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Tech NewsGadgetsHotel Rent Wiis For $50+ HOURLY
The Westin chain of hotels has recently announced that they’ll be offering Wii rentals in their 150 locations. How much will they charge? We’re not sure yet. But if Manhattan’s Le Parker Meridien is any indication, it will be a lot. They charge $50 an hour just to rent the $250 machine. And if you … Continued
By Mark Wilson -
Tech News
Are Consoles on the Short Track to Extinction?
Former Xbox Europe exec Sandy Duncan recently declared that consoles were a dying breed, due to disappear in a mere 5 to 10 years. At first, it’s a laughable remark. I mean, consoles are insanely popular moneymakers, why would they disappear? Sure, physical media will be gone by the next generation, but don’t you need … Continued
By Adam Frucci -
Tech News
Wii Wheel Gets $14.99 Price Tag; Your Friends Aren’t Worth it
Looks like the fellows at Gamestop let the pricing for Nintendo’s Wii Wheel slip, and $14.99 is the price you’ll be paying for each friend you have over on Mario Kart Wii day, (April 27th.) The game will retail at $49.99, which includes one Wii Wheel to boot, but for multiplayer mayhem, you’re going to … Continued
By Haroon Malik -
Tech News
Wiimote, iPhone are New Tools of War
David Bruemmer and Douglas Few, engineers at the US Department of Energy’s Idaho National Lab in Idaho Falls, have put together an unlikely use for the Wiimote—they’ve hacked the remote so it can control a bomb-disposing, landmine-detecting, machine gun-carrying robot. The Packbot robot, which is manufactured by iRobot in Massachusetts, is 70 cm long, transports … Continued
By Haroon Malik -
Tech NewsGadgets
Cyber Smash Grip Add-on Turns Wiimotes Into DualShocks
Despite the supposedly game-changing motion controls that the Wii brings to gaming, a good portion of AAA games use the Wiimote in the more traditional controller sense. How do you make the one-handed controller more comfortable for two handed play? By shoving it inside a body that adds an “analog” stick and two DualShock-like grips. … Continued
By Jason Chen -
Tech News
Lousy Wii Fit Accessories Already On Their Way
The Wii Fit isn’t actually even available yet officially in the US, but manufacturers like Subsonic have already developed a line of “accessories” to help you get the most out of your Nintendo Wii “exercise” kit. There’s a silicon mat to lay on top of your WF so you don’t slip on all that sweat … Continued
By Jason Chen -
Tech News
Rock Band Has a June 22nd Gig on the Wii
Finally, Harmonix has announced that Rock Band will rock its way to the Wii starting on June 22nd for $170. A special edition bundle will include the game, drums, a guitar and a mic. Gamers can also grab standalone instruments if they choose. The game will feature 63 songs (including five bonus songs), but our … Continued
By Sean Fallon -
Tech News
Wii Fit Priced at $89.99?
A fuzzy release list image has been floating around that shows the North American version of Wii Fit priced at $89.99 with a $10 deposit. The image supposedly originates from Gamestop—but as always, it is just a rumor until an official announcement is made. [Wiicast]
By Sean Fallon -
Tech NewsGadgets
Guitar Hero III Gets Another Controller: Nyko’s Front Man
I’ve never got into Guitar Hero, but if you’re a fan and fancy a new controller, then here’s Nyko’s new Front Man for you. Wireless and fully compatible with GH3 (of course) it boasts all the usual control stuff like bidirectional strum bar and durable fret buttons. Plus it comes with interchangeable pick guards in … Continued
By Kit Eaton -
Tech NewsGuitar Hero On Tour for Nintendo DS Controller Revealed
Turns out all those crazy Guitar Hero for DS renders were just about as crazy as the official add-on, with German gaming mag N-Zone.de showing off the wraparound controller in all its glory. It attaches to the back of the DS and has a hand strap so you don’t drop the thing while hitting the … Continued
By Jason Chen -
ScienceBiology
Wii Dog vs. Wii Cat
Everyone remember the brilliant dog last Spring that "beat" humans at Wii Boxing and Wii Tennis? He’s at it again, this time playing someone more on his own skill level. A cat. Who you think won? And how well-behaved is that dog to let his owners manhandle him like that? [Thanks tipster!]
