Rechargeable Wii Remote batteries and dock in 2007
by Zack Stern 
{ Dec 19th 2006 at 4:25PM }
Joytech is preparing a Wii Remote docking station with built-in charger for an early 2007 release. While we could care less about the company's plastic rackets -- although the second definition of "racket" is fitting -- we're interested in this disposable-battery replacement.We expected Nintendo to release this sort of charger, but if it works, we don't care who makes it. Joytech gives you rechargeable batteries and replacement covers for two Remotes. Nestle a controller into the dock, and it will lap up delicious electrons. While the design isn't perfect -- the pull-out claws that hold the Nunchuks look useless -- the $39 charger may be able to draw power from the Wii's USB port, saving an outlet in our rat's nest of power cables.
[Via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
bubbacrosbysucks @ Dec 19th 2006 4:29PM
fina-fucking-ly
crono141 @ Dec 19th 2006 4:38PM
I'll stick with my rechargeable AA's thanks.
CiQuat @ Dec 20th 2006 8:55AM
This is definitely going to require a modification to the gloves I bought for my Wiimotes... I wish they charged from the port on the bottom instead of through a special battery cover.
Dracula Jones @ Dec 19th 2006 4:45PM
Yeah, Nintendo, you can never have too many things that print money. Just slap together a dock and rechargeable battery pack and send me the bill.
I don't trust third party accessories. So sorry.
shwing @ Dec 19th 2006 4:45PM
The Wii should have a port to put the remote in and recharge the batteries ,After all most Wii users will leave the console plugged in 24/7.It would be an easy thing to do.
John Z. @ Dec 19th 2006 4:47PM
"...the $39 charger may be able to draw power from the Wii's USB port, saving an outlet in our rat's nest of power cables."
If you value your Wii, I would recommend not charging through its USB port. It's been years since my electrical engineering course, but I do know that a lot of the devices that use communications ports as power sockets (specifically the iPod dock and the myriad novelty USB devices like coffee warmers and Christmas lights) tend to draw more power through the sockets than they're rated for. As a result, the sockets can become less effective/broken over time. If you do insist on using it, I'd filter it through a powered USB hub first (which would still require an AC outlet slot, but at least you would have more USB ports too).
Patrick @ Dec 19th 2006 4:50PM
Or, for $12 you can buy this:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/85be/
gLitterbug @ Dec 19th 2006 5:44PM
"we're interested in this disposable-battery replacement."
Yeah, after all it's not like you can get a quick charger with 4 very good quality NiMHs included for like 24 Dollars on Amazon(Sony brand, yes I know the irony, but they work great for me). And since those are like totally not a Standard, you can't use them in another gazillion devices in your househould either. Also it's hardly ideal to not have to wait for something to recharge, but instead switch to your fully charged backup set.
No wonder the environment goes to ass, if even gamer-geeks don't know about a technology to substitute for disposables that has been around for ages. What is even worse is that they seem to think loading your game controllers battery over the 5V USB power will be something fast and good.
Art Guy @ Dec 19th 2006 5:48PM
I remember Vladimir Cole writing last year that this would be how the Wiimote would be charged.
In fact it was Xbox 360 annoyance #002... I'm not even going to go there.
vidGuy @ Dec 19th 2006 6:07PM
Hmmm, $40+ for this or 10 rechargable AAs and a 15-minute charger for $30...
I'm glad that I'm not stupid.
CYRiX @ Dec 19th 2006 6:08PM
weird, i was just thinking about if the wii had a charge-able battery dock today.
epobirs @ Dec 19th 2006 6:23PM
I don't know why you'd expect Nintendo to do this. This is exactly the kind of thing they left to third parties in the GameBoy models until the GBA SP shipped with a rechargeable battery. Getting the Intech combination rechargeable battery and grip expander for the GBA was $15 very well spent. The cost was easily made up in savings on expendable batteries and the grips made the GBA better suited for adult hands.
greg @ Dec 21st 2006 4:59PM
The moment you see a rechargerable wiimote dock, you should be bowing at the company's knees saying THANK YOU!!!!!
