Nintendo Wii Fanboy

And here we thought the other solutions on the market were good enough. Turns out, that isn't the case, because Thrustmaster has come in and totally set the bar really high. One of the big problems with these lightsaber knock-offs is that most have been fairly short. Well, it appears Thrustmaster's Glow Saber Duo Pack overcomes that and succeeds in many ways:

• It comes in a pack of two
• The beam's length looks like it's long enough
  
• It has a sweet handle
• It's only $17.99
• It's not as clumsy or random as a blaster

So there you have it. Thrustmaster wins.

[Via Engadget]

Whenever accessory manufacturer Thrustmaster comes up in conversation -- and it often does -- we can't help but imagine the Simpsons' Duff Man character stabbing the air with his pelvis. So, if you hear us suddenly yell out, "Oh yeah!" now you understand what provoked our involuntary impulse.

Despite the distracting nature of its company name, Thrustmaster successfully put together an acceptable alternative to Nintendo's Classic Controller and WaveBird with several advantages over its first-party competition:

1. Togglable rumble via switch
2. Doesn't depend on a Wii remote hookup for wireless functionality, using a GameCube port dongle instead
   
3. Xbox-like shoulder button layout
4. Turbo and slow modes
5. Mappable buttons

Best of all, Dell's online shop is currently selling Thrustmaster's T-Wireless NW Gamepad for only $13.59 ($19.99 MSRP) until December 13th! Check out more photos from IGN's favorable review past the break. Oh yeah!

One of our problems with Nintendo's official Classic Controller is how it has to be plugged into the Wiimote to be used. It's not that big of a deal, but sometimes the cord can become a nuisance. Thankfully, third-party manufacturer (and ridiculously-named company) Thrustmaster have devised the wireless solution you see above. Sure, it may not be much to look at, but at least there aren't any wires.

To connect the controller to the Wii, you'll have to plug an adapter into one of the GameCube ports on top of the console. We suspect that won't be an issue with most of you, as we're certain you (like us) already have a few WaveBird adapters plugged in up there. And, to add even more appeal to the thing, it'll only retail for $19.99, the same cost as Nintendo's official solution.

We'll have to wait until the thing releases to see, but we're pretty sure that Nintendo's controller will end up winning in the end based on feel alone. That thing looks bulky.

While the whole cornucopia of disgusting mental imagery is enough to literally suffocate you to death, we advise that you forget all of that and realize what we're getting on about: Wii accessories. That's right, nothing but good old accessories for your Wii and Wiimote are available from Thrustmaster.

Thrustmaster isn't the first on the scene with a rechargeable solution for Wiimotes, but they are the cheapest. The $25 T-Charge NW comes in black and offers gamers a sleeve for the Wiimote and nunchuk plus a rechargeable stand that works with USB. Don't need all that new-fangled technology that comes with USB? Try the $15 T-Care NW stand. Don't want the stand? Well, sleeves are sold solo for $10. If you must have it all, you can get the T-Care NW for $35, which includes it all.

Seriously, you have to stop laughing at the post title already ...

[Via Joystiq]

Ubisoft is all over Nintendo lately. Not only are they dominating the Wii launch lineup, but they're the first to bundle a peripheral not designed by Nintendo with their games. Yes, that's games plural. Their new steering wheel, which cradles the Wiimote like the precious jewel it is, will be bundled with both Monster 4x4: World Circuit and their new racer, GT Pro Series. IGN snagged a short intervew with associate producer Tats Myoio. They didn't cover much, but the screens of the colorful cel-shaded game and the first look at the superfly steering wheel are so exciting that an interview is just the cherry on this Ubisoft sundae.

The highlights:

• GT Pro Series will feature over 80 licensed cars, including Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and Toyota.
• There are 11 different options for customization.
• The game includes a wide variety of racing modes: Championship (Career) mode, a Quick Race mode, Versus mode (splitscreen only!), Time Attack and Drift Mode.
  
• Any race can be saved and replayed later, for your viewing pleasure.
• GT Pro Series supports 16:9 widescreen, but no progressive scan.
• The steerig wheel was developed by Thrustmaster specifically for GT Pro Series, but it will work with other Wii titles, like the aforementioned Monster 4x4, Excite Truck, Cars, and portions of Spongebob as well.

We're vehemently not going to be the ones who break down and make a Thrustmaster joke. Just in case you were wondering.

[Thanks, AssemblyLineHuman!]