Does problems arise with no MotionPlus in the nunchuck?

Can Ninty add MotionPlus to the nunchuck as well? They wont, or haven’t mentioned it at least, but of course, anything can happen until the release of the MotionPlus peripheral next year.

Problem with the new configuration wiimote MotionPlus and nunchuck arises in a game like the boxing game in Wii Sports. Let’s pretend that Nintendo will start selling all their Wii consoles with the MotionPlus technology at some point, and if they did do that, maybe they’d opt to make some changes to the Wii Sports title and make it compatible with the new technology. How would a sport such as boxing fare with the new technology? Pretty lously probably; because if it’s only the wiimote that’s uppgraded and not the nunchuck, you’d be boxing as if your right or left arm was slightly numb, you’d feel pretty dumb, you’d feel like as if something was missing: MotionPlus in the nunchuck as well.

Source nintendo-centrum

Four-Foot SNES Controller Actually Works (For Shaquille O'Neal)

Taking inspiration as well as construction cues from the massive NES controller table built in May, SCAD Inc., which I will charitably call a garage-based novelty enlargement collective, set out to build a giant-sized SNES controller, complete with functioning buttons. A few months later the build is complete, and it looks, well, huge.

The angular, simply-shaped NES controller lent itself well to humongonization, but the rounded sides and shoulder buttons made the SNES a formidable challenge to accurately build at such a large scale. The SCAD guys sure as hell pulled it off though, getting everything from the curvature of the L and R buttons to the fonts used on the control labels almost perfectly right. The body of the controller is cut from wood, and the buttons are connected directly to the guts of a standard SNES controller, preserving the now hilariously small-looking cable and connector. Matt LaBoone, the primary builder of the project, says that videos (hopefully including some gameplay action) are forthcoming. For now check out the full log of the building process at the SCAD Inc. site.
Source gizmondo

Striking a Balance - Does the Wii Balance Board Have a Future?

The market expansion brought on by the Wii is well-documented. It's also a little tiresome. So the arrival of yet-another wacky peripheral - especially one whose primary purpose is as a bathroom scale - had a certain flash-in-the-pan quality for most core gamers. As nifty as Wii Fit is, the Balance Board is so far a one-trick pony. It may not even be a particularly sprightly pony; Microsoft has been spreading the meme that 60% of Wii Fit purchasers take one lap around the plastic and then hang it up for good.

To be fair, Nintendo has tried to keep the Balance Board in the limelight. At E3, Ubisoft opened the Nintendo press conference with a baby-faced and perpetually-smiling Shaun White carving virtual snow on his ersatz snowboard in a short preview of his eponymous Christmas game debut. But other than that short bit of third-party theatrics, Nintendo has done little to disabuse us of the notion that the Wii Balance Board is destined for the same shelf-of-shame as the Wii Zapper.

Source 1up

Operate Your Computer with Wii Controllers

Nintendo doesn't exactly advertise it, but the remotes for the Wii gaming console—including the balance board that comes with Wii Fit—have Bluetooth capabilities. That means you can connect your Wii peripherals to your computer to operate the media center hooked up to your TV, play emulated games with a Nunchuk, Classic Controller, or even a Balance Board, and pretty much have them do anything you can do with a keyboard. Let's walk through linking up your Wii peripherals and putting them in control of your Mac, PC, or Linux box.

To give you an idea of what you can do with a Wii/PC hook-up, here's a look at one neat example: Controlling Windows Media Center from a distance, without having to shell out for a separate remote control.
here

Source lifehacker

Stix 200 Impressions - Looks Like A Wii Remote, And That's All

Back in the beginning of July I wrote up the announcement of GoLive2's Wii remote-aping PC peripheral Stix, a device that would allow PC gamers to play specific web-based games using motion sensing controls, and then just as quickly forgot all about it. Lo and behold, the week before I leave for the Games Convention a package arrives on my doorstep. Well, on my mother's doorstep, addressed to Chris Fahey, but close enough. Inside was the Stix 200 combo pack, which I excitedly ran home with, setting it on my coffee table before leaving for the airport. Now I've finally gotten a chance to crack them open and play through some of their game offerings, and I have to say that this is exactly the sort of Christmas present parents who can't get their hands on a Wii should get their children to make them cry.
Source kotaku

Insider says PSP 3000 will be able to play games with PS3 controller

A Best Buy insider has tipped us off to say that the new PSP 3000's will include the ability to play games on the PSP using a PS3 controller. And you will also be to use composite cables (480i) to play games on the TV instead of requiring a component 480p. This should be treated as a rumor until confirmed.
Source maxconsole

Nyko's Wing Wii controller floats into your waiting hands

Love your Wii but tiring of your standard control options? Looking for something that involves less arm swinging, feels a little bit more like an Xbox or PS3 experience, and loses that Classic Controller cable? Well the folks from Nyko are here for you, and they want to hold you all night long... and they brought the Wing. What's the Wing you ask? It's essentially a standard gamepad on highly concentrated crack-cocaine. The wireless controller features two analog sticks and a plethora of buttons (both up front and around the back), and can run for around 30 hours on a pair of AAA batteries. No word on price or release date, but if you notice a sudden crime wave and rash of unexplained fires, the Wing is probably out.
Source engadget

Aussie Wii Fit ad: Olivia Newton-John and Pat Farrar

And following the wiifit news, heres an aussie advert featuring Olivia Newton-John and Pat Farrar!

