As you can see from the packaging, GoLive2 really wanted to emphasize that kids are going to have fun with their Stix product. The boy is obviously having the time of his life, while the girl gets so overwhelmed with emotion on the back of the box she jumps, even though there are no games for the Stix 200 that require it. She's just that damn happy about being on a box cover. It's the little things.

The Nintendo similarities begin right when you open the box. Inside the box is another box, the sort of pleasant light blue you might find inside a Wii package. Opening that box reveals the two Stix 200 units, some batteries, the USB faux charging cradle, and a manual.

Let's look at the Stix compared to the Wii remote, shall we? As you can see, the design aesthetic is essentially the same. The trigger depression is a bit different, but otherwise the shape is pretty similar, if a bit larger than the Wii remote. The real difference is the face of the controller. They call it a touchscreen, but really it's just a touch-sensitive panel with LED lights behind it. Even the strap bears a striking resemblance to the Wii remote strap, going as far as having the fastener at the top sharing the same rectangular shape with the cut-off corner.

Once you have the whole kit out of the package, you connect the USB "dock" to the computer, a driver installs, and you are prompted to download some software from a website, which once again reminds you that you are about to have so much fun you won't know what to do with yourself.

Once the software controller loads you're free to head over to the GoLive2 Stix website, create an account, fire up one of dozens of free online games, and realize you are holding in your hand the most expensive replacement for a set of arrow keys ever.

See, the Stix 200 only features 2D movement. That means up and down, left and right. It is essentially a set of arrow keys with some extra buttons tacked on top. Let me clarify: it is essentially a set of slightly unresponsive, highly inconvenient arrow keys. GoLive2 does make a 3D version of the accessory - the Stix 400 - but seeing as I don't have that one, here we are. As for the games themselves... A truly horrible assortment of shovelware mini-games awaits you on the GoLive2 games page, mainly consisting of clones of already existing web games with the fun sucked out by requiring you to use this silly peripheral. I did manage to enjoy one game on the site for nearly 20 minutes, but that was the excellent flash classic Fancy Pants Adventures, which I could only play after giving up on the Stix controller and using keyboard controls instead.

The Stix 200 is a cheap imitation of the Wii remote that is trying to capitalize on the Nintendo system's popularity by allowing PC gamers to move themselves about the screen with a stick. Perhaps the 3D Stix 400 is a much better product, but after spending time with the cheaper model I'm not sure I would ever even consider giving it a go. I'd say nice try, but frankly it just wasn't.

Nintendo's corporate affairs VP Denise Kaigler confirmed to us earlier this week that the Wii Sports sequel is currently the only game that's confirmed to take advantage of the new sensor, but... what if? What if, say, Mario Teaches Sniping is coming down the line and requires the add-on? Will Nintendo release an updated Wii Remote, one integrated with the MotionPlus tech built-in?

Katsuya Eguchi, producer of Wii Sports Resort and MotionPlus subject matter expert, says the company is currently thinking about integrating it into the current remote.

"We're always looking at how hardware will evolve," Eguchi noted, adding that it's too early to confirm anything about a new standard Wii Remote. There's a possibility that MotionPlus may simply remain an attachment only and that it may be used with limited software.

Talking to Nintendo employees after the Nintendo Developer Roundtable, we expressed our concerns that the MotionPlus would fragment the user base, that it may be leading to an overcomplication of the inherently easy Wii Remote. We were told that the MotionPlus accessory may be packed in with more than just Wii Sports Resort to prevent that sort of split between users.

Addressing other concerns that the Wii MotionPlus might lead to more difficult games, ones that require increased precision, Eguchi said that his teams "are very aware of this issue and we're keeping this in our thoughts during our development."

That said, Eguchi noted that "We want a gaming experience where [the player feels] 'the more you bite, the more flavor you get'."

Wiispray turns Wii Remote into virtual graffiti spray can [Engadget]

The unnamed source provided MTV with a sketch, which our hasty mock up to the left is based on and explains the copious amount of holes.

If true, it reminds us of that other Rare project said to be in the works, the Xbox Live Arcade title with Vision cam support.

You may remember the rumor regarding Rare's The Fast and the Furriest based on internal docs delivered to Xbox 360 Fanboy. Those plans indicated that Rare was hard at work on a "wand type" interface with motion control and a furry outfit avatar system. Yes, it does sound like the stuff of nightmares.

