Wii-chargeable battery packs (almost) ready for release

by Jonti Davies { Feb 6th 2007 at 7:20AM }

"Where are the Wii-chargeable battery packs?" we asked last week. This week, we have the answer: "There they are!" That is, they can be reserved in Japan as of today, for eventual delivery before the end of February, and we have Japanese gizmo manufacturer Thanko to thank-o.

Thanko's lithium-ion battery and USB charge cradle, which can draw power from one of the Wii's USB ports, are retailing in Japan at ¥3,480 (US$29) per set or at the slightly discounted rate of ¥6,480 (US$54) for two sets. A three-and-a-half hour charge will, according to Thanko's press release, keep a Wii Remote powered for 25 hours. Just think how many times you could complete Kororinpa in that time...

Tags: lithium-ion, rechargeable, USB, Wii Remote, WiiRemote

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dax @ Feb 6th 2007 7:41AM

I was really hoping Nintendo were going to release a first party version of these with the European console release, or at very least a battery pack with a mini USB port in it, so you can plug it into the console when not actively using it.

Still, as long as it works, I'll be picking one up. I've been using rechargable batteries and I'm getting a tad irritated with the controller dying every 6 hours or so, pausing my game and causing all manner of hell.

I Like Corn @ Feb 6th 2007 7:44AM

Jeez, the Wii's accessories are more expensive than the 360's!

Can we get some third pary competetion in here?

Optimus Prime @ Feb 6th 2007 7:45AM

Nunchuck + Wiimote + Battery Pack = $80

Sorry, but thats too much money for a battery powered controller in 2007.

Crazylink @ Feb 6th 2007 7:46AM

I don't get it. Why don't you guys just go out and buy some rechargeable AAs? They're a lot cheaper than $29 for 2.

justin @ Feb 6th 2007 7:59AM

awesome, i can't wait, going to hit the stores friday and see if i can nab one. 29 bucks isn't bad in my opinion.. i mean hey, ive already spent over 500 on wiimotes, console, and games.. whats 29 bucks more. Rechargeable AA'S will cost maybe 20 bucks after you buy the charger and the batteries. Or at least right under $20. But who wants to screw with taking the battiers out and re-charging them, only to learn they have been stolen by your wife and put into your digital camera when it comes time to play the wii. Plus i always feel that one controller isn't fully charged and looses its control from time to time. The recharge station is a must for me..

http://www.wiiuser.org

is @ Feb 6th 2007 8:35AM

Crazylink, its because we dont want to use normal rechargable batteries. We want an elegant solution tailored for the wiimote that uses the usb socket and thus keeps our outlets free. We want a sloution thats stylish not unsightly and dedicated not multi-use.

If one more idiot posts in one of these threads wih their "duuuuh, recawchable battwies!?!?" comments I will bring you down buddy.

I will bring you down to chinatown.

Lou D @ Feb 6th 2007 8:36AM

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1487814&Sku=ULT317921

$20 and you get 6 rechargeable batteries with it.

HuBu @ Feb 6th 2007 8:39AM

i would rather use rechargeable AAs since its cheaper than buying these units. but changing the AAs is a pain if you have the wii-condoms on your wii-motes.

SSUK @ Feb 6th 2007 8:54AM

See, rechargable batteries will die every 6 hours, these will keep a Wii remote powered up a whole day and an hour.
Also, too expensive? A Xbox 360 recharger pack in the UK is £15 ($30), the price of this battery pack is justified for the battery plus the stand to charge it in, stop your moaning and if you love your god damn rechargeable batteries that much, I suppose it's $30 more for you then, enjoy your endless swapping of batteries.

32_Footsteps @ Feb 6th 2007 9:17AM

The problem, as I've been told by a friend who uses rechargables regularly, is that between held charge and charge leaking that goes on with all batteries in the Wiimote, the batteries have to be replaced quite constantly. A custom-built unit like this would stand to hold *much* more charge.

Granted, it'd be nice if there was a cheaper solution, but this certainly looks to be the most effective.

Roflmon @ Feb 6th 2007 9:25AM

I won't be getting any soon. I already spent $30 on this charger for 8 batteries. Blech. Lasts awhile though.

pinsleric @ Feb 6th 2007 9:37AM

http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802574

Christopher7xii @ Feb 6th 2007 10:01AM

This > Rechargeable.

Why?
Peeling remote skins off every month for four controllers in the middle of Banana Blitz red light/green light sucks ass. Not to mention the 25 hour charge would be delicious.

Besides, what's wrong with having choices? Now people who don't wanna swap batteries every few hours have a solution. Not to mention, healthier for the planet not disposing of all those batteries.

JodyAnthony @ Feb 6th 2007 10:07AM

I dont know, I have had my Wii since launch, have replaced the batteries twice. Bought a second controller at the end of december, just finally had to replace the original batteries that came with it last night. i think i play pretty often, but if peoples batteries are dying after a couple of days, i must barely play at all.

