Nintendo Wii Accessory faqs

[Rob]

Info for all wii lovers to (should) know.
http://nintenblog.free.fr/goodies/Nintendo_Wii/controleurs_telecommandes_couleur_wii.jpg

The features of the wii remote are plentiful as explained
Bluetooth Wii Remote Control - (to connect between wii and multipul remotes (1-4) )

The maximum number of controllers that can be connected is 4 (although you'd need a pritty big tv or projector to play with ease)

The distance between wii and remote (not inluding any objects inbetween) that bluetooth operates at is 5 meters.

The dimentions of the remote are 148mm (length) x 36.2mm (width) x 30.8mm (depth)

When moving the wii remote around, this allows you to point or select any options the wii has.

Linked with the above the wii remote has an amazing motions sensor ability (picked up by the motion senser bar) that allows you to move the remote all direction that have an effect on the wii.

The remote also harbors a mechanical oscillation (vibration) shaking the remote to increase dramatic affect.

It has numberous buttons on just the remote (not including the nunchuck) these are A, B, - (minus), + (plus), Home, 1 and 2.

This is a socket that allows you to connect other wii accessories (i.e. nunchuck and classic controler) into the wii controler.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Wii_05.jpg
http://nintenblog.free.fr/goodies/Nintendo_Wii/nintendo_wii_cnet_13.jpg

The wii remote has a very small built-in speaker which is used in certain games to give mission information of an extra feeling of actualy being in the game. (located just below the home button and above the 1 and 2 buttons)

At the very bottom of the remote are four little squares numbered 1-4. These indicate how many players are hooked up to the wii. When the players are connected to the wii they will light up a 'light blue' colour.

you better find this usful because it took me ages. i will do one about the nunchuck and classic controler later on.

[Rob]

next part of my hardware facts! the nintendo nunchuck faqs.

NOTE: the nunchuck is not needed for the wii interface (i.e. settings or creation of your mii) nor is it needed for all games. it is mainly used for more complexe games e.g. zelda or redsteal.

ooh look at that beauty lol
http://nintenblog.free.fr/goodies/Nintendo_Wii/nintendo_wii_cnet_11.jpg
now turn to the face the camera please.
http://nintenblog.free.fr/goodies/Nintendo_Wii/nintendo_wii_cnet_12.jpg
well just from looking at it you can see it doesn't have many buttons, you might even think it only does a little, you have just been decieved!
features:
The size of this little left handed expantion controler is pritty small being only 113mm (long) x 38.2mm (wide) x 37.5mm (deep)

The nunchuck uses the communication feature utilised by the Wii remote control. allowing them to be moved in relation to each other, which has an effect on the game being played on the wii.

Again, like the wii remote, the Nunchuk controller provides accelerometer for three axis motion-sensing and tiltling to make the movements that are needed to perform certain actions in different games.

The nunchuck has two buttons on the front (looking directly towards it). these buttons are C and Z. (C is above the Z button)

can't wait to use it next post is the classic controler info

[Rob]

now for info on the wii classic controler..... will be available on release (8th december)
http://nintenblog.free.fr/goodies/Nintendo_Wii/manette_classique_wii.jpg

Nintendo has created many controlers. many of which have influenced the design of this 'wii classic controler' to allow all those legendary NES, Super NES, and N64, genesis and urboGrafx 16 games to be played with seamless ease.
This has been done by Nintendo making the wii's classical controler replicate as many of those past controlers as possible, but then linking them all up into one controler. (was that a plan from Nintendo or what).

The wii classic controler's features (i.e. buttons!)
As you can see the controler has a D-pad and two analogue sticks, necessary for playing N64 games and presumably Gamecube games.

the four X, A, B, Z (clock wise) buttons have reverted back to the older design of nintendo consoles.

In the centre of the wii classic controler is a home, minus (select) and plus (start) buttons.

on the shoulders of the controler (just about noticable form picture) there are four trigers. At the moment these are unknown to what letters they are called. I will find out ASAP.

so now all those virtual console games you'v been itching to download and play are to be played with this nice modern 'wii classical controler'.

[Rob]

Here something else that shows what the wii remote can be connected to and how it can be used. (i.e. on it's side)
http://i83.imagethrust.com/i/546673/wii.jpg
had to edit it abit before uploading it (had french writing all over it!)

now that all my controler info has been added post!

[Foz]

wow thank you very much, very intresting, cheers m8

[SuperJario]

Very nice set of posts there Rob.. i like the last post containing the different ways you can use the remote.

[Foz]

yeah thats very intresting

[Rob]

np glad you like it took me 2 day, (but i did have school so probably about 1)

[Foz]

lol ok m8, its gd to see that you are willing to pur in so much time for us to enjoy :D

[Rob]

Wii AV cable info (comes with the wii)
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/12232/1/1.jpg
Most shops will sell it for around £20
AV (Audio/Video) will plug your wii into almost anything, Tv, projector, dvd player, aux on hi-fi etc. This cable get all the picture and sound from that tiny little box to your ...whatever unit your displaying it on.

