Wii to get keyboard peripheral

Uhh.. Weird.

£25?

And why a dongle? Why not just use bluetooth?

EDIT: I'm an idiot.

* ahem *

the conduit might use it. but i like the mic.

> And why a dongle? Why not just use bluetooth?

Can't use bluetooth as the system software doesn't recognise bluetooth keyboards, only USB ones, that's why the dongle is needed.

I wanted something like a Wii-specific version of the DiNovo Mini but apparently they've just gone for spray painting the EX 110 white and sawing off the number pad.

Now, if only all the consoles had this sort of thing going on, followed by support for every game, and we'd be talking!

wonder if this thing works?

http://ww w.nintendoworldreport.com/media...

@Katsumoto:

The 360 and PS3 both support usb keyboards...

wireless keyboards work on the wii anyway...?

it's not like the usb ports are being used...

"@Katsumoto:

The 360 and PS3 both support usb keyboards.."

"Followed by support for every game"?

I knew the ps3 supported them, didn't know about 360, cheers - the fact remains none of the games do though!

Nintendo Wii In New Hardware Shocker!

So... What exactly do you get-out-of-the-box? It's seeming much more like you need to buy new hardware whenever you want to play a new game. My poor Wii sits under the TV lusting after new peripherals which constantly promise 'buy me and finally you won't think this console is a gimmick'.

It's made by logitech... is there any software that currently supports it?

And doesn't the Wii allow USB leyboard use for the interwEbz already?

please stop using the word 'fancy' to describe everything in the world

oh you, fancy pants samaran, oh you

"It's seeming much more like you need to buy new hardware whenever you want to play a new game."

Out of the box, the Wii comes with every piece of hardware you need in order to play every game available, Wii Fit excluded. If you think you need a new peripheral for every game then you must be very easy to market crap to.

So... What exactly do you get-out-of-the-box? It's seeming much more like you need to buy new hardware whenever you want to play a new game.

What kind of bullshit is that? It's a fucking keyboard.
1. barely any games use it
2. the ones that do have an on-screen keyboard option
3. but you can just use any old usb keyboard instead
Keep grasping at those straws and you might catch something some day, kid.

@seanraaron

"Given space constraints I'll be deleting the Internet Channel before long for more WiiWare/VC content"

You play all your WiiWare and VC games every day? or is this like collecting baseball cards?

Kid? Heh...

In fairness, you're right, I am over-reacting to the announcement of a Ninty keyboard, so I'm sorry about that, but the trend for hardware additions on the Wii is really getting on my nerves.

My point is that every time there's a really big release coming out for the Wii there always seems to be a new gadget to go with it.

How many games on the Wii have been 'must have' titles? Wii Sports, Wii Fit, arguably Mario Galaxy (although I've not picked that up for months)... I know my girlfriend will want Animal Crossing, but using an on-screen keyboard is absolutely rubbish, so that's more kit to buy with barely any other games that it's needed for.

My problem with this lies in the fact that the bits they're releasing only seem to be worth having for one or two titles, after that they just clutter up your house. My job requires me to keep up with the latest gaming bits and bobs (yes, I make games for a living) and the living room is getting very cluttered very quickly by limited-use Nintendo gumpf.

I'd rather there was a better range of good games for the existing stuff before they begin making new things. I'd really like to feel like I haven't wasted my money on the Wii, but I've probably played on it for 20 hours since getting one nearly a year ago and I don't see any killer titles coming out any time soon... Except perhaps the swordfighting one, but that will need two WiiMotion add-ons to get the best from it. Do you see my point?

A response to those saying the Wii has too many peripherals is that I am starting to agree. Having said that I don't think a third party wireless keyboard is something that is being 'forced' on us, nor is it something you 'have' to buy to play animal crossingAS > several posters have pointed out, any USB keyboard, wireless or otherwise, ALREADY works on a Wii, so few will have to fork out for extra anything to type in that game.