Nintendo explains Wii Fit shortages using familiar language

Well, it looks like all that experience Nintendo has half-explaining Wii supply issues isn't going to waste -- the company just issued a statement regarding shortages of Wii Fit that sounds awfully familiar. Seriously, follow along with us here:

* Wii shortages, Nov. 14, 2007: "The demand for Wii hardware globally has been unprecedented and higher than Nintendo could ever have anticipated."
* Wii Fit shortages, Aug. 28, 2008: "Nintendo had a substantial supply nationwide for launch, though some stores saw spot shortages due to unprecedented demand for this unique product."

Here's a thought, guys: if there's "unprecedented" demand for the console, the demand for arguably the biggest accessory for that console since launch probably isn't unprecedented as well -- and your PR people shouldn't be so well-versed in making excuses like this.
Source engadget

Wii MotionPlus a response to the technology in Darwin?

Wii MotionPlus is an undeniable step-up in terms of the accuracy of the Wii remote, yet it’s a valid point to say that such technology should have already been available in the controller since the Wii launched. So, why has Nintendo taken an initiative to increase the “power” of the controller? The makers of Darwin are making a case that Nintendo is launching MotionPlus as a response to their product. Speaking with GameSpot, Motus CEO Satayan Mahajan explained, “I think it should be a lot closer to the Darwin [Wii MotionPlus]. It’s still missing the magnetometers, so it’s still a system that needs that IR strip to figure out where it is, whereas the Darwin is completely self-contained. If I’m not mistaken, there were a number of postings and blogs, and we’ve been hearing through our friends and family, so to speak, that the Wii MotionPlus was a response to the Darwin.”

I honestly don’t think Nintendo would be threatened by Motus and Darwin. Nintendo has been known for peripherals/add-ons and the big N is in a very comfortable financial situation right now.
Source nintendo everything

Aly & AJ guitars prompt pointing & laughter

We are all about the mediocre pop star/music game tie-ins today! Following Natasha Bedingfield's peddling of Boogie Superstar, our heads were turned by these eye-catching axes. If you didn't already know (I'll confess -- I didn't), the blonde toothpicks pictured above are Aly & AJ, a pair of sisters who are also "teen rock stars" and now official partners of PDP, the company behind the plastic instruments they're clutching.

Aimed at the tween and teen markets respectively, these controllers are compatible with both Rock Band and Guitar Hero, and will be available from mid-October for $70. The one on the right doesn't look that enamored with hers. Unless that's her giving the camera some rock chick 'tude.
Source nintendo wii fanboy

Peak's Starpex wooden guitar controller gets the hands-on treatment

While there's likely nothing that will convince most folks of the merits of a full-size, $180 wooden guitar controller, those still on the fence about this particular piece of excess may be interested to know that the good people of PS3 Fanboy recently got their hands on one, and they've now offered up some initial impressions. As you might expect, they found it to definitely be a hefty device, but far from an unwieldy one, with the buttons as familiar as even and the strum bar in particular a significant improvement over other Guitar Hero and Rock Band guitars. Peak also doesn't look to have cut any corners when it comes to the little details, with even the strap made of a thick fabric that makes it more comfortable to wear.
Source engadget

Microsoft hints at new mice: "Say Goodbye to Laser"

We'd say the jump from traditional optical mice to laser mice was pretty momentous, and it sounds like Microsoft is getting ready to jump again -- Microsoft Hardware put up a teaser this afternoon for a September 9th announcement featuring the tagline "Say Goodbye to Laser." Yeah, that's not exactly subtle, is it? We're hoping a return to old-school trackballs with grimy little wheels is in order, but we're just sentimentalists at heart.
Source engaget

Update

We're not really sure if Microsoft is peddling a revolution here or just the mousing tech flavor of the month, but we've got ourselves a much better idea of where things might be going. After that little "Say Goodbye to Laser" teaser turned our pointing device world upside down, a reader spotted this MS Explorer Mini Mouse with "Blue Track" technology over on Amazon.de. Coincidence? We're guessing no. We followed a bit more of the PI work done by our fine commenters and discovered Blue Track to be based on a blue LED combined with a wide-angle lens that's supposed to work on more surfaces than laser and optical. Microsoft only really seems to be aiming this at the portable spectrum, hence the wireless adapter and miniature size, so perhaps Blue Track isn't the end of laser after all.

