Memorex was kind enough to send IGXPPro a Game Controller Plus for the Nintendo Wii. The controller is wireless as all WiiMotes are, and features the added ability of Wii Motion Plus, without sacrificing the size of the controller. This feature I put to the test on one of the few games that really takes advantage of Motion Plus, Red Steel 2.
Aside from the very affordable price of $29.99, the first thing you will likely notice is the circular directional pad, which is a departure from the standard + design. This makes games that require quick directional change, such as New Super Mario Bros., far easier to control. Another nice inclusion is the use of concave buttons as opposed to the slightly more comfortable convex design present in the standard Wii controller, though it may be less comfortable for long play sessions it makes hitting the button far easier and more satisfying.
The folks at Memorex clearly had frequent gamers in mind as the – and + buttons have been raised significantly which makes it easier to reach those awkwardly positioned buttons. LEDs also illuminate the D-Pad, speaker and player number on the controller so you can take a glance in the dark and know where to press if you lose your position on the controller. It also makes for an aesthetically pleasing look, while it can also become distracting when played in low light, for some.
Now, to get into some more detail on the real selling feature, the inclusion of Motion Plus technology in a controller that is the exact same proportions as an official Nintendo Wii Remote. I will say that I have had little experience outside of some demo plays of Motion Plus and I felt it really was a game changer for the Wii. The Game Controller Plus is no different as it preformed adequately during my session of Red Steel 2, I was able to pull off very accurate sword swings and jabs that were very close to precise, though any fault of the precision could be chalked up to the poor programming of the game. I am hoping there are more games coming out to utilize this feature, so I can use the controller some more, Skyward Sword seems next in line.
In conclusion, this is a great Wii remote for anyone looking to upgrade to Motion Plus and wants something with the core gamer in mind. It doesn’t feel as sturdy as the official remote, but it should last a long time. Also, I wish there were an option to disable the blue LEDs. It is my current controller of choice for the Wii.
Buy it here: Memorex Wii Game Controller Plus
Score: 8.5/10
