The thing when I demoed Wii Sport Resort I noticed that the controller was longer now and asked Nintendo if the charger would still work. Ask Nyko was their reply, so I did.

Unfortunately, it won't work, at least not while the Wii Motion Plus device is attached. The Nyko guys told me they were already looking at ways to solve the problem. They added that they believe the Wii Motion Plus attachment doesn't contain batteries, meaning it likely draws power from the Remote, which would likely reduce the battery life for the controller.

Bad news all around.

Lets get to what everyone is thinking first: No the Wii version of Samba de Amigo shown this week did not have Maraca-shaped Wii remotes. But that doesn't mean they aren't coming.

In fact a rep told us that they are looking into a "Maraca sleeve" for the remote and even spoken with some manufacturers about it.

In the game, for those of you not familiar, you take on one of several colorful characters dancing and playing the maracas to music. The rhythm game is played by shaking the remote and nunchuk in time to the music while making sure they are in one of three positions: above your head, at your waist or held pointing down.

The game starts by having players calibrate the two controllers by holding them in the different positions. And play seemed to be pretty responsive, though the game did fail to recognize the correct position a couple of times.

There will be both single player and multiplayer and the developers told me that the game will also allow you to post your high scores to an online leader board.

The game looks like the sort of pick-up-and-play fun that will end up being a huge hit with the Wii's casual gamers and could also strike a chord with Nintendo's more hardcore fans.

I have no idea how it feels, but Nyko's Perfect Shot for the Wii remote certainly looks kick ass. My only issue is that I tend to forget about controllers that I have tucked away in elaborate cases, like the one still sitting dormant in my Guitar Hero controller.

Wired's GeekDad teamed up with the blog-free GeekMom to get their equally blog-free GeekChildren a Wii this Christmas. But once they set things and started playing one of the remotes went all funky.

GeekDad, living up to his name, tried to fix the remote himself. He put in new batteries, tried re-syncing all of the remotes, tried resetting the remotes. None of that worked, so he called Nintendo's call support. After checking out the Wii Sensor the friendly Nintendo lady went into Angry-Dad-With-A-Broken-TV mode:

Friendly Nintendo Help Desk Lady: "Okay - I want you to take the remote, button side down and smack it into the palm of your hand two or three times."

Russ: "You've got to be kidding"

Friendly Nintendo Help Desk Lady: "No sir, do it hard enough that I can hear it across the phone line but not hard enough to damage the remote"

Russ: "You're sure?"

Friendly Nintendo Help Desk Lady: "Yes, sir."

The thing is, it worked. See, this just shows you that if all else fails try violence.

Crazy (real-life) Wii Remote tech-support call.. [GeekDad]

The only catch is that the mod only works with 3rd or 4th gen iPods. But that's all right. It was all downhill after generation three when build materials became cheaper, and buttons transformed into a "click wheel."

NES Controller iPod Remote [via playgadgets]

I've been intrigued by Nyko's various charge stations since they were announced at CES earlier this year. The idea of a device that both organizes and charges your next-gen console controllers seems like a great idea, and for the most part it is.

Nyko recently sent me their charge station for the Wii remote and I suspect it is probably the best of the bunch, not because of design issues with the others, but the problems it happens to fix with the Wii's Remote.

The kit doesn't just come with the stand to charge and display two of your remotes, it also comes with replacement battery covers which have rubberized backings, making it harder for them to slip from your hand. It also includes two rechargeable battery packs for the remotes.

Once you upgrade the remotes with kit you're left with controllers worthy of a next-gen system. The recharger station also works quite well, giving your remotes a full charge in a relatively short time. The only complaint I have is that those of us who have multiple systems might find it hard to figure out where to plug the thing in, since it requires a AC plug rather than a USB port. Brian Crecente

Wii Fanboy has a picture up of some pretty damn cool looking Wii remotes hand-painted by one of their readers. It looks like the reader just took the thing apart painted it and then put it back together. If I had any, and I mean any, artistic talent I'd be all over this. But alas, I don't. Brian Crecente

Pair of peripheral paint jobs pleases [Wii Fanboy]

It looks like Guitar Hero 3 for the 360, PS3 and Wii will indeed be hitting this fall, unfortunately the Wii version will be using the same guitar-shaped controller you've grown used to.

