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For those of you who aren't totally bored with boards and board-based peripherals, Thrustmaster has just the thing for you. Introducing the T-Freestyle NW, a skateboard attachment designed specifically for the Wii Balance Board. The peripheral is crafted of maple and includes "Rolling Motion Board" technology for "true lateral movement capabilities." Also, unlike your real skateboard, the T-Freestyle NW includes a "safety stopper" to keep overzealous virtual skaters and snowboarders from tipping over.

Perhaps such a peripheral could interfere with games designed to work with a naked Balance Board but, assuming it works as advertised, the T-Freestyle NW just might be the thing to make your extreme games that much more extreme. For the asking price of $29.99, it had better.

Expect the T-Freestyle NW to hit shelves at the end of November.

It's only fitting that a Wii game based on a theme park attraction would be controlled with a device based on a toy. Peripheral company Thrustmaster just announced its first Disney-licensed accessory, a Wii gun shell reminiscent of Buzz Lightyear's ray gun, coinciding with the European release of Toy Story Mania! The Ray Gun NW is expected in European stores by the end of September at a price of €14.99.

Sure, it's a bit frivolous, but maybe you can think of the gun as enhancing the 3-D effect found in part of the game. Even without glasses, it would totally look like Buzz Lightyear's gun is, like, right there in your hand!

And here we thought the other solutions on the market were good enough. Turns out, that isn't the case, because Thrustmaster has come in and totally set the bar really high. One of the big problems with these lightsaber knock-offs is that most have been fairly short. Well, it appears Thrustmaster's Glow Saber Duo Pack overcomes that and succeeds in many ways:

• It comes in a pack of two
• The beam's length looks like it's long enough
  
• It has a sweet handle
• It's only $17.99
• It's not as clumsy or random as a blaster

So there you have it. Thrustmaster wins.

[Via Engadget]

Whenever accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster comes up in conversation -- and it often does -- we can't help but imagine the Simpsons' Duff Man character stabbing the air with his pelvis. So, if you hear us suddenly yell out, "Oh yeah!" now you understand what provoked our involuntary impulse.

Despite the distracting nature of its company name, Thrustmaster successfully put together an acceptable alternative to Nintendo's Classic Controller and WaveBird with several advantages over its first-party competition:

1. Togglable rumble via switch
2. Doesn't depend on a Wii remote hookup for wireless functionality, using a GameCube port dongle instead
   
3. Xbox-like shoulder button layout
4. Turbo and slow modes
5. Mappable buttons

Best of all, Dell's online shop is currently selling Thrustmaster's T-Wireless NW Gamepad for only $13.59 ($19.99 MSRP) until December 13th! Check out more photos from IGN's favorable review past the break. Oh yeah!

Nope, Sony isn't releasing the prototype boomerang controller they initially showed off with the PS3. However, a company called Thrustmaster, who we can aptly imply are masters of the thrust, have taken it upon themselves to deliver a controller that is suited to all of our gaming needs. This controller doesn't have any sixaxis controls ... it has sevenaxis controls! How wild, though we don't know if that actually means it has motion controls or not. Here's what else is has to offer:

• 2.4 GHz wireless
• An "Optical Wheel" with precise controls and self-centering options
• "Dual Triggers" which is pretty moot, since you kinda need those for PS2/PS3 games.
• It's got the "Home" button for the PS3, which is handy. It can also be used on the PC or PS2.
• Fully programmable buttons! If you always thought a game's control scheme would have worked better using the circle instead of the square, you now have the power to mess around with that. A very cool option, if we say so ourselves.
• With internal memory, the controller can switch between configurations in a flash.

The controller also features vibration motors, but since we're still not sure if this functionality will get recognized in PS3 games. There's not really a reason why it wouldn't, but stranger things have happened. We can't say if it's worth it, since the site makes you jump through hoops to find a price. So, consider it in your future third-party controller purchases, but don't make it a priority over that delicious DualShock 3.

One of our problems with Nintendo's official Classic Controller is how it has to be plugged into the Wiimote to be used. It's not that big of a deal, but sometimes the cord can become a nuisance. Thankfully, third-party manufacturer (and ridiculously-named company) Thrustmaster have devised the wireless solution you see above. Sure, it may not be much to look at, but at least there aren't any wires.

