Wii Accessories

Controllers

Wii Remote

This is the main controller. It resembles a thin TV remote and might look daunting to a novice, but once you start using it, you will notice the revolutionary design. As with most controllers, there is a directional pad, a start (home) button, and a trigger located on the underside. At the bottom of the remote are four blue lights indicating which player number is associated with that particular Wii Remote. In the middle of the remote is a speaker. Controls are very intuitive: swing the Wii Remote in Wii Sports: Tennis to swing the racket, for example.

Nunchuk

The Nunchuk is a Wii accessory that attaches to the bottom of the Wii Remote. A short cord separates the two, making a ‘nunchuk’. The nunchuk contains an analog control stick and two triggers. When connected, these controllers mimic the Nintendo 64 controller, but with part of the controller in each hand.

Classic Controller

If you want a throwback to old school gaming, then pick up the classic controller. These Wii accessories are about the same size as the SNES controller with four buttons on the right and a directional pad on the left. Classic controller Wii accessories are best used with the Nintendo Wii Virtual Console.

Fun Wii Accessories

Dance Dance Revolution with Game Pad

Not every controller needs to be used with hands. Try the Dance Dance Revolution combo pack. This is a Wii accessory and a game. Dance Dance Revolution uses a two-foot by two-foot pad that’s placed on the ground. You groove to dance music while hitting the four arrows in sequence as they proceed up the screen. If you want a different challenge on the Wii than manipulating handheld controllers, pick up Dance Dance Revolution.

Guitar Hero

Wii owners can now taste the same Guitar Hero sandwich as Playstation and Xbox 360 owners. The white guitar will be tailored to the Wii, functioning wirelessly and containing buttons specific to the Wii. Rock on!

Essential Additions

Sensor Bar

The bar is the reason the controllers work. This one foot bar accepts the infrared input as you swing, jab, punch, and dive with the controllers. This Wii accessory sits either on top of your TV or below it. Since the sensor bar isn’t expensive, it doesn’t hurt to have an extra one on hand in case yours goes out or is destroyed in a fit of gamer rage.

S-Video and Component Cables

RCA cables are included in the Wii box, but if you have an LCD or Plasma TV, then you will get a better picture if you purchase the s-video cable or the component cable. While the Wii doesn’t have HD support, you can still get much better video (480p) with these two Wii accessories than with what the RCA cables (composite) provide.

SD Memory Cards

Despite the Wii’s 512MB of internal memory, getting an SD memory card or two can be beneficial, especially if you’re a save freak. You can back up your current saved games, just in case a surge happens and wipes out the Wii memory or an unnamed brother accidentally erases all of your data. Also, you can bring your Mii (your Wii virtual self) to your friends and download all your scores and data onto their Wii. SD memory cards are SD memory cards and it doesn’t matter if you buy Nintendo’s card or if you get one from the digital camera department. SD cards can also be used to store Virtual Console games.

Wii Points

These Wii accessories are stored on a prepaid card that you add to your Wii account so you can purchase older games and content from their online library. Most retailers carry the cards, but you can also charge your credit card directly from your Wii to get points... if being a hermit is your style.

Wii Accessories For Every Gamer

While a solo owner of a Wii can make do with what comes packaged in the system, you should get additional Wii accessories and enjoy all the multiplayer aspects, which is where the Wii really excels.