Nintendo Wii Nunchuk Controller

The Nintendo Wii has really taken the world of computer gaming by storm. In my opinion this is mainly the result of Nintendo looking at all aspects of gaming as we know it, and putting a completely different angle on it. The Nintendo Wii is not the first console to offer wireless controllers. However the way the user uses the controller and interacts with the games has pushed gaming in a new (albeit more physical) direction.

What is the Wii remote?

Briefly this is the main controller that you will use when playing games on the Nintendo Wii, it is a wireless controller that senses your movements (through built in sensors) and it interacts with the console (via infrared) through a sensor bar that is fitted just above or below the television.
With a lot of the games for the Nintendo Wii, this is the only controller you will need. Although for certain games, the Nunchuk comes into play.
It also needs two AA batteries to power it.
It has a built in speaker and a rumble function.

What is the Nunchuk?

The Nunchuk is not a stand alone controller, it is more of an attachment that plugs into the back of the Wii remote (via a lead) to enable two handed game play on certain games.
It has the same type of motion sensors As the Nintendo Wii remote has.
It does not need any batteries for it to operate as it takes its power from the Nintendo Wii remote.
It has not got either a built in speaker or a rumble function

What does it look like?

It is white (in keeping with the Nintendo Wii colour scheme) and resembles a pear with a couple of angles. The lead that connects it to the Wii remote is just over a metre in length, it is permanently attached to the Nunchuk at the point where the stalk would be if it were a pear. This thin end is the rear of the Nunchuk. It fits comfortably in the hand with a small joystick for operating with your thumb along with a trigger button (called the Z button) and just above that a smaller button (called the C button) both very easily accessed with your index finger.
At the other end of the lead is a connector that plugs into the corresponding part of the Nintendo Wii remote.

How good is it?

At first I was quite wary of using the Nunchuk as it meant I would be using two hands to play a game at the same time. I thought it would feel awkward and be difficult to master (teaching an old dog new tricks springs to mind).

Also being left handed I was concerned that the games and the way they were designed might have been meant a leftie like me would find it harder to control rather than for a right handed player.

Both of those concerns proved groundless.

Using both hands soon became second nature. Obviously the precise way the Nunchuk is used varies from game to game (as does the complexity). Some games it is just a question of moving the whole Nunchuk whilst others involves the use of buttons and/or the joystick. But in general it is a question of mastering the game rather than trying to master the Nunchuk itself.

When playing a game that uses the Nunchuk and the Wii remote, I tend to have the Wii remote in my right hand and the Nunchuk in my left. Having considered things it really makes no difference and when you think of it, car manufacturers do not change the configuration in the cars driving seat to suit lefthanders such as myself.

The length of the cable, I found this an ideal length, not too long that it gets in a tangle, but long enough so as to not interfere with game play.

What about injuries?

Personally I have not suffered any strains or sprains whilst using the Nunchuk controller. If anyone is really worried then maybe they should contact their doctor before playing.

It is also worth noting that because the Nunchuk relies upon the battery power coming from the Wii remote, it will mean that the life of the batteries in the Wii remote will be reduced.

As for the name, I can only assume that because when it is attached to a Wii remote it might very very loosely resemble “Nunchaku” (A martial arts weapon consisting of two lengths of wood joined by a rope or chain)

All in all this is another wonderful addition to all things Wii that has come from Nintendo. We got one with the Nintendo Wii and others can be bought separately for around £15.