[Rob]

next is the HD wii cable
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/12236/1/1.jpg
The difference between this cable and the AV is that this one has better picture quality, i.e. tones of colour.
Heres a link of comparison (given by budtom)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV1r1AvpxzI&NR
Although the comparison isn't great (i.e. it needs a stand or a lead directly to his computer).
The cable upgrades the resolution of the wii from 480i to 480p
In the video you can notice a slight difference (makes me wanna play now).

This piece of cable is only really neccissary if you have that extra money.
For anyone that wants one from official nintendo store i found this link
http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?currency=USD&storeId=10001&jspStoreDir=NOASTORE&productId=117711&categoryId=63205&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&ddkey=SetCurrencyPreference
, but it is only shipped from Canada and the US :(

[Rob]

SD card - tiny little cards that allow you to store any data or save files. cards appear in 128mb, 256mb, 512mb, 1gb and 2gb cards.
One SD card slot (behind a flap cover at the front of the console) is provided. A software update first needs to be downloaded from Nintendo to enable save/write functionality for SD cards.
Manufactorers are Nintendo and 3rd party comapanys

Sandisk picture is just artwork not actual image
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/12427/4/3.jpg
nintendo image
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/media/12237/1/1.jpg
come in lots of different memory and colour sizes

between £8-50 ish

[Rob]

now for another type of wii card the points card wooooh.
These nifty little plastic cards come in 2000pt
What do they do? Well after scratching the concealed panel on the back of the card located on the back. This reveales will be a code which will allow you to play over 20 years of classic Nintendo games. The points on your card allow you to download NES, SNES, N64, Sega Genesis and TurboGrafx-16 games to your Wii.
finaly we can play all those old classics that either eventualy broke, we (or our friend) lost or never got to own. (like Goldeneye!).
Wii point cards can be bought from shops and online stores.

Uunfortunatly we british can only get our hands on 2000 point cards costing £14.99, where as the Japanese can get 1000, 3000 and 5000.
However you can get 5000pts free! when you buy a classic controler (not 100% sure, i'm about 83%, if i am wrong tell me so i can edit this)

Original Format - Price
NES = 500 points
SNES = 800 points
N64 = 1,000 points
Sega Genesis = 800 points
TurboGrafx-16 = 600 points
(pts value from wikipedia may be american - edited out japanese pts)

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000JXS5UU.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V35747434_.jpg

[Rob]

ok now to silicon sleeves for your ninty wii controler!
to stop those damages from cracking it into the wayy or your friends face ouch! come in several different colours: black, white, blue, pink, red and green.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000JG5PQY.02._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V36461534_.jpg
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000JG3TEO.02._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V36461528_.jpg
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000JG9E16.02._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V36461103_.jpg
they cost £5.99 for one sleeve and £10.00 for two (different coloured ones prices from amazon.co.uk)

Basicaly they do exactualy what they look like, protect themselves, possibly make them look abit different. I think it is slightly annoying that you can't get the double pack of the same colour. i would believe that having the same colour sleeve as my controler would look better, but it's up to you really.
I think that you'l only need one of these if you have a tendancy to throw things around the room without noticing, or a friend that does the same. either way your gonna have dents on all six surfaces of your room. can't really say if i'd get one until i'v used the controler, or the sleeve.

i'l undate once i have. on all hardware i use.

p.s. more hardware info to be added don't post your own on this topic please, other topics of your own is ok. post comments aslong as they don't move from these pieces of hardware.

[bmx wii]

so can the wii classic controller be used for gamecube games ?
im thinking no but i hope it can
cheers

[Mike]

so can the wii classic controller be used for gamecube games ?
im thinking no but i hope it can
cheers
According to what I've read, the Classic controller is the only one that can be used across the board; the Wiimote can be used for some, and the GC controller for others, but the classic for all.

[Barney.]

You mentioned that the Nunchuck uses the sensor bar, that isn't actually true. It only uses the accelerometers.

[huzzellio]

You mentioned that the Nunchuck uses the sensor bar, that isn't actually true. It only uses the accelerometers.
Is it though? The Nunchuk doesn't have the infrared admittedly but when you play boxing and move the Nunchuk around the guy on screen moves his left hand in the same way and not just when you're punching.

[Barney.]

This:

Again, like the wii remote, the nunchuck uses the motion sensor bar

is 100% not true. Firstly, the sensor bar detects (or at least allows the Wiimote to detect) where the Wiimote is pointing, and from that, its motion, in conjunction with the acclerometers.

The boxing thing works because it can still tell what the orientation of the nunchuck is. Anyway, the Wiimote doesn't even use the sensor bar for boxing, seeing as its pointed at the ceiling.

[huzzellio]

Fair enough, one last question though.

If you move the Nunchuk sideways the guy onscreen also moves his arm sideways in the exact same way. How does the Wii know how your arm is positioned regardless of the orientation of the Nunchuk. If I'm holding the Nunchuk slightly on it's side I understand how the Wii knows this but if it's in the exact same position but further away from my body, how does it know?

I'm not doubting your knowledge by the way, I'm just interested. :D

[Barney.]

I'm not entirely sure, you'd have to ask the Nintendo guys for that!

