Wii

Wii 2 details leaked – full HD support and a 2010 release?

By Paul Lester

18:09 October 30, 2009 PDT

The rise and rise of the Nintendo Wii continues unabated and we’ve seen all manner of weird and wacky accessories released over the last year. With everything from bowling balls to exercise bikes popping up to complement associated games, it’s no surprise the console is a big hit with those who like gadgets and gimmicks, but aside from the MotionPlus we haven’t seen anything genuinely revolutionary since the original motion-sensitive controls... so it looks like it's up to the next-gen successor to truly re-imagine the Wii’s potential. Read More

Cyberbike brings an exercise bike to Wii’s growing army of peripherals

By Paul Lester

17:40 October 14, 2009 PDT

Most sane people would agree that cardiovascular exercise is a pretty boring way to get fit and, unless you’re working out with a friend, a little extra visual stimulation would rarely go amiss. The Nintendo Wii has already had a decent crack at bringing a bit of fun to boring routines with the Wii Fit and EA Sports Active, and seems to have picked up one of the minigames from the latter as the subject of its latest peripheral revolution. Read More

PS3 Motion Controller set for 2010 release

By Mick Webb

20:48 September 28, 2009 PDT

Watch out Wii! Nintendo’s hugely popular console, which made motion sensitive game play a household fixture the world over, could have some serious competition on the horizon. As well as Microsoft continuing to develop its impressive looking Project Natal concept, Sony has announced that its own tentatively titled “Motion Controller” is due for a second quarter release in 2010. Read More

Logitech rock Wii and Xbox 360 with Wireless Drum and Guitar Controllers

By Mick Webb

11:02 September 10, 2009 PDT

In exciting news for Guitar Hero fans, Logitech has made good on its promise to release premium Wireless Drum and Guitar Controllers for the Wii and Xbox360. Following on from the initial release for the PS3, Logitech’s new peripherals will have lounge room rock stars rejoicing – and all in time for Guitar Hero 5. Read More

Elonex introduces radical new motion-sensing TV Games Dock for the iPod

By Paul Lester

21:35 September 6, 2009 PDT

When it comes to over-saturated markets in gadget circles, the iPod Dock surely wins hands-down. The massive range of varied designs for a product that’s primarily intended to port audio or video to another source is staggering, but Elonex is about to buck this trend with something truly innovative. Its iGAME dock may not look too inspiring at first glance and, indeed, it's capable of handling music, videos, podcasts and video podcasts in the usual way. What makes it special is that it’s primarily a games console, or more specifically a TV Games Dock, designed to utilise the advantages of Apple’s newest players. Read More

High definition universal gaming cable for Xbox 360, PS3 and Wii

By Jeff Salton

19:42 August 23, 2009 PDT

Gamers with more than one high definition console should be able to take full advantage of the new Blaze 3-in-1 component cable, with three connectors that enable you to use a single, high quality cable for Xbox 360, PS3 and Nintendo Wii. Read More

Go for the 7/10 split with the Wii Bowling Ball controller

By Darren Quick

00:58 June 29, 2009 PDT

While the Wii-mote is definitely easy to use, its remote control form factor lends itself to some games more readily than others. Tennis, yes. Ten pin bowling, not so much. But the Bowling Ball for Wii controller from CTA Digital means bowlers will no longer be able to blame the controller for not picking up that spare. Read More

Popular schoolyard games come out to play for the Wii ones

By Jude Garvey

15:43 June 17, 2009 PDT

The development of Wii computer games, where handsets take the place of real equipment from sports, such as tennis, golf or baseball, has been very successful. Now, a unique and ambitious collaborative project in the United Kingdom looks set to convert popular skipping and clapping playground games into Wii-styled prototype games. Read More

Gesture controlled entertainment system lets the TV watch you

By Gizmag Team

01:52 June 4, 2009 PDT

In the past few years there has been an increasing effort toward creating 3D computer interfaces and televisions. Now, it’s the television’s turn to see us.....in 3D! Since its foundation in 1999, Canesta has been working on a family of low-cost, chip-based 3-D sensors that can be built into virtually anything – from TVs and PCs to cars and industrial equipment - and now the technology is filtering through to real-world applications like Kicker Studio's gesture control entertainment system. Dr. Peter Puya Abolfathi - Biomedical Engineer, co-inventor of the Rehabilitation Glove and now a member of the Gizmag Team - takes a closer look at how this technology works and what it's bringing to our living rooms. Read More