In an interview with IGN, RedOctan's co-founder and president Kai Huang said that the development team is exploring innovative ways to use the Wii remote, but that the basic controller will be the guitar.

"We are really excited about the Wii game because there are so many options for the Wii remote. However, you will play the game with a guitar peripheral and it will be similar to a guitar you've seen in the past."

He also confirmed that Guitar Hero III on Wii contains features included in other versions of the upcoming game - such as online play and downloadable music.

That's too bad. By the time this one hits I think just about everyone will have played the game. A new type of control would have been kinda neat. Brian Crecente

Guitar Hero III Wii using Guitar Controller [IGN]

Just in time to add another bibelot to your already growing collection of Nintendo themed household accoutrement, comes this Famicom themed universal TV remote. Unfortunately, it doesn't control cable boxes or DVD players, only televisions. The list of compatible brands are: Sony, Panasonic, Sharp, Sylvania, Sanyo, Aiwa, Hitachi, Philips, NEC, JVC, Toshiba, Mitsubishi and Fujitsu. Not recommended for TV's older than 5 years or so. And in case you were wondering, yes, this is an official Nintendo branded product. These are limited editions from Japan, so order now while supplies last! Flynn De Marco

Nintendo Controller Universal Remote [Think Geek - Thanks, Nova]

What the...

Didn't I just see this somewhere.

Oh yeah, one of our reader's had already come up with the idea. Man, I'd be pissed.

Nyko's Classic Controller grip attaches a classic controller to the remote and also holds onto all of that extra cord, all for $15. Nyko's also selling a replacement battery cover for the remote for $5. It's all rubbery, making it easier to keep your hands on the thing. Jump. Release. Brian Crecente

LOS ANGELES - February 23, 2007 - Nyko Technologies , a premier peripherals manufacturer, today announced that they will release the Classic Controller Grip and Click Grip for the Wii this Spring.

Nyko's Classic Controller Grip brings comfort and convenience to the Wii Classic Controller by adding specialized grips with a Wii remote dock and cord-management system. Together, these features make it easy to use the classic controller and Wii-Remote simultaneously. Using an easy snap-on assembly, the Classic Controller Grip attaches to the Wii Classic Controller, giving it a more form-fitting and ergonomic feel, while the underside of the product features a clear plastic docking fin where a Wii remote can be attached for easy menu navigation. The Classic Controller Grip also features a useful cord management system, allowing the Wii Classic Controller cable to be organized in a safe and convenient way. Nyko's Classic Controller Grip will be available at retailers nationwide this April for a suggested retail price of $14.99.

Nyko's Click Grip is a substitute for the standard Nintendo Wii remote battery cover, replacing it with a rubberized cover with textured grip. This new material gives gamers a secure hold on the Wii remote, ensuring that the controller stays in their hands, keeping gaming sessions safe and more comfortable. For gamers looking for personalization options, the Click Grip also comes in three colors, blue, pink and gray. The Click Grip will come in packs of two and be available this March from retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $5.99.

The Click Grip and the Classic Controller Grip are compatible with one another, giving gamers the ultimate in comfort, convenience and safety no matter if they are playing the newest Wii titles, or experiencing a classic all over again.

"The Classic Controller Grip and Click Grip represent our commitment to giving consumers access to cutting-edge products that enhance their gaming experiences," said Chris Arbogast, Marketing Manager at Nyko. "Whether you're looking for a way to keep a better handle on the Wii-Remote or an easier way to manage your Classic Controller and Wii-Remote simultaneously, Nyko has the solution for you."

Wii Play just arrived at the house. The game's got some fancy packaging and comes with a new remote (featuring a new, breakless strap).

I'll be playing with the game later today, right after I get online with my new build of Motorstorm and have my ass handed to me by the developers. Brian Crecente

Ok, so it's a little late in coming seeing as the initial reports of Wii injuries to hearth and home have died down. At this point, people have learned to use their remotes responsibly with the wrist strap and not flail around like a spastic monkey on crack. Still it gets points for being really well done and actually looking like it could be a real commercial. Nintendo, take note, this could be your next big ad campaign! Flynn De Marco

Sundance is underway and for the most part I don't really care.