Speaking of nightmares, MTV's source calls the project "a colossal clusterf***" which should certainly inspire confidence. There's even talk of waggle-formed games for the hardcore.

The best part? Rumored marketing materials that illustrate "how easy it would be for third parties to port their Wii games to the 360." We're not making this up!

Even more details on the exasperating copycatting await you at the original MTV News report. Consider it rumor for now, but given the extensive talk about Microsoft looking to shoehorn in Wii-like features, don't be surprised if such a thing pops up at the company's E3 press conference.

Xbox 360 Version Of Wii Remote Has Been In Development Since Summer, Source Exclusively Tells MTV News [MTV]

Great, actually. Really great. When the Jacket was first announced, I didn't really think of it one way or the other. Probably because I wasn't expecting something this nice for free. Two pluses: 1). The cushiony plastic feels durable, yet strong and ergonomic. The Wii-mote is actually easier to hold while wearing the Jacket. 2). Even after playing Wii Sports for twenty minutes, there was less slippage foreshadowing. Granted, you'll still need to hold on tight, but the shiny Wii Remote gets less clammy. This doesn't mean you won't have to wipe your hand while playing. You will. Still, even if, say, Nintendo spend millions sending these out and released it as an actual project, I would totally purchase one. Two, even.

Considering that Nintendo has a pair of platforms that print money, we don't think this is going to affect them financially in any way. Also, taking into account that Nintendo says the program "Isn't going to affect us financially in any way" we think Iwata and crew are gonna be OK.

Must be nice. I just spent $230 on a new jacket last week and it nearly broke me.

Nintendo To Spend Over $17 Million On Wii Jackets [Game|Life]

Play Nintendo and Go Nintendo are both reporting on what appears to be a third Wii remote safety strap.

This latest one appears to be thicker, longer and (no, not uncut) has a better plastic doohickey for cinching the thing to your wrist. The plastic dealio on my current old-school break-away strap always slides down, so that's a nice improvement. What I don't like is that the new strap doesn't feature that coolio Wii console shape on the end, instead it's just a rounded plastic nub. Booo! Brian Crecente

new newer wii strap? - recalled- [Play Nintendo] and ,a href="http://gonintendo.com/?p=11892">New.. new wrist straps? [Go Nintendo]

Kotakuite John C. sends in this picture of his 14 month old daughter playing the Wii. His email was short leaving me with many questions...

I was pleasantly surprised to find my daughter whoopin' ass in Zelda, shocked really...

So, did he just walk in and discover that baby had figured out how to turn on the Wii, insert the disc, start the game and had just beaten the third level boss? Or was it more like he put the game on pause and baby started playing and randomly ran around kicking ass? Either way I think it it brings up some interesting thoughts. I'm just not sure if it says more about the intelligence of this apparent super-baby, or the utter simplicity of the Wii-remote.

Make the jump to see baby checking out the item screen shortly before she beat the game. Flynn De Marco

The Xbox 360's wireless controller was the most purchased video game accessory last month. I'm sorta surprised that more Remote Controllers didn't sell, but there have been reports of stock issues with Wii accessories. Yep, Wii remotes are just flying off.. shelves.

Top 10 Accessory Items - December 2006
360 WIRELESS CONTROLLER 823.8 k
WII REMOTE CONTROLLER 646.7 k
WII NUNCHUK CONTROLLER 497.1 k
PS2 8 MEG MEMORY CARD 474.8 k
PS3 SIXAXIS WIRELESS CONTROLLER 336.0 k
PS2 MEMORY CARD 8 MEG 286.0 k
PS2/PS DUAL SHOCK2 CONTL 263.4 k
PS2/PS BLUE DL SH2 CNTL 245.2 k
360 PLAY & CHARGE KIT 224.6 k
PS2 CORDLESS ACTION CNTLR 219.9 k

Brian Crecente

"We will be watching to see whether or not the change is effective in reducing the reports," said Julie Vallese, director of information and public affairs for the commission.

She said that there are two ways in which the commission can get involved in a product safety issue. One is by discovering the problem on their own, either through consumer complaints or their own research, the other is by the company notifying them of an issue.

In this case Nintendo contacted the commission and asked to fast track the solution, which involved offering to replace about 2 million Wii remote safety straps.

