Joystiq hands-on: Wii Wheel

by Zack Stern { Apr 15th 2008 at 8:00PM }

I had low expectations for the Wii Wheel before playing a few rounds of Mario Kart at the Nintendo Media Summit. The circular chunk of plastic exceeded my expectations. And that's my advice in life: Expect little and be constantly pleased.

I twisted the small wheel to turn my racer. Gentle movements steered me around the tracks, and the setup was most sensitive if I held it at a 90-degree angle, with the face pointing directly away from the TV. A button pad pushed the B trigger, giving me a bigger target to hop and turn. I reached the other buttons easily.

But the control felt imprecise because it wasn't mounted to anything. I unintentionally dropped the wheel angle sometimes, making the system less sensitive. I don't know why someone would want to buy one of these, and I expect most gamers will stick with other control methods.

Tags: mario-kart, nintendo, nintendo-media-summit-08, wii-wheel, wiiwheel

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

joshua @ Apr 15th 2008 8:05PM

So, in other words, it sucks, but it sucks less than you originally thought it would? Good job Nintendo!

required @ Apr 15th 2008 9:17PM

I think the reviewer was just playing it safe. If they said it is just rubbish, all the rabid nintendo fanatics would be sending death threats. Saying it's functional rubbish will at worst get the reviewer flaming porch poop.

Anni @ Apr 15th 2008 11:04PM

Spoiler: "rabid nintendo fanatics" have no need to defend some optional free shit that came with a cool game. Just like you have no real reason to bash it (see: free, optional), other than flamewar fodder.

If I had to guess, rabid Nintendo fanatics familiar with the series will likely be pleased as punch to use the Gamecube controller option if necessary.

Chase @ Apr 15th 2008 8:07PM

"Expect little and be constantly pleased"

That's why my girlfriend says about my Wii Wheel.

Chase @ Apr 15th 2008 8:08PM

*what

Shitz. ;_;

*cries*

*runs away*

*heel breaks*

*tosses off heels*

*weeps with makeup all a mess*

*flees*

Mr.ESC @ Apr 15th 2008 8:20PM

Huh.

*stares at the floor.

Sweet, free heels. Finally things are getting better for Mr.ESC.

*Puts on heels

I think I walk for a bit..Oh-Shi.

*Falls

Awwwww, Jesus. What the ***?,man What the ****?! I break my ankle.Who leaves broken heels just like that on the floor?!,awww this hurts.

IS that blood? Oh it IS. Weird since the wound isn’t open.

*Throws heels.

Matt B @ Apr 15th 2008 8:30PM

So that is why you where the strap with the wii'l......

Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 16th 2008 10:39AM

Ow! Where the hell did that heel come from... oh right, first post.

The strap is so it won't fall off or fly out of your hand. For some people, that's a problem.

gross.

Mr.ESC @ Apr 15th 2008 8:12PM

“Expect little and be constantly pleased”.

I'm sure that was the exact words most people used to describe Episode 1 The Phantom Menace.

Anyway If the Wii zapper taught me anything is that no matter how silly something looks clunky plastic peripherals can’t possibly make things better.

Psaakyrn @ Apr 15th 2008 8:30PM

Guitar Hero and Rock Band states otherwise.

ComradeTrotskii @ Apr 15th 2008 11:09PM

Actually I used the words "shit", "oh", "for", "fucks" and "sake" to describe the Phantom Menace.

Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 16th 2008 10:42AM

One clunky plastic peripheral was able to make the Phantom Menace better for some. But the side effects were sleepiness and the munchies.

Kyattsuai @ Apr 15th 2008 8:21PM

Sounds like the Zapper all over again - say what they will, but it's what finally gave me a platinum medal in the Wii Play shooting range.

Ben @ Apr 15th 2008 8:41PM

Agreed... Without the Wii Zapper, I never would have been able to clear Link's Crossbow Training without it. Helps a lot in RE:UC too.
Tried playing Mario Kart Wii without the wheel (using just the Wii remote to turn it), and it worked surprisingly well, much better than Excite Truck. I'd imagine the wheel actually does make it better too. Wavebird is still the best though.

Kyattsuai @ Apr 15th 2008 8:47PM

I played RE:UC for about 10 minutes with the Zapper, and hated it pretty much because of all the A button-pressing they made me do. Glad to hear that the wheel actually makes some buttons EASIER to press.

playwhutyalike @ Apr 15th 2008 10:03PM

I got the zapper for Christmas, don't use it, but it is pretty solid. Not chinzy at all.