I also think that motion plus is something I'm okay with, as I'd rather that than have to buy a whole set of new Wiimote 2.0's at full price. I do think that correcting current Wii remotes with the Motion Plus is a good thing for gaming (potentially - unless all we get is shovelware for it). I do agree though that what with the balance board, the wheels, the zappers, the nunchucks, the classic controllers, the dance mats, the maracas, the lightsabers, wii speak, wii motion plus... it is getting a bit silly now - wasn't one selling point of the console it's 3DVD box-like size that's easy to store away?

I think even Nintendo has begun to appreciate the lunacy of all these add-ons (despite bringing another two to the fray), by making such a big deal about Wii Music being the only multi-instrument music 'game' that you don't need to buy extra peripherals for (except the nunchuck and the balance board!)

@Doctor_What
"How many games on the Wii have been 'must have' titles? Wii Sports, Wii Fit, arguably Mario Galaxy (although I've not picked that up for months)... "

Show me the law that states a game needs to be played, what everyday? for it to be considered a must have?
If you're speaking for people with no other form of life, then the Wii will get boring, just like any other *toy* gets boring. As it happens the gaming industry has been short of innovation for quite some time.
Your logic can be applied to any video game on any platform, but generally a large amount of people will consider the top rated games as must haves. On the Wii for example:

Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Mario Galaxy
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition
WarioWare: Smooth Moves
Okami
No More Heroes
Super Paper Mario
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Mario Kart Wii
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Mercury Meltdown Revolution

How many of those need this special add on hardware you're so sick of?
Maybe you should just stick to COD4 on the Xbox360? Personally if thats a "killer title" then Ive wasted my money on the 360.

If you re-read my post you'll note that I did say I was over-reacting about the keyboard and apologised for that, so it would be nice if you didn't jump down my throat and try to insult me.

How come I'm being vilified for daring to question the number of peripherals being released by Nintendo? I'm surprised more people aren't getting annoyed at this. The most interesting title on the system since its release is Wii Fit, then their big announcement at E3 was another bit of hardware to buy. The Wii is being to feel like a console that's available in monthly installments - collect them all to build the whole thing!

So, that's the short version of my reply, here's the longer one...

Okay then:

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - fair enough
Super Mario Galaxy - it's okay, but really not everyone in the world thinks it's as amazing as reputed
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition - a decent conversion of a good GC game, but pretty outdated in terms of gameplay
WarioWare: Smooth Moves - waggle waggle waggle waggle waggle yawn
Okami - a decent enough conversion of a very good PS2 game. It's still great, but why not get the PS2 version?
No More Heroes - an interesting title, but I'd say it's too niche to be an essential, and the sword fighting isn't as intuitive as it should be
Super Paper Mario - meh
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - yet another Zelda game, just as good on the GC, and personally they bore me to tears
Mario Kart Wii - really?
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure - too short to be an essential, more of a rent-it title
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - I've not tried that one yet
Mercury Meltdown Revolution - a decent conversion of a PSP game

Sorry, but you've not convinced me that these are titles no gamer should be without on the Wii. I'f you're talking about innovation, then why have many of the best titles on that list, with the exception of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, been out on other platforms and been just as good if not better.

No, you don't have to play a game every day for it to be great, but if I play a game for four or five hours in an effort to love something and then still can't be bothered to continue then it can't be that great (Mario Galaxy in particular).

Frankly I don't give a toss about the interaction system. I could be pushing things with my nose or using a Game Gear - if it's a good game, then it's a good game. What I'm annoyed about is that the best, most innovative games on the Wii seem to need more hardware to make them work when the vast majority of the games available for it are shovelware. I'd rather they made great games with the tools that they already have rather than making us buy more stuff.

There are just as few great games on the Sony and MS machines at the moment (the PS3 has Resistance, the best version of Burnout Paradise... and sod all else, and the 360 does have a few more interesting titles, Bioshock, Crackdown, Viva Pinatam and Lost Odyssey stand out in my memory). Frankly, this generation of consoles really hasn't done too well yet, but at least I've not had to go and buy new peripherals for the 360 and PS3.