Source again engadget

World Of Warcraft on a treadmill

[Aaron Rasmussen] and his friend [Eli] slapped together this setup to see what it would be like to run as much as their World of Warcraft characters. They used a couple old treadmills to spin some tires with makeshift mouse sensors on them. As their speed increased, so did their character. There was a decent amount of math done to figure the average speed of a World of Warcraft character, and ultimately they settled on 12 miles per hour. Not surprisingly, they found that too difficult due to the resistance in the rig as well as being out of shape. They ended up lowering the speed required to make their character go full sprint to 6 miles per hour.

Their final conclusion was that they could never run as much as their digital counterparts. Even if they were in really good shape. [Aaron] does say that it was fun enough to consider doing it regularly as a workout plan. He should wear the costume every time he uses it.
Source hackaday

Guitar Hero World Tour's Mystery Peripheral is Not a Keyboard

Alright, all you people that bet on keyboard for the mystery peripheral coming to Guitar Hero World Tour's Studio mode -- it's time to pay up, as Neversoft's Brian Bright has said that that accessory won't be added to the World Tour instrument lineup.

"No, there are reasons why we haven't included a keyboard controller. Not all of our songs have keyboard parts, so we didn't want someone to come into a game, pick up the keyboard controller, and then have nothing to do in any of the songs that are selected. We wanted a big mix of music in World Tour and adding a keyboard controller would either have limited our choices, or the players'.

A keyboard controller deserves to be introduced with its own game. This is something we're thinking about." -- Guitar Hero World Tour project director Brian Bright to Joystiq



Mystery peripheral of of World Tour's Studio mode aside, are you guys getting giddy over the thought of playing Keyboard Hero in the future as Bright deviously hinted at?
Source kombo

Force Feedback Firm Pays Microsoft

San Jose's Immersion Corp., purveyor of all things force feedback, said Tuesday that it will pay Microsoft $21 million to settle litigation that cropped up in June last year, a legal web which also involved Sony.

Now that the Microsoft and Immersion have come to terms, Immersion will become part of Microsoft’s Certified Partner Program.

Immersion's settlement will be a one-time payment for the full amount. Additional terms of the settlement are confidential.

Immersion had sued Microsoft for patent infringement in 2002, accusing the software giant of using its vibration technology in game controllers without permission. The two companies supposedly settled out of court in 2003.

But the two firms did not see eye-to-eye on one of the terms of the settlement agreement, bringing Microsoft to sue the company. Immersion allegedly agreed to give the Microsoft a cut of the bounty if the force feedback company settled its controller suit with Sony, which was also being sued by Immersion.

When Sony and Immersion settled for $121 million in 2007, Microsoft came knocking for its purported share, suing the company. Immersion said it wasn't obligated to pay Microsoft, and filed a counterclaim.

Now it appears the dispute is truly in the past. "We are pleased to resolve our outstanding dispute with Microsoft and to put this litigation behind us," said Immersion CEO Clent Richardson in a statement.
Source edge online

Hands (and feet) on with ION's Drum Rocker Rock Band Premium Drum Set

Rock Band 2 might not be out yet, but ION was kind enough to send us the new Drum Rocker Premium Drum Set a couple weeks early. Built like a tank, this thing makes the original Rock Band drum set look like the toy it is -- we're talking aluminum tube construction that apes traditional electronic rack kits, soft trigger surfaces that register velocity, and quarter-inch connections that'll make modding a dream. Of course, all that heft means that set-up took over an hour and it eats up just about twice as much living room space as the original with no easy way to take it down, but if you're a hardcore fake rocker and you don't have the DIY chops to roll your own, this is $300 you're gonna want to spend. A couple more quick impressions after the break, and tons of pictures in the gallery.
Source engadget

PLAYSTATION 3 Wireless Keypad Listed For $49.99

Just last week, Sony announced the PS3 DUALSHOCK / SIXAXIS Wireless Keypad. The Wireless Keypad has appeared on Amazon.com, listed for $49.99. The release date is also shown for November 30, 2008.
Source gaming bits

cop a feel: mouse shaped like hot chick’s torso

You can cop a feel every single day with these bizarre computer mice shaped like hot women’s torsos. Unfortunately, since they have no heads or limbs, it will probably make you feel like a creepy necrophiliac serial killer type with each right-click.

There are two types available: lingerie torso and cropped World Cup t-shirt torso. All of the torsos are wearing lacy painted underwear which only serves to highlight their unfortunate limblessness.

To add to the perviness factor, the mice are given names like Francesca and Michaela, depending on nationality. Oddly enough both the French and Spanish torsos are named Luisa. Then again, I’m guessing if you are the type to buy a mouse of this nature then such trivialities will not bother you.

As far as a novelty mouse goes, I will grudgingly admit that a woman’s curves do seem like they would make for a pretty ergonomic mousing experience, and it’s clever to make boobs clickable, but that doesn’t make this any less creepy. And if you’re willing to shell out €30 ($45) for one of these, then you’re not only kinda pervy, you’re also pretty spendy.Get them here.
Source technabob

Wii Roomba: Surf Your Way to Cleaner Floors

This gentleman, "Ron" Tajima has managed a Balance Board hack that manages to defeat the basic purpose of a Roomba's existence. But, it's awesome. He's used the Wii Balance Board's Bluetooth capability to link it with the poky-slow vacuum-cleaning robot. He steers the Roomba by the direction he leans.