That little part of me that does care is obsessing about which photos I can find, or be given, that show celebrities posting with gaming goodies that they typically neither understand or appreciate.

Take for instance this one of Tara Reid as seen at the Motorola Late Night Lounge. Yes, her two-fisted handling of the remote is quite sexy, but it doesn't help to convince me that she thinks of it as anything other than something you use to turn a television on and off.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for another image of Paris Hilton with a Nintendo goody so I can drag out my coke trough joke again. That still makes me laugh. Brian Crecente

Apparently, the link that was sent to me was not meant to go public (which the person who sent it should have known!) and we've been asked to take the link down so it doesn't continue crashing their server. Thankfully, Craig over at ScrewAttack was kind enough to get me a YouTubed version of it so we could post it here and all can share in the wonder and glory that is "Wii Sex."

NSFW!!

UPDATE: We have removed the link to this video at the request of it's maker since it was crashing their server. You can now watch it here.

I've seen a lot of Wii videos in the past few months, but this one really takes the cake. I was a little reticent to watch it at first since the email announcing it had the subject line of "I'm so sorry." But, when I saw that it was sent from none other than Mario Opera creator and GameJew about town, Jonathan Mann, I decided to give it a shot.

The video was not made by Mann, however, and according to his email came from his keyboardist's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend who got it from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night.

This is absolutely NSFW and while I was skeptical at first, I got a good larf out of it in the end. It's as wrong as it is hilarious. I won't give anything away, but the final shot and sound effect is worth the price of admission. Flynn De Marco

In a short but sweet article the New York Times picks apart the Wii's remote and how it works. They also included some pretty cool graphics that show the way the thing works and what it looks like all exploded.

The secret to the Wii Remote, says the article, are MEMS, micro-electrical-mechanical systems:

...the controller's most-talked-about feature is the capacity to track its own relative motion. This enables players to do things like steer a car by twisting the remote in the air or moving a game character by tilting the remote down or up.

"This represents a fabulous example of the consumerization of MEMS," the tiny devices known as micro-electro-mechanical systems, said Benedetto Vigna, general manager of the MEMS unit at STMicroelectronics, a leading maker of the accelerometers embedded in the controllers. (Nintendo itself declined to talk about the controllers' inner workings.)

He said the motion sensors, using the technology that activates vehicle air bags, can accurately sense three axes of acceleration: up and down, left to right, and forward and backward.

This is mostly achieved within the MEMS, micron-size machines that depend on submicroscopic structures carved into the silicon. For example, one structure moves like a tiny diving board, stimulated by the actions of the game players.

The structures are enveloped in an electrical field, Mr. Vigna said. When the MEMS elements are moved, the electrical field changes and the MEMS chip is sensitive enough to detect the changes.

These accelerometers are so sensitive, Mr. Vigna said, because electrons — those subatomic particles that whirl around the nucleus of atoms like a video game in the making — can sense the subtle atomic-level movement of the silicon structures.

So I guess that means you don't need to whip the remote around like you're trying to punch a hole through a brick wall. Brian Crecente

Occasional Kotaku features writer Colette Bennett sends us this snazzy, too-late-for-the-holidays Wii injury t-shirt. I hope the back of the shirt shows the remote sticking out with some kidney on it. Brian Crecente

Shirt of the week [Destructoid]

At $24.99 (cheap!) I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get one. This way I can kind of squint my eyes and pretend I'm playing the Wii. Michael McWhertor

Well no, actually it was the spazzy, sweaty-palmed gamer who blow out the window in his house, but the Wii Remote was definitly the tool of glass annihilation.

The gamer, like many before him, says he was just playing when the remote zipped out of his hand and, heedless of the flimsy strap, continued across the room and through the window. Brian Crecente

I Broke My Window! [Nintendo Forums]

I've just gotten back from the Target Greatland on North Druid Hills in Atlanta where, on a tip from my co-worker Dave, I heard there were Wii-motes and controllers on sale since Friday.

