Hama planning to manufacture their own Wiimote

MMMMM, that black one looks sweet!

Problem here is......any 3rd party models have to be exactly the same size and shape as the nintendo model for compatibility.

what incentive does anyone have to buy it unless its significantly cheaper? (note - I never buy 3rd party controllers for any system but I can understand why people do)

The only way i would buy a third party wiimote would be if it were 1) cheaper or 2) has a built in rechargeable battery.

Sorry meant and not or.

Hama is a German company so fortunately I can give you some more Info from the press release:

These will sell for 34.99€ MSRP, they're called "Reemote" (really innovative) and you can find some really hi-res pictures here:

http://translate.google.de/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.hama.de%2Fportal%2FpageId*3704%2Faction*3499&sl=de&tl=en&hl=de&ie=UTF-8

As usual, Google translation is hilariously non-German.

Zocker bars

Hardly a game console makes as much fun as the Nintendo Wii. Because the Zocken in the group is still amusing, Hama has now as an alternative to the original two Reemotes controllers, including black, in the program, the wireless gaming fun no borders.

The original controllers are of Hama, in nothing. The Reemotes, depending on the cursor movement on the screen or push the characters bounce or rotate, also send their signals via Bluetooth to the console.

For tangible effects makes the game built engine, the controller with strong vibrations prevails. Thanks to integrated acceleration sensors react in the Reemote even on sensitive shake and vibrate. Together with the 7 function keys are expansive and comprehensive motions. An integrated speaker entertained many game situations and it sounds, for example, the one who's turn it is. Even more personal is the Wii game with the creating your own characters, which thanks to the integrated memory to drop the controller and later recall. In trade, the two Reemotes either in black or white for around 35 euros.

Hama with their wonderful knowledge of Rechargeables should build a bettery into that thing.

I wonder what the real point is. I could see someone making one with "improved" button placement, such as moving/copying the -/+ buttons to a better spot for Metroid Prime 3, and that having a strong niche market. But keeping the exact same form factor and layout, and merely changing the color and plastic indents? I see no benefit.

34.99€ MSRP = ~$54

So these would have to be on sale for a decent price for me to buy one instead of an official Wiimote. Right now I'm just waiting for another Buy 1 Get 1 1/2 price sale at TRU to pick up my other 2 Wiimotes.

The DPad looks gimped, otherwise, they look okay =]

dang i thought that said hamas the first time i saw it. i was thinking really strange. i'll stick with official for now.

the black looks better than the original nintendo 1 but the white looks worse

I did liked the different design, if this one had rechargable batteries, by any way they want, I will be buying these and selling the ones I already have...... maybe only the 2 that have the old strap, the new one, I still like it with its condom on, xD. Lets just hope this one is cheaper and that 35€ and the price is just a maybe

hopefully there are no tri-wing screws to make taking apart easier and lighting up certain buttons. but i would be worried that the accelerometer might be not up to the wiimotes' standards. Does that d-pad raises anybody else's concerns? it looks an awful lot like the Vii's D-pad

It's not as ugly as I thought a 3rd party remote would be. Looks good, though for $5 less, I wouldn't trust a 3rd party one to be as durable with the waggle abuse.....

Like everyone else I just don't get the point behind making this product. It seems to offer nothing new except another color. Unless the remote is more accurate at longer distances, or has a build in rechargeable battery you might as well throw a Mad-Catz label on it and throw it in the junk pile.

For me, this wiimote looks cuter and comes in black, finally. Also, it's an idea that has to happen. I tried Nyko's wireless nunchuck -- regretted it.
But, on the other hand, "Hamas" MIGHT do better. There's much to work on in terms of making a wiimote: sound, motion sensing, good d-pad, good buttons, easy-to-use, active and finally, being different from Nintendo's 'mote, somehow. Come to think of it, the needs of the wiimote is more than a GCN controller, but less than say, a wireless nunchuck.
What I can hope for mostly is better in-controller sound and more memory to hold Miis. And color. And not much else.
Also, may I mention that wiimotes have been used in non-Wii-related projects, like what Johnny Chung Lee does.