The things that are balls-to-the-wall awesome about this video:
• Sped up assembly footage. See? It's simple.
• Crappy kung-fu movie audio — with mismatched soundtrack.
• The beep-beep-beep "Surfin' USA" tone. Please tell me that's coming from the Roomba itself.

I won't be able to get that out of my head the rest of the day. A jorb well done, "Ron" Tajima!
Source kotaku

wii woodgrain mod: woodn’t it be nice?

The ever so nice technabob posted news of this woodgrain mod idea for the wiimote:
As much as I love the minimal design of the Nintendo Wii, sometimes I find the whole white plastic thing a little boring. That’s why I love this concept for a Wii woodgrain paneling update.

Wii Woodgrain Mod Concept by Joe D!

Currently just a concept design by Joe D!, his mod envisions a layer of woodgrain veneer (probably just vinyl decals) for all of his Wii controllers. From the Wii-Mote to the Nunchuk to the Classic Controller and even they Nyko Perfect Shot - they all get wood. Not only that, the controllers get some bright white backlit buttons and a nice black paint job to bring out the woody goodness.

chrome joypad is a shiny fingerprint magnet

I don’t care how much I have to buff my oily prints off of this chrome joypad. I want one. I can’t believe in all of the years that game controllers have been made that nobody has thought to make one before. And yes, this one isn’t some cheap plastic masquerading as chrome. It’s actually made from metal.

This polished chrome joypad comes to us courtesy of China’s Dream Cheeky, makers of all sorts of fun USB gadgets and gizmos. The shiny metal controller features an 8-way directional pad, four game buttons, start/select buttons and shoulder triggers. The back of the controller is covered with rubber, giving you a better grip than if the entire thing were slippery metal.

It plugs into the USB port on any PC (there’s conflicting info on Mac compatibility), and offers shiny gaming goodness for your computer games. They’ve also got a nifty chrome USB hub, if you don’t have a spare port to plug this thing into. Now all I need is a version that’ll work with my PS3 or Xbox 360 and I’ll be really happy.

No word yet on pricing or where you can pick one of these shiny things up, but while you’re waiting, check out the other cool stuff over on the Dream Cheeky website.
Source technabob

Another Guitar Hero World Tour peripheral in the works?

The folks at G4 have a juicy tidbit on the upcoming Guitar Hero World Tour cacophony of simulated instruments: there might be another one in the works. G4 cites Neversoft's Brian Bright, who let slip that a new peripheral is coming, and will be designed specifically for the music-creating Studio mode (pictured above). The logical choice is a keyboard, since it's the preferred method for entering melodies and other mundane tasks by boring people, but we're secretly gunning for Guitar Hero Bassoon -- check out the video after the break to see why.
Source engadget

DIY Rock Band drum kit ditches everything but the bare necessities

While there's certainly plenty of off-the-shelf options out there for folks dissatisfied by the stock Rock Band drum kit, those looking to really dial things up to eleven may want to follow the lead of this modder from EDrums.info, who created a mesh head drum set with some wood, some new components, and plenty of skill. As you can see in the multi-page how-to linked below, however, this isn't exactly a one-day project (for mere mortals, at least), and there's no shortage of opportunities for complete disaster once you start tearing the original drum kit apart. If you persevere though, you'll not only be able to impress you friends with your Rock Band skills, but your actual drumming skills as well, as it can also be turned into a real drum kit with the addition of a drum module.
Source Engadget

Nintendo jazzing up Wiimote wrist straps

While we're still waiting for that leopard skin Wiimote wrist strap of our dreams, Nintendo will shortly release green, blue, pink, and white straps in Japan. Other than helping to distinguish Wiimotes between multiplayer sessions, we can't really think of a compelling need for these non-threatening, pastel accessories, but perhaps they're a sign that matching controllers are on the way? That's probably a long shot, but it would be nice.

For those of you with an interest in importing, these are scheduled to appear next month for ¥300 ($2.80) each, or you can snag the four-pack above for ¥1,000 ($9.25). For those of you who are too cheap for even that, you can make your own for nada.
Source Nintendo wii fanboy

Amazon dates, prices maraca attachments for Samba de Amigo

It would seem the final maraca attachments for Samba de Amigo on the Wii have been leaked over at Amazon (you can catch an eyeful above, obviously). For those of you who've been following the title, you already caught a glimpse of the earlier version. We guess those were just prototypes. Personally, we dig the red.

Amazon has a date on these for September 23rd, along with a price of $14.99, should you need that extra pair for some multiplayer action. Obviously, the game will release in a bundled form for those of you that absolutely need these hunks of plastic with your game.
Source nintendo wii fanboy

US company sues Nintendo in Wii wand patent suit

TOKYO (AP) -- Nintendo's hit Wii console with its wandlike remote controller has been targeted in patent infringement complaints by a U.S. technology company.

