It may be colorful, but is it good?
There aren't many third-party options available for Wii Remotes. Until recently, Nintendo's official Remote was the only game in town, but Nyko has created a strong contender in the Nyko Wand.
Nyko has positioned the Wand as the centerpiece in their hardware portfolio. They've created a series of add-ons that make use of the Wand's Trans-Port Technology. The Trans-Port is a contact-communication port in the butt of the controller, just above the Nunchuk jack. Devices designed to interface with the Trans-Port can use it to expand the functionality of the device. For the purposes of this review, I am not going to review the Trans-Port add-ons. The Wand will be reviewed on its own merits. I will acknowledge only that there is potential for some very useful devices.
While some third-party controllers take a unique shape or have a unique application, in order to stand out, the Nyko Wand stays very true to the first-party Remote. The button layout is identical.
Looks like a Wii Remote, huh?The primary and most obvious difference is the buttons. The face buttons are square and colorful. It's strange at first glance. The buttons stand out when they're on display at the store, but they don't feel the best. While not uncomfortable, they are somewhat less comfortable than the standard Wii Remote's. They don't feel quite as clicky; they are softer to press.
The profile of the controller is the same as the official remote, except the edge is beveled. However, the reverse side has a rubberized grip and B-trigger. While I've never had an issue with flying Wii Remotes, there is a satisfying amount of cling to the Wand.
Grippy...The Wand proved compatible with all the Wii Remote peripherals I already own. I experienced no performance issues versus the official Wii Remote. It performs solidly, and the motion controls seem no less responsive than those on the official Wii Remote.
I understand why Nyko is featuring the Nyko Wand so prominently in their business plans. In the past, I never enjoyed third-party controllers. They always felt very cheap, and in multiplayer situations, I always felt like I was at a distinct disadvantage. While the aesthetics of the Wand aren't great, the performance is solid. Using the Trans-Port technology, the Wand offers the opportunity to expand functionality in ways the Wii Remote cannot.
The battery life of the remote seems comparable to the official Wii Remote. The included batteries died more quickly than I'm used to for Wii Remote batteries, but the retail batteries I replaced them with have hung around.
That leaves the final question: is it worth buying? That's a difficult question to answer. Functionally, it compares well to the official Wii Remote. It does look a little chintzy. The best answer I can give is that you aren't going to be terribly disappointed by getting it. You won't feel like it enhances the standard Remote either. There is potential in the Trans-Port technology, but nothing concrete yet.
