Plug it in, plug it in!

First, no, this is not an ad for Glade Plug-Ins, just a clever title. Anywho, the real point of this post is to post some of my ideas of possible Wiimote attachments we may see down the line, as well as a couple that are more, well, "out there".



So far, we've seen the release of only two Wiimote attachments, the Nunchuk and the Classic Controller (The ubiquitous non-electronic shells don't count). But what else will we be plugging in later on in the Wii's life-cycle? Here are a few ideas I came up with for new Wiimote attachments.

Microphone

We recently heard of the Wiimote's hidden audio translator, which has the ability to turn sounds into electronic signals understandable to the Wii. Problem is, the Wiimote has no audio input. The microphone attachment will solve this. I am aware that later this year, Electronic Arts will be shipping Boogie, which will include a USB microphone. But that's a little clunky, especially for such an active game as Boogie. A microphone that plugs into the Wiimote would make much more sense. And since the audio translator is already inside the Wiimote, the microphone could thusly omit this from it's design, and be easier and cheaper to manufacture.

How probable is it? Very much so, I'd say. After all, if all we get is a USB microphone, then only two people will be able to play at once. The Wii only has two USB ports, folks! If we were restricted thusly, it wouldn't be much of an "everyone" console, then, would it? The Wiimote microphone only makes sense!

NES/SNES/N64/Genesis/Turbografx 16 controller port

Imagine being able to finally play all your favorite classic games on the Wii with the controllers they were designed for... Beautiful sight, isn't it? With this little doodad, that just may be possible! There would be a separate adapter for each console (Eg: One for NES, one for SNES, etc.), and they'd probably be nice and cheap ($5, if I had to guess). Once this dongle is plugged in, you simply plug the appropriate controller, and WHAM! You're gonna be gaming like it's 1999 (Or earlier)! This would be really great for those who had one of these consoles in the past, and they don't work anymore. Also a great alternative for blowing into your NES for three hours!

How probable is it? Sadly, I don't think it's very likely. First of all, all software on the Shop Channel would have to be updated with the firmware required to understand input given to the console (Unless they also put an input translator in the dongle, but that'd be pretty pricey). Secondly, not many people still have these controllers anymore, making it a somewhat niche item. Finally, since the Classic Controller works with all of these consoles, why bother? No, I don't think we'll be seeing this anytime soon, if at all.

Headset

Wouldn't it be great to vocally taunt your opponents online during a round of Mario Strikers Charged! or Battalion Wars II? With the Wii headset, that could all come true! "But Duck, what about the Nunchuk?" Why, the headset would of course have a pass-through connection, my dear friend! You could plug the headset into the Wiimote, and the Nunchuk into the headset! Elementary, my dear Watson!

How probable is it? Sadly, this, like the microphone, has many things holding it back from hitting the market. One, the infamous Friend Codes. Two, the pass-through connection would likely be long and unwieldy. Finally, the headset would likely be expensive, and the chances of your opponent having one are fairly slim. So, the headset will regrettably be tossed in the pile with the other accessories too odd to be pulled off. Also, if the Wiimote microphone is released, there would be no need for a headset (Especially if said microphone also had a pass-through). Sound would be picked up through the mike, relayed online and played through your opponent's TV or Wiimote speaker. The headset would be convenient, but unnecessary.

Well, those are my thoughts. What do you guys think of my ideas? Also, what are some attachments you've thought up?

The Duck Has Spoken.

Future Wii franchises: Star Fox

This is a new segment I'll be doing, and in it I'll be detailing franchises I feel need to come to the Wii. I'll be kicking off the festivities with Nintendo's famous space-ship dogfighter, Star Fox.



Honestly, this is one of the first franchises I thought of when I saw the Wii remote and it's abilities, and I'm quite surprised Nintendo hasn't even hinted at this yet. There would most likely be several different control methods, but here are two I thought of.

The first control scheme would be point the Wiimote up to go up, left to go left, etc. You could bank your turns by pressing right or left on the analog stick, depending on which way you're turning. Up on the analog stick would trigger a loop-dee-loop, and down would initiate a U-turn. The famous barrel roll would be done by pressing both the B and Z triggers simultaneously, and brakes would be delegated to the A button. Firing would be handled with the C button. Bombs are used by hitting any direction on the D-Pad.

Another possible control scheme would be pretty much the opposite of the first. Steering would be relegated to the analog stick, and banking would be left to the Wiimote's tilt sensors. Pressing left on the D-Pad would initiate a loop-dee-loop, and right would start a U-turn. The barrel roll would again be left to the B and Z triggers, and brakes would be C. Firing would, of course, be handled with the A button. Bombs are launched by pressing down on the D-pad.

The game could also take advantage of another of the Wii's aspects: Online gaming. This has already been done in the franchise with Star Fox: Command, but the Wii could take things to the next level. There would, of course, be Friend Codes, players would also be able to play against strangers. Every time you log on, you'd be greeted with a leaderboard and the statistics of your last few rounds. You'd then have the option of starting a Friend Code match or a ransom match. You could then choose from a variety of modes, such as a best two-out-of-three one-on-one or a race to a set amount of kills against multiple opponents. A stage would then be randomly selected, and the fight would begin. After the fight, if against random opponents, you would then have the option of adding some of your foes to a list of rivals. Rivals would be a Friend Code subsection, where you could duke it out against any of your rivals met throughout your online experiences. This would be a great way to gather a collection of opponents without having to exchange Friend Codes.