"Nintendo wanted this to happen very quickly," Vallese said. "We worked with the company and their representatives to get an announcement out very quickly for this program."

In the report, Nintendo told the commission that they had received three reports of injuries that were not serious. Vallese did not have details but said typically that would include minor cuts and bruises. She said the commission only receives detailed reports if someone is treated by a health care provider like a doctor or in an emergency room.

All three of the injuries, she confirmed, were a direct result of the strap breaking. None of them, she said, were connected to people getting hit by someone playing the game too close to them.

Because Nintendo self-reported the issue, the commission will not do its own investigation unless new issues crop up with the new strap.

"If the problem continues with the new strap that's where we might step in," she said. "We also would have to decide if it's a safety issue."

Vallese added that that means that if remotes were, for instance, smashing into a television hard enough to cause the tube to explode or somehow stop working in a dangerous way, it could also be deemed a safety issue.

While the commission has the power to issue civil penalties, Nintendo wouldn't likely fall into that category because they reported the issue and are following the program they developed to replace the straps, she said. Brian Crecente

Maybe this has been up since launch day, I'm not really sure, but a reader just sent us a link to Nintendo's safety information page for the Wii which prominently discusses the issue of flying Wii Remotes.

I think this is the first Safety Manual for anything that cautions you about having "too much fun."

Hold the Wii Remote firmly and do not let go. Even while wearing the wrist strap, make sure you don't let go of the Wii Remote during game play and do not use excessive motion. For example, in Wii Sports bowling, the proper way to let go of the ball while bowling is to release the "B" button on the Wii Remote—DO NOT LET GO OF THE Wii REMOTE ITSELF. If you are having so much fun that you start perspiring, take a moment to dry your hands. If you use excessive motion and let go of the Wii Remote, the wrist strap may break and you could lose control of the Wii Remote. This could injure people nearby or cause damage to other objects.

Yes, yes it could. I'm still not letting any kids anywhere near my Wii until I fix it up with some zip ties. Brian Crecente

Wii Safety Precautions [Nintendo, thanks Richard]

Our polls are so far from scientific that when they finally conclude I hate to call the numbers they vomit up results. But I suppose that there could be a shred of information found in the faux statistics.

Our latest poll was launched at the request of a Kotaku reader who wanted to know just how many people have their Wii Remotes slip from their hands and how many of those slippages result in broken straps.

To try and pluck some sort of facts from my silly questions, I tallied up the total votes for just the first three questions and used those to get percentages.

As of this morning, about 76 percent of the Wii owners who answered our poll said they have never had their Wii Remote slip from their hand while playing a game. But of the 24 percent who have had their remote slip from their hand, a quarter of them, or 338, had the strap break.

To put it another way, about six percent of the 5,700 or so Wii gamers who answered our poll have had their strap break on them. Personally, I think the fact that the strap is breaking so often, when put to the accidental test, shows that Nintendo needs to redesign the things, that or a third-party should jump on this and come out with a quick, but sturdy fix. Brian Crecente

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]

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

I know we've reported about this before, but it doesn't quite hit home until it happens to you.

This morning a gaggle of children had set up residence in my lounge to play some Wii. About ten minutes into Wii Sports play I heard a distressingly loud thump followed by even more frightening silence.

Chugging downstairs I found a circle of children staring at me with wide eyes and open mouths. On the floor lay a Wii remote, on one of the child's wrists a broken Wii strap.

They were, they tell me, playing baseball. Fortunately, the airborne remote slapped into a wall and not my $3,000 plasma screen.

For now, I am no longer letting the kids play Wii. If I have to decide between a happy half-dozen children and a working Plasma the TV wins every time.

Until Nintendo gets around to fixing the exceedingly flimsy piece of string holding the strap to the Wii, I'm not going to be letting anyone play Wii Sports anywhere near my TV.

I'm hoping someone, anyone, steps up and comes out with a much sturdier, perhaps metal, cord for the strap. Brian Crecente

Nintendo released a photo of the Wii last year (when it was still called the Revolution) that showed it in five different colors: white, black, platinum, red and lime green. Either it's also coming out in blue or they're going to be releasing peripherals for it in blue, because the middle of the three Wii-motes we saw on display at Nintendo's booth was that color.

After the jump: a gallery of the other Wii peripherals on show awaits.

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