To connect the controller to the Wii, you'll have to plug an adapter into one of the GameCube ports on top of the console. We suspect that won't be an issue with most of you, as we're certain you (like us) already have a few WaveBird adapters plugged in up there. And, to add even more appeal to the thing, it'll only retail for $19.99, the same cost as Nintendo's official solution.

We'll have to wait until the thing releases to see, but we're pretty sure that Nintendo's controller will end up winning in the end based on feel alone. That thing looks bulky.

Inappropriately-named accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster has revealed a new line of DS Lite pouches that the company promises will "electrify the catwalks during the next fashion shows."

Too young to carry around a man-purse, but still in need of a tote for all of your gadgets? The "T-Pack Only for Boys" comes with pockets and compartments for games, mobile phones, and even a DS Lite! A pair of earphones and a USB recharging cable come packed with the set, as well as a "Thrustmaster Elite Member" badge. You know, so you can let everyone know how much of a Thrustmaster you are.

For the Thrustmaster ladies out there, you'll have two options -- Pink/Denim and Purple/Denim -- both equally repelling. The purple "fashion pack" comes with eight heat transfers, giving creative girl gamers a chance to personalize their bags with hearts, butterflies, and, yes, dolphins. Head past the post break for photos of the "T-Jean Bag 2 DS Lite Girl" and the "T-Pack 2 DS Lite Girl Pink."

In addition to having an awkward appearance, Thrustmaster's Run'N' Drive gamepad may run (and/or drive) away with the dubious distinction of most awkward name and capitalization schema for a gaming product. Our fingers pause, apprehensively, every time we write a brand name, fearful of mangling some marketing team's carefully focus-grouped formatting. Occasionally, we remain obstinate and refuse to conform (we're looking at you PLAYSTATION 3 and SIXAXIS), but we're at a loss with the Run'N' Drive. So, instead of complaining about the name, we'll talk about the controller.

As luck would have it, the Run'N' Drive (RND from here on out) claims to be "7-axis" making it exactly one more axis than Sony's gamepad ... too bad SEVENAXIS isn't palindromic ... that would be sixaneves. We're not sure where that extra axis comes into play; you see, the RND "does not offer a motion sensor" on the PlayStation 3. What it does offer is compatibility with the PS3, PS2, and PC platforms (note: the RND "only supports PS3 games" on the PS3) as well as an optical wheel for "spot on precision."

While the whole cornucopia of disgusting mental imagery is enough to literally suffocate you to death, we advise that you forget all of that and realize what we're getting on about: Wii accessories. That's right, nothing but good old accessories for your Wii and Wiimote are available from Thrustmaster.

Thrustmaster isn't the first on the scene with a rechargeable solution for Wiimotes, but they are the cheapest. The $25 T-Charge NW comes in black and offers gamers a sleeve for the Wiimote and nunchuk plus a rechargeable stand that works with USB. Don't need all that new-fangled technology that comes with USB? Try the $15 T-Care NW stand. Don't want the stand? Well, sleeves are sold solo for $10. If you must have it all, you can get the T-Care NW for $35, which includes it all.

Seriously, you have to stop laughing at the post title already ...

[Via Joystiq]

Ubisoft is all over Nintendo lately. Not only are they dominating the Wii launch lineup, but they're the first to bundle a peripheral not designed by Nintendo with their games. Yes, that's games plural. Their new steering wheel, which cradles the Wiimote like the precious jewel it is, will be bundled with both Monster 4x4: World Circuit and their new racer, GT Pro Series. IGN snagged a short intervew with associate producer Tats Myoio. They didn't cover much, but the screens of the colorful cel-shaded game and the first look at the superfly steering wheel are so exciting that an interview is just the cherry on this Ubisoft sundae.

The highlights:

• GT Pro Series will feature over 80 licensed cars, including Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota.
• There are 11 different options for customization.
• The game includes a wide variety of racing modes: Championship (Career) mode, a Quick Race mode, Versus mode (splitscreen only!), Time Attack and Drift Mode.
  
• Any race can be saved and replayed later, for your viewing pleasure.
• GT Pro Series supports 16:9 widescreen, but no progressive scan.
• The steerig wheel was developed by Thrustmaster specifically for GT Pro Series, but it will work with other Wii titles, like the aforementioned Monster 4x4, Excite Truck, Cars, and portions of Spongebob as well.

We're vehemently not going to be the ones who break down and make a Thrustmaster joke. Just in case you were wondering.

[Thanks, AssemblyLineHuman!]