Stix is a Wiimote for the PC

Posted in PCs by Conner Flynn on July 2nd, 2008

Stix is a Wiimote for the PC
So you’ve wanted some motion control on your PC, but so far every mod you’ve attempted fails miserably. The folks at GoLive2 are here to help with Stix, a Wiimote for the PC. No, it won’t sing Mr. Roboto or Come Sail Away, but it will let you have a Wii-like experience on your PC.

It’s launching with a companion website called sphere that has hundreds of “free Web-based games” available, which usually means suckage. The Stix 200 will work with those games while the Stix 400 will apparently work with normal PC games. It will be available in August.

Solar-powered Wii station for outdoor play

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on July 1st, 2008

Solar-powered Wii station for outdoor play
It’s a beautiful summer day. You want nothing more then to play your Wii and enjoy the outdoors. But you can’t do both. Or can you? Now you can, thanks to this solar powered Wii station.

Whether it’s some exercise with Wii fit or a kick-ass round of Mario Kart, you’ll be having fun in the sun. It’s basically little more then a wooden case that houses the Wii, a high definition display, a solar power panel, and a battery, so I’m sure it’s entirely worth the $1,431 build cost.

Nintendo pushes back DVD-Wii in Japan

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 30th, 2008

Nintendo pushes back DVD-Wii in Japan
Those of us in the U.S. know damn well that we are never going to have a DVD playing Wii, while those who live in Japan have reason to hope. The company has made promises stating that a DVD system was on the way in some form, at some point.

Now the poor Wii playing Japanese are thinking they may never get one as well since Nintendo has just announced yet another delay to the system while still giving no date. IGN says that Nintendo President Satoru Iwata would only say that due to the continuing worldwide Wii shortages, “the priority is on the current model.”

Wii 2010: A blue haired odyssey

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on June 23rd, 2008

Wii 2010: A Blue Haired Odyssey
T3 Magazine commissioned some future designs for their “future tech” feature. Here’s a Wii concept for 2010, which is right around the corner. Apparently blue hair is all the rage in the future. And I’m guessing that her bra has bluetooth to control some game by pure boob boucing and nipple position.

It should be noted that in 2010 brainwaves are used to control characters with some head gear, which also sports in-ear headphones. It’s nice to see the Wiimote all thin and streamlined, with just one button too. I’m looking forward to blue haired girl gamers gripping my Wiimote in 2010. Thank you Nintendo. Thank you future.

Guitar Hero World Tour’s new guitar

Posted in Musical Instruments by Conner Flynn on June 19th, 2008

Guitar Hero World Tour’s new guitar
Most of you have heard the rumors about a touchpad on the new guitar, well now we get to see it for real. IGN previewed the new gear, and they say that the strip will be used for notes during sustains, tapping to play notes, and interfacing with the new music creator.

Interestingly, the guitar is larger than those that have come before it. Back to the drums. They’re pressure sensitive, with a plain jane mic, and the music creation software is apparently very awesome. Sadly, you can’t record vocals for songs though. The Wii version of the game will have all of the same features, which is good news for Wii owners.

Nintendo is “working on a solution” to Wii storage

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 18th, 2008

Nintendo is “working on a solution” to Wii storageWe’ve seen the writing on the wall and it seems to indicate that Nintendo is working on some USB devices for the Wii, but Laurent Fischer of Nintendo Europe quashed that idea while another option now seems open. According to GamesIndustry.biz, he says that the company is “working on a solution” to the Wii storage problem, but he also says “definitely there’s no plan to issue hardware,” like a hard drive.

So the thinking now is that Nintendo is working on a firmware update that would allow downloaded games to be played directly from SD cards, but no one knows for sure. We may get more details as E3 approaches.

14 awesome Wii case mods

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 16th, 2008

Metroid
The Wii has changed the face of gaming with it’s interactive motion controls. So much so, that every other console has begun work on their own version. Just as the Wii has changed gaming, gamers are constantly changing the Wii console itself, giving it all kinds of personalities. Here’s a look at some of our favorites.

Wii Knockoff: UltiMotion Swing Zone Sports

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 11th, 2008

Wii Knockoff: UltiMotion Swing Zone Sports
Were you one of those kids who was forced to play with the far inferior Duplo blocks while all your friends rocked the LEGO world? This is alot like that, only far more embarassing where your friends are concerned. What we have here is a Wii for the insanely cheap, or for those who like to make their kid go to bed crying at night.

UltiMotion Swing Zone Sports is made by Jakks. And priced at just $80. You get a tiny console thing, a motion controller and five plastic accessories for the Wiimote that go with the five games in the console: tennis, bowling, football, baseball and golf. It’s the Fisher-Price of motion-controlled gaming.

