Gamertell

These days conserving energy is a top priority especially with the amount of power the Xbox 360 and PS3 can consume on a daily basis. Although we have yet to see a serious attempt to make an environmentally friendly console, one device is planting the idea of wireless game controllers without batteries.

The Wind-Up Remote Control uses hand power instead of battery power. It works by rotating a wheel at the bottom of the remote until the controller…

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I find that lightweight gun frames for the Nintendo Wii like the 2-in-1 Combined Light Gun from Brando usually have two problems. The first is that the companies that make gun frames assume first-person shooters (FPSs) do not use the Nunchuk and put all the design controls in the gun frame to hold the trigger. The second is that they also assume the WiiMote’s top A button doesn’t get used much and put it on top so you have to use the other hand to access it. Unfortunately, the ezShot Gun by ezGear takes these design flaws a bit further…

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However, Sony Ericsson believes that gamers can have just as much fun playing video games on their phone as they can at home.  The company has partnered with Zeemote to create the Zeemote JS1 Controller, a Nunchuk-like controller for mobile phone games. 

Zeemote originally promised a controller similar to the motion-controlled Nunchuk for the Wii and, while they have not delivered on the motion sensitive aspect, the JS1 is completely wireless.  It syncs via Bluetooth to a very specific phone, the 3G W760i Walkman..

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Initially, StreamMyGame allowed users with Windows or Linux systems to play PC games on the PS3. And people who would be able to do it downloaded the free program from StreamMyGame and rejoiced. Now StreamMyGame has a new software that allows people to use a PS3 SIXAXIS controller to play PC games.

The StreamMyGame PS3 player and SIXAXIS pairing tool are free downloads. Once everything is installed, there is configuration option which allows users to set PC game controls to buttons on the SIXAXIS. Also, the program will let you set the SIXAXIS to work by being connected to the PC with a USB cable, or use it wirelessly with Bluetooth.

Click through to watch a video from StreamMyGame showing how to set up the program and set up SIXAXIS…

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Although I have to applaud ezGear for making Wii accessories that bring more realism to the game, the company’s attempt to make boxing gloves for Wii Sports Boxing is not successful. I had a chance to try Wii Boxing Gloves first-hand (literally) and noticed major flaws in the product.

ezGear’s gloves are one-size-fits-all boxing style gloves with adjustable straps and special pouches for both the Wiimote and Nunchuk. The first flaw is the way the Wii controllers fit into the gloves. Even though the pockets are made for the Wiimote and Nunchuk, it is a…

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Independent research group NPD Group has releases its US video game sales numbers for June 2008.

A few games dominated the month, especially Lego Indiana Jones, which took four of the top 20 sales spots. Likewise, Guitar Hero titles took four spots (Guitar Hero: Aerosmith was three of them). Topping the chart was Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots for PS3 at 774,600 units (not including games bundled with a system). May 2008’s top game, Grand Theft Auto IV for Xbox 360, dropped down to 11th and its partner release, GTA4 for PS3, came in 19th after being fourth the previous month. Thirteen of the top 20 selling games in June were released that month.

The oldest game on the list is…

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Nyko is known for its video game peripherals, and it has shown with the Cord-Free at E3 2008 that it is still thinking of gamers best interest. The Cord Free is a Nintendo Wii accessory - a small device that attaches to the base of the wiimote and nunchuk to make the nunchuk wireless. It’s normal retail price is $19.99, but if you stop by Amazon you can get it for $14.99.

The Cord-Free consists of two parts. There is a small box that attaches to the base of the wiimote, and a small box/sleeve that connects to the base of the nunchuk. Once connected, and loaded up with 2 AAA batteries, the device lets players experience cordless gaming for almost 6- hours.

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Nintendo has created a new Wiimote accessory designed to make the Wiimote even more accurate and easy to use. The Wii Motionplus was introduced at the Nintendo E3 2008 press conference and attaches seamlessly to the bottom of the Wiimote.

The Wii Motionplus is a little accessory block which works with the accelerometer and the Wiimote sensor bar to improve control. It precisely determines the angle, position and movement of players arms with even greater accuracy to allow for easier game controls. It supposedly gives a 1:1 response for a player’s actions to the actions in the game.

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I swear to Jimi Hendrix, this was my initial reaction when a Peak Products rep told me they are producing the first ever full-size, all wood guitar game controller:

1. About friggin’ time!
2. Won’t that be heavy?
3. Well, duh, real guitarists hold those things for hours at a time. And that’s what a guitar strap is for.”

Here was the email response I received from a rep at Max Borges Agency, the PR company representing Peak:

1. Seriously.
2 [and 3]. Not that heavy at all.  Lighter than a real guitar of the same size. Held one when they demoed it at our office

Dubbed the Starpex, the controller will be compatible with both the PS2 and PS3, can be used to play both Guitar Hero or Rock Band and can be used as a wired or wireless controller.

The exact release date…

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Check out the gallery: Peak Products' Starpex guitar controller

Chalk this up under things you don’t see every day - Shop Goodwill has a Sega Master System and Sega Sports Pad up for auction. The Reading, Pennsylvania Goodwill put up the listing for this console and controller today (July 14, 2008), and the auction will end July 21, 2008. There have been no bids so far, so the opening price is still at $5 (July 14, 2008 4:18pm CST).

The Sega Master System box has the console, 2 controllers, a copy of Hang-On/Safari Hunt, the light gun and all the necessary cords. the Sports Pad box has, you guessed it, the Sports Pad controller. Both items come in their original boxes with all items included, but have not been tested.

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