With the end of the semester looming ever closer, memories often turn to the beginning. In this case, we're talking about the origins of Nerd Alert, over a year and a half ago. This column was started as a means of sharing an appreciation for video games with our readers, hopefully instilling some knowledge along the way.
In that first column, Zach Stern and Ryan examined some more uncommon gaming peripherals — in this case, the incredibly bizarre ones. We hit on everything from the Rez Trance Vibrator to the incredible Steel Battalion controller, mostly mocking the ridiculous creations. And, keeping with the theme of coming around full-circle, we are talking about peripherals once more. Only this time, rather than laugh at the half-baked concepts, we have decided to highlight our favorite gaming peripherals of all time. Game on.
Ryan:
Logitech Cordless Action Controller
There are relatively few situations for which I'll plunk down money for a gaming peripheral (a controller of some sort). Usually I pick up a second controller when I buy a system, so I don't have to play alone all of the time. The one and only other exception was when I had to lay my beloved blue PSX controller to rest after the X button broke from excessive "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2" play. May it rest in peace.
When my roomie's dog chewed through his brother's PS2 controller cord, he set out to buy a new one … only to return with the most amazing evolution for the aging system. While the next generation of consoles all have wireless controllers standard, discovering that Sony had approved one was truly a god-send. After listening to certain smug Nintendo lovers rant and rave about their WaveBirds, I finally got to experience the joy of losing my cord. And I'll be the first to say, it's amazing.
Logitech (who creates almost everything gaming related and then some) had the genius idea of basically ripping off the WaveBird, porting it to the PS2's large audience. The controller is noticeably more bulky than a traditional Dual Shock 2 controller, simply as a result of needing space for the two AA batteries that fuel the beast. Logitech advertises a battery lifespan somewhere in the neighborhood of 50+ hours, which is fairly accurate. Frugal players (who can't justify spending $1.00 on two batteries) can even switch off the rumble feature and milk another 30 or so hours from the batteries.
I honestly can't say enough good things about this controller. Sure, it feels a little strange for anyone used to using the slightly smaller Dual Shock 2. But the positive aspects of this device far outweigh any shortcomings — this is the best purchase any self-respecting PS2 owner can make, hands down.
Just think: no more having to step over annoying cords or untangle a controller just to play a game. Simply pick up the controller, push the mode button and you're good to go. For a measly $30, every gamer owes it to him/herself to pick one of these up.
Sundeep:
Nintendo Super Scope
Yes, it was huge. Yes, it sucked the life out of your six AA batteries. But, boy oh boy did it rock the socks off every other previous peripheral for Nintendo or otherwise. There was something incredibly gratifying about blowing things away on an SNES screen with the giant bazooka you were carrying on your shoulder (actually the Super Scope is only about two and half feet long, but when you're 10 everything seems much bigger).
In addition, the Super Scope was one of the first wireless peripherals to hit the market and worked in similar ways to today's modern wireless equivalents. You just plugged in a little receiver and you were ready to get shooting. Mind you, the Super Scope was perhaps a little extreme. Nintendo probably could have gotten the same job done with a remake of its far smaller, handgun-shaped NES Zapper. Still, nothing wrong with a little show, right?
The other great thing with having a wireless Super Scope was the option of using it for other non-Nintendo applications. That's right, the Super Scope made a dandy (and safe) method for scaring your siblings or neighbors. Most people just ran the other direction when they saw you packing such huge heat, possibly mistaking it for some type of large, mean-looking Nerf gun.
Super Scope's greatest gift to the gaming world was the opening of a wide-range of possibilities. It opened the doors to any type of peripheral game developers wanted to create since it effectively ended any requirements on size.
In effect, Nintendo's newest console currently codenamed the Revolution, may be playing on some of the nostalgia of the Super Scope by giving their controller the flexibility to operate in a variety of ways. Nintendo officials have talked of using the Revolution controller as a sword, fishing pole, a drumstick, and of course, for shooting. How one controller will be able to do all this is not beyond speculation, but if anyone can do it, Nintendo can.
Ryan:
"Guitar Hero" SG Controller
Anyone who has played RedOctane's acclaimed "Guitar Hero" at Best Buy doesn't truly understand the greatness that is the title. Maybe it's fun to push R1 (or whatever it is) to the tune of "Symphony of Destruction," but the game is meant to be experienced with perhaps the dorkiest of peripherals ever created: the "Guitar Hero" SG Controller.
This amazing hunk of plastic is a surprisingly faithful replica of the Gibson SG guitar, popularized in the early '60s. But what fun would playing a guitar be in a video game? RedOctane went on to replace the strings with a strum bar, the frets with fret buttons and throw on a whammy bar just for fun. The result doesn't look particularly cool when in use, but does help provide arguably the most unique and well-crafted gaming experience of last year.
When I finally decided I wanted to bite the bullet and purchase the game, I was met with yet another challenge — this time a challenge of will. I distinctly recall a point where I was standing in the aisle, staring at the box and debating if there was any cool way to walk up to the register with a gigantic flame-emblazoned box that read "Guitar Hero." The answer, it would seem, is no.
As an amateur guitarist myself (as in I tried to teach myself several songs, with little more than the James Bond theme in my repertoire), I loved the opportunity to pretend I was rocking out with some of rock 'n' roll's greatest simply by pressing a couple of buttons. In fact, almost anyone who lays hand on this game is instantly hooked — my own father couldn't stop talking about how cool it was. Even if this isn't the most ingenious game, it's certainly the most welcoming to newcomers.
So say what you will about playing a rhythm-based video game with a strange looking guitar replica, but it's an amazingly great time. With the recent announcement of RedOctane working on "Guitar Hero II" for this fall, players will have another reason to justify the $70 price tag that goes along with the SG Controller/"Guitar Hero" bundle. It is arguably a high price for a game, but anyone who really enjoys rhythm-based games or even music in general would be hard-pressed to regret the decision to buy this one.
Sundeep:
The Revolution Controller
I know, I know, I'm on a Nintendo binge. I apologize.
We don't know exactly what the Revolution controller has in store for gamers, but we do know that it is poised to be just what it claims, a "revolution".
It does not follow the traditional path of the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3; it is not what one would consider traditional. Rather, it leaves behind the complex button configurations and the general inflexibility that traditional controllers have marketed themselves on and steps into the next decade with a whole new set of options.
While gamers are worried the new controller's lack of buttons and simple "TV remote control"-type shape, I wouldn't be too worried. The controller mixes all the great functions of the NES Zapper and SNES Super Scope, with the necessary flexibility to add things like joysticks and other peripherals directly to the simplistic controller and guarantees that the system will be open to both amateurs and seasoned gamers. The Revolution controller is not ugly. It is sleek, iPod-like and worth admiring for aesthetics.
In addition, the Revolution controller is wireless like it's next-gen counterparts. Yay, wireless.
Ryan ([email protected]) and Sundeep ([email protected]) are hopelessly addicted to video games. Ryan has been playing "Tomb Raider: Legend" quite a bit — he's not sure if that's good or not. Sundeep has been playing the tactical MMORPG "Dofus."
