Joystiq video: Candles can replace Wii sensor bar

by Christopher Grant { Nov 27th 2006 at 9:05AM }

After seeing the popular, though dubious, candle video on YouTube over the weekend, we had to verify the veracity of the video's claims; luckily, a candelabra was conveniently on hand. Thrill! As we control the fairy cursor and boomerang in Zelda: Twilight Princess without the aid of the Wii's sensor bar! Marvel! As we blow out the candles and have the Wii request that we "point the Wii Remote at the screen." If you've got a projection screen, but lack the skillz (and/or motivation) to construct the DIY-erless sensor bar, grab a couple tealights to get your game on. It really works!

Tags: candles, Sensor bar, SensorBar, Wii

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Kevin @ Nov 27th 2006 9:18AM

Pretty soon instead of broken TVs, we're going to have people blaming the Wii because their house burned down.

Pretty cool though. :P

Knoxximus @ Nov 27th 2006 9:20AM

No way! There is going to be a run on candles that the world has never seen, much less had time to prepare for. If you work at a dollar store, WATCH OUT!!

Seriously, that's great to know if you're thinking about lugging your Wii over to a friend's house and just don't feel like disconnecting and retrieving that damn 'sensor' bar!

Pacey @ Nov 27th 2006 9:23AM

Ok, so I dont have a Wii yet, but how does the sensor bar connect the console? Couldnt you just cut off then end, wire it up to some batteries (at proper voltage) and call it done with? It'd be basically the same as the DIY bar you showed, only have the asthetic appeal of the standard bar.

blackace @ Nov 27th 2006 9:23AM

if candles can replace the wii sensor bar, mabye other stuff can too

C. Grant @ Nov 27th 2006 9:24AM

Pacey: why not?

Eric Von Shpeel @ Nov 27th 2006 9:24AM

you already posted this

http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/26/todays-hottest-game-video-a-candle-in-the-wii/

John @ Nov 27th 2006 9:24AM

If there's an Eternal Darkness sequel for the Wii, they *have* to release a gothic style sensor bar equipped with two candles.

blackace @ Nov 27th 2006 9:25AM

possibly, but thats not as cool as candles replacing the bar

Kevin @ Nov 27th 2006 9:29AM

#6,

Christopher Grant has that link in the entry already...

This is a completely different video.

32_Footsteps @ Nov 27th 2006 9:49AM

I have seen the future, and it is a video gaming segment on Martha Stewart Living, where she talks about the perfect candle and holder combinations to match both your decor and the game you're playing. This will be followed up by Yankee Candle Company offering "Wii Scents," scented candles set up for long life and proper function with the system. Scents will include Princess Peach, Mario Sage, Bowser Cinnamon, and Yoshi's Sugar Cookie.

ngs @ Nov 27th 2006 10:23AM

Anyone dare to try putting reflective tape on thier TV at a proper spaced distance to see if it does the same thing? It might be a quick $.10 sensor bar.

iceatcs @ Nov 27th 2006 10:28AM

Ewww, joystiq t-shirt.

Hold on, I'm going to puke!

Icupnimpn2 @ Nov 27th 2006 10:29AM

Here are my predictions for other things that can be used instead off the Wii sensor bar:

-radioactive polonium
-the eyes from Sony's evil baby doll
-a set of red rings of death
-captive fireflies
-a binary star
-2 smoldering charcoal briquettes

Sonic @ Nov 27th 2006 11:14AM

I tried it and it works perfectly. It will save me so much unnecessary stress if I accidentally forget my sensor bar or dont care to carry the long cabled pain in the ass.

ManekiNeko @ Nov 27th 2006 11:20AM

And just in time for Hanukkah, too! Now if only I celebrated it...

JR

Mike @ Nov 27th 2006 11:43AM

@1

But Wii didn't start the fire!

Ben @ Nov 27th 2006 11:44AM

Come on #13 (Icupnimpn2) Most of those would work, but where are you going to get a binary star THIS time of year?

I wonder if two small LEDs would also do the trick?

~Ben

Ben @ Nov 27th 2006 11:45AM

#16 - Mike:
Brilliant. Can we get an order of stars over here?

tylersmyler @ Nov 27th 2006 11:47AM

Ok.. this is TOTALLY WILD.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? It works on heat?

so what if you had two heaters?

hmmmm.. me thinks Nintendo needs to make a statement about this.

Shiv @ Nov 27th 2006 12:05PM

19 - tylersmyler

No.. it works on infrared (IR) - the part of the electromagnetic spectrum just past the point where we stop seeing the colours. Kind of similar to ultra violet light but at the other end of the visible spectrum. The spectrum of visibe light looks like so, with IR and UV around the edges.

IR | Red Orange Yellow Green Blue Indigo Violet | U-V

Anything that produces visible light (apart from lasers and LEDs which produce a very narrow range of frequuencies) has a fair chance of producing some that we can't see - either IR or UV. This is why direct light shining onto the Wiimote can also cause problems for accuracy.

More info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrared

/Physics Lesson

RogueStorm @ Nov 27th 2006 1:12PM

AHAHAHA!!! I'm thinking of that Billy Joel song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sud-IdjIV-o

peter7898m @ Nov 27th 2006 1:14PM

Candles don't last u have to keep buying em and they are clearly intrusive, the wii senser bar should be able to last for years and its not in the way.

If for some reason you are whining about the cord length of the sensor bar to the Wii then why not build somekind of adapter to extend it 3rd parties or even Nintendo can do that, but its just not neccessary.

All Your Lost Socks @ Nov 27th 2006 1:26PM

Any requirements for how far apart or close together they have to be? for instance, would setting two tealights on top of my TV at either side do the same thing as having those two candlesticks over on the right next to each other? Hmm. Expirementation time.

ackmondual @ Nov 27th 2006 1:33PM

candles should only be used for the cool factor. Else, it's quite a fire hazard having them burn all the time. If you've got a crowd of people, then forget. It's a matter of luck if someone gets carried away and knocks a candle loose.

ThatFuzzyBastard @ Nov 27th 2006 3:41PM

Question: I can see how/why this works on games where the Wiimote is just being a pointer, but does it also work on games using the full 3D capacity (i.e. Tennis)? If so, then the wireless Wii is go (and Nintendo's decision to wire the sensor bar is all the more baffling).

Writkat @ Nov 27th 2006 3:46PM

@16

Order of stars seconded. Hilarious.

Paul Gale @ Nov 28th 2006 1:57AM

Awesome video Joystiq. When I first heard of this trick, I thought it was really cool, and it's good seeing another video that proves it. What's next in store for the Wii? And by the way, don't you think this deserves to be Wii Delight #3?
Paul Gale
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