Accessories News, Accessories Features

Isn't modern technology just wonderful?

One of the hidden talents of the original Wii console was support for GameCube controllers, but sadly this functionality was removed from the Wii U — along with the ability to play GameCube discs. For those of you who simply can't let go of that beloved Wavebird, help is at hand. Mayflash — a company...

Gone in less than a week

Nintendo updated its Club Nintendo catalogue in North America this week with a neat Super Mario canvas accessory box, which allowed you to keep your games, controllers and other bits and pieces safe in style. A limited quantity was made available, and Nintendo was true to its word. The item was made available to purchase at...

Tell us what you'd like to come West

So, who had between 6-7 months for the first Wii U hardware revision announcement? If you did, "A Winner is You!!" We're not talking about bundles, here, as we've had a few of those, but actual changes to the hardware at a manufacturing level; these can involve new colours or, as confirmed today, tweaks to...

I love the smell of new hardware in the morning

Nintendo has confirmed a new Premium SKU for its Wii U console. The system will be released in white with 32GB of internal memory — a configuration which was previously only available in black. It launches in Japan on July 13th for 31,500 Yen (that's about $312 / £206). New accessories have also...

Also, there's a chance to win a free battery

At $100, the Mugen 3DS XL battery is a bit steep for many Nintendo gamers. Keen to remove any skeptisim regarding its worth, we put the Mugen battery to the test and see how well it stood up to claims of long life and whether or not it justified its high price. We ran a large set of Nintendo handhelds

We go hands-on with the new power option

The original 3DS model has always had one weak point over previous generations of Nintendo handhelds: battery life. This shortcoming opened the door for all sorts of battery expansions for the original 3DS, from the excellent Nyko clip-on unit to our personal favourite, the Mugen replacement battery. This...

Available in standard and XL sizes, too

Capcom has received a lot of flak for not giving the Blue Bomber a proper 25th birthday, but the company has made amends to a certain extent by announcing this gorgeous-looking Mega Man 25th Anniversary 3DS snap-on case. Available in both standard and XL sizes, the 2-piece case has an image of Mega Man on...

A new standard of in-car entertainment

We know the Wii U is pretty portable, but the guys at MaxBuy have taken things to the next level. They've produced the MaxPlay, a device which connects to your car's cigarette lighter and enables you to play Wii U on the move — as long as the game you're using supports off-TV play, of course. Not only does...

Online survey points to long-awaited accessory release

If there's one thing that really annoys us about using Wii Remotes in the Nintendo Life office, it's the fact that you need a constant supply of AA batteries on hand at all times, or a stock of rechargeable AA batteries which take ages to fully juice-up. Both the Xbox 360 and PS3 feature...

The need for a second job, is now

Accessory manufacturer PDP unveiled a line-up of peripherals that will be available alongside the launch of Disney Interactive Studio's upcoming summer hit title, Disney Infinity, for the Wii U. The specialist company is planning to release cases and stands which can store your character figures, as well as...

Bolt (on) out of the blue

Nintendo has confirmed that the Circle Pad Pro XL will launch in the UK on March 22nd — just in time for Monster Hunter 3: Ultimate on the 3DS. The accessory follows in the footsteps of its smaller predecessor, which was designed to bolt onto the original 3DS console. The Circle Pad Pro XL offers an additional analogue...

Chat to your heart's content

Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate is already pre-occupying plenty of gamers in Japan; it was released in The Land of the Rising Sun on Wii U launch, joining its 3DS cousin. The West will get hold of the game, both in the home console and portable variety, at some point in March 2013. A lot of people have been wondering whether...

Beauty is only skin deep

The Wii U is an attractive system - a little too prone to picking up fingerprints perhaps, but aesthetically pleasing all the same. However, if it's just not "Nintendo" enough for you in its present guise, then you could slap this NES skin on it. Available in a gloss or matte finish, this skin will transform your shiny...

Giving gamers a boost

The Wii U GamePad is a wonderful piece of kit that allows the user to do some amazing things. The problem with that is that you’re going to want to use it a heck of a lot, meaning that you're going to have to get used to seeing that flashing red battery warning light. Thankfully peripheral maker Nyko has already set about...

Oh, Nintendo

It's hoped by many that Wii U will finally take Nintendo onto a more level playing field in online gaming, though news that Call of Duty Elite isn't coming to Wii U at launch is undoubtedly disappointing. According to a report today from Kotaku, meanwhile, it seems that in-game chat will neglect to use the GamePad microphone, which...

Time to waste some money

Amazon Japan has opened a special online Pokémon Store today. Nintendo and developers Game Freak have partnered up to launch the awesome virtual store, which includes various items such as figures, plushes, Pokémon trainers and kitchen equipment. They even have a life-size Pikachu plush on sale for 3,800 Yen. There are...

Want more power? Well you're not going to get it

Back towards the start of the summer we reported that Nyko had a 3DS accessory — dubbed the Power Grip Pro — in the works. The peripheral aimed to amend the current Circle Pad Pro with a case and a battery that offered triple the amount of gameplay time. Sadly, Nyko revealed on its Twitter...

Fusion frenzy

Australian store EB Games has listed a new controller for the Wii U which boasts SNES-style controls. Dubbed the Wii U Controller - SNES version, the design appears to be based on the standard Wii U Pro Controller, but with an additional helping of controls slapped in the middle. Although the image posted looks legit, the price...

Two steps forward, one step back

According to both Gamestop and Amazon, the Wii U Pro Controller is said to have a battery life of around 80 hours for a single charge. This is a drastic increase compared to the Wii U Gamepad controller, and for comparison, most PS3 controllers tend to last 20-25 hours. While this number hasn't been publicly annou