What have I played the most in the last week? SingStar on the PS3 using the PS2 microphones. Yes, given this fact, I do appreciate the irony of my anti-peripheral feelings. Perhaps my grudge against the barrage of Wii add-ons is just because so many of the games for it are average or just above average - I feel like they could be doing more with waht they've got rather than taking yet more hardware-cost profits.

Now, Fatal Frame 4 - there's a Wii title I'm excited about!

In summary:
Yes, I was too sharp on the keyboard accessory, but if I wanted to constantly be buying more hardware to play the latest games then I'd be a PC gamer
All the consoles are below-par in terms of must-have titles
COD4 of the 360? Sorry, I'm too busy replaying Prince of Persia: Sands of Time yet again at the moment

(Do I win the prize for the longest comment?)

as long as it doesn't include 'fancy' i'm cool with it.

@Dan234

"Can't use bluetooth as the system software doesn't recognise bluetooth keyboards, only USB ones, that's why the dongle is needed."

But its their device! I know its not as straight forward as I am making it out to be, but if the Wii has bluetooth, and Nintendo themselves are making this keyboard, you would think there would be a way to make this specific keyboard work (espeically given it is non-standard due to the extra Wiimote related buttons).

@Doctor_What

I take your point about the deluge of hardware add-ons for the Wii. It does seem to make the overall low cost of the console a moot point if you end up buying another £100 worth of kit just to be able to use all of the available software. I guess the 360 and PS3 have no shortage of post purchase peripherals though.

Surely they could release a bluetooth keyboard, along with a firmware upgrade?
The PS3 uses BT keyboards as well, I'm sure it could be done easily.

@Doctor_What
You spend waaay too much tiume trolling for someone who is enjoying their games console

@kangarootoo:

But its their device! I know its not as straight forward as I am making it out to be, but if the Wii has bluetooth, and Nintendo themselves are making this keyboard, you would think there would be a way to make this specific keyboard work (espeically given it is non-standard due to the extra Wiimote related buttons).

It's Logitech's with Wii branding, it's like the sports pack by Big Ben.

Nintendo probably don't want to add Bluetooth support for keyboards in the firmware as it might complicate things, can't guarantee compatibility with all channels and games, they'd need to support it, it might hog a controller slot (like the Wii Balance Board), etc... etc... until they're finally forced to put it in anyway, two years too late as usual.

@ IronCladChicken

Wouldn't a troll be trying to start arguments? I could've sworn this was turning into a discussion. Anyway, I was typing this while waiting for a build to run at work so I had some free time before I could start playing! (Just like I'm doing right now too.)

Super Smash Bros. Brawl - fair enough
Super Mario Galaxy - it's okay, but really not everyone in the world thinks it's as amazing as reputed
Resident Evil 4: Wii Edition - a decent conversion of a good GC game, but pretty outdated in terms of gameplay
WarioWare: Smooth Moves - waggle waggle waggle waggle waggle yawn
Okami - a decent enough conversion of a very good PS2 game. It's still great, but why not get the PS2 version?
No More Heroes - an interesting title, but I'd say it's too niche to be an essential, and the sword fighting isn't as intuitive as it should be
Super Paper Mario - meh
The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - yet another Zelda game, just as good on the GC, and personally they bore me to tears
Mario Kart Wii - really?
Zack & Wiki: Quest for Barbaros' Treasure - too short to be an essential, more of a rent-it title
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - I've not tried that one yet
Mercury Meltdown Revolution - a decent conversion of a PSP game



but I've probably played on it for 20 hours since getting one nearly a year ago

Oh wow, talk about grasping at straws... you're stretching it so hard it's gonna break, boy.


and I don't see any killer titles coming out any time soon...

Yeah, you're either blind, misinformed, or a complete troll. I'm not gonna make a list, but I count at least 7 exclusives in the future that I really want, and that's just quickly off the top of my head.

Anyone who cries about "oh noes it's collecting dust I'm gonna sell my wii there are no good games and there's nothing coming out wahhh" is either delusional or in denial.