CES 2009: Hands-on with Nyko's replacement Wiimote, The Wand

by Justin McElroy { Jan 8th 2009 at 7:14PM }

It's common knowledge that the Wii's third-party games generally pale in comparison to Nintendo's first-party efforts. But it seems as though that same observation will no longer be true about the system's controllers when Nyko rolls out its Wiimote replacement, The Wand, in April or May of this year. We took the controller for a spin (and a twist and a wave) earlier today at the company's CES booth.

Most notable in the controller is Nyko's "Trans-Port" technology, which allows the controller's buttons to be auto-magically remapped to add-on peripherals, without the need for a mechanical solution. For demonstration, Nyko showed us a gun grip that felt much better than other snap-in guns we've held. With the Trans-Port's digital solution, there's also no longer a problem of Wiimote buttons being obscured by add-ons.

While the gun attachment is the furthest along, Nyko said its also thinking about some sort of keypad attachment for web surfing and sending messages.

There are also some more tactile improvements to the controller. Buttons have been enlarged, and there's a new custom d-pad. Best of all, there's a new grip on the handle, the perfect solution to all those Wiimote tossing injuries and broken big screens. The whole thing feels much more solid than the Wiimote, slightly weightier and more comfortable to hold.

The form factor is different, but the Wand still slides or snaps in to whatever Wiimote add-ons you may already have lying around. The one notable question is the MotionPlus, which Nyko thinks will be Wand compatible, but won't swear to.

One of the biggest questions that's still unanswered is the controller's price, though Nyko says it's shooting for the $30 - $40 range. If it hits that mark, we'll be sorely tempted to start replacing our Wiimotes.

Tags: ces-2009, nyko, the-wand, wiimote

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Mr Khan @ Jan 8th 2009 7:19PM

The only problem i've heard of is that it's ugly as sin, especially when compared to the Wiimote's sleek design

Otherwise, it does fix some problems, mostly by making everything bigger. They'd have me sold if they added a second set of 1 & 2 buttons as little L-shaped buttons right next to the A button, for quicker access for games where you hold the Wiimote normally, but still have to use 1 & 2 for some reason

Poisoned Al @ Jan 8th 2009 9:20PM

That's to get around the copyright, as the original shape is pantianted. That's why 3rd party controllers are never quite the same shape and layout of the 1st party unit, but some ugly approximation.

Strategy_Panda (The Sandwich Poisoning Crew) @ Jan 8th 2009 7:24PM

Does the original Wii mote have rumble?

HippoHero @ Jan 8th 2009 7:28PM

Yes it does.

mynk @ Jan 11th 2009 5:57PM

why is a question being low ranked?
he never said "oh shit the wii dont haz no rumble"
just cuz he didnt know something, doesn't mean his question is stupid or something.

HippoHero @ Jan 8th 2009 7:27PM

I'm holding out until they make something that will let me use the wiimote like a light-saber. Motion sensing technology shouldn't just be an extra waggle button in sword games!

*makes light-sabre noises*

In A World (XBL) @ Jan 8th 2009 7:34PM

Ugh, does it have to be so damn fugly?

If they REALLY wanted to differentiate themselves, Nyko should've waited until Motion Plus came out, then tried to emulate it with additional built-in components. That wouldn't *almost* made it worth a purchase.

LeadBoxx @ Jan 8th 2009 9:31PM

No kidding that an ugly piece of crap!

xFenixKnightx (In Memory of Ben Carmine RIP) @ Jan 8th 2009 7:34PM

I liko Nyko.

When I dl'd Mario64 from the VC I got Nykos Wii Classic Controller replacement, the Nyko WING. IMO its way better than Nintendos classic with more grip on the analog sticks and just overall better shape. Also, wireless FTW!!!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G0SGAY

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, in honor of the Jan. 6 Massacre) @ Jan 8th 2009 7:42PM

what an unfortunate URL.