Hillcrest Laboratories, based in Rockville, Md., has filed a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission in Washington D.C., and a patent infringement lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Maryland against Nintendo Corp., the company said in a statement Wednesday.

Kyoto-based Nintendo spokesman Yasuhiro Minagawa said Thursday the Japanese video game company has not yet received the lawsuit and had no comment.

Hillcrest is accusing Nintendo of infringement in four patents dealing with technology for a handheld three-dimensional pointing device and a display interface system for organizing graphic content on a TV, it said.

"While Hillcrest Labs has a great deal of respect for Nintendo and the Wii, Hillcrest Labs believes that Nintendo is in clear violation of its patents and has taken this action to protect its intellectual property rights," it said.

The Wii console has been a big hit around the world, selling a cumulative 29.6 million worldwide since its arrival in late 2006.

With its trademark wandlike remove controller, which users have dubbed "Wiimote," the Wii has scored success against the PlayStation 3 from Japanese rival Sony Corp., which went on sale about the same time, as well as against the Xbox 360 from Microsoft Corp.

Unlike old-style games that require players to push a complex combination of buttons, Wii comes with an easy-to-use remote to swing around like a tennis racket or fishing pole. The machine has proven appealing to relative newcomers to gaming, including women and the elderly.

Nintendo - which also makes the Nintendo DS handheld machine and Pokemon and Super Mario game software - aims to sell 25 million Wii consoles in the fiscal year through March 2009.
Source wired news

360 Gets Improved Controller, But Only For A Limited Time

No sooner have we hated on the 360 pad's useless d-pad for the 1,165th time than we hear that a new 360 control pad is on the showroom floor at Leipzig. Microsoft, your sense of timing is impeccable. While the pad looks identical to the existing one, the d-pad is apparently much-improved, as it can now register movement in 32 directions, as opposed to the existing one's...4. That's the good news. The bad news? Well, the bad news is comical. Microsoft told Eurogamer the improved controller will only be available for a limited time, as it's a tie-in with Pro Evo 2009. And not just that, they say it'll only be available in Europe, Asia and Latin America. It'll be out on October 24, so if you want (or want to import one) one, get in early.
Source kotaku

Logitech unveils Speed Force Wireless racing wheel for Wii

Up until now, Wii-owning racers have been stuck with the Wii Wheel, Brando's Wii Multi-Axis Racing System or something they cooked up in arts and crafts. Now, however, Logitech is providing a much better option for serious track stars. The Speed Force Wireless racing wheel is the first force-feedback wheel for Nintendo's latest console, and while it was designed to work with Need For Speed Undercover, it'll do just fine with future force-feedback racing titles as well. Disgustingly, you still have to plug a USB receiver into your Wii before this thing will work, but we guess that's the breaks, huh? Look for this one to pop up in November (US and Europe) for $99.99.
Source Engadget

Wireless Keypad For PLAYSTATION®3 To Be Introduced

Keypad Attaches to SIXAXIS™ and DUALSHOCK®3 Wireless Controllers
for Quick and Simple Text Input on PS3®

Tokyo, August 21, 2008 – Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) today announced that it would release the Wireless Keypad, a new peripheral for SIXAXIS™ and DUALSHOCK®3 wireless controllers for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®), this holiday season throughout the world. It will be introduced in North America in late November. It will be also introduced in Japan, Europe and Asia by the end of this year.

The highly anticipated Wireless Keypad is designed to fit precisely into the unique shape of SIXAXIS and DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controllers, and can be easily attached or removed. By using the product instead of the on-screen keyboard, users will be able to enjoy text chat communication more easily and comfortably in their hands, just as they would use familiar portable communication devices. It supports text chat in PlayStation®Home as well, and enables users to enjoy interactivity playing on-line titles and enjoying entertainment content more smoothly.

Equipped with Bluetooth® functionality, the Wireless Keypad can be paired to PS3 by simply connecting the keypad to the USB cable that comes bundled with the PS3 system. Also, two shortcut buttons, a Communication Button and a Message Box Button, are placed on the lower part of the Wireless Keypad, enabling users to jump to pre-set features on XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) such as “Friends” and “Message Box” during game play, which help PS3 users to smoothly communicate with each other. Additionally, a Touch Pad Button allows PS3 users to use the entire surface of the keypad as a touch pad, allowing them to easily maneuver the pointer while web browsing, simply by sliding their finger on the keypad surface.
Source press release.

Hack Guitar Hero DS into a guitar controller

[Eric Ruckman] sent us this awesome Guitar Hero hack. He wanted to get a more "true to the series" game play out of his DS when playing Guitar Hero: On Tour. If you've seen the adapter that comes with it, you'll understand his desires. He found a wireless PS2 Guitar Hero controller on EBay to hack.

