Earlier this week, IGN Gear was invited to attend an invitation-only event in San Francisco to get an early hands-on look at the Nyko Wing. The product, which was formally announced in late August, is designed to replace the Nintendo Wii Classic Controller add-on. The Wing brings enhanced ergonomics, improved button response, and most notably wireless connectivity to the Wiimote add-on product type. Our initial reactions were generally enthusiastic; although it wouldn't be the first time we'd be disappointed by a third-party controller.
Fortunately when we got our hands on the Wing we were pleasantly surprised. The event, which was co-sponsored by Capcom, had several stations with Mega Man 9 and Street Fighter II prime for the playing. Shortly after picking up the Wing for the first time, we recognized that this was no rush-product--Nyko definitely took time and effort during the design process.
Whereas a majority of third-party controllers feel light and poorly constructed, the Wing maintains a sturdy build with a nice balance in weight. A choice in power supply can be a definitive factor in a controller's overall feel, Nyko's choice to use two AAA batteries as compared to bulkier AA or lithium alternatives makes the Wing ideally weighted. One of the most appealing factors of the Wing was that that it didn't feel like it was designed for people with infant-sized hands. Unlike Nintendo's Classic Controller, the Wing was crafted to accommodate adult finger lengths. The modern-style handles built into the right and left sections of the controller allowed our hands to rest comfortably while we mashed away at the buttons.
Although we were already convinced that the wireless aspect of the Wing would be it's primary selling point, the hands-on trial definitely reaffirmed it. Not having to have a Wiimote dangling below the controller was absolutely refreshing. Connecting the transmitter dongle to the Wiimote was as simple as plug-and-play, but its noticeably bright LED indicator was somewhat concerning. The LED burns continuously throughout play and presumably cuts down the battery life of the Wiimote, but Nyko reps assured us that the dongle does not pose any significant power drain. Unconvinced, we've opted to wait until we get the Wing for a full review before writing off that aspect of the design just yet. Similarly, we were unable to establish whether the Wing's 10 foot wireless range was accurate, but we will be sure to include that in the full-review expected later this month.
The Nyko Wing will launch in October for $29.99.
soruce
29.99 for that?! I say that is a sweet buy
