yeah okay, lame joke :|

[Crimm]

Nintendo is the one who wanted to simplify the control scheme.  That's their aim with the remote.

However, if you include the nunchuck, the control isn't any simpler than the GC.  You could, in fact, argue it is more complicated.  I think if they REALLY want to make the act of gaming more accessible, and you believe their position that the controller was the biggest barrier, then they need to design games that DON'T use it.

[IceCold]

That's what games like WiiSports and Brain Age are for.. traditional games wouldn't be possible without an analogue stick.

[Adrock]

I can't see how most games could be played with only the remote so the nunchuck was absolutely necessary. It provides more control options while still allowing the Wii remote to be free for movement.

Still, the nunchuck is too expensive for a peripheral that can't be used on its own. At least, I can make a case for the Wii remote's price. With the classic controller, you're paying $80 to play every game that doesn't require a special perihperal (i.e. bongos, DDR pad). That really is beyond outrageous. I hope by the time the successor to Wii comes along, Nintendo will find a way to lower the costs.

Also, the nunchuck could've used rumble.

[jasonditz]

There's another thing to love about the Nunchuck, it seperates the analog stick (which has a nasty tendancy of wearing out) from the rest of the very expensive controller. If the analog stick gets too loose you can buy a new one without having to scrap the whole $60 controller set. I hope Nintendo's taking notes and do the same thing if they ever decide to make a handheld with analog controls.  

[MaryJane]

That is true, I'm already seeing a little wear and tear and the nunchuck. So it will be a good thing when it does completely wear out to only have to replace the Nunchuck and not the entire thing.

I'm really not to fussed about the price of the Nunchuck, really it's the $40 cost of the Remote that bothers me, but it wouldn't really make sense if the Remote cost $30 and the Nunchuck cost $20, because of the vast difference in capabilities. I think though if you take what the Nunchuck can do against the what the Remote can do, half the price of the remote, is fair. Of course I would rather the two together cost $40 but eventually we will see this I expect a combo pack to be $50 for the holiday season this year, it would just make more sense.