About Adaptive Wii Controllers for the Handicapped

Series Summary

The Nintendo Wii is a home video game console released by Nintendo. As a seventh-generation console, the Wii primarily competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3. A distinguishing feature of the console is its wireless controller, the Wii Remote, which can be used as a handheld pointing device and can detect movement in three dimensions. Another distinctive feature of the console is WiiConnect24, which enables the console to receive messages and updates over the Internet while it is in standby mode. In this free video series, a film director and technology specialist provides tips for using the Nintendo Wii video game console. Discover how to use Nintendo Wii online, how to play GameCube games on the Wii and how to buy Wii products online. Learn about Wii system reviews, where to buy the Nintendo Wii and troubleshooting a disc that is stuck in a Nintendo Wii. Get started on an innovative video game console with this information.

Video Transcript

"Ah, robbed. Ha ha. Hi I am Rokosz, "Your Digital Lifestyle Expert," and I am here to talk a little bit about handicapped controllers, adaptive controllers, for the Wii gaming system. Now the Wii system, in my opinion is one of the best gaming systems, if not the best gaming system on the market. It has got a lot of great games like the other gaming systems, but it is this, the remote, and the companion Nunchuk, that really set this apart. They vibrate, they make noise, but the biggest thing is that they mimic your hand-play. Now this becomes a problem if you have a physical handicap. How do I enjoy all of the functionality of the Wii if I have got a physical handicap, I cannot move my arms? Well, that is the first thing. Fear not, there are adaptive controllers out there. One company out in the Midwest called Broadened Horizons makes several different versions. Now, no matter where you get them, unless you are inventing them yourself, they are costly, alright? But the joy of the playing the Wii game can completely outweigh that. But again, you want to understand exactly where your physical limitations go, because they have everything from a silicon-type thing that makes you hold the Wii remote very similar to how you did with the traditional remote. Now that is the first step. If you have limited motion, the Wii also allows the old both wireless and wired NES controllers or Nintendo GameCube controllers to go into it. They do have silicon types of things that allow you to hold it similar to the controllers. They also have all the way up if you are a complete quadriplegic, and what they call the blow and sit method. You have possibly seen people use little tiny straws to make their wheelchairs move. Well, each puff or any impulse that you can send down can control the controller. Now, where it gets a little bit tricky is that between this and the Nunchuk, you have a lot of different buttons to negotiate, plus again, the thing has complete range of movement, so you are trying to mimic that. Some of them go right down and attach to your muscles, so like prosthetic hands, very little bits of muscles can make big movements. So, first thing is identifying your needs, and there is help out there. Or use your noodle, like me. I am Rokosz "Your Digital Lifestyle Expert" saying play ya later."