What Controllers Can Be Used for a Wii?

Basic Controllers

• The Wii's primary controller is the Wii Remote. This is a motion-sensitive controller that communicates directly with the Wii via an infrared sensor bar. The Wii remote has a slot where other controllers or peripherals can be attached. The most common attachment is the Nunchuk controller, which expands the basic control scheme with an analog stick and two additional buttons. Like the Wii remote, the Nunchuk also contains an accelerometer for motion sensing.

Classic Controllers

• Nintendo also makes the Classic Controller, which plugs into the Wii remote. The Classic Controller's form and button layout resemble a Super NES controller, but it also has dual analog sticks similar to those on Sony's Dual Shock controller. The Classic Controller Pro is a revision of the Classic Controller that even more closely resembles a Dual Shock, thanks to a second set of shoulder buttons and a pair of handles extending from the bottom edges of the controller.

Other Nintendo Controllers

• The Wii Balance Board is a weight-sensing controller that you stand on. It was originally designed for use with Wii-Fit, but it is now supported by other games such as Punch-Out!! and Super Monkey Ball: Step and Roll. The Wii also has four GameCube controller ports. This is primarily to facilitate backward compatibility with GameCube games, but some Wii games can be played with these controllers as well. Any controller that could be connected to the GameCube can be connected to the Wii.

Rhythm Game Controllers

• A variety of instrument controllers are available for music games such as Activision's Guitar Hero and DJ Hero series and Harmonix's Rock Band series. The games can be purchased in bundles with controllers, but there are numerous third-party instrument controllers available as well. Many of these require the Wii remote to be inserted into a slot on the instrument controller. Some Rock Band instrument controllers connect to the Wii via a USB connection. There are also several dance mat controllers for games like Dance Dance Revolution. These often connect to the Wii via the GameCube controller ports.

Fighting Sticks

• A few manufacturers (the best known being HORI and MadCatz) have produced fighting sticks for the Wii. These controllers generally include a joystick and six to eight large buttons, which is a setup commonly seen with arcade fighting games.

uDraw Game Tablet

• On August 17, 2010, THQ announced a tablet peripheral for the Wii. The uDraw Game Tablet works similarly to a computer graphics tablet or the Nintendo DS's touch screen, which accepts input from a stylus pen. It is scheduled for release during the 2010 holiday season.