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Wii Remote | Wii Nunchuk | Wii Classic Controller | Controller hardware description |
Wii Remote, Nunchuk and Classic Controller
Wii Remote
The Wii remote is at the heart of the innovations present in the Wii. It is a slim white hand-held device analogous to a TV's remote control, eschewing the standard console controller layout in favour of this wand-style. The advantage of the shape is that it is completely ambidextrous and and can more naturally be used for pointing. It again shows Nintendo's intended demographics, by moving away from what gamers might expect and into a more intuitively realised control system; after all, there can't be many who are not familiar with the point-and-press-a-button routine common to virtually every remote controlled device in the home.
The Wii remote has infra red sensors to enable the console to determine where it is pointing and a 3-axis accelerometer to give it its motion sensing capabilities. Bluetooth short range radio transmission connects the controller to the console. Range is approximately 10m, though the pointing system will only work within 5m of the console and 'Sensor Bar'. The infra red sensors pick up the infra red emissions from the Wii sensor bar - which isn't a sensor at all – the sensor is actually in the Wii remote, the sensor bar is merely there to transmit the infra red 'light' for the Wii remote to pick up. It can be successfully replaced by two candles! The Wii can calculate the position of the Wii remote using a combination of the known distance apart of the infra read sources on the sensor bar t(o determine distance from the bar ) and the Wii remote's angle relative to the bar (determined by how the remote 'sees' the two infra red sources). The accelerometer is also used in determining position and motion of the controller.
There is a built in speaker for in-game sound effects and 'rumble' technology for vibration feedback during game play. Cleverly, this is subtly used when operating the menus on the console using the pointer – you can 'feel' the edge of buttons as you pass over them in the interface. Another thing that enhances the intuitive usability of the Wii!
There have been complaints that the Wii remote speaker is not really up to much – accurate I fear – but it does add a subtle enhancement to Wii games, e.g. the ball hitting racquet sound in Wii sports tennis. The Wii menu screen reports the power left in the batteries of each connected controller and allows for adjustment of volume and rumble levels. New Wii remote controllers can be synchronised with the Wii here also.
Wii Nunchuk
The Wii remote has an expansion port at the base of the remote – this allows for the connection of other controllers. The first of these is the Nunchuk, which provides an analogue joystick, further buttons and 3 axis motion sensing via an accelerometer.
Wii Classic Controller
The Classic controller is a standard console type controller featuring two analogue sticks and various buttons (including shoulder buttons). There are slots on the controller, thought to be to allow clips to be fitted enabling the Wii remote to be clipped to the classic controller – this would give a wireless conventional controller with motion sensing capabilities, like the PS3 controller. Currently, the classic controller is used for playing Virtual Console games.
Wii Controller Accessories
Now available is the Wii Zapper, a gun shaped shell holding both the Wii remote and Nunchuk for use with FPS style games. There is also an official Wii steering wheel holder for the Wii remote on the cards.
Many third party accessories are already available for the Wii remote, including light guns, sports holders, boxing gloves and even sword handles – have a look at our controller accessories. |
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