By Jason Chen -
Tech News
First Hands-On Video of Wii Wheel with Mario Kart Wii
My buddy Stephen T over at MTV’s Multiplayer blog scored the first video demo of the Wii Wheel in Mario Kart Wii game play. Melvin at Nintendo shows him how to insert a Wiimote into the Wheel, then head to the races. Watch T manage to execute a wheelie and a powerslide, then—in the second … Continued
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Tech NewsGadgets
Colorware Brings Its Fine Rainbow Craft to the Nintendo DS
If anyone knows people go apeshit for new color combos, it’s Nintendo. Slowing hardware sales? Some fresh hues perk ’em right up. Well, Colorware isn’t content to let Nintendo keep all the fanboy action to itself, so they’re bringing their paint-y crafts to the DS. Just do us a favor and don’t hit brainstorm before … Continued
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Tech News
Crystal Icing Give Mario, Bowser SwaroskWii Treatment
Crystal Icing is back with two more additions to their Swarovski encrusted Wii range. They previously bought us the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess edition, which looked remarkable. Well, they are obviously onto a winning formula; just checkout the new Super Smash Bros Brawl inspired Wii / Swarovski overkill artworks. Sure, they are excessive, but … Continued
By Haroon Malik -
Tech NewsKorg DS-10 Turns Your Nintendo DS Into a Serious Synthesizer
Musicians who lead double lives as gaming geeks will soon have their worlds collide when Korg releases its DS-10 software for the Nintendo DS. Basically, Korg has taken the design concept of their famous MS-10 synthesizer and thrown in a four-part drum module, two analog synth simulators, a 6-track/16-step sequencer and made it usable with … Continued
By Sean Fallon -
Tech News
Nyko Wireless Wii Nunchuck Adapter Reviewed (Verdict: It Works)
It is 2008 folks. Controllers with wires are just plain unacceptable. If you are a Wii owner, that cord connecting the Wiimote and the nunchuck can be infuriating. As you have probably heard, Nyko has come up with a wireless adapter for existing nunchucks that promises to eliminate the problem—but the question is how well … Continued
By Sean Fallon -
ScienceHealth
Ubisoft’s DS Pedometer, Get Fit With Your Gaming System
Wii-fit, schmii-fit: why go tromping boringly up and down on a plastic pedestal when you can use Ubisoft’s new DS pedometer to help get fit with healthy outdoor exercise? It’s designed to complement the cute My Weight Loss Coach DS software—simply carry it around with you all day, on your jogs and walks, then plug … Continued
By Kit Eaton -
Tech News
The 3D Mario Wii Casemod
The Wii is great and all, but I think it just slides too easily into my home theater cabinet. I want something more awkwardly shaped and garishly colored, dammit! When will Nintendo listen to my requests? I need to go to modders to get what I want; specifically, this hand-painted Wii mod with a 3D … Continued
By Adam Frucci -
Tech News
Wii Crossbow Has Laser Sight, Tip Covered by Ping Pong Ball
We have seen our fair share of Wii peripherals, but the Wii Crossbow actually looks like it could be used by police officials to take down the bad guys. Sure, the ping pong ball tip doesn’t look too menacing, but we’re sure there’s a razor sharp arrow underneath. If you’re worried aiming is going to … Continued
By Haroon Malik -
Tech NewsGadgets
Gepetto Robot: Good at Paintball, Bad at Wii
While we’re impressed by the technology behind military robots, it can be depressing when you realize that they’re actually being produced to maim and kill. This paintball robot "Gepetto" gets rid of such guilt. And, as you’ll see this video, it’s a lot funnier when a robot turns on its master to cause moderate levels … Continued
By Mark Wilson