The Wii is a beautiful example of Nintendo’s detail-oriented approach to console design. Yet the Wii has one horrible flaw. Unlike the other next-generation consoles, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360, the Wii’s wireless remote is not rechargeable, instead using basic AA batteries. This is great for the battery industry, which can sell batteries to Wii gamers by the case, but it is terrible for the rest of us.
Fortunately, there is an alternative to making the battery companies richer: Nyko’s Charge Station for the Wii.
What it Does
The Charge Station comes with a charger that can hold two Wii remotes, two rechargeable battery packs and two replacement battery covers with ribbed rubber backings that makes holding onto your remote a little easier. Once the charger is plugged into a wall socket and the battery pack is in place, put your remote in the charger. A green light indicates that the remote is recharging; if the light is blue then the remote is fully charged.
Caveats
There are a couple of inconveniences in using the Charge Station. You have to unplug the nunchuk from your remote before it can be placed in the charger. You also cannot use recharge the remote if it is in the rubber sleeve Nintendo supplies to protect it. Still, my remotes are not in rubber sleeves and in spite of my habit of tossing them onto my couch only to have them bounce to the floor, neither has broken.
The Verdict
I am thrilled with Nyko’s charger, which fixes the one great flaw of the Wii. After several months of use without a single problem, I fully recommend it.
