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Wii Remote

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Wii Remote with attached strap

The Wii Remote, also nicknamed "Wiimote," is the primary controller for Nintendo's Wii console. The main features of the Wii Remote are its motion sensing capability, which allows the user to interact with and manipulate items on screen via movement and pointing, as well as its expandability through the use of attachments.

The Wii Remote was announced at the Tokyo Game Show on September 17, 2005. It has since received much attention due to its unique features and the contrast between it and typical gaming controllers.

Nintendo had announced that Wii Remote units would retail in Japan for JP¥3,800,[1] in the United States for US$39.99,[2] in Canada for CA$44.99, in Europe for €39,[3] in the United Kingdom for £29,[3] in Australia for AU$69.95 and in New Zealand for NZ$99.95. In Japan, Australia, Europe and Canada [4] Wii Play is sold with a Wii Remote for the same price or cheaper than a normal Wii title.

Design

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The Wii Remote is not based on the traditional gamepad controller design of current gaming consoles, but instead assumes a one-handed remote control-based design more familiar to the non-gaming public. This was done to make motion sensitivity more intuitive, as a remote design is fitted perfectly for pointing, and in part to help the console appeal to a broader audience that includes non-gamers. The controller communicates wirelessly with the console via short-range Bluetooth radio, with which it is possible to operate up to 4 controllers as far as 10 meters (approx. 30 ft.) away from the console. However, for full functionality the Wii Remote must be used within 5 meters of a Wii sensor bar.[5][6] The controller's symmetrical design allows it to be used ambidextrously, meaning it can be used by either the right hand or the left hand. The Wii Remote can also be turned horizontally and used like a Family Computer / NES controller, or in some cases (like Excite Truck and Sonic and the Secret Rings) a steering wheel. Nintendo has also hinted at the idea of a single player holding a Wii Remote in each hand, which would help in creating games such as boxing (not to be confused with the boxing game found in Wii Sports).

At E3 2006, a few minor changes were made to the controller from the design presented at the Game Developer's Conference. The controller was made slightly longer, and a speaker was added to the face beneath the center row of buttons. The "B" button became more curved resembling a trigger. The "Start" and "Select" buttons were changed to plus "+" and minus "–", and the "a" and "b" buttons were changed to "1" and "2" to differentiate them from the "A" and "B" buttons. Also, the symbol on the "Home" button was changed from a blue dot to a shape resembling a home/house, the shape of the power button was circular rather than rectangular, and the blue LEDs indicating player number are now represented with small dots instead of Arabic numerals, with "1" being "•", "2" being "••", "3" being "•••", and "4" being "••••". The Nintendo logo at the bottom of the controller face was replaced with the Wii logo. Also, the expansion port was redesigned, with expansion plugs featuring a smaller snap-on design.

Demo Wii Remote shown at a Nintendo event at the Hotel Puerta America

Since E3, demo Remotes at several corporate and press events in the summer of 2006 featured different button markings. The "–" was changed to a back symbol (a curved arrow pointing left), and the "+" was changed to a pause symbol. These changes do not appear in the final released Remote, which retains the "–" and "+" symbols.

In the Red Steel trailer shown at E3 2006, the Wii Remote featured a smaller circular shaped image sensor, as opposed to the larger opaque IR filters shown on other versions.[3].

In the initial teaser video that revealed the controller at TGS 2006, the 1 and 2 buttons were labelled X and Y, respectively.[4]

The body of the Wii Remote measures 148 mm long, 36.2 mm wide, and 30.8 mm thick.[5]

