Hobbies And Interests
Misconceptions
Because video games traditionally rely on quick, precise movements, it's easy to think that gaming excludes people who don't have complete control of their faculties. Over the years, myriad adaptive controllers have sprung up around the gaming industry and physically disabled gamers can now use their mouth, eyes and feet to play.
The Facts
Broadened Horizons, a Minnesota-based company that sells computer and office accessories for the physically disabled, offers adaptive controllers for all consoles. The adaptive Wii remote is the same as Nintendo's standard controller, but it comes with a silicone cover, several wrist straps and a connector for plugging in various adaptive controls. A hat that holds the Wii Remote is also available.
Features
The company recommends its dual pushbutton switch, held in the opposite hand, but it also sells sip-and-blow switches for the mouth, a foot pedal and switches for the teeth, tongue and eyebrows.
Playing the Wii with these controls is considerably more expensive than the usual cost of purchasing a console and accessories. The adaptive Wii remote alone costs $329.95, and the pushbutton switch costs an additional $129.95. A switch-adapted nunchuck is also available for $199.95. For old-school Nintendo games such as "Super Mario Bros." and "The Legend of Zelda," Broadened Horizons sells a switch-adapted classic controller for an additional $269.95.
Warning
Despite the high cost of Broadened Horizons' solution, it does not include adaptive controls for the directional pad, the "Home" button, the "1" and "2" buttons or the "+" and "-" buttons. Those buttons can only be accessed directly on the Wii remote itself. The company's website says this was a matter of trading off one feature for another.
Expert Insight
Given the expense of Broadened Horizons' Wii Remote and some of the holes in its functionality, physically disabled gamers need to consider how they will use the system before investing their money--handy advice for any consumer, actually. Broadened Horizons' website contains a list of popular Wii games, noting whether they work well with the Wii remote tied to the wrist or hat and what additional accessories are needed to play. Consult that list before making a purchase decision.