Is it a a tv controller? No it's a Wiimote! (Nintendo Wii Remote)

Member Name: shamis4

Product:	Nintendo Wii Remote
Date:	06/08/08 (195 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cool looking controller with so many extras and ways to use it!

Disadvantages: certainly not cheap, but not expensive either

The wii was the latest console released by Nintendo and over the past year has been a fierce competitor with the likes of the xbox 360 and the Playstation 3. It was released late 2006 and after being out for over a year now it can be seen in thousands of homes across the nation with everyone getting up on their feet and being active with this great console where everything is interactive. However nothing can be done with the console without the core controller the "wiimote" as it has been nicknamed. The wii remote controller is your key to start playing and to start playing a variety of great games from Zelda to Call of Duty or Pro Evolution soccer in which everything in the game is based and designed upon this wireless and motion sensor controller!
Every Wii console of course comes with one of these great controllers.


Look and feel:

At first sight of this controller it looks more like a futuristic TV or CD player remote, but it is in fact a very unique looking and classy wii remote. It is designed to be like a TV controller type shape in order to be held upright in the hand - the normal playing position. It is very different to the typical two-handed controller of all the rival consoles and is designed so you can point in the direction of use. This is just one of the features that makes it unique.
It comes as standard in the white colour - to match the console. It has a number of different buttons on it which have a variety of functions:
- Power button which turns the controller on and can also turn the console on or off, it will also light up a blue light to indicate that the controller is on and which player you are 1 to 4.
- Home - a button which enables you to quit a game easily and return to the start up wii menu.
- Other bttons include the traditional A, B and d-pad buttons which are self explanatory and have different functions on different games.
- The trigger button is placed on the back and can be easily pressed by your fingers on the back of the controller - often used to shoot for example.

The controller is very easy to hold and fells very comfortable in your hand. It also includes a strap which is attached at the bottom and can be applied around the wrist and also tightened for extra security. It is a good idea to put this on as with many games - such as tennis - you will be required to move the controller and your arm and a small slip of the hand can result in a flying remote. This will not only break the remote but could also smash other things such as that very expensive vase on the mantelpiece!


Functioning:

The controller is completely wireless - which means it has no wires attached to the console so you can move it around as much as you like. It can be used to react and manipulate items and games on the screen through the use of accelerator and optical sensor technology. This basically means if you swing the console in tennis it will result in your character hitting the ball in the game in the exact same movement and timing as yourself - very cool eh!

The controller also has a memory capacity of about 16kb and can therefore store up to 10 Mii characters. These are like mini people you make to play as on the wii and you can therefore take your controller to a mats house and your mii will come with you - so you can always play as yourself!

The wii controller uses two AA batteries for power and these slot nicely into the back and as long as you get some good batteries will hopefully last for a reasonably long length of time.
You can of course buy rechargeable packs and special recharging ports for your controller so you want have to worry about those batteries dying on you!


Extras:

As well as the basic controller many games also require the use of the nunchuk, an extra small controller with an analog stick on it. This is simple attached by a wire to the main controller and is very useful for certain games and will often come with the console when you buy it.
There are loads of other great extras you can buy for your controller:
- Steering wheel - for racing games you can slot your controller into this and then just hold the wheel and steer and fell as if you are really driving that super car!
- Gun - great for shooting games such as Call of Duty and fell like you are actually in the game - very useful for aiming and shooting the enemy.
- Tennis racket - used mainly for wii tennis in wii sports - prove you are a tennis ace!
- Classic controller - if you prefer old style gaming within a normal two hand controller then this is perfect and very retro and classy!

You can also get a special silicone case for your controller in order to protect anyone who tries to pass you while you are waving your arms around or to avoid breaking anything else your arm decides to throw the controller at - including that vase!
There are even cool stickers to put on your controller to make it unique and to show off to your friends such as Mario stickers off all your favourite characters!

Loads of games for the wii use all the great features available in this console especially all the motion sensor stuff which makes playing the wii and using this console really great fun.
Guitar Hero is a great game on the wii where the controller is put into the guitar to make that your won wireless game guitar!


How to use the controller:

The remote is designed to be held facing the tv in order to play normal games - however most new games are seeming to be designed around the controller and to stretch its uses in so many ways. For example in WIi sports you use it to hit a tennis ball, a golf ball, throw a bowling ball and knock out your opponent in boxing.
A great game is Wario Ware in which there are loads of mini games where you have to constantly use the controler in different ways to do some really odd things such as popping balloons and putting ketchup on the chips. The controller has to b held normally swung around and even put on your head in just a few seconds - absolutely crazy, but very fun!


Price:

The wii controller will come as standard with the console but you may of course wish to buy more controllers to play with friends or to replace broken ones and they can be bought for £29.99 from most retailers such as play.com or amazon.co.uk.


Conclusion:

A really cool looking controller with some great unique features including all the wireless and motion sensor capabilities. The controller is a key part to all games and can be used in so many different ways to make gaming fun and often quite tiring - not a bad price either!

Summary: original controller that uses motion sensor technology to add a new dimension to gaming!

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