Wii Peripherals Chopping Block - What's Good, What's Bad

[optmusprimenumber]

Figured this might be a useful-type thread. Let's talk about Wii peripherals and how good or bad they are (try to include pics, it's always more fun with pics). I have a few items to lend some info about...

Edit: I'm really curious about any fighting sticks for the Wii, so if you see this and have one, do tell. Please

~

Accessory: This is a snap-on joystick for a Wii Remote by DreamGear. It clicks on over the d-pad, power button, and A button.


Verdict: Off with It's Head!
It's crap. I bought a 2 pack on a whim for 10 bucks at Toys-R-Us. Thought it might be sweet for Metroid Other M. I was wrong. Let me refrain, "it's crap." The movement of the stick is way too restricted to offer any advantage whatsoever imho. I even modified one to have a taller "shaft" but no, it didn't make it useful. Don't bother.

~

Accessory: This is a Battery Pack for the Wii Remote by MadCatz. It comes with a charging dock that doubles as storage for one remote and one nunchuck. The dock receives power via USB.


Verdict: Not Bad at All!
I picked it up wicked cheap (5 bucks I think) at a Gamestop, brand new. I've also seen it at a FYE games for real cheap too. It goes for 15 on Amazon, don't know why. It feels a little cheap, but it works just fine. All the reviews on Amazon seem to bash it saying it's malfunctional (why isn't that a word) and that the cursor moves around for no reason. I personally have had no problems with it at all. I'm glad to have it.

~

Accessory: Duracel rechargeable battery pack for the Wii Remote. It comes with a USB charging cable that plugs directly into the pack.
The internet doesn't seem to have seen one of these yet, so here's one of my pics:


Verdict: Get One!
I picked it up at Target for 15 bucks. Since one battery pack runs out of juice I thought it would be good to have another. I was right. It's fits tightly into the remote (tighter than necessary I'd say) but I haven't had any trouble removing it and it hasn't damaged anything. And since it's made by a battery manufacturing powerhouse, I tend to trust it. (Insert corny commercial)

[tylerbgood]

Too bad about the joysticks, I'd never seen them and was hoping for a good review. Anyone know of any similar alternatives?

I like this idea, I'll post a review of some of my peripherals a little later. I'll add the Neko Perfect Shot, Sports set and Wii Sports Pack, and maybe some of the official Nintendo releases as well.

By the way, I like your sig...looks a little familiar!

[optmusprimenumber]

By the way, I like your sig...looks a little familiar!

Yessir, I found yours to be quite eloquent. Very appropriate for advertising

[Jamisonia]

Well I've found both the Wii Zapper and Perfect Shot to be excellent accessories. I know people hate the former, but I played a ton of CoD WaW online with it and I found it very enjoyable, and I found it steadies your aim.

All those Gamestop Wii Sport plastic pieces are junk.

The Wii Energizer Induction Charging Pad is junk. I had one break on me, and I have a host of issues with the other one. Energizer doesn't actually make them, PDP does. Which is shitty right there, meaning Energizer won't stand behind that product and PDP is sketchy to talk to at best.

The Mad Catz TvC fightstick is really good. I haven't gotten to try the Hori one but I hear its good too. The TvC stick can change its control between digital and analog though making it useful on more games.

[fastbilly1]

Perfect Shot is just alittle too fat, but it is a solid controller.

Hori Arcade stick gets my nod. It is fantastic for general play. Its not a tournament quality stick (without modding) but it is perfect for those of us who play casually. Granted Ive used mine more for games like Bubble Bobble and Money Idol than TvC or any of the Snk fighters.