Nyko Wand#Pistol Grip

The design of the Wand is largely similar to Nintendo's Wii Remote.{{cite web |url=http://ces.cnet.com/8301-19167_1-10133795-100.html |title=The Wand: Nyko announces a high-tech Wii remote alternative |first=Jeff |last=Bakalar |date=January 7, 2009 |publisher=CNET |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} Like the official controller, it has been made available in multiple colors,{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/18/nykos-wand-controller-easier-to-look-at-in-different-colors/ |title=Nyko's 'Wand' controller easier to look at in different colors |first=JC |last=Fletcher |date=August 18, 2009 |publisher=Joystiq |accessdate=August 14, 2011}} and features seven digital buttons and a D-pad on the face, a trigger button on the reverse; an infrared sensor for pointer controls; and motion sensing hardware. The latter was improved in the updated Wand+, which internally replicates the functionality of the Wii MotionPlus.{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5443134/nyko-wand%252B-hands+on-i-love-watching-nintendo-get-kicked-in-the-balls |title=Nyko Wand+ Hands-On: I Love Watching Nintendo Get Kicked In the Balls |first=Mark |last=Wilson |date=January 7, 2010 |publisher=Gizmodo |accessdate=August 14, 2011}}

The Wand expansion port also includes additional pins dubbed "Trans-Port Technology" by their creator, which allow Wand-specific accessories to digitally activate the controller's buttons and receive haptic feedback information, features not available on the Wii Remote.{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5128055/the-nyko-wand-may-be-just-as-good-as-the-wiimote-or-even-better |title=The Nyko Wand May Be Just as Good as the Wiimote, Or Even Better |first=Mark |last=Wilson |date=January 11, 2009 |publisher=Gizmodo |accessdate=August 13, 2011}}

Development on the Wand was first revealed publicly at the January 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where it was given a CNET Best of CES award in the Gaming category for "[improving] on the original Nintendo Wii remote".{{cite web |url=http://ces.cnet.com/4326-19506_1-10000213-4.html |title=Best of Gaming: Nyko Wand |date=January 10, 2009 |publisher=CNET |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} Coverage of the device's unveiling noted that the Wand was the first third-party Wii Remote alternative to be developed,{{cite web |url=http://gaygamer.net/2009/01/ces_nyko_brings_first_wii_remo.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616081059/http://gaygamer.net/2009/01/ces_nyko_brings_first_wii_remo.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 16, 2010 |title=CES: Nyko Brings First Wii Remote Alternative |date=January 9, 2010 |publisher=GayGamer.net |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} and the controller was released to retail on May 21, 2009.{{cite web |url=http://nyko.com/news/news-detail.html?id=4443 |title=Nyko Technologies' Wand Now Available In-Stores |date=May 21, 2009 |publisher=Nyko |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} At CES 2010, Nyko displayed an updated version of the Wand with integrated MotionPlus support, dubbed the Wand+.{{cite web |url=http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/07/nyko-reveals-wii-wand-with-built-in-motionplus-more-at-ces/ |title=Nyko reveals Wii Wand with built-in MotionPlus, more at CES |first=JC |last=Fletcher |date=January 7, 2010 |publisher=Joystiq |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} At the time of its January unveiling, it was the only Wii controller with internal MotionPlus capability—Nintendo's Wii Remote Plus would not be announced until late in the year{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20018042-1.html |title=Wii Remote Plus official, MotionPlus onboard |first=Jeff |last=Bakalar |date=September 29, 2010 |publisher=CNET |accessdate=August 13, 2011}}—and the Wand+ was nominated by CNET for Best of CES,{{cite web |url=http://ces.cnet.com/2731-31046_1-418.html |title=Best of CES Awards: Nominees |publisher=CNET |accessdate=August 19, 2011}} in addition to being voted among the Best of CES 2010 by the editors of CrunchGear.{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/01/10/best-of-ces-2010/ |title=Best of CES 2010 |first=John |last=Biggs |date=January 10, 2010 |publisher=CrunchGear |accessdate=August 19, 2011}} The Wand+ became available on September 2, 2010.{{cite web |url=http://nyko.com/news/news-detail.html?id=15328 |title=Nyko's Wand+ Now Available |date=September 2, 2010 |publisher=Nyko |accessdate=August 13, 2011}}

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.

{{main|Nyko Kama}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5156558/nykos-wii-wand-gets-rumble-nunchuck |title=Nyko's Wii Wand Gets Rumble Nunchuck |first=Mike |last=Fahey |date=February 19, 2009 |publisher=Kotaku |accessdate=August 13, 2011}}

File:NykoPistolGrip.jpg.]]

The Pistol Grip is a gun shell for Wands, similar in design to Nyko's (mechanical) Perfect Shot, with digital inputs using Trans-Port.{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/ces-2009-nyko-s-wand-wii-controller-hands-on-117680.phtml |title=CES 2009: Nyko's Wand Wii controller hands-on |first=Dale |last=North |date=January 11, 2009 |publisher=Destructoid |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamingnexus.com/Article/Nyko-Action-Pak/Item2481.aspx |title=Nyko Action Pak - Review |first=Sean |last=Colleli |date=December 23, 2009 |publisher=Gaming Nexus |accessdate=August 14, 2011}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://gizmodo.com/5273073/nyko-type-pad-pro-brings-qwerty-to-the-wii-completely-inconspicuously |title=Nyko Type Pad Pro Brings QWERTY to the Wii Completely Inconspicuously |first=Mark |last=Wilson |date=June 1, 2009 |publisher=Gizmodo |accessdate=August 13, 2011}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/peripherally-speaking-nyko-s-wii-wand-controller-136274.phtml |title=Peripherally Speaking: Nyko's Wii Wand controller |first=Nick |last=Chester |date=June 15, 2009 |publisher=Destructoid |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://gear.ign.com/articles/977/977980p1.html |title=Nyko Wand Review |first=Scott |last=Lowe |date=April 29, 2009 |publisher=IGN |accessdate=August 14, 2011}} 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".{{cite web |url=http://www.ugo.com/games/nyko-wand-controller-review |title=NYKO Wand Controller Review |date=June 2, 2009 |publisher=UGO |accessdate=August 14, 2011}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendojo.com/archives/reviews/Peripherals/view_item.php?1242793586 |title=Reviews - Nyko Wand |first=Tony |last=Miller |publisher=Nintendojo |accessdate=August 14, 2011}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://reviews.cnet.com/game-accessories/nyko-wand-wii/4505-10110_7-33485580.html |title=Nyko Wand Review |first=Jeff |last=Balakar |date=May 29, 2009 |publisher=CNET |accessdate=August 14, 2011}} 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."{{cite web |url=http://www.destructoid.com/ces-2009-the-wiimote-from-cyberpunk-hell-announced-by-nyko-117312.phtml |title=CES 2009: The Wiimote from Cyberpunk Hell announced by Nyko |first=Jim |last=Sterling |date=January 7, 2009 |publisher=Destructoid |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} Joystiq noted that "the defining characteristic of the Nyko Wand is its ugliness."

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."{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/09/08/nyko-wand-review/ |title=Nyko Wand+ review |first=Tim |last=Stevens |date=September 8, 2010 |publisher=Engadget |accessdate=August 13, 2011}} 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".{{cite web |url=https://www.wired.com/geekdad/2010/09/nyko-wand-plus/ |title=Review: Nyko's Wand+ Works Like Magic |date=September 10, 2010 |publisher=GeekDad |accessdate=August 14, 2011}}

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