He's cut a hole in the controller and removed all the guts. In the picture above the DS fits in the hole to allow strumming in the correct position. The controller buttons are connected to the DS by wiring into the adapter. He's added an FM transmitter to the controller so he can play the sound through his home sound system.
Source hackaday

NFGcontrols Pad

On my travels around the web looking for the best info on the latest pad news, and here's the latest site I've seen.
Coming from the gamesX guys, this is a pad review and archive side covering all technical aspects of gaming controllers, right now its still a little sparse, so go show your support!

Source nfgcontrols

Microsoft intros SideWinder X6 keyboard and X5 mouse

We had a hunch that Microsoft would be launching a SideWinder-branded keyboard this fall, and sure enough, the suits in Redmond are keeping the revitalized name alive with an all new September-bound input peripheral combo. The SideWinder X6 is hailed as the "first gaming keyboard created by Microsoft from the ground up, and the only gaming keyboard on the market with a switchable key pad." When not in gaming mode, the key pad transforms into a full-programmable macro pad. You'll also find two-color adjustable backlighting, mode switching and a $79.95 price tag. As for the X5 mouse, this critter packs nine buttons (five of which are customizable), a 2,000DPI laser tracking engine, six DPI settings (adjustable on the fly) and a $59.95 sticker.
Source engadget

Old videogame patents

Insert credit posted this on videogame patents on the net:
Frank was browsing around the google patent archives, and happened upon a few game patents. Then I started poking around, and found a few more. It's really worth browsing through in full...poking at 'related patents' is particularly rewarding. You can find tons of stuff that didn't come out, or didn't come out as initially devised. They've all got illustrations, which helps flesh things out. I'll highlight a few of the interesting things I found for you here.

Nintendo:
early NES cartridge
unreleased official Nintendo adaptor for Famicom games(!!)
another NES cart revision
ROB patent with early robot designs. Submitted by Gunpey Yokoi himself.
unreleased keyboard housing patent from Nintendo of America!
early Powerglove patent, with rudimentary Powerglove design...quite different! You have to view the whole document to see the glove or anything interesting.
This isn't Nintendo officially, but is related to the NES. It's a button presser that you roll on the ground, and then it presses A and B for you, alternately. Extremely lame.

Sega:
crazy toy in which you drive a real toy car, mounted on the front of television, on a video track.
Sega VR Helmet from 1992
VMU. Hooray!

Fairchild:
Channel F cart

Konami:
portable arcade looking thing
handheld console - both of the above seem to be LCD systems though, sadly.

Game.com
Game.com patent from Tiger. There are a few more, if you're interested.

Tomy:
Tomy handheld console - seems to be LCD again. 1991.

Supervision:
If you don't know what Supervision is, it's a Chinese GB clone...very odd one at that. See here.
Supervision patent one
Supervision patent two
That Supervision ultimately looked like this.

Sony:
The Pocketstation changed a lot from its initial design:
Pocketstation rev 1
rev 2
rev 3
rev 4
rev 5

As you can see, I was mostly looking at older handhelds and related stuff. There's plenty more to see if you look at the console side, peripherals...there's tons of wacky game lore for you to find.
Source insertcredit

Mad Catz Signs Agreement with Capcom(R) to Create Street Fighter(R) IV, Bionic Commando(R) and Resident Evil(R) 5 Videogame and PC Game Controllers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 18, 2008--Mad Catz Interactive, Inc. (AMEX/TSX: MCZ), a leading third-party interactive entertainment accessory provider, announced today that it has secured a license from Capcom(R), a leading worldwide developer and publisher of videogames, to produce branded controllers and accessories based on the Street Fighter(R) IV, Bionic Commando(R) and Resident Evil(R) 5 videogame properties. The agreement gives Mad Catz North American and European rights to a range of accessories for all current videogame platforms, including the PC.

"We are excited to partner with Capcom to create branded controllers and accessories based on three of the videogame industry's most popular and enduring franchises," said Darren Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mad Catz. "We look forward to offering unique and exciting accessories to fans of these games, as we continue to grow and diversify what we believe to be the industry's leading portfolio of branded videogame accessories."

"This is a real collaboration between Mad Catz and Capcom," said Germaine Gioia, senior vice president, licensing, Capcom. "We are developing a broad variety of game peripherals for a wide game-playing audience -- from the casual to the most loyal, core fan. These innovative peripherals will maximize the overall experience that comes from playing Capcom games."
Source madcatz

Wii Fit goes on UK tour

Nintendo confident that stock issues are over as 'Feel Great Britain' tour declared a success

Nintendo UK has reassured the trade that it will keep Wii Fit stock flowing right up until peak season as its Feel Great Britain tour continues to increase awareness of the top-selling title.

A mass media assault based around the Feel Great Britain tour has already included TV activity, a media partnership with The Guardian, extensive PR work with regional and national media and a central microsite, along with plenty of high profile POS material at retail level.

And while the trade struggled to cope with demand for Wii Fit in its first few months on sale, that’s all in the past now, said Nintendo UK’s trade and promotions marketing manager Ben Taylor.