Nintendo Wii USB devices coming soon?

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 10th, 2008

Nintendo Wii USB devices coming soon?
You find some interesting things when browsing the web. One interesting Wii related tidbit that some browsers came across is a job listing at Nintendo of America. One that suggests that Nintendo might finally be ready to up the USB support for the Wii.

The job search was for a “Software and Hardware Tester” which isn’t unusual, but they’re looking for one who can put in place a “test plan for Wii’s USB devices.” Some are thinking that this could mean external USB storage devices like hard drives and flash drives, since the Wii is severely lacking in that department. It might mean a more complete USB compatibility, with other devices as well. It would be nice to use something other then the 1 or 2 keyboards that currently work.

Why it’s a good idea to get a Wii for your girlfriend

Posted in Wii by Conner Flynn on June 3rd, 2008

Girl doing hula hoop on with the Nintendo WiiTheir are several advantages to owning a Wii. Especially if you have a cute girlfriend. It can be fun for her and fun for you as made very clear in this video where there’s a whole lotta booty shakin going on.
For those of you who have no girlfriend…You might want to put your Wiimote down for a few hours each day. When you find one,(Hopefully Chloroform isn’t involved) bring her back to your place and have her play some Wii.

Wii balance board surfs Google Earth

Posted in Hacks by Conner Flynn on May 28th, 2008

Wii balance board surfs Google Earth
A group of German students have somehow managed to use the Wii Balance Board from Wii-Fit to navigate their way around Google Earth. Specifically to surf Google Earth. Talk about a creative way to use a Wii accessory.

It’s really not all that impressive, and these guys are no Silver Surfer, but I guess it’s the first step in being able to fly or surf around the world virtually. And when that day comes, it will be sweet to do this in a nerd hero costume, while playing theme music. Video below.

Blazepro Offers Realistic Wii racing wheel

Posted in Wii Accessories by Conner Flynn on May 22nd, 2008

Blazepro Offers Realistic Wii racing wheel
I haven’t picked up my copy of Mario Kart yet, but I imagine this new Wii wheel from Blazepro will make it a more realistic and far cooler experience. It’s got to be better then that rinky-dink wheel they are packaging with the game.

This new wheel promises better driving accuracy. The base can be attached to any desktop for more stability, too. If you still like playing it the other way, you can detach the wheel for more freedom. Available for only $5.87.

Collectors Edition Nintendo Monopoly

Posted in Toys by Conner Flynn on May 22nd, 2008

Collectors Edition Nintendo Monopoly
Ok, so I have been sick of seeing Monopoly this and Monopoly that, for years now. Every time you turn around there’s a new one and I always imagine some lonely geek collecting each one and storing it away as they come out. But this latest Monopoly game I might actually buy and it might even make me want to play again.

This one features Mario, Luigi, Link, Zelda, Kirby, and other NES icons. The box comes with 6 collectible pewter tokens including Donkey Kong’s Barrel, Link’s Iron Boots, Hylian Shield, NES Controller, Mario’s Cap, and a Koopa Shell. I especially like the NES Controller. The Collectors Edition Nintendo Monopoly retails for just $33.00. As usual, it’s the same exact game. It just has Nintendo graphics everywhere.

Wii Guitar Hero axe now a MIDI controller

Posted in Wii Accessories by Conner Flynn on May 19th, 2008

Wii Guitar Hero axe now a MIDI controller
I’m sure everyone and their imaginary roadie wishes the Guitar Hero guitar played more like a real instrument. Forget the fact that you don’t have any talent.(If you’re like me anyway) Instead of just dreaming about it, Dave actually made it happen. He converted a Wii Guitar Hero axe into a full-fledged MIDI controller. No, really. There’s a 5-pin jack down there that makes it official.

Now it can play two octaves of an eight note scale at time, alter the keys and octaves, change tonal modes, use the whammy bar to bend the pitch and generally rock out far more effectively. My only gripe is that if you are going to go through the trouble, you should at least improve on the look of the fugly stock guitar while you’re at it. This isn’t an easy mod, but if you think you’re up for it, hit the link.

Xbox 360 sells 10 million units for the win?

Posted in Games by Darrin Olson on May 15th, 2008

Xbox 360 has sold 10 million units in the U.S.Microsoft is touting some new statistics trying to gain some additional momentum for the Xbox 360 game console, stating that in the U.S. they have sold 10 million units. There is no refuting that this is quite an accomplishment, but Microsoft is trying to add some more significance to the 10 million unit mark.

“History has shown us that the first company to reach 10 million in console sales wins the generation battle. We are uniquely positioned to set a new benchmark for the industry, ” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft.


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