Power source

The current design of the Wii Remote uses two AA batteries as a power source, which can power a Wii Remote for 60 hours using only the accelerometer functionality and 30 hours using both accelerometer and pointer functionality.[7] An official direct recharging option for the Wii Remote has not yet been revealed. According to an interview with Nintendo industrial designer Lance Barr, limitations of the Wii Remote's expansion port make it unlikely that it will be used for internal battery charging.[8] Although the Wii manual discourages the use of rechargeable batteries, Nintendo's support website has indicated that NiMH rechargeable batteries may be used.[9]
Accessory designers Joytech and Nyko have both designed rechargeable stations for the Wii Remote. Nyko's model operates with a power adapter and replaces your batteries with a battery pack that has contacts on the back, and is also rubberized to prevent slipping. Nyko is pricing this 2 Wii Remote charging station at US$29.99.[10] Joytech's model operates on USB power, presumably connectible to the Wii's USB ports, it also includes replacement battery packs and extra covers. This model seems to charge through the Wii Remote's expansion port, and offers extensions on both sides for storage of Nunchuk units. Joytech is pricing this 2 Wii Remote charging station at US$39.[11]

Colors

At E3 2006, Nintendo displayed white, black, and blue controllers. At a Wii event held on August 15 2006 held by THQ, where the publisher's launch titles were demonstrated to press and children, all the controllers were in a two-toned scheme, black on the face, gunmetal on the reverse side.[12] The controllers were glossy on the front, matte on the back, similar to the controllers Nintendo showed after the 2005 Tokyo Game Show.[13] IGN published numerous photos of the event featuring the black controllers, but have since taken them down, as well as requesting their removal at other sites that had republished the photos.[14] The Wii console launched with only the white model, with Shigeru Miyamoto commenting that new hues will be provided after supply limitations are resolved, which will not be until Spring 2007.[15] Currently, controllers are only available in white.

Strap

The Wii Remote comes with a wrist strap attached to the bottom to ensure the safety of the device. The Wii console actually displays a caution screen upon loading a game to warn the player to use the strap in order to avoid the remote slipping from the grip during erratic movements. IGN reported that the strap tends to break under heavy use,[16] which would potentially send the Wii Remote flying into various directions with a powerful force. In response, Nintendo has posted guidelines on proper use of the strap and the Wii Remote.[17] On December 8 2006, units with thicker straps began to appear in some areas of the world.[18] On December 15 2006, Nintendo denied reports of a Wii wrist strap recall. While Nintendo refuted claims that 3 million straps had been recalled, it will be providing replacement wrist straps free of charge for anyone who has broken theirs.[19] However, the U.S. CPSC has become involved in the "replacement program".[20] The old 0.6mm diameter strap is replaced by a larger, 1.0mm diameter version.

Sensing

Sensor Bar highlighting IR LEDs

The Wii Remote has the ability to sense both rotational orientation and translational acceleration along three dimensional axes, providing six degrees of freedom, through the use of Analog Devices ADXL330 accelerometers in the Wii Remote[5][21] The Wii Remote also features a PixArt optical sensor, allowing it to determine where the Wii Remote is pointing.[22]

Unlike a light gun that senses light from a television screen, the Wii Remote senses light from a sensor bar, allowing consistent usage regardless of the type or size of television. The sensor bar is about 20cm in length and features ten infrared LEDs, with five LEDs being arranged at each end of the bar[23] In each group of five LEDs, the LED farthest away from the center is pointed slightly away from the center, the LED closest to the center is pointed slightly toward the center, while the three LEDs between them are pointed straight forward and grouped together. The sensor bar's cable is 353 cm (11' 7") in length. The bar may be placed above or below the television, and should be centered. It is not necessary to point directly at the sensor bar, but pointing significantly away from the sensor bar will disrupt position-sensing ability due to the limited viewing angle of the Wii Remote.

The use of the sensor bar allows the Wii Remote to be used as an accurate pointing device up to 5 meters (approx. 16ft) away from the bar.[6] The Wii Remote's one-megapixel image sensor [24] is used to locate the sensor bar's points of light in the Wii Remote's field of view. The known real-world dimensions of the spacing between the LEDs on the bar allows the Wii Remote to calculate its distance from the bar,[verification needed] while the tilt and rotation of the Wii Remote with respect to the ground can be calculated from the relative angle of the sensor bar (which sees the bar as two bright dots) and the data sensed by the accelerometers. Furthermore, the game can be programmed to sense whether the image sensors are covered, which is demonstrated in a minigame of Smooth Moves, where if the player does not uncover the sensor, the champagne bottle that the remote represents will not open.