Martin @ Feb 6th 2007 10:23AM

Ontopic: I agree that this would be quite an elegant solution, as I frequently have to replace my rechargeables as well. Although I have been putting an inordinant amount of time into Zelda: LttP lately, so I don't know how much extra power the classic controller draws from the Wiimote.

Offtopic: My nephew has those remote skins on his Wiimote, and I think they suck. It took him nearly five minutes to peel that sumbitch off far enough to replace his batteries, nevermind getting the damn thing on in the first place.

VIDEO GAME CONTROLLERS DO NOT REQUIRE CONDOMS! Just hold onto the damn thing and you won't have an issue.

JD @ Feb 6th 2007 10:27AM

>> http://www.gamestop.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802574

WTF? These were supposed to ship this week and they now have a ship date of 3/15. Guess it's the standard rechargable route for me.

Mo @ Feb 6th 2007 11:05AM

Wow...this is cool! Finally now it just needs to come out in the states.

Calviin @ Feb 6th 2007 11:12AM

People, people...

The charge station featured here does not make things easier for users of remote skins. Look at that picture. You think the wiimote will fit with a rubberized skin on it? No. Even if it did, the ruberized skin will lift it off the contacts too so it may not charge. Now, what can be done is to get one of the charge stations and just paint the battery cover that comes with it. Not too hard to DIY.

oh, and "I Like Corn",
"Can we get some third pary competetion in here?"
This IS a third party peripheral. There isn't any first party yet.

and finally, "is",
"If one more idiot posts in one of these threads wih their "duuuuh, recawchable battwies!?!?" comments I will bring you down buddy.

I will bring you down to chinatown."

You are my hero today. That was hilarious to me.

Carlos @ Feb 6th 2007 12:16PM

@1

I wonder what kind of batteries are you using if they last only 6 hours.

I bought a Wii two weeks ago. The alkaline batteries included in the Wii package died after 16+ hours of gameplay (mainly playing Zelda and Wii Sports). I'm now using rechargable batteries (2400 mAh), and I suspect that they will last at least 18+ hours (I already have played 9+ hours and the Wii's battery indicator is still at 75%, I guess it's not very precise).

Zell @ Feb 6th 2007 12:18PM

Well that's shame, I've already gotten batteries from http://USBcell.com
They're awesome.

Thad @ Feb 6th 2007 12:23PM

Hey, cool. Maybe I'll be able to get one by the time I can finally find an effing Wii for sale.

john @ Feb 6th 2007 3:01PM

I already use rechargeable batteries for everything, and I would recommend that everyone else dothe same. It's cheaper than buying disposable batteries and it's better for the environment. The chargers they have now take about 15 minutes to fully charge, and last for quite a while. Being a Techie, I use batteries for many thing. Rechargeables have saved me a ton of money and the hassle having to go out and buy fresh AAs. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't get this custom Wii solution, but it's something to think about.

Carlos @ Feb 6th 2007 3:36PM

@20

Those USBCells are cool! The downside is that their capacity is only 1300 mAh andit takes 5 hours to fully charge.

I think that I'll keep using my rechargable batteries (2400 mAh, 3 hours to recharge).

mocax @ Feb 6th 2007 10:14PM

It's Li-ion baby!
Not some lame NiCad, NiMH abomination.

Dan Chippendale @ Feb 7th 2007 4:24AM

My batteries have lasted an lasted... don't know how you are only getting 6 hours out of them. I've only replaced mine once since owning my Wii in December. I have clocked 50+ hours on Zelda and at least 10 hours on Wii Sport/Wii Play. Only used Energizer... nothing special. Grab some rechargeable ones though.. it will save money in the long run.

Mizzy @ Feb 7th 2007 11:45AM

hey, forget that.
go to www.uxcell.com
and check the wii accessories
from cooling fans to a $10 dollar rechargable battery pak
i just got mines it plugs into your wii usb. skins too
i bought many times from uxcell
so check it out!

SaraAB87 @ Feb 19th 2007 12:06AM

I still believe in rechargable batteries. The chargers they have nowdays, majority of them have a trickle charge feature so that you can keep batteries in the charger if you want to keep them fresh. Nimh rechargable batteries do drain on the shelf but its not really a big deal. Trickle charge is when you put the batteries in the charger and it just keeps them charged up, so if you buy 4 batteries and a charger just put 2 in the remote and 2 in the charger and leave them there. Not all chargers have this feature though so make sure you invest in one that does. You could also keep a couple spare non rechargables around for those times when you are inbetween charges. If you are really concerned i suggest you check out the Sanyo Eneloop batteries that are sold on amazon.com.

You can get a huge pack of rechargable batteries for like 16-17$ at walmart, comes with a good charger too. I have had good luck with even the cheap rechargable cells but just remember that energizer rechargables suck, I have had bad luck with them.

Rechargable batteries WILL save you a lot of money but its best to invest in universal AA types of rechargable batteries instead of device specific things like the wiimote charger set, this will also help you save a lot more money in the long run. If you keep buying device-specific rechargables then you will have to pay for new batteries every time you buy a new device.