Source Confirms Camera On Wii 2 Controller

Back in April, when rumors about Nintendo’s next system were flying fast, we heard there would be a user-facing camera on the controller. At the time I thought it ridiculous, but I also thought the 6″ touchscreen was ridiculous, and that seems to be accepted as fact now. So I guess it’s no surprise that a second source has confirmed that the controller will have a camera on it.
While it sounds like a gimmick at first, there’s a lot you can do with something like that, especially if it were to have, say, an IR component so it could detect you or your hand in the dark, that sort of thing.

Nyko Wand+ review

For demanding gamers, initial excitement upon procuring a Nintendo Wii was quickly dampened by disappointment: the durned Wiimote wasn't nearly as precise as we'd all hoped it would be. It took a couple of years for Nintendo to step up and fix the issue, releasing the MotionPlus and finally making the Wiimote work for sword-fighting games and the like. But, that left us all stuck with a dongle hanging off the bottom, causing compatibility issues with many early peripherals. The Nyko Wand+ is the solution, putting the MotionPlus right inside a stock-size controller, as it should have been in the first place. In some ways, it's better than first-party.

Nyko Wand+

Hardware

Coming out of the box it's hard to not think of the Wand+ as looking like a KIRFy Wiimote. The dimensions are nearly identical, really only differentiated by the cheeky square buttons. However, Nyko can be excused here. There are a number of peripherals into which the Wiimote slides, meaning any deviation from the stock shape would cause compatibility headaches. So, the Wand+ matches it perfectly, right down to the millimeter-thin groove up each side.

The plastic has been given a subtle satin coating that feels nice in the hand, while the battery case has a ribbed rubber backing like that found on Nyko's rechargeable battery pack. On the front the power button has been curiously moved from left to right, which will cause some confusion, and the main buttons (A, Home, 1, and 2) are all square and slightly larger. This is a minor difference, but it actually makes the A button much easier to find. That's an improvement, but the D-pad is not, feeling softer and mushier than stock.

The Wand+ is ever so slightly heavier than a solo Wiimote, but slap a MotionPlus on there and the Wand+ is naturally much lighter. Still, it's fully compatible with accessories like the Nunchuck and even aftermarket battery packs fit in there perfectly. What doesn't fit so well is Nyko's janky rubber protective shell, which isn't made of nearly the same quality stuff as Nintendo's. Still, we prefer our controllers au naturel, so that's hardly a bother.

Testing

We popped in Wii Sports Resort, the de facto proving ground for the MotionPlus, and started with a game of swordplay -- stock controller in one hand and Wand+ in the other. Nyko's offering matched the precision of Nintendo's, handling every twist and turn of the sword precisely. After finishing there (yes, we managed to win) it was time for a few rounds in Tiger Woods 2010. The Wand+ didn't fix our slice, but it did equal the stock controller's precision. We also noticed the tiny, built-in speaker is a bit easier to hear on Nyko's than on Nintendo's. Honestly, though, the clarity is miserable on both.

Wrap-up

A stock Nintendo Wii controller is $40. If you want MotionPlus you'll need to pay another $25, or you can get a bundle with both for $55. The Wand+ is $40, no MotionPlus required, and we shockingly have to conclude it is equal to or superior than the stock Wiimote, really only disappointing when it comes to the D-pad and that crummy looking rubber condom. This isn't so good that you should consider ditching your stock controllers and upgrading (unless you really hate dongles), but if you're looking for another Wiimote we wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Wand+.

Oh, and if you don't like the gray, it's also available in a rather better looking black.

Nintendo 3DS to get free WiFi access in Best Buy stores, Best Buy hopes you'll buy stuff

Man, Best Buy really wants you to step foot in its stores. The company just announced a deal with Nintendo whereby 3DS owners will get free WiFi access in more than 1,000 of the company's stores starting on June 7th -- not quite Sam's Club-style, but it's a start. And with that connection, dubbed SpotPass, people will have access to special, downloadable content such as gaming extras and movie trailers. So come June, get ready to drive down to your local Best Buy -- no pressure to buy anything once you're inside, of course. Don't have a 3DS? You can pick one up for a suggested retail price of $249.99. Don't like purchasing things? Well, you're no fun at all.

Keepin' it real fake: a Nintendo DS Lite that gets it (mostly) DS right

The death of Nintendo's DS Lite getting you down? Good news: it may have long ago been eclipsed by the DSi and 3DS, but the svelte portable system is still being made -- by someone, somewhere. And you can get a pretty good price on the thing, if you don't mind a few flaws -- like the above bootleg picked up a 1UP editor who though he was getting the real deal from eBay. As soon as the thing arrived in a corrugated cardboard box with pixelated text, it was clear that he had been KIRFed -- hardcore. On top of the aforementioned packaging red flags, the portable has some minor cosmetic flaws, like discoloration, a pockmarked surface, and uneven rubber pads. What's really amazing about this DS, however, is what its manufacturers got right -- it plays DS and GBA games, including, fittingly, pirated titles. The police have reportedly called Wario in for questioning.

Nintendo launching 3DS eShop on June 7, sharing some E3 love with everyone

We know where we're going to be on June 7th: surfing across the sea of concrete better known as Los Angeles, looking at lots of games and wishing we'd packed more comfortable shoes. That's E3 time and, while you very well may be at home living vicariously, thanks to Nintendo you'll be able to get a bit of what's happening out there right in your handheld over here -- if you bought a 3DS. On June 7th Nintendo will release its long-promised update, which will finally bring the ability to download titles directly to the system through the eShop. The Japanese update will be launching a day earlier and is said to feature Virtual Console emulation as well as a 3D movie player, giving us hope that the promised Netflix support will be there for us. What else will we be hoping for at E3? Probably a foot massage. Any takers?

Update: Nintendo has now also officially announced that the update will hit Europe on June 7th, bringing with it eShop access and a web browser.

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Nintendo 3DS brings an eye popping experience without glasses

One of the best features included in Nintendo 3DS is the three cameras, two of them are external while one of them is internal. Besides this it can hold up 2GB card for memory which allows users to store and play the most toughest games out there. The best thing about Nintendo is that it allows you to connect with your friends and compete with them as it helps in maintaining a stable internet connection. This is one of the reasons why Wii and other games out there are going to become second when it comes to Nintendo 3DS features and gaming experience.

Nintendo is back in the market with the release of its new Nintendo 3ds which gives you an eye popping experience with out the use of glasses. This Nintendo 3d game is becoming increasingly popular and costs around  $249.99 in north America. Nintendo weighs around 8 ounce only which makes it easy to handle and carry and has a wide screen LCD with an 800  into 240 pixel allowing us to experience a 3d effect with out the uses of glasses.