That's my take on how Star Fox should work on the Wii. What do you guys think?

The Duck Has Spoken.

My thoughts on new Smash Bros. characters

Okay, before you get excited, no, they didn't announce any more characters for Brawl. This is purely an opinion piece. Just making sure you know, because this could really get out of control if I don't say anything...

Also, this is somewhat of an extension of a blog I wrote on MySpace a little while back, so those of you who've read this already can skip the first three characters.



When Solid Snake was announced for Super Smash Bros. Brawl last year, fans went nuts. "Who else will be in it?" they asked. Everywhere you go people are screaming for Sonic the Hedgehog and Mega Man. I'm not going to do that. I'm gonna give some of the less appreciated characters a chance, even a few first-party ones. So then, BACK TO ADVENTURE!

NiGHTS


We all know that SEGA finally decided to revive the NiGHTS franchise with NiGHTS: Journey Into Dreams for the Wii. What better way to give the long-awaited sequel a little boost than to put him/her/it in Super Smash Bros. Brawl?

However, this character has a lot more to add than a simple advertisement. NiGHTS could fly around the stage, performing aerial attacks on it's less airborne foes. Sadly, I don't know much about the NiGHTS games, since I've never touched a SEGA Saturn in my life (Not by choice, mind you!). So this character description shall remain somewhat skimpy.

Ike


First of all, this was not originally my idea. Someone on Go Nintendo suggested this first. Don't want to take credit for something I didn't do!

Now then, some of you are probably thinking "Who the hell is Ike?". Well, Ike is the main character in Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (Gamecube) and Fire Emblem: Goddess of Dawn (Wii). He's a swordsmen, so he would be a great alternative to the popular Link. Also, since the exclusion of Roy from Melee is most likely going to happen, another Fire Emblem character will be needed for balance. Can't have Marth hogging the spotlight!

As for how he plays, I guess he'd be quite similar to Marth, really. There really isn't much more to say...

Phoenix Wright


As most of you are aware of, Phoenix Wright is the star character of the first 3 Ace Attourney games (Replaced in Ace Attourney 4 by a fresh-faced lawyer). How, you ask, can an attourney fight outside of a courtroom? Allow me to answer, dear reader.

Anybody who's played this game knows that it's anything but a bland Law & Order-style court simulation (No offense to L&O fans!). In these courtrooms, whips are cracked, wigs are thrown and words are bellowed. Phoenix's style of fighting in Super Smash Bros. would be "throwing the book" at his opponents, slamming the ground with his hands (Like he does when objecting) and screaming "OBJECTION!" for a somewhat "explosive" attack.

Cloud Strife


We all know Square-Enix and Nintendo have been exceptionally lovey-dovey as of late, so this isn't as much of a stretch as you might think. Cloud would be a great balance to Link, offering a much stronger, yet slower to execute slash than the green-clad Hylian. He could also cast some weak forms of magic thanks to Final Fantasy VII's unique Materia system. So I guess he'd kinda be like Ness meets Roy, but with crazier hair.

Also, who hasn't wanted to see Link and Cloud duke it out, even once in their life?

Rayman and the Rabbids


This, like Ike, wasn't entirely my idea. Again, this was the result of some insane Go Nintendo brainstorming.

Now, Ubisoft may have ported a few duds in the past, but Rayman Raving Rabbids wasn't one of them. Ubisoft's flagship Wii game was fast, fun and hilarious. Rayman and the Rabbids would make amazing additions to the cast of Super Smash Bros. Brawl. Rayman could have long-distance, but weak, punches, due to his complete lack of arms. He could hover in mid-air by spinning his hair, and maybe even use Lums or Globoxes to some degree.

The Rabbids are where things would get interesting, though. Their trademark screams could cause earthquakes or possibly stun nearby foes. They could attack with fly swatters, plungers, and, of course, explosives. They would without a doubt be the craziest fighters yet in the series, and they'd also be a great promotion for Rayman Raving Rabbids 2, due sometime later this year.

Those are my thoughts for new Smash Bros. characters. They do seem to get a little less probable the longer the list goes, huh? Nonetheless, they'd all make awesome additions. What are your thoughts?

The Duck Has Spoken.

Not an optical illusion

Your eyes aren't deceiving you, my score for The Godfather: Blackhand Edition has been changed. I received a few comments saying I was a little too generous in the graphics department, and after some consideration, I have decided to agree. As I said in the Chat Box, I don't quite yet have a gauge set for some aspects, especially graphics, considering how under-used the Wii's horsepower is. I'll try to be a little more critical in my next review. Thank you all very much for your constructive criticism, it means a lot. With your help, I hope this site can become something truly great. Once more, thanks!

The Duck Has Spoken.

New skin

Hey, guys, I just wanted you to know that this is the new look for the blog! I find it's fancy, but still somewhat basic, and that's pretty much what I've been looking for. It may get tweaked a little, but what you see now is pretty much the final product.

The Duck Has Spoken.