So my buddy and I headed over to North Druid Hils and upon arriving found no line of campers outside, no rioting crowds. I made a bee-line for the electronics department and lo and behold, there they were. Hanging in their plastic containers right next to the Wii demo stand. The Wii remote, the nunchuk, the classic controller and Nintendo Points. We grabbed one of each and made our way to the register, unhindered by muggers, paid and left. This is great since the EB where I pre-ordered my Wii hadn't received their shipment of extra accessories. This will save a trip in the morning, giving more uninterrupted playing time and no line waiting. Sweet! Make the jump to see them up close and personal. Flynn De Marco

Having spent the past two days or so playing Wii games using the remote (mostly) and nunchuk, I think I can say that the two controllers seem to work quite well.

My initial concerns, that once a consumer had to set up the sensor bar in their less than ideal home it would result in major issues, seems unfounded. I was able to set mine up in very little time and I haven't had a single problem yet with losing the remote's pointer.

The sensor bar is even stuck to the top of my big screen and I'm playing 15 feet away sitting on a couch or standing in front of the counch without any problems. So that issue, at least it seems, isn't a big deal.

I only have been able to test the controllers on three games, Wii Sports, The Legend of Zelda and Excite Truck, so I still want to reserve judgement on just how precise the pointer will be in fast paced games, like Red Steel.

You do use the remote pointer for inputting characters and clicking buttons, so I can say that it seems fairly accurate and despite the wavering of the remote icon you typically see in videos, it really isn't an issue to use.

The nunchuk's controls are definetly the most comfortable of the Wii's ways of playing. The thing fits in your hand perfectly. You just gently cradle it as you guide you character around with the thumbstick.

The remote isn't quite as comfortable and I found, while playing with Excite Truck, that the most accurate way to play seemed to be with the controller held out straight in front of me, which was very tiring over time.

It will probably be another week or two before I can really get a handle on what I think of the controllers, especially after I've played a much wider selection of games using both the remote and the nunchuk. But for now, none of my fears have been realized and the thing is quite fun to use. Brian Crecente

Of the four games I have, three of them use the SixAxis motion sensing in some way. With the exception of NBA 07, all of them use it well. The control's response time seems amazing. I haven't noticed a single bit of slow down and for the two games that use it well, the Sixaxis doesn't just give you a new way to play a game, it makes that game more fun to play.

From what I remember of the Wii Remote's motion sensing, they two seem very much on par. The problems I've had with the Wii controls have always been those directly relating to the sensor bar, something that I believe is going to be a unique problem to the Wii. Brian Crecente

Of course the converted price may not have any basis in fact. But if it's even close, these are pretty decent prices. Especially when you consider that Best Buy lists the Xbox 360 wireless controller for $50.

I've contacted SCEA about U.S. prices and will update when and if I hear something. Brian Crecente

Playstaiton 3 Japan [SCEI]

Plucked from the pages of a game mag, reader Bill was kind enough to send in a scan of one of the most confusing advertisements for a video game I've ever seen. I believe that if you cut this apart and put it together, as explained, you'll get some sort of proverb/clue that can be used while calling the number listed on the side.I kinda dig this Red Steel Ad because I love how puzzely it is. Brian Crecente

What I saw of first-person shooter Metroid Prime 3: Corruption left me intrigued at E3, what I saw at the New York City event left me jonesing for the game.

The MP3 at New York had the two levels that a lot of us had already seen plus a new never before seen level.

The new level showed off the game's ability to present Halo-like full motion video. It also gave me sometime with Samus in her ball form and a chance to play around with some of the platforming elements of the game.

This time with the game I messed around a bit with the settings too. I found (actually Luke told me) that you can crank-up the remote sensitivity to expert. Doing this helped reduce how janky the controls felt, cutting down on a lot of the jumpy, skittery feeling of the pointer. It also helped stave off the mild motion sickness I was beginning to feel.

On expert I felt pretty comfortable with the controls even a few minutes into gameplay. I'm sure after playing around with it for a few days I'll have no problems.

The game did lose my controller once or twice, but it quickly compensated, finding it again within seconds. I hope this was due more to user error then something wrong with the game or some basic premise of the remote.

It was nice to see that Retro Studios still hasn't lost their touch with level design. This new level of gameplay really showed off the extraordinary diversity of the game's design. There were tunnel areas, standard interior space ship scenes, Prey-like living spacecraft areas and even some amazing scenes that sent you drifting between ships through the vacuum of space.