Xbox 360 set for Wii-style motion control with Gametrak Freedom

By Jamilah Le

04:51 March 30, 2009 PDT

No one could fail to notice it bears an uncanny resemblance to the Wii remote (Wiimote) and the folks at Performance Designed Products (PDP) claim that the Gametrak Freedom - a new control device set for release on the Xbox 360 - is the most accurate and versatile 3D motion controller on the market. Read More

EA announces first and only NASCAR title for the Wii

By Darren Quick

20:57 December 4, 2008 PST

Wii owning NASCAR fans will be happy to hear that EA has announced the first and only NASCAR racing title for the console will be in stores in time for the Daytona 500 and the official start of the 2009 NASCAR season. Instead of porting an existing title, EA’s NASCAR Kart Racing has been designed exclusively for the Wii, so it will hopefully make good use of the console’s motion sensing controller and, in keeping with the Wii’s family friendly credentials, up to four players can go head-to-head, via split screen, in a mad dash to the checkered flag. Read More

Ghostbusters: The Video Game in development

By Mick Webb

15:45 November 27, 2008 PST

Who ya gonna call? Atari have teamed up with developers Terminal Reality and Sony Pictures to bring gamers the eagerly awaited Ghostbusters: The Video Game. The release is set to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original slime-fest, and will be available across all current-generation systems - excluding the PSP. Read More

Wii Music aims to take music gaming to the masses

By Darren Quick

21:07 October 20, 2008 PDT

While music based rhythm games such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band let players let out their inner Rock God, Nintendo, like they have done for the majority of their Wii titles, have aimed for a different demographic with Wii Music. With the standard lead, bass, drums and vocals combo pretty well catered for, Wii Music has widened the net by bringing more than 60 instruments to your living room. And unlike other games where the object is to hit the right note at the right time, Wii Music lets you put your own spin on songs. According to Nintendo, it’s all about improvisation, creativity and fun. Read More

Brainwave controlled video game concept unveiled

By Darren Quick

00:21 October 8, 2008 PDT

With many people probably thinking that computer games are a sedentary enough pastime as it is - with the possible exception of the Wii - the prospect of games that don’t even require the lifting of a finger to operate a controller might not be great news for parents hoping to get their couch-bound prodigies moving. That hasn’t stopped wearable consumer bio-sensors manufacturer, NeuroSky, Inc., demonstrating a brainwave-controlled video game at the Tokyo Game Show 2008. The technical demonstration based on a new game concept being jointly developed with Square Enix Co., Ltd. featured the NeuroSky commercial headset, dubbed the MindSet, operating in conjunction with Windows PC machines. Read More

AiLive demonstrate LiveMove 2 and the MotionPlus add-on for the Wii

By Tim Hanlon

20:35 July 30, 2008 PDT

July 31, 2008 AiLive, the company who helped Nintendo build the MotionPlus add-on for the Wii remote, has released a video showing off their LiveMove 2 toolset for Wii developers who wish to implement MotionPlus functionality in their games. Even if you don't play video games, you will want to see what this thing can do. Read More

New Wii accessories launched

By Darren Quick

11:54 July 17, 2008 PDT

July 17, 2008 In news for Wii users– we know there’s a lot of you out there - InvenSense Inc., a provider of MEMS-based motion sensing solutions for image stabilization, dead reckoning navigation, 3D remote control, and gaming devices, has announced that its IDG-600 multi-axis MEMS rate gyroscope has started shipping in mass production quantities to Nintendo for its Wii MotionPlus accessory. The upcoming Wii MotionPlus accessory attaches to the end of the Wii Remote and, combined with the accelerometer and the sensor bar, allows for more comprehensive tracking of a player's arm position and orientation. In the new Wii Sports Resort, for example, the ability to throw a disc through the air and control the angle of flight is now possible. Read More