Ben @ Apr 15th 2008 8:42PM

Clear Link's Crossbow Training with all platinum metals I meant...

Mr Khan @ Apr 15th 2008 9:13PM

If Sonic and the Secret Rings taught me anything, its that if you don't deliberately retard the control scheme with a level-up system (Sonic Team, take note), Wiimote tilt-steering can be the best control experience ever

TheOverlord#2(Toon Link FTW)(1461-5875-9923) @ Apr 15th 2008 9:36PM

I had worried about it being weird to use cause it isn't mounted on anything...

I just want to make my Wii Wheel golden! All things are better when they are shiny.

Makeseven @ Apr 16th 2008 1:04AM

i TOTALLY agree with the "expect little and constantly be pleased." i do it with almost every movie i go to. as a result i like most movies.

maybe it can happen with the wii wheel for me aswell. i must say it seems like a piece of turd to me.

giantenemycrab @ Apr 15th 2008 9:58PM

Shocker, no Fernando comment. He's probably too torn between sucking up to Nintendo and sucking up to Joystiq.

Anticrawl @ Apr 15th 2008 10:11PM

I'm pretty sure even Fernando said he'd be using the gamecube controller for this game. He may be considered a troll by some, but what you do here is far worse.

Croove55 @ Apr 15th 2008 10:42PM

Preemptive Fernando burns: when you need to insult someone RIGHT NOW and CANNOT WAIT, you can count on Fernando.

Anni @ Apr 15th 2008 11:13PM

Croove55: making me lol hardily since the previous comment!

ComradeTrotskii @ Apr 15th 2008 11:11PM

Just out of curiosity what is the preferred method of control among the Wii owners here?

ComradeTrotskii @ Apr 15th 2008 11:12PM

For this game obviously.

Anni @ Apr 15th 2008 11:24PM

It's not out in North America yet, but perhaps some Eurofellows or importers could help you.

I'll probably play the game with the remote, maybe wheel when I first get it. If it's not for me, the GC controller will do.

Tim The Enchanter @ Apr 16th 2008 10:46AM

If it makes good use of the wii-mote, I'll stick to that. But for familiarity's sake, in SSBB I use the GC controller.

Jack Mii @ Apr 16th 2008 12:01AM

So let me get this straight. Mario Kart goes from decent system that didn't sell so well to a crappy system that sells well. Regardless, any Mario Kart game is going to sell.

Zeruel @ Apr 16th 2008 12:17AM

As someone who's actually played the wheel, I have to disagree with Zack here. I grew up on racers like Outrunners, Final Lap, and Daytona. I prefer the wheel over the nunchuck + remote scheme. I'm not a Nintendo Fanboy either - just like good games.

I'll have to write more later, as I'm going to go and play a few more matches before I hit the hay. =P

Markez @ Apr 16th 2008 12:38AM

"Just like good games?"

Do you know where you are? This is Joystiq?

*silently concedes anything motion controlled a la ExciteTruck rules

*takes notes from Chase

*raises to feet, applauds

*flees

Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 16th 2008 1:34AM

"But the control felt imprecise because it wasn't mounted to anything."

Nintendonald's should have added some more plastic for a wheel base. it would have cut their $14 profit to $12, but would have increased their integrity and probably overall sales as well.

Burnt Meatloaf @ Apr 16th 2008 4:55AM

You used the word "Nintendonald's".

No +1 for you!

JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) @ Apr 16th 2008 7:04AM

Can we ip ban him this time?

Curmeo 2.0 @ Apr 16th 2008 10:42AM

i suggest Joystiq permaban JakubK666 (Ninja Defence Force) for having problems with people he doesnt agree with.

PyD @ Apr 16th 2008 4:50AM

Um it works fine - it controls very differently from the gamecube contoller but then the steering in the game is very different from the gamecube controller and the drifting is more like the SNES game than anything else. Its like a fun new challenge and the stunting is FAR easier than with the cube controller.
You won't be as good as you wree at the older versions but that's the point it makes you play differently and enjoy a new expereince with your mates - its a laugh frankly - dunno what the reviewer is goin on about with the dipping the angle jazz.
The tiredness does set in after the 4th or 5th drink though.

Phil @ Apr 16th 2008 9:44AM

I have been playing the game all week in the UK and myself and friends have said we would not want to play Mario Kart without the wheel again. This has made the game soooo much better than it was, more challenging more skill required and when you nail the perfect line on the track, the connection to the game cannot be faulted. This wheel deserves design awards. I am sure that more time spent with the wheel would soon change your mind...