We all have fond memories of the classic video games of yesteryear. Maybe the Holiday Season makes me a little more nostalgic over the times when my chubby face was either lit by the Christmas tree or phosphorous images of Mario on TV. Either way, many people have been downloading classic Nintendo games over the Wii Shop channel, and replaying their favorites. My kids have discovered Zelda for the first time, which I played through on the Nintendo 64 many many years ago. But I digress…
These classic games don’t play well (or at all) using Nintendo’s new-fangled motion-sensitive controllers. You either have to use the ugly Gamecube controllers or Nintendo’s Classic Controller extension for the Wiimote. There are a few glaring problems with the Classic Controller. For one: it isn’t very ergonomic at all, and two: it is wired and must be tethered to the Wiimote.
Nyko once again swoops in and saves the day with their Wing Wireless Classic Controller for Nintendo Wii. Not only is this controller more comfortable, but is completely wireless!
Get modern control, for all of your classic games with the Wing Wireless Controller for Wii. Now users can enjoy all the classic and retro software available on the Wii’s Virtual Console™ and WiiWare™ channels without the hassle of any cords. The included dongle easily attaches to the bottom of the Wii Remote™, and provides wireless play with a range of up to 10 feet from the Remote. The Wing’s sleek and ergonomic design glides into hands while the 2 AAA batteries (included) power the Wing for up 30 hours. The responsive analog sticks, face buttons, triggers and navigation buttons allow for unparalleled control of games and system menus as well. The Wing is the most advanced way, to experience all your favorite classic games.
| Wireless Play all your classic games up to 10 feet away from the Wii Remote |
Ergonomic All new ergonomic design allows for hours of comfortable play |
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| Battery Powered Get up to 30 hours of battery life on 2 AAA batteries (included) |
Rechargeable Add your own rechargeable AAA batteries and any USB to Mini USB Cable to easily recharge your Wing |
Features
- Allows for convenient wireless play with a range of up to 10 feet – no cord connection to the Wii Remote required
- Fully compatible with software that utilizes the Wii Classic Controller
- Ergonomic design for extended game play sessions
- Powered by 2 AAA batteries (Included) for up to 30 hours of playtime
- Responsive analog sticks, face buttons and triggers
- Mini USB port – Easily recharge AAA Batteries in the Wing (USB cord and rechargeable batteries not included)
The controller looks like a hybrid between a Playstation 3 controller and Nintendo’s Classic Controller. It matches the Wii’s pearl-white finish, and has a layout that should be familiar to gamers. The D-pad is on the left-most part of the pad. The center of the pad has the Home, minus (-) and plus (+) keys, along with two analog sticks, and a battery LED between them. The right part of the controller has the standard A, B, X and Y buttons. The bottom buttons (a and b) are colored blue and the top buttons (X and Y) are colored red. The top of the controller has four shoulder buttons: one Left and Right button, and smaller Z-A and Z-B button next to them. Oh, and there’s a sync button on the center top.
The underside of the controller is a compartment to place two AAA batteries (which are included with the kit, but not rechargable). Two sets of batteries last about 30 hours. The bottom of the controller has a mini-USB plug, which can be used to charge the batteries and/or use the controller as wired. It must be noted that the controller does not include said USB cable, but it can be plugged into any of the Wii’s USB ports to work. It must also be noted that you can only charge NiMH rechargable batteries with the USB cable… trying to charge up non-rechargable batteries (which are included with the kit) will certainly destroy the controller and may start a housefire.
The other part of this kit that makes it work is the host sensor, which can be plugged into the bottom of any Wiimote. It functions exactly as Nintendo’s Classic Controller… you cannot use a Nunchuck and Classic Controller on the same Wiimote at the same time. The host nub is featureless except for a blue sync LED (which doubles as the sync button), and two release grips on the side.
Connecting the controller is rather easy once you install batteries in the controller. Insert the host receiver to the bottom of any Wiimote and turn the Wiimote on. The receiver will start blinking blue, indicating it’s looking for the controller. Click the sync button on the receiver, and then press the sync button on the controller. The host LED will stop blinking, and the controller is ready to roll. You only have to do this pairing once, so the same controller will work with the same receiver, even if it’s plugged into another Wiimote.
One of the great things about this controller is now you can navigate the Wii’s interface without pointing the Wiimote at the sensor bar. Many users are frustrated that the sensor bar is too finicky, and many people have to stand unusually close to their TVs. With the Wing Controller attached, just use the left analog stick and the A button to navigate around… even at the other end of the room.
The controller is rather comfortable, and feels rather light. It doesn’t feel as solid (or heavy as) as the Xbox 360 or Playstation 3 controllers, however. The D-pad feels very light-duty, and the shoulder buttons require a little effort to press. The analog sticks feel very good, and have a decent rubbery grip to them.
The controller works as advertised… it works with every game that the original Classic Controller does. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with Gamecube Games, which require older (and uglier) Gamecube controllers. Even though the Wing can be wired to the Wii console (via a USB cable), you still cannot play Gamecube games with it.
The Wing has the ability to be recharged, but the USB cable and rechargable batteries are not included. It would have been extra-super-cool if Nyko made a charge dock for this controller, to match their other Charge stations (Xbox 360 Charge Base reviewed here). I found that I can plug the USB nub included with their Playstation 3 Charge Base 2 (reviewed here) and charge it in this base.
The controller does what it says it would do, but we’ve always come to expect more from Nyko. What would have been really great was if this controller would work with Gamecube games. Imagine if Nyko included a USB cable that charged the batteries AND plugged into the Gamecube ports so you could have One Controller to Rule Them All? Even though this pipe dream wasn’t fulfilled, it is still way better than Nintendo’s wired Classic Controller.
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