Although, I read that say you point the Wiimote away from the sensor bar, it can still determine its position by the accelerometers to an extent, by judging the speed and direction its moving. It becomes less and less accurate over time, of course, and you'll have to point it at the sensor bar again.

So, I guess the nunchuck can determine its position in a similar way, although obviously it'd only be a relative position, since it has no sensor bar to find its location in the first place.

[Rob]

thanks barney and huzzellio for your comments yeh you have valid points about the nunchuck having no infered. i'l look up on this and try to find out in detail.

[Rob]

Barney your right thanks for noticing the nunchuck does use accelerometer like the remote for all the different motions. i checked several sites but this puts it simply for you.
quote from wikipedia
"Like the Wii Remote, the Nunchuk controller also provides accelerometer for three axis motion-sensing and tiltling".

looking at the boxing thing now

[Barney.]

I've worked it out now I've had a proper look at it. If you tilting the nunchuck or Wiimote, without actually moving it, the hands move, and its quite easy to see how the position of the hands corresponds to the orientation of the nunchuck. You might be surprised how accurate it is.

[Rob]

as suggested by the local, heres a little info on the wii LAN adapter.
http://store.nintendo.com/wcsstore/NOASTORE/noaimages/NC62612.gif this is the official one (although i only found this one to be available in america http://store.nintendo.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?lastAction=setCurr&jspStoreDir=NOASTORE&languageId=-1&catalogId=10001&categoryId=62707&productId=117712&currency=USD&storeId=10001&ddkey=SetCurrencyPreference)

Lan adapters allow you to connect your wii to the internet via a wired connection.
these work with DSL/cable modems or routers.
nintendo website mentions that not all Lan adapters work on the wii, although some do.

this adapter (link from amazon) is a working Lan adapter.
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000NJSTTM.02._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V45011594_.jpg
in basic terms it's a USB with a 6ft cable that is then connected to a ethernet port.

if this is not for you maybe try the nintendo USB wi-fi connector.
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000BVAPFI.02._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
http://www.amazon.co.uk/USB-Access-Point-Nintendo-DS/dp/B000BVAPFI/sr=8-4/qid=1172613280/ref=pd_ka_4/203-0266530-4399922?ie=UTF8&s=videogames
NOTE: reviews of this on amazon - NTL cable doesn't seem to work
For this piece of hardware simply plug it into your PC (which is connected to the internet) then install the software onto your computer abd finally using your wii search for that access point and accept. connect and wa la.

a videa example of what to do with the USB LAN connector
http://www.wii-volution.com/news/wii-news/unofficial-usb-ethernet-adapter-for-wii.html

and just found this summery of links from nintendo to help anyone stuck with anything. http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/wii/en_na/online.jsp
looks good from what i saw.

[dybydx]

Does anyone know/have a table on the compatibility of say, an American or Japanese Wiimote on a UK PAL console?

Am trying to get hold of a Wii Play, and came accross one that is from Asia (NTSC).


D.

[thelocaluk]

Popular Science guts a Wii remote: http://www.time4.com/time4/microsites/popsci/howitworks/nintendo_wii.html

[rach]

Do you have to use the wii classic controller to play the vc games that require it, or would an old N64 or SNES controller do?

Which do you recommend I buy of the classic and gamecube one? For instance, which controller will SSBB use?

[thelocaluk]

If you read this it will helpyou a bit: http://wiiportal.nintendo-europe.com/7.html

The classic controller can you used for all VC games where as the GC controller is only good for Nintendo games.

[rach]

Thanks for the link. Do you think SSBB will work with the classic controller, or will I need to buy a Gamecube one once it's released?

[thelocaluk]

Thanks for the link. Do you think SSBB will work with the classic controller, or will I need to buy a Gamecube one once it's released?

I looked this one up for you, the nice guy I am, and it would appear SSBB will only work with the Wiimote and Gamecube controller. So if your thinking of getting a Classic Controller, it won't work with SSBB. I also read ( and this is from the head designer Masahiro Sakurai) that the game won't use the Wiimote motion sensors!!! Heres the link: http://uk.wii.gamespy.com/wii/super-smash-bros-wii/707716p1.html

[rach]

I looked this one up for you, the nice guy I am, and it would appear SSBB will only work with the Wiimote and Gamecube controller. So if your thinking of getting a Classic Controller, it won't work with SSBB. I also read ( and this is from the head designer Masahiro Sakurai) that the game won't use the Wiimote motion sensors!!! Heres the link: http://uk.wii.gamespy.com/wii/super-smash-bros-wii/707716p1.html

Ah well, too late, I've already ordered the classic controller (and preordered football). Besides, every preview I've read sounds ambiguous, for instance things like "don't throw away your gamecube controller yet!" doesn't imply that class won't work. Neither does this, from the article you mentioned.

GameSpy: How will SSBB take advantage of the new controller?

Sakurai: We've been working on some ideas, and rather than trying to have too many Wii controls in there, we're trying to keep it simple. The hardware will be able to use the GameCube controller too! Nintendo has encouraged developers to use the new controller functionality. So I'm going to offer something different, so it's more like a standard controller. We can appeal to everyone!

ah well, wait and see.