Nyko @ CES 2008
One peripheral manufacturer has us really excited about what is has on the way
Tags: CES 2008 Categories: Features, PS3 Features, PSP Features, Wii Features, Xbox 360 Features
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Jan 29th, 2008
Every year Nyko has a display at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, and this year was no different. Each year there’s an impressive array of console peripherals, and again, this year was no different.
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First up we saw the Zero Wireless Controller for the PlayStation 3. This is a heavier offering that what Sony has, mostly due to the inclusion of rumble along with the SiXaXis control. Scheduled to arrive before Sony has their own offering on shelves, it should retail for $59.99 and include a rechargeable battery pack. The heft of the unit alone makes this worth checking out.
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The PlayStaiton 3 ChargeBase II is the same solution for charging up those controllers, but now it is even easier to use. The newly redesigned unit features dongles that plug into the controller that rest on the base. This simply makes the controllers easier to fit into the base and ensures a charge connection.
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The Frontman Guitar Controller for the PlayStation 3 works with both the Rock Band and Guitar Hero games. The solution is a dongle to switch between the two – a dongle that looks like a “stomp box” distortion pedal. Of course there are faceplates and stickers for customization. At $59 this could be the solution many of us need.
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Nyko also has guitar straps that are real for its line of Frontman controllers, a BlueWave remote for the PS3, and the InterCooler for the PS3 and Xbox 360. There is a ChargeBase for the Xbox 360 scheduled to arrive in March for $29. This will come with battery replacements for the controllers with “pass through” connection points for the electrical charge. The Charger Grip for the PlayStation Portable has been redesigned for the PSP Slim. It has a pass through for the video out and a 10 foot cord.
As good as these items are, it is the Wii that Nyko seems to be most dominant. The ChargeBase for the Wii as well as the wireless sensor bar have set the bar for Nintendo and become “must have” accessories. Now there’s a new crop of peripherals that will also become necessary for anybody with a Wii.
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The Frontman is going to be the only 3rd party guitar controller for the Wii when it arrives in March for $49. Additionally there’s an Internet Connector for those that don’t have a wireless network set u in their house. Yes, Nintendo sells a similar product to get the Wii connected to the internet on a wired network, but only through their online store.
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What really got me excited as a “must have” Wii accessory was the Wireless Nunchuck. It does have a little more weight than Nintendo’s wired one (as well as a wrist strap) but not too much. It works up to 3 meters away, which is more than any typical arm span. A dongle fits onto the bottom of the Wii Remote where one would normally plug in the wired Nunchuck. At $29 this could be one of the best things to arrive for the Wii. Why didn’t Nintendo think of this? If the Wii Remote is wireless, why not the Nunchuck?
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The Perfect Shot is a pistol accessory that holds the Wii Remote for the first person shooters. At $14.99 it’s easily affordable enough. It has a very comfortable grip and has a pass through for the Nunchuck to connect – even better, the Wireless Nunchuck dongle. Frankly, I am hoping that Nyko decides to package the Perfect Shot and the Wireless Nunchuck together because they make a great combination.
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Tags: CES 2008
Posted by Daniel "monk" Pelfrey on Jan 29th, 2008 and is filed under Features, PS3 Features, PSP Features, Wii Features, Xbox 360 Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can post a comment, or trackback from your own site.