The sensor bar is required when the Wii Remote is controlling up-down, left-right motion of a cursor or reticle on the TV screen to point to menu options or objects such as enemies in first person shooters. Because the sensor bar also allows the Wii Remote to calculate the distance between the Wii Remote and TV screen,[verification needed] the Wii Remote can also control slow forward-backward motion of an object in a 3-dimensional game.[25] Rapid forward-backward motion, such as punching in a boxing game, is controlled by the acceleration sensors.[verification needed] Using these acceleration sensors (acting as tilt sensors),[verification needed] the Wii Remote can also control rotation of a cursor or other objects.[26]

The use of an infrared sensor to detect position can cause some detection problems when other infrared sources are around, such as incandescent light bulbs or candles. This can be easily alleviated by using fluorescent lights around the Wii, which emit little to no infrared light. [7]. Innovative users have used other sources of IR light as sensor bar substitutes such as a pair of flashlights and a pair of candles.[27] Such substitutes for the sensor bar illustrate the fact that a pair of non-moving lights provide continuous calibration of the direction that the Wii Remote is pointing and its physical location relative to the light sources.[original research?] There is no way to calibrate the position of the cursor relative to where the user is pointing the controller without the two stable reference sources of light provided by the sensor bar or substitutes.

The position and motion tracking of the Wii Remote allows the player to mimic actual game actions, such as swinging a sword or aiming a gun, instead of simply pushing buttons. An early marketing video showed actors miming actions such as fishing, cooking, drumming, conducting a string quartet, shooting a gun, sword fighting, and performing dental surgery.[28]

Controller feedback

The Wii Remote also provides basic audio and force feedback functionality. At the 2006 E3 press conference, it was revealed that the Wii Remote has its own independent speaker on the face of the unit. This was demonstrated by a developer as he strung and shot a bow in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. The sound from both the Wii Remote and television was altered as the bow shot to give the impression of the arrow traveling away from the player. Another example of its use is in Red Steel's Killer match, where the players will receive their objective through the Wii Remote. The speaker has been criticized for being low quality and small, and for emitting poor quality sound, especially at high volumes [29], although the volume can be changed with the "Home" button[30].

Memory

The Wii Remote contains 6 kilobytes of internal EEPROM memory[7]. Part of this memory is available to store up to 10 Mii avatars, which can be transported for use with another Wii console. At least 4000 bytes are available and unused before the Mii data, which may be used in future games.

Controller expansions

The Wii Remote also features an expansion port at the bottom which allows various functional attachments to be added to the controller. The following attachments are currently known:

Nunchuk

The Nunchuk controller peripheral (left) attached to the main controller, as shown at E3 2006

The Nunchuk is the first controller attachment Nintendo revealed for the Wii Remote at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show. It connects to the Wii Remote via a long cord, and its appearance while attached resembles the nunchaku. It features an analog stick similar to the one found on the Nintendo GameCube controller and two trigger buttons. It works in tandem with the main controller in many games. Like the Wii Remote, the Nunchuk controller also provides accelerometer for three axis motion-sensing and tiltling, but no speaker or rumble.[6][31][32]

A Nunchuk controller comes bundled with the Wii console.[33][34] Separate Nunchuk controllers retail in Japan for JP¥1,800,[1] in the United States for US$19.99,[2] in Canada for CA$24.99, in Europe for €19,[3] and in the United Kingdom for £14.[3]

The two shoulder buttons, formerly named Z1 and Z2 respectively, had been reshaped and renamed since the Game Developers Conference. The circular top shoulder button, now called C, is much smaller than the lower rectangular shoulder button, now called Z. The C button was oval shaped, while the Z button was square.[35]

The body of the Nunchuk controller measures 113 mm long, 38.2 mm wide, and 37.5 mm thick.[5] The cord for the Nunchuk is approximately three and a half to four feet long. The orignal designed Nunchuk was much longer. The connection port was also bigger.[5]