Wii Fit Reviewed

By Tim Hanlon

22:11 May 20, 2008 PDT

Making exercise fun is something that Nintendo has tried before. In 1986, they licensed Bandai's Family Trainer peripheral for the NES and launched it worldwide as the Power Pad. In the 90's, they created the Exertainment system - essentially an exercise bike with a SNES inside. Both products were capable of raising your heart rate, but offered little else in the way of improving your health or building good habits. Wii Fit sees Nintendo's honed skill in software and peripheral development come together for another crack at the holy grail of software - making exercise fun. Read More

Nintendo's Wii Fit hits US stores

By Emily Clark

20:14 May 19, 2008 PDT

We've come a long way since VHS was the new kid on the block and sweating it out in front of Cindy Crawford’s “Buns of Steel” fitness training video was all the rage. As the next generation of technology-enhanced personal training, Nintendo has released Wii Fit, a “game” incorporating over 40 activities that challenge users in areas ranging from yoga and aerobics to strength training and balance. Read More

Geometry Wars: Galaxies coming to Nintendo Wii, DS

By Tim Hanlon

May 22, 2007 Geometry Wars first appeared as a mini-game in Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox, and much to the surprise of the developers, people loved it - enough to warrant a HD sequel on the Xbox 360. Geometry Wars: Evolved was the first game released on Xbox Live Arcade, and to this day remains the cheapest, and arguably, best game available on the service. Finally, Nintendo fans are set for a taste of the hellishly frantic action. Read More

Nyko Wii Charging Station simultaneously recharges two Wii remotes

By Tim Hanlon

March 3, 2007 - In this day and age, disposable batteries are environmentally irresponsible, yet remain a desirable retail item due to convenience and price point - and those of our readers with Wii's or Xbox 360's will know how many AA's regular use of these consoles can chew through. This makes us a little surprised that Nintendo left this one up to the third-parties, but equally glad Nyko have stepped up to the plate with their Wii Charging Station. Read More

New Wii channel - Everybody Votes

By Tim Hanlon

February 14, 2007 - Nintendo launches a new channel for the Wii Menu today, the Everybody Votes Channel, which allows up to six players per console to vote in regional and worldwide polls...a tired premise with an interesting touch - the ability to predict the results of the polls, and track your accurate predictions in a "How Tuned In Are You?" section. Read More

Perfect score in Wii Sports: Bowling

By Tim Hanlon

February 12, 2007 No doubt many of our readers lucky enough to own a Nintendo Wii have witnessed a few killer streaks on Wii Sports: Bowling, however none will have topped this. If you want to blow away the competition next time your friends are over, watch this video of a gamer known only as el moco take down a perfect 890 pins on the Power Throws training game, and then read his incredibly detailed post on the method he used to get there. Read More

Nintendo Australia adds four games to Wii Virtual Console line-up

By Tim Hanlon

Nintendo Australia today added four more titles to the Wii Virtual Console service, comprising of Sega Mega Drive games Comix Zone, Bonanza Bros. and Gain Ground, and the NES game Gradius. This brings the total number of games available to 36 - read on for the entire list, complete with recommendations from our Games Editor. Read More

Wii Wireless Controlled Robot Concept

By Mike Hanlon

January 30, 2007 Robotics in general and consumer robotics in particular seem to be making massive headway, and a development certain to draw a lot of attention in the next month is a wireless concept robot created by industrial robotics manufacturer KUKA Robotics Corporation. The new robot will be shown for the first time at ATX West Expo in Anaheim, February 13-15, 2007. The company will be showcasing an application using a KR16 robot and KRC 2 Controller being controlled by individuals utilizing a Wii controller & Bluetooth technology (video here). This concept cell was designed to show the next step in the trickle down of robotic technology to consumers from the industrial robot market. Read More

Call of Duty 3 (Nintendo Wii) Review

By Tim Hanlon

December 14, 2006 The shooting scenes in Rayman: Raving Rabbids proved that on-the-rails shooters work very well on the Wii, which as well as whetting our appetites for a port of Virtua Cop or Time Crisis, led us to have fairly high expectations of how a first-person shooter (FPS) would fare using the Wii Remote. Call of Duty 3 is the first Wii FPS we've had our hands on - and it's a bittersweet experience. Read More