In our penultimate Getting Ready for Wii, we take a look at what accessories will be available to you to enhance your Wii gaming pleasure.

Wii Accessories

At launch, there are many accessorites available for the Wii, from both first-party and third-party sources. Here is a few of the main things you can expect to buy to both enhance your gaming experience and increase your cred!

First Party Accessories

Nintendo have produced a few extra things you might concider purchasing when you pick up you Wii console. Nintendo’s focus for accessories is to extend the existing functionality, and this can be seen in what they have produced and made available to purchase.

Nunchuck

The nunchuck is the same as the one packed into the console. It features an analogue stick, a few buttons and a built in accelerometers to detect 3 axis montion sensitivity but no rumble. The nunchuck attaches to the Wii-remote via a short lead, and is designed to be held and used in conjuction with the Wii-remote. This is a must have for every Wii-mote you posses, so if you plan to buy an extra Wii-mote, or Wii Play (which is bundled with an extra Wii-mote), you should seriously concider picking one of these up too.

Classic Controller

The classic controller, or shell, is designed to be used to play Virtual Console titles. Bearing a resemblence to a SNES controller with added analogue sticks, this controller plugs into the Wii-remote, but is designed to be held in two hands so you have to rest the Wii-mote somewhere close while using it. This accessory doesn’t rate as highly as the nunchuck when it comes to importance of having it, but should be concidered if you are a retro gaming fan.

Component Cable

This cable is a must for anyone with a posh HD ready TV, or anyone with a big widescreen TV, or any big TV to that matter! The component cable is simply a different method of connecting the Wii to your TV, but with a much clearer picture then regular composite cables. Although maybe hard to get hold of due to shortages, this accessory should be as high on your list as the Nunchuck should be if you own a TV which supports component connections.

Wii Messenger Bag

Although Nintendo are bringing out many different holders for both the Wii console, games and accessories, this bag seems to be one of the best all round choices. With pockets for everything (console, games, controllers, accessories, MP3 player and mobile phone!), a very high build-quality and a shoulder strap and carry handle, this is a must for anyone who plans to take their Wii on the road.

Third Party Accessories

Silicon Accessory Gloves

There are many of these on the market, and you should have no problem being able to pick some of these up on launch day. Generally found in packs of 3 or 4 and in multiple colours, these silicon gloves fit over your Wii-remote and Nunchuck to give it a different look and a bit more grip. Worth getting to differentiate between different controllers (black for you, pink for your sister etc).

Racing Wheel Attachment

This plastic attachment comes either bundled with GT Pro Series or Monster 4×4 games by Ubisoft, or is also available on it’s own from other manufacturers. This accessory is designed to have your Wii-mote slotted into the middle of it, and to be used as a steering wheel. Recommended if you enjoy driving games and fancy a bit more of an authentic experience.

Sport Pack Attachments

This is mostly “fluff”, that is to say that it adds nothing to the experience other then making the controller appear more like what you might be doing ingame. The sports pack comes with a racing wheel attachment as mentioned above, together with a tennis racket and golf club attachment, which clip onto your controller and turn it into whatever it might be you are playing (so long as its golf or tennis!).

Rechargable Batteries

Although not technically an accessory for the Wii, with the wireless Wii-mote controllers you will soon release how many batteries you will get through if you use your Wii-mote a lot. The Wii-mote takes 2 AA size batteries, and they last for quite a while, but with them needing replacing every so often, having rechargable batteries available will soon pay for themselves compaired to buying new batteries every time you need them. Get some if you haven’t already!

Come back tomorrow for the final part of Getting Ready for Wii, which is a summary of everything you should know, and quite possibly my over-excited rambling of how close the launch will be!