Product images and an Overstock.com listing indicate that game accessory manufacturer Intec is releasing a third-party Nunchuk controller for the Wii Remote. This is the first third-party expansion to be discovered for the Wii Remote.[36]

Classic Controller

The Classic Controller connected to the Wii Remote

During E3 2006 Nintendo introduced a Classic Controller, which plugs into the Wii Remote via a cord, similar to the Nunchuk controller.[5] The Classic Controller contains slots on its backside, opened via a rectangular button at the top of the controller, presumably for clipping the controller to something else.[37] The purpose for these slots remains undisclosed.[38] The body of the Classic Controller measures 65.7 mm tall, 135.7 mm wide, and 26 mm thick.[5]

The Classic Controller cannot be used to play games for the Nintendo GameCube, due to the fact that Gamecube games are designed to be played only with Gamecube controllers. (In fact, the HOME button on the Wii Remote does not work when a Gamecube game is being played) According to the Nintendo Online Shop, the Classic Controller can only be used with Virtual Console games (although some games, such as Dragon Ball Z: Budokai Tenkaichi 2 and Metal Slug Anthology, can be played with the classic controller also). It should also be noted that the GameCube controller can be used instead of the Classic Controller for playing most Virtual Console games. When in the Wii's channel menu, the left analog stick takes control of the cursor when the remote is not pointed at the screen. The classic controller can navigate through the Message Board, Settings menus, Shop Channel, and News Channel; but becomes inactive on the Mii, Photo, Forecast and Internet Channels.

The Classic controller does not feature an accelerometer and no motion sensing capabilities are available during its use.

Nintendo had previously announced a controller "shell" which resembled a traditional game controller, often referred to as a "classic-style expansion controller."[39] As described at the time, the Wii Remote would fit inside the shell, allowing gamers to play games using a traditional-style gamepad, while allowing use of the remote’s motion sensing capability. It allows controls similar to a PlayStation 3 controller. According to Satoru Iwata, it would be meant for playing "the existing games, Virtual Console games, and multi-platform games."[40]

The Classic Controller features two analog sticks, a D-pad, face buttons labeled A B X and Y, analog shoulder buttons labeled L and R and two Z buttons (labeled ZL and ZR) next to the L and R buttons, respectively. It also has a set of -, Home, and + buttons like those on the Wii Remote, with the - and + buttons labeled 'Select' and 'Start', respectively.

Classic Controllers retail in Japan for JP¥1,800,[1] in the United States for US$19.99,[6], in Canada for CA$24.99, in Europe for €19,[3], in Australia for AU$29.99 and in the United Kingdom for £14[3]

Wii Zapper

The zapper shell with the remote

Nintendo has showcased a gun-like "Zapper" shell for the Wii Remote. The Wii Remote slots into the "gun barrel" of the shell.[41] The shell features a "trigger hole", as well as an analog stick on the top of the handle[42], making it similar to the Nunchuk controller attachment, but without the accelerometer and the second button.

Accessories

While few third-party controller expansions have been revealed, many aesthetic and ergonomic accessories have been developed for the Wii Remote, including texturized covers, and extensions shaped like tennis rackets, baseball bats, and golf clubs.[7]

