The Zapper is nothing more than a big handle for your Wiimote and Nunchuk. It's about as inert as a game accessory can get. There's no circuitry, no wiring, and no real technology of any kind. It's just a thing that you hold, that itself holds things.Which means that, unlike more sensitive items like GameCube controllers or memory cards, there's no real harm in eschewing the Nintendo-branded shell for a different option. Would you even consider a third-party gun shell? Or is Nintendo loyalty and fear of product failure locking you into a first-party purchase? For the purpose of discussion, let's pretend that Link's Crossbow Training isn't a factor. We're actually considering a nonstandard Zapper ourselves, because we're nonplussed by Nintendo's design, and we think we'd enjoy the lulz provided by one of the more out-there gun shells. Not to mention the fact that some of them have features the Zapper lacks, like extra vibration (nice!), or ... a laser sight.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-02-2007 @ 4:37PM
funkchild said...
The biggest failure of the zapper and most 3rd party gun shells is in the way that they abandon the wii remote buttons for gun functionality. In most cases, the shells hold the remote in a way that makes the buttons on the remote so difficult to access that they are pretty much useless.
I've only seen one shell that functions as an IR gun while still allowing easy access to the remote buttons - I forget who makes it, but it's a shotgun style case with the remote upfront and the nunchuck in the stock/handle. The front hand cradles the Wii remote, allowing the trigger finger to shoot and freeing the thumb to press the buttons on top of the remote. The nunchuck is easily removeable for contextual motion sensing. IMO, this is the best design I've seen so far because it leaves the possibility of using the remote buttons while still offering the immersive experience of a gun shell. This is the only version holds any interest for me.
I'll still pick up Link's Crossbow Training once it hits the used bins, though...
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11-13-2007 @ 12:46PM
jsa3mm said...
I don't like Nintendo's design of the Zapper, but I do like the design of Wii Pistol from Penguin United. If it weren't for Link's Crossbow Training I wouldn't be buying the Zapper. Since it is a package deal I guess I will be buying one.
Penguin United's Wii Pistol: http://penguinunited.com/proddetail.php?prod=PUWP020
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