Wii-mote Controllers - D.I.Y. Accessibility Hacks - GameBase

Wii-mote Controllers - D.I.Y. Accessibility Hacks

Published by: One Switch on 12th May 2010 | View all blogs by One Switch

When the Nintendo Wii was released in 2006, it's Wii Remote (or Wiimote as I prefer to wrongly call it) was hailed as revolutionary.

It certainly did open up gaming for many people who previously found the likes of a Sony Playstation Joy-pad far too complicated. Unfortunately, it closed the door on a lot of people too, such as accessibility switch users.

The good news for some of those excluded players, is that there are ways to adapt the Wii remote to make it a bit more accessible.

The following links show some of the adaptations people have made to Wiimotes and/or (the often obligatory) secondary Nunchuk controller:

Useful starting information on Wii controls - Explains some of the basics well, such as using straps to help people who find it difficult to hold the controller.

Wii Remote Lite - This is a prototype we have built at the Accessible GameBase. By housing the two AA batteries into an external box, and removing a few components we halved the weight of a Wiimote, making it less strenuous to use.

Wii Remote Simple Switch Adaptation - A very simple adaptation, much like the ones available to buy at Broadened Horizons.

Wii Joystick and Switch Interface Box - A highly involved process, but more sturdy and versatile than the previous hack. Also see this PDF guide for an easier to read version of the same adaptation.

Rapid-fire for A and/or B buttons - AcidMods D.I.Y. kit to add rapid fire. Very useful for shoot-em-up games such as House of the Dead.

Mini-track-ball to replace D-pad - AcidMods whacky hack.

Hack a Wii - Loads of different ideas for the Wii remote.

Arm mount for Nun-chuk - Very tricky adaptation in this guise, makign the Nun-chuk possible to use with a partially amputated arm.

Eye Controlled Wii - A one-off adaptation to make point and click Wii games compatible with an Eye Tracker.

OneSwitch D.I.Y. guides - Nothing specifically Wii related there, but useful 'how to solder' guides and useful links.

Assistive Technology Partners adapted Wii controllers - Fantastic adaptations, from a simple cap with velcro mounts to an adapted seat operating a Wii fit board. Many thanks by the way to Gavin Philips from ATP who provided many of the links above.

Denver Able Games 2009. Wii Chair.