Camy Pro Gear Wii Light Swords Preview

[Soul]

We've got the first look at Camy's add-ons destined to unleash the force of Wii.
by Gerry Block

showUSloc=(checkLocale('uk')||checkLocale('au'));d ocument.writeln(showUSloc ? 'US, ' : ''); January 3, 2008 - The Wiimote add-on market shows every indication of being the most prolific console accessory category in the coming year, thanks in equal parts to the ease of designing Wiimote brackets, Microsoft's unwillingness to license wireless peripherals for the Xbox 360, and the PlayStation 3's lacking installation base. It's not necessarily a bad thing, as we think the Wii's general audience tends to get a big kick out of using controller add-ons to feel more involved in games, and even hardcore gamers can enjoy well-made themed accessories.

In the past we've seen sport packs and Zelda sword and shield kits, but today we've got an exclusive first look at an add-on that evokes a license even more popular than Nintendo's green-hooded adventurer. Currently in preparation to launch around the time the highly anticipated Star Wars: The Force Unleashed game premiers on the Wii, Camy Pro Gear has a line of Wii light swords that should get about as close as legally possible to putting a lightsaber in Wii gamers' hands.









The pictures are still somewhat conceptual, but we've got all the details on Camy's plans for the light sword add-ons. The Wiimote will rest in the grip area with unimpeded IR functionality thanks to the cutout and lower-mounted blade, a design improvement over some other options that block the IR port. The light-blades will be translucent plastic colored to match each of the three color options (red, blue, and green) so that the add-ons will look cool even when they're not illuminated. For the full effect, owners will be able to turn the blades on via a switch on the pommel that will activate LEDs to get a real glow going on. Power will be supplied by a watch battery in the hilt, which saves space and prevents the add-on from weighing too much.




Camy is aiming to launch the Light Swords around May-June to catch the enthusiasm for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, which is scheduled to launch in that time frame. Though we've heard rumor that the game was originally planned to feature its own lightsaber attachment, we also have direct information that Nintendo will not officially license any bat-like attachments for the Wiimote due to safety concerns. As such, we suspect Lucas Arts will not be able to release its own official lightsaber add-on.

IGN: Camy Pro Gear Wii Light Swords Preview