Joystiq is primarely a Ninty fanbot site. I say that honestly out of all the console joystiq licks nintendo's balls more than anyone else. No nintendo might not be as bad as sony right now but i dont see them being far from it. This shit should have been a release item!!!! Nintendo seems to have a lot of ADD LATER FEATURE!!! They had ample time to get all this shit together. WHo the hell said it was a good idea to not have a rechargeble batteries. And you dumass are eating it up...DURRRR ILL USE RECHARGEABLES DUUUURRRR! In this day of digital media rechargable batteries should be a given. What if the IPOD didnt have it. every other console has it and nintendo decided not too. Hell why is the console maker making the most money being so GODDAMN STINGY. You'll spend more on batteries than you would for a year of XBOX LIVE especially if you play often. NO DVD No CD No pack it Component cables. No rechargeable batteries. Oh i see but MS and SONY are so evil for ripping people off by selling you hardware at their lose for gain While NINTY rakes it in you ninty fans(that think this is ok) are rape victims who are in denial.
SID SPACE @ Dec 19th 2006 9:53PM
I finally broke down and bought some rechargable batteries and a charger a couple weeks ago. Those damn remotes go through disposables way too fast. Cost me just under $40, but I figure it'll be worth it in the long run.
Lazygamer @ Dec 20th 2006 12:02AM
I used 4 batteries to finish Zelda:TP. I was pretty pissed off on how fast my controller sucking battery juice. I will definitely to get one of this. Too bad big N doesn't make them. I guess I don't have much of choice on Wii, no matter how much I hate third party accessories. I do like the idea that charger may be able to draw power from the Wii's USB port.
Abscissa @ Dec 20th 2006 4:27AM
Even before the very name of the Wii was revealed I had a 4-hour charger with pack of 4 NiMH AA's for about $20. Which is useful for more than just one device. And here we have people foaming at the mouth for a $40 product that only works in a single proprietary device.
Malcolm Parsons @ Dec 20th 2006 6:29AM
The phrase is "couldn't care less".
"could care less" means that you do care.
ill trooper @ Dec 20th 2006 7:54AM
How many elebits do these remotes take to run, anyway?
jimmy @ Jan 7th 2007 2:52AM
Well I like the idea of a stand I can stick my controllers in to charge, especially if I don't need to remove the battery pack cover to do it (since article mentioned replacement covers I'm assuming that is why).
Rechargeable battery units are great but I would prefer spending a bit more for the stand if I can just plop my controllers in them while not gaming and keep it fully juiced.
Only concern I would have is how long the batteries are expected to last and how long does it take to charge- if it's a stand and all I have to do is stick the controller in it, then it really doesn't have to be fast.
As to the glove, yeah- that's an annoyance. It looks like the wiimote glove has an outline etching around the battery casing cover (at least the one I have). Should be easy to cut without damaging the rest of the material.
Nintendo should have done it, but maybe they didn't want another patent infringement suit on their hands. Sounds like there are several against them currently. Personally I know I'm having more fun with the Wii then I would with a PS3 and brand new plasma 1080p screen. Graphics keep improving, how often does how you play change? At least Nintendo went back to their roots and also learned that later add-ons never work. Good luck XBOX360 HD-DVD drive, I'm sure the Sega Saturn will enjoy your company on ebay in a few years.
fumar @ Jan 10th 2007 12:48AM
Anyone that wants this is retarded. Go to your favorite e-tailor and buy some rechargeable batteries. It cost me $40 to get 12 rechargeables of newegg, it should cost you the same. Plus, and this is a crazy idea in modern electronics, you can use these rechargables on something else!! OMG what a crazy idea! You don't have to carry around 50 different battery rechargers! Instead you carry 1 recharger and if those batteries go bad, no problem, you just spend $5 for new batteries, not $xx to replace the nonstandard battery in your electronic device.
I am glad Nintendo did not go the way of Sony with the wiimote. Sometimes leaving it up to the consumer is a good thing. You know those SIXAXIS batteries will die/ not hold a charge eventually and when that time rolls around I doubt Sony will hold up to their promise of replacing those dead batteries. Plus those Sony batteries might just torch your SIXAXIS.
fumar @ Jan 10th 2007 12:49AM
@19 You have a very bad memory. M$ came out with a battery pack after the 360 launch. I guess you were too busy drooling over your PS3 to remember that. Also your all mighty PS3 didn't come with Componant cables, hell it didn't come with an HDMI cable which is necessary for its vaunted 1080p. All 3 console makers want you to buy their overpriced accessories, that's why none of them included HD cables with their consoles.
Only morons keep feeding the Wiimote monster with batteries. God that thing chugs batteries faster than SUVs chug gas.
I wish my iPod had rechargable batteries as the battery pack is ****ed. It won't work in cold weather when I go run. It would if it had rechargables.