FRONTMAN WIRELESS CONTROLLER

(Nyko)

For PlayStation 2

Sick of getting your “Guitar Hero” on, only to find that you’ve rocked so hard that you’ve ripped the wire out of your PS2? You’re in luck. The Frontman fills the lack of wireless guitar controllers Sony-loyalists have endured.

Everything on the Frontman works exactly as you would expect – sturdy fret buttons, loose strum bar – but this one works just as well wirelessly from up to 25 feet. Of course, if you want to give the batteries a rest, it also comes with a charge cable that you can plug into your PS2.

The only thing that might be a potential cause for concern is the whammy bar. Fresh out of the box, it’s a bit too tight, but after a couple of days, it was so loose that it just falls over.

Some gamers may prefer this, but it does open itself to the possibility that, after weeks or months of intense playing, it may be weak enough to lose functionality or even fall off. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Otherwise, this controller performs well enough to replace the official, wired controller and, being an off-brand, should fit even a starving rocker’s income.

Grade: A-



INTERCOOLER

(Nyko)

For Xbox 360

When it comes to cooling accessories, you can’t really give a 100 percent accurate review even with months of lab time. The point of a cooling unit is to extend the lifespan of the console by cooling off its internal hardware. Of course, it’s just guesswork to say how long and well a console operates with a cooling unit versus how it would have done without one.

As far as the things that can be reviewed go, Nyko’s Intercooler gets high marks. The unit attaches fairly easily to the back of the 360 and, with a squeeze, can be removed about as easily.

There are also no signs of slowdown or any power issues that could be caused by running the plug through the Intercooler. Most important, the fans all work and do not make any more noise than a small room fan.

Ultimately, if you think you need an cooling unit, the Intercooler is a quiet, simple device that should give whatever peace of mind one would expect from strapping fans to the back of their gaming console. It’s up to you whether that peace of mind is worth buying the unit.

Grade: A



NINTENDO WII CHARGE BASE

(Nyko)

For Nintendo Wii

If there’s anything major that could be said was missing from the Wii, it is the notable lack of rechargeable controllers. The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 both offer wireless controllers with USB connections to recharge them, but the Wii launched with only battery-powered controllers.

The Charge Base is an elegant solution to this problem. It comes with two rechargeable battery packs and a charger that doubles as a controller caddy. The packs charge quickly and show no difference in performance than using batteries.

The obvious flaw to this, of course, is that the Wii can take up to four controllers at a time, meaning that Wii owners will either have to alternate shifts charging or purchase two Charge Bases.

As an added bonus, the replacement battery covers, which come with the system, have rubber gripped backings, making the controllers generally easier to hold and less likely to fly out of your hands. Ultimately, as far as accessories go, this seems like it’s probably one of the best out there for the Wii.

Grade: A



NINTENDO DS LITE PRO POINT STYLUS PACK

(Nyko)

For Nintendo DS

As far as accessories go, the Pro Point Stylus Pack from Nyko seems a bit odd. After all, the main selling point seems to be the LED glow within the clear styli, and yet it’s marketed for the DS Lite, a system that prides itself on its improved screen lighting.

In truth, the best part of the pack is the design of the styli, especially the larger, pen-sized stylus. The grip on both of the styli is far more comfortable than the straight, smooth plastic of the Nintendo-issued stylus. This means that your hand will not cramp up as easily, a fact that can be a lifesaver on some of the more touch screen-intensive games.

The actual LED light seems a bit silly. Beyond the fact that the screen doesn’t actually need any extra light, the blue glow coming from the stylus reflects off of the screen, covering the action. Some people will probably find it visually interesting, but ultimately it may just work out better to pretend that there is no light function and just enjoy the comfort of the design.

Grade: B-