Also, you could get the Classic controller AND Nyko's own grip for the controller for equal price and not have to worry about another set of batteries needing recharged.

http://www.amazon.com/Wii-Classic-Controller-Grip-Nintendo/dp/B000PHX4KQ

Mr Khan @ Jan 8th 2009 7:46PM

Aye. I really don't know what Nintendo was thinking when they designed the Classic Controller. Impossible to hold if you're using the analogue sticks to any great degree, although still superior for D-pad gaming, gripping it further up

nsdcx @ Jan 8th 2009 7:50PM

I think that Nyko Wing URL sums up my initial reaction when I see 99% of Nyko's products for the first time.

Fernando Rocker @ Jan 8th 2009 7:53PM

I don't have a Classic Controller, and playing VC games with the Gamecube controller is not the best match. NES and other simple games are fine with the Remote only, but playing SNES and N64 with the GC feels very awkward.

So, Fenix... about the Wing... is totally worth the price?

sjenky @ Jan 8th 2009 8:02PM

Who is this Boo1 that goes gay? Tell me Amazon!

xFenixKnightx (In Memory of Ben Carmine RIP) @ Jan 8th 2009 11:39PM

Fernando

Get it, its worth it.

samfish @ Jan 9th 2009 12:42AM

I have the regular Classic Controller, but I only use it for SNES and Genesis games. Otherwise, I mainly use this now:
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-113-49-en-70-33zc.html

Very nice all around controller. Not as nice as a Wavebird, but still. Plus, Hori makes really good quality products, so at least you know this won't break in 7 months.

Although I've yet to find any sort of Classic Controller that makes it comfortable to play N64 games with :\
They need to release an N64 controller addon like the SNES one.

xFenixKnightx @ Jan 9th 2009 10:47AM

Looks kinda like a normal GC controller Samfish. I do love the analog placement though.

mynk @ Jan 11th 2009 6:00PM

Boo!
I goes GAY!

Shangheli @ Jan 8th 2009 7:35PM

A gun? That wont go down well.

Moptimus Slime (Leader of the Ryan Scott Defense Force, in honor of the Jan. 6 Massacre) @ Jan 8th 2009 7:38PM

will the new gun peripheral work without the wand? Or will I just have to stick with my Perfect Shot?

Dani Reader @ Jan 8th 2009 7:47PM

It's a shame they didn't wait for a bit and implement motion plus in there, that would have made this controller the best wii remote evar. I would easily have layed 60 smackers down on that one. Sorry Nyko, you nearly had me, but it won't be you to break my third party cherry. I even think it's quite stylish, in a pointy kind of way

Max @ Jan 8th 2009 7:51PM

There are a lot of great ideas here, but unfortunately the thing is hideous.

This always tends to happen with Nyko/Pelican/Madcatz products. Why can't they ever design something that looks nice?

Poisoned Al @ Jan 8th 2009 9:23PM

The shape and layout of the original is patented, so 3rd party controllers are close, but never quite the same to stop getting their asses sued off.

james @ Jan 8th 2009 7:58PM

WOW they stole our graphics from stranger than fiction and made a wand ad!!! what is this nonsense! lol http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XObJUPwJ5u0

Yaanu @ Jan 8th 2009 8:05PM

Hey, I can hold the Classic Controller good. You guys need to stop lubing your palms with the sweat of those you've wronged.

Levi @ Jan 8th 2009 8:07PM

Now if only someone would make a new PS3 controller that has better analogue sticks. Those sticks are like... slow, slow, slow, FAST! sensitivity.

Kye says: I like turtles @ Jan 8th 2009 8:08PM

Man thats fugly.

Also I recieved a fourth wiimote for xmas so it would only be, at best, a possible replacement if one broke.

Only got 2 nunchuks though so I may look to get one of those wireless ones. Can anyone tell me if they're worth getting or not?

time @ Jan 8th 2009 8:08PM

It is SO UGLY.

SOOOO UGLY.

But because of the increased functionality, I may have to pick one up.

Bluebrake @ Jan 8th 2009 8:18PM

How's the speaker? That seems like the easiest and most obvious function to improve.

Adolph @ Jan 8th 2009 9:00PM

AMEN !!!!!

I have no clue why Nintendo added the speaker if the quality was so HORRIBLE.

It's not a bad idea, I enjoyed the noises, voicework that came out when playing " NO MORE HEROES" that used the wiimote speaker well.

I don't mind the design of this but if WiiMotion Plus doesn't work it's epic fail.