MP3 looks like it's shaping up, though I'm still reserving judgment. I just can't get over the fact that a major game for a new console launch is having any controller issues at all. Hit the jump for the press release. Brian Crecente

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Format: Wii
Launch Date: TBA
ESRB: RP (Rating Pending)
Game Type: First-Person Adventure
Accessories: Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers
Players: 1
Developer: Retro Studios

KEY INFORMATION
If you think you knew what it felt like to be the bounty hunter behind the visor, think again. Take aim at evil with Nintendo's revolutionary controller.
Players control Samus by moving with the Nunchuk controller and aiming with the pointer, allowing for a level of immersion unlike anything they have ever experienced. Through the eyes of Samus, players experience a quantum leap in first-person control as they wield the Wii Remote controller, the ultimate device for the first-person shooter genre.
Samus will employ well-known power-ups like the Grapple Beam and Morph Ball, as well as a bunch of new surprises, to help her survive her coming trials.

Game storyline: Six months have passed since the events on the planet Aether. The Galactic Federation's network computer, Aurora Unit, is suddenly and completely corrupted with something like a virus. The Federation believes Space Pirates may be behind the problem and, beginning with Samus, starts to contact bounty hunters. As they explain the situation to the assembled hunters, the Federation is attacked by the pirates. Samus and the other hunters leap to the defense of the Federation capital, only to find that the enemy the hunters face is the presumed-dead Dark Samus. Dark Samus is armed with immense power that no one can withstand. It soon becomes obvious that the forces controlling Dark Samus and the terror of the contaminated Phazon are a dire threat that could corrupt the entire universe.

Characters: Samus, Dark Samus, the Galactic Federation and new bounty hunters.

How to progress through the game: The war initiated by Dark Samus and the Space Pirates rages across many planets as they attempt to corrupt each with Phazon seeds. Players use the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers to explore alien landscapes, hunt for weapons and information, and destroy the seeds. Saving the planets from corruption isn't enough, though. Eventually, players must take down Samus' mortal enemy, Dark Samus.

Special powers/weapons/moves/features: Using the Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers, players will be able to grasp and pull things by using actual arm movements, as well as execute amazing feats like aiming and blasting in midair or at a full run. The game also incorporates a new system involving Phazon. If you fill Samus' Phazon supply to a certain level, Samus will temporarily go into hyper mode, a state in which she can pull off incredible feats; on the flip side, if she exceeds the maximum Phazon level, she'll perish. Also, for the first time in the Metroid series, Samus' ship will be used in active game play.

Gawker videographer Richard Blakeley put together this nice mash-up showing the various ways to use the Wii-more in gameplay. It gives you a nice sampling of the different motions, though he totally needs to include one of someone slamming it into a flatscreen in rage when they can't get the aiming to work right on Red Steel. Brian Crecente

Video Shigeru Miyamoto Interview
Peter Moore Talks PS3
Neil Young Talks Spielberg and Wii
Neil Young Talks C&C and Evoking Emotions
Neil Young Talks EA Culture
Wario Ware Director Opens Up

Currently they all run off of batteries, but it sounds like Nintendo is hoping to figure out a way to make them rechargable. You'd think it would be pretty simple to have some sort of docking system for such a tiny device. As important as Miyamoto made the Wii-mote sound to their plans, I'm sure they'll work something out. —Brian Crecente

The demo allowed Totilo to run the controller through a bunch of different sorts of games that showed off all the ways the mini-remote would work. In one game he pointed the controller at the screen to aim and pressed a button to fire. In another he help the controller in his hand and moved it about to control an on-screen biplane. In a third game he fished by whipping the controller back and forth. In the final game, a handheld, mouse-shaped device was attacked to the remote. The second device was equipped with a thumbstick and trigger. The remote was used to aim and the second device to move the character around and fire.

Totilo says the controller was very smooth . The real test will come after a few hours, or even a day of playing. That's when you start seeing how good or bad a controller is.

The Nintendo Revolution Controller Feels Smooth As Puppet Strings [MTV News]

These are perfect if you use yer PSP for more than gaming and don't want to be confused with an iPod user (God forbid). Otherwise, these non-Sony buds and remote are a gigantic waste of moolah.

Product Info Here [CyberGadget] via Akihabara News