When the Nintendo Wii was first released, many people claimed that gamers wouldn't take to the innovative new control system, and suggested that it was a step too far from the old-skool style of gaming that everyone was previously used to. In reality, the control system became an instant hit, and currently both Microsoft and Sony are rushing to create their own version of the revolutionary motion-sensing wonder. The Wii system is probably the only one in the history of videogaming which uses two separate components to work, and it's the 'Nunchuk' part that this review focuses on.

What is it?
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Basically, the Nintendo Wii Nunchuk is a white plastic controller which is attached to a one metre cable. Designed to be held in the left hand, the round edges on the device means that it is comfortable to hold, and won't result in sore-handed discomfort after a particularly brutal gaming session. The top-side features a multi-directional white rubber thumbstick which is used to control player movement in many games, whilst the back of the device houses two buttons ('c' and 'z'), which are often used as the 'fire', or primary action buttons.

You can currently purchase the Nunchuk controller from Amazon for £12, and although there are cheaper '3rd-party' versions available, I believe that the official Nintendo model is the original and best.

Use
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First off, it's important to note that you can't use the Nunchuk on its own, and it always requires the Wii Remote for it to work. You attach the two devices via the socket on the Wii Remote's bottom, and the Nunchuk's cable clips firmly into place with a reassuring snap. The controller doesn't need batteries, as it uses the ones in the device which it is attached to.

Like the Wii Remote, the Nunchuk does have motion sensing capabilities, and is occasionally used (as in the case of 'Wii Sports' Boxing), to represent the action of your left hand. One of the best and most intuitive uses for the Wii remote that I have come across so far however, occurs in the 'Wii Sports Resort' Archery title, where it represents the hand that pulls back the arrow.

Inevitably, the device does have its drawbacks, one of which is the fact that you can occasionally get tangled up in the cable whilst playing the more frantic of Wii titles. There is actually an unofficial 'wireless' Nunchuk controller which you can buy to alleviate this problem, but it's apparently quite unresponsive, and eats batteries at a rate of knotts.

Generally, the most common use for the Nunchuk is for controlling the movement of your on-screen character in 1st and 3rd person games like 'Zelda' or 'Red Steel', and here, the stick is responsive and comfortable to use, and accurately guides your player through a range of motion.

In conclusion, the Nintendo Wii Nunchuk controller represents half of the most intuitive control system ever created. That said, it's not a perfect piece of design, and Nintendo are constantly cashing-in by selling it separately to the Wii Remote. All in all though, the device does what it is supposed to do, and as a result gets four shiny dooyoo stars from me.