“As we’ve always maintained, we continue to bring stock into the UK on a weekly basis and Wii Fit’s recent performance in the software chart is testament to this,” he told MCV.
Source mvc

Microsoft speaks out on 360 instrument compatibility

Hot on the heels of Sony announcing that all instruments for the PS3 versions of three upcoming music games (Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Revolution) will be compatible, Microsoft has announced that all instruments for upcoming Xbox 360 rhythm games will be compatible too.

In a post on the Gamerscoreblog, Microsoft stated “All the instruments from Rock Band 2, Guitar Hero: World Tour, and Rock Revolution will be cross-compatible. In other words, welcome to the party.”

A game notably absent from the list was Lips, a game from developer iNis that features motion-sensitive microphones and appears to be Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s SingStar series.
SourceEl33tonline

Wii Fanboy @ EA Summer Showcase: Nerf N-Strike

For manyof today's youth, nothing is more thrilling than gathering a group of friends, going into the woods, and hunting each other down with every conceivable type of NERF gun available. Whether playing capture-the-flag, Dart Tag, or NERF Fort, kids love to bust foam caps using their NERF turrets, blasters, crossbows and what have you.

Okay, confession time: most of us here at Nintendo Wii Fanboy are in our 20s, and we can't get enough (e-NERF?) NERF, either. Many adults boast vast collections of NERF guns, claiming that they're all "for the kids" and that they only use them when they're joining young Billy and Bobby on a friendly neighborhood NERF hunt.

According to a thirty-something EA representative manning the NERF N-Strike booth at the EA Summer Showcase here, N-Strike is being marketed to kids between the ages of eight and 12. But the grin plastered onto his face as he hefted the hybrid NERF gun / Wii casing spoke louder than words; the appeal of NERF defies age demographics.
SourceWii Fanboy

Sqweeze your way to Wii fitness

At the GC Developers Conference, held in Leipzig this week, a blogger spied and tried an add-on called the Wii Sqweeze. The Remote slots into it horizontally and the user then pushes together or pulls apart two rubber handles, according to the on screen action.
The blogger noted that Wii Sqweeze mimics isometric movement – a form of exercise that helps to build-up your muscles, such as bench presses. He said the handles have a maximum movement range of between two and three inches, but how much resistance they can provide is anyone’s guess.

Apparently Wii Sqweeze is being developed by InterAction Laboratories, a firm that already produce a range of console peripherals and a separate set of exercise tools. So perhaps Wii Sqweeze is its attempt at creating a third division?

Wii Sqweeze isn't expected to be available until next year, so you can strike the muscle motivator add-on off of your Christmas list.
SourceRegister Hardware

Sony To Set Compatibility Standards For PS3 Music Games

Michael Shorrock, Sony's director of third-party relations, announced on the Playstation blog that he's been working with the major music game developers (i.e. Rock Band's Harmonix, Guitar Hero's Activision, and others) to ensure basic compatibility for peripherals between the games. Joystiq has a compatibility matrix that shows which devices work with which games. "...Rock Band 2's guitar and drum set will work with Guitar Hero: World Tour and with Rock Revolution. Conversely, Rock Revolution's drum set will work with both Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2. In addition, Guitar Hero: World Tour and Rock Band 2 will both support the SingStar microphones. We're still working hard to ensure compatibility between the Guitar Hero and Rock Band titles currently on the market, and we hope to have an announcement on that shortly."

Source Slashdot

PS style 360 controller

The guys at the ben heck forums have been busy this past few weeks with this PS style xbox 360 controller.

I figured I may as well cross this one off the list as well. Probably cheese off a few 360 fanboys in the process, but thats ok just as many ps3 ones will like it, so you see it all balances out!

It still needs a paint job but the creator hasnt got the patience for it, due to bad paint jobs in the past however, so for now this looks like the final version.

For the full info on the construction go here.

Avatar gaming mouse released

Engadget have posted news on the release of the Avatar gaming mouse:

Yeah, we've seen the cart come before the horse before, and such is the case with NZXT's Avatar gaming mouse. Shortly after being previewed, the outfit has done its duty and made things official. Specs wise, we're looking at 7 customizable buttons, a 2,600DPI optical sensor, 4-speed DPI switich, ambidextrous design and a rubber grip to keep your palm secure even the sweat really gets to pourin'. Its available now to challenge your razer for $59.99.

Rapidfire mods going like hot cakes

Would you pay £60 plus for a modded joypad that lets you have rapid fire (thats a step up from autofire)?

Well thats what the sellers on ebay are hoping. After more and more different ways of doing this mod to xbox360 pads, modders are cashing in on this (kinda cheating) craze, with a varity of pads ready to give the advantage over other players.
Ive never really been a fan of autofire and I doubt youd be making friends using it, especially online!

DualStik - Arcade controller with spinner and trackball for two players.

Arcade controls posted this new project.

Added dualstik - arcade controller with spinner and trackball for two players to the example page.

