Nyko Wand

The Wand's design makes it compatible with most standard Wii Remote accessories, including controller shells such as the Wii Wheel and Zapper, and expansion port devices like the Nunchuk and Classic Controller. Released prior to Nintendo's MotionPlus, the Wand was not initially compatible with the accessory, however a firmware update was made available to Wand owners, and future shipments supported the device.

The Kama is Nyko's alternative to the official Nunchuk, and can be used with Wands as well as Wii remotes and other alternatives. It is produced in both wireless and wired models. The wireless Kama uses two AAA batteries for power, while the wired version (which is powered via the expansion port) uses this space to include a rumble motor for haptic feedback when used with Wands, via Trans-Port.^[13]

The Pistol Grip is a gun shell for Wands, similar in design to Nyko's (mechanical) Perfect Shot, with digital inputs using Trans-Port.^[14] It is intended for use with light gun games, and features digital hammer and trigger buttons mapped to the Wand's A and B buttons, with a switch allowing their functions to be inverted depending on the game's controls. It also includes a rumble motor for haptic feedback, and a pass-through port for attaching other accessories to the Pistol Grip. Due to its reliance on features of the Wand, it is not compatible with other devices.^[15]

The Type Pad Pro is a QWERTY keyboard shell for the Wand and other Wii Remote-compatible devices. It connects wirelessly to the Wii via a USB dongle, and is powered by the remote's expansion port. When used with a Wand, buttons on the Type Pad are able to activate the A and B buttons digitally via Trans-Port.^[16]

Reviews of Wand controllers have been moderate to positive. In their review of the original version, the Wand was described by Destructoid as being "as good as and in some ways superior to the original", with "better" buttons, improved grip and otherwise "identical" functionality, concluding with a "Buy it!" rating.^[17] IGN preferred the Wand's buttons to the Wii Remote, noting that "the 1 and 2 buttons are much easier to get a firm grip and mash mercilessly on," the B trigger had "improved tactile response," and their responsiveness was "exceptional", while the Wand's motion controls were comparable with Nintendo's controller.^[18] UGO felt the larger buttons were "much more inline with a classic NES controller than the tiny Wii buttons", describing the controller as being superior to the Wii Remote for "more hardcore gamers".^[19]

Other reviewers had more mixed feelings on the Wand. Nintendojo said the third-party controller was "a good alternative" but had "a few issues" when used with extension controllers, ultimately rating it a 7.5/10.^[20] CNET, while speaking positively about the motion controls, internal speaker and buttons, felt the redesigned D-pad was "clunky and cumbersome", and were disappointed by the lack of Trans-Port accessories at launch, giving it 3/5.^[21] Much criticism has been directed at the Wand's aesthetics. Reporting on the device's unveiling at CES, Destructoid called it a "twisted brainwrong" which "looks a bit like it was designed by half-crazed, starving Oompa Loompas on the back of a thirty day coke binge."^[22] Joystiq noted that "the defining characteristic of the Nyko Wand is its ugliness."^[2]

Reception for the Wand+ in particular has been positive. Engadget felt that including MotionPlus support in a stock-sized controller was "as it should have been in the first place", preferring it over the dongle solution, ending by "shockingly [having] to conclude it is equal to or superior to the stock Wiimote."^[23] GeekDad appreciated the use of "a newer, more muted color palette" over the "garish" original Wand, adding that it featured "functionality that the Nintendo product should have rightly delivered from the get-go" and was overall "as responsive as [a] first-party product".^[24]