Namco Bandai offers a new Wii peripheral… oh for crap’s sake

By Stephen Munn | September 5, 2008

I think we can all agree that there are plenty of accessories available for use with Wii. When the Wii Remote was first shown, we were kind of tipped off that this would happen. The controller was designed to be a simple, dense package with all the key hardware. Games that needed more would plug peripherals into it, and that’s how Wii would get more complex, more unusual, or more traditional games.

However you feel about how it all turned out, let’s run down the list. There’s the Nunchuk controller, one of which comes with Wii. This is used in many games, as it’s the only stock way to have an analog stick. There’s the Wii Zapper, which is a shell that you stick the Wii Remote and Nunchuk into. That comes with Link’s Crossbow Training, and can be used with any of the light gun-style games, but since it’s only a shell, it’s pretty superfluous. Same goes for the Wii Wheel, which is really only used for Mario Kart Wii. Then there’s the Balance Board. Don’t get me started on that one. It’s a great device, but so far there’s only one really good game to play with it. Correction: one piece of software. Wii Fit.

Forgive my whining over Namco Bandai’s announcement that their new Active Life: Outdoor Challenge thing uses a new, original mat controller called the Active Life mat. So, is this like a dance mat, the sort of thing we’d use in DDR? Can we use it in DDR? Can we use a DDR mat with this software?

Let me make it clear: I have no problem with peripherals. I just don’t want peripherals that will never see another worthwhile application, particularly in such abundance. Check below for the press release.

New Active Life™: Outdoor Challenge™ Trailer Available for Download

NAMCO BANDAI Games America today released a new trailer for Active Life™: Outdoor Challenge™ for Wii™. Combining the motion-sensing Wii Remote™ with an original mat controller that lets players control more than 15 different events with their whole body, Outdoor Challenge gets gamers off of the couch and into the game!

Active Life: Outdoor Challenge introduces the Active Life mat, a durable peripheral that lets players control the on-screen action with their hands and feet when used in conjunction with a Wii Remote. From white-water rafting to mine cart adventures and obstacle-filled races, players will be able to use a variety of hand gestures and foot movements to control each fun-filled event. Many of the game’s events can be enjoyed in head to head or cooperative multiplayer modes with a single mat, letting players enjoy the rush of competition or the gratification of teamwork as they play together.

Active Life: Outdoor Challenge for Wii will be available in stores on September 9^th as a bundle (game and mat) for a suggested retail price of $59.99. For more information, please visit www.namcobandaigames.com