The author had this to say about their project:

The dualstik consists of two controllers linked together with a 25 pin serial cable.
The master unit provides buttons, a spinner and a trackball, and can be solitary used in single player games.
The slave controller looks similar, but it only works when connected to the master, because it just holds the controls for player two and doesn't contain any logic boards. This provides for a handy size of the single unit while the duel player option is still retained.
Source Arcade controls

Placement of buttons

Nintendo wii fanboy writes:
We've talked a little before about the placement of buttons on the wii remote, but what about number of buttons? Do you think there should be a few more? What about fewer?
That would probably mean more actions performed with gestures. Does it seem like buttons are still essentual for most games?
Waggling through menus doesn't seem appealing, after all.

First third party balance board

The first third party wii balance board will be out on the 12th september, thats according to amazon.
The firm Njoy are releasing thier board called the G-board, at the price £64.99 which is £5 cheaper than Nintendos.
It features a LCD display and a crosshair that marks it in to four different zones.
Source http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/08/01/for-your-njoyment-the-first-third-party-balance-board/

Help The Joypad

Welcome to The Joypad, the one and only site (and I have looked!) Dedicated to joypad and sticks, whether its modding or latest controllers.
The Joypad needs your help in making this the number one site for pad news, if you have a cool controller mod that you think we have missed and want to show the world (or whoever goes here) or have some news you think we've missed then contact me at:
lyonhrt at gmail dot com
or lyonhrt at thejoypad dot net!

We are currently a one man affair, but are hoping to expand in the future, but we need your help in doing so, so if your into controller news and think you have what it takes, then email me and maybe you can be a newsposter!

Street fighter 4 arcade stick

One of my favorite sites for custom made Joysticks has got to be Joystick Vault, which is a joystick image, and stick builder resource.

Such as this nice looking SF4 joystick featuring the cast of street fighter 4, which happens to be a Suzo Rotterdamn 500 Joystick.

Hacker stuffs a wired 360 controller in a DualShock 3 shell

Console modders out there have been doing crazy things with controllers for a while now, and while this latest piece isn't as crazy as the one-handed Access Controller, it's still good for a double-take -- check out this wired 360 controller shoehorned into a DualShock3 shell, complete with green LEDs. THe modder, RDC, says it works great, rumble included, but that there's no headset connector and the L2 and R2 triggers aren't analog -- both things he's hoping to fix in the next version. We'd suggest keeping the DS3 buttons as well -- while the colorful 360 buttons look pretty hot against that black case, we'd rather break this thing out and blow minds stealth-style.
For more info go here
source http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/31/ben-heck-stuffs-a-wired-360-controller-in-a-dualshock-3-shell/

Real wood guitar controller

Not content with the plastic miniature guitar you’re forced to use when you pretend rock out? Well, if you’re a PS2 or 3 owner with an extra $180 lying around, you can pick up this new wooden guitar that works with Rock Band and all of the Guitar Hero games.

Dubbed the Starpex and created by Peak Products, this third-party peripheral is the first ever full-sized fake guitar for use with consoles. Somehow, that isn’t a huge surprise. Let’s take a look at the features in a nice bulleted format:

Instrument-quality, high-gloss lacquered finish
Hardwood body, neck, and headstock handcrafted by a leading guitar manufacturer
Compatible with Guitar Hero/Rock Band games on PS2/PS3
Star Power/Overdrive button provides the fastest most accurate access to improving your score
Ten Fret Button Design features improved button feel, reduced fatigue, and option to play solo-style at the base of the neck
Enhanced Strum Bar gives the perfect balance of tactile and audible feedback
Connect wired for maximum scoring potential or wirelessly (2.4Ghz)
Modular design allows users to separate electronic components from the body of the guitar allowing for further future customization including new guitar bodies, pick guards, and more

For more information goto the peek products website

source http://www.ripten.com/2008/07/31/real-wood-full-size-guitar-controller-for-playstation-rock-band-and-guitar-heroes/

Logitech and Activision developing premium instruments for Guitar Hero

Nintendo Wii fanboy has posted news on logitech and activision working together to create premium instruments for Guitar Hero:

Activision and Logitech have announced a partnership through which Logitech will create "premium" instrument controllers for Guitar Hero: World Tour. It's not exactly clear from the press release, but we believe this means that Logitech will sell nicer, more expensive versions of the stock Guitar Hero instruments, not that they're producing the ones that come with the game. The new instruments will be fully compatible with World Tour, which basically means that the drums will have the appropriate number of pads and the guitar will have an insane touch pad on the neck.

It's not too much of a surprise, after Rock Band got its set of expensive drums, for Guitar Hero to follow suit with "premium" instruments. For extra instruments, this may not turn out to be a bad thing, since Logitech generally makes high quality peripherals. It seems like an uncomfortable position for RedOctane. They started out making music-game peripherals, including those for Guitar Hero, and moved into publishing. Now Activision owns them and publishes Guitar Hero, and Logitech is making instruments.

Source http://www.nintendowiifanboy.com/2008/07/31/logitech-and-activision-developing-premium-instruments-for-guita/