5 Wii Essentials You Didn’t Get with That New Wii

So, Santa dropped a new Wii under the tree this season, and you can’t wait for your first family game night. Sounds like a plan — but before you break the seal on that copy of Wii Sports, take a minute to gather up all those Game Stop and Best Buy gift cards, too. Because while the Wii console is a steal at $199, you don’t reallyget the full Wii experience until you’ve invested in a few essential add-ons. So, from extra Nunchuks for Mom and Dad to rechargeable batteries that’ll keep the kids from fighting over the last working controller, here are our picks for the top 4 Wii “extras” — along with one “extra extra” you’ll be glad to have around.

1. Wii-Compatible Component Audio/Video Cable:You may’ve noticed, after connecting the Wii to your TV with the basic three-pronged A/V cord that comes in the box, that the picture and sound are a little less than stellar. Truth be told, the Wii doesn’t do HD even if you have a 50-inch flatscreen to play it on, but there is an easy way to bump up the resolution to the full 480p the console allows. Pick up a component audio and video cable — such as this perfectly capable $14.99 one from MadCatz– to see, and hear, the Wii at its best.

2. Wii Motion Plus: That Wii Sports Resort game the kids were messing around with in the store sure was fun, wasn’t it? At least until you brought home the game and realized that it (as well as a short list of other titles) wasn’t compatible with your out-of-the-box Wii Remote. Never fear: Invest in a $20 Wii Motion Plus add-on — or, heck, buy a fleet of the new $45 black Wii Remotes with Wii Motion Plus already included — and you’ll be able to experience all the accuracy and enhanced play control the little gizmo offers.

3. Extra Wii Remotes and Nunchuk Controllers:This one’s a little obvious, but unless you plan to do a lot of sharing — or simply want the Wii all to yourself — you’ll need more than the single Wii Remote and Nunchuk controller that come bundled with the basic console. To give everyone equal time (and avoid fights among the kids), you’d be well advised to grab a separate Wii Remote ($40) and Nunchuk ($20) for each family member. Of course, those are the Nintendo brand-name prices; look around and you’ll also find slightly cheaper, if equally good-quality, controllers from companies such as Nyko, Mad Catz and others.

4. Charging Station with Rechargeable Batteries:Your Wii Remote will run just fine with a pair of AA batteries, but depending on how long you plan to play — or, more predictably, how long the kids will keep the console running before remembering to shut it down — rechargeable batteries are a sound investment. Pick up a charging station (this $40 quad model from Nykois a personal favorite) to ensure that you’re always playing at full power. You can keep two or more Wii Remotes juiced up at all times, and some models (such as this inductive charger) even let you charge wirelessly without having to slip off your Wii Remote’s rubber cover.

5. Wii Balance Board:Okay, so this one’s hardly an essential — but unlike many of the cheapo plastic doodads (bowling balls, anyone?) available for the Wii, it actually enhances many of the games you’re playing. The Wii Fit Plus bundle ($99) includes a Wii Balance Board and lets you burn off those holiday calories year-round – which, for many of us, should be reason enough to plunk down for the thing. But the kids will also get mileage out of the Balance Board via games such as Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games and Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage (to name but two), which let you use the board to carve, slide and otherwise zip your way through various fun levels.

Have a Wii “extra” you can’t live without? Let us know in the comments — and happy playing!