One of the first things you notice about a Wii remote is how small and light it is. The remote fits nicely in your hand, its not big and buly like other consoles controllers, and only needs operating with one hand (unless a nunchuck is connected)
Only a few inches wide, the remote is operated by 2 AA batteries in the back (remotes are also available with rechargeable packs)
There are no confusing multicoloured buttons, none that are rather unneccessary and only used once in a while, the simplicity of the Wii remote is what makes it easy fr all age groups to play.

There are 8 buttons on the remote, as well as the directions D pad. The top of the Wii remote has a sensor which is picked up by the motion bar, which enables gameplay.

1) Is the power button in the top left corner - a small button with the standby symbol on it. Not only does this turn off the remote but you can also put the console into standby mode.
2) Thesecond button is the A button, situated directly under the D pad. This is quite probably the most used button on the remote, its used as the start button, and the main control button in most games.
3) This small button is the home button, pressing this can take you back to the Wii start up menu. Its also the button you use in the menu to check settings and connect controllers and so on
4 & 5) These are the - and + Use these buttons to pause gameplay, or turn the volume up or down.
6 & 7) Buttons 1 and 2. These are the least used buttons I have found so far, I have mainly used these buttons when using the controller in the wheel, as gameplay is easier using these buttons when the controller is sideways
8) This is the B button on the back. Shaped more like a trigger than a button, thats exactly what this button is used for, to trigger. Or to aim. Used as much as the A button, the 2 are the most used buttons.

In between the house button, and the 1 button, is a small speaker. I hadnt really noticed it at first, until I was playing a game and a character started speaking to me through the remote! I was very impressed with this, it makes the games slightly more 3d-like, as its almost like the characters are right alongside you! It also makes it easier to use some games on the Wii Fit game for example - I can do the step aerobics freestyle while watching normal tv as I can keep in time with the rhythm on the controller.

On the front of the remote, at the bottom, are 4 little lights. When a controller is connected, one of these lights will light up blue. This enables you to know what number player you are connected as, which comes in very handy when playing multi player games.

Its easy to connect multiple controllers to a game. Using the house button while in the Wii menu, enables players to connect more controllers. One by one, each person needs to hold down both the 1 and 2 buttons on the remote, and as the controller connects it makes a bleeping noise and the lights will light up on the remote to tell you you are connected.

On the menu, you can also keep an eye on how much power is left in your batteries too.

Nintendo quickly realised the flaws in their design when the Wii was first released, and there were many stories of remotes flying into tv screens and hitting people! They came up with solutions to get around this, and I strongly suggest using them, as I have hit my husband on the face once when the remote flew out of my hand!!
The two options I use are to have a wrist strap connected to the bottom of the controller, which ties in through a slot. These are then placed around the wrist and fastened in place with a clip. I also have a silicone cover that goes around the whole controller and has cut out sections so you can still access the buttons. The silicone gives a much better grip over the remote therefore reducng the chance of it flying out of your hand!

A great little piece of technology which succeeded in turning gaming into a fun, active pastime that the whole family can play!