Wii Steering Wheel

Introduced by Ubisoft, the Wii Steering Wheel is an accessory shell for the Wii Remote, developed by Thrustmaster, and is bundled with certain games, such as Monster 4x4 World Circuit and GT Pro Series. The purely aesthetic accessory is meant for driving-style gameplay in which the Wii Remote would be held lengthwise in a two-handed gamepad orientation, steering the subject by tilting the controller. The Steering Wheel can also be purchased separately. ($16.99 USD)[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Japanese Conference Updates DONE". N-Sider. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  2. ^ a b Matt Casamassina. "Live from New York: We're at Nintendo's Wii event. Live updates begin now!". IGN. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Wii European launch details announced". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  4. ^ "FutureShop Canada".
  5. ^ a b c d e f Template:Ja icon "コントローラ - Ｗｉｉ:". Nintendo Company, Ltd. Retrieved 2006-09-14. Cite error: The named reference "cont_japan" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b c "Nintendo Wii - Hardware Information". Nintendo of America. Retrieved 2006-05-09.
  7. ^ a b c Casamassina, Matt (2006-07-14). "Wii Controllers: Unlocking the Secrets". IGN. Retrieved 2006-07-14. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |coauthors= and |month= (help)
  8. ^ "Wii Controllers: No Recharging Yet". The Wiire. Retrieved 2006-05-11.
  9. ^ "Set Up of the Wii Remote". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-11-26.
  10. ^ "Nyko's Wii-chargeable Station". Joystiq accessdate=2007-01-20. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ "Rechargeable Wii Remote Batteries and Dock in 2007". Joystiq accessdate=2007-01-20. {{cite web}}: Missing pipe in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "IGN Snaps Photos of Black Wii at THQ Event, Then Takes Them Down?". Play Feed. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  13. ^ "Fancy Wii skins". Nintendo Fan Boy. Retrieved 2006-12-24.
  14. ^ [1]
  15. ^ [2]
  16. ^ http://media.wii.ign.com/articles/745/745202/vid_1742357.html
  17. ^ http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wiiplay.jsp
  18. ^ http://www.joystiq.com/2006/12/08/jumpin-jinkies-new-wii-straps/
  19. ^ http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/news_151206_wrist.html
  20. ^ http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07061.html
  21. ^ Wisniowski, Howard (2006-05-09). "Analog Devices And Nintendo Collaboration Drives Video Game Innovation With iMEMS Motion Signal Processing Technology". Analog Devices, Inc. Retrieved 2006-05-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  22. ^ http://planetgamecube.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=11557
  23. ^ "Troubleshooting the Wii Remote & Sensor Bar".
  24. ^ http://planetgamecube.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=11557
  25. ^ Termed "Pushing or Pulling" in the Wii Operations Manual, System Setup, page 25
  26. ^ Termed "Twisting" in the Wii Operations Manual, System Setup, page 25
  27. ^ "Using two candles as a Wii sensor bar replacement". Retrieved 2006-09-24. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)
  28. ^ "TGS 2005: Revolution Teaser Video". Retrieved 2006-03-16. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help)
  29. ^ Gerstmann, Jeff (2006-12-12). "The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess". CNET. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  30. ^ "Wii Hardware". Gamefaqs. 2007-1-21. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ "STMicroelectronics Drives Gaming Revolution with Nintendo's Wii". 2006-05-09. Retrieved 2006-05-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ "*RUMOR* The Wii Nunchuck rumble rumor surfaces again!". 2006-10-28. Retrieved 2006-11-16. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ Wales, Matt (2006-05-22). "Reports claim Wii to slap down 16 at launch". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2006-05-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  34. ^ Berghammer, Billy (2006-06-02). "The Ultimate in PR Spin: The Perrin Kaplan Interview: Part Four" (WMV). Game Informer. Retrieved 2006-06-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameters: |month=, |curly=, |accessyear=, and |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ "Hands-On with the Wii Controller". 2006-05-12. Retrieved 2006-05-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ Luke Plunkett (November 13, 2006). "Third-party Nunchuks inbound". Kotaku.com."Wii Nunchuk Controller (Intec)". Overstock.com. November 29, 2006.
  37. ^ Greenwald, Will (2006-12-07). "ZDNet Nintendo Wii Classic Controller Review & Comparison". CNET. Retrieved 2007-01-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  38. ^ Sklens, Mike (2006-05-10). "News Article: Wii 'Classic Controller' Revealed". Planet GameCube. Retrieved 2006-05-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ Gibson, Ellie (2005-09-16). "Jim Merrick Takes Control". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2006-05-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Satoru Iwata. "TOKYO GAME SHOW 2005 : TGS FORUM Keynote Speech". Retrieved 2006-03-15.
  41. ^ Miller, Ross (2006-05-10). "E3: The Wii Zapper prototype revealed". Joystiq. Retrieved 2006-05-11. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ "E3 2006: Light Gun Shell Revealed!". IGN Wii. Retrieved 2006-05-10.

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