It contains many of the standard features: clearly-marked A and B buttons, a four-way directional pad, two analog control sticks, four face buttons, and four shoulder buttons. Each game you load describes how to use all those buttons and controls, so there’s never any problem adapting from one to the next. It also houses three control buttons for navigating the Wii menu system to Select, go to Home, and to Start.

The Classic Controller is lightweight and easy to handle. The layout is uncluttered, making it easy to learn and operate even by novice gamers. That fits in nicely with the overall design motif for the Wii: the ability of anyone to set up a Wii and begin having fun with it right away. The learning curve is extremely flat for this system and the Classic continues that theme.

There is one downside to the Classic that is a little surprising: it can’t play GameCube games. It is designed to be used with games offered through Nintendo’s Virtual Console online offering. The Wii system itself can play any GameCube game, but that requires a GameCube controller.

Fortunately, that dilemma is easily overcome, thanks to the Wii’s four ports that allow a number of controllers to be attached. It also presents only a minor difficulty, since so many of those Virtual Console games are so well designed and enjoyable. Wind Waker, Metroid Prime, Mario Kart, Zelda: Twilight Princess, and others are great fun. There are tons of games you can download using the VC. You won’t run out of options anytime soon.

The other minor drawback probably should not be labeled as such anyway: the Classic Controller plugs into the Wiimote, which provides it with power. Still, if it needs to be plugged into something, connecting to the Wiimote can easily be seen as an advantage. It gives more flexibility and distance than if it’s plugged into the console itself. It also means that the Classic does not require its own batteries, reducing cost and weight and increasing convenience.

For those who want the ultimate in legacy-style gaming control, Hori has released a version of the Classic Controller that goes by the same name. It offers numerous controls and the layout is superb.

The function of the Hori’s buttons are clearly marked and the boomerang shape is in line with many of the controllers that experienced gamers ‘grew up’ with. It even offers easy-to-use autofire switches. Anyone interested in utilizing all those hard-earned skills from years of traditional gaming will want to check it out as well.

The Wii Nunchuk connects to the Wii Remote via a cord that provides both electrical power and coordination between the two devices. Nyko makes a wireless version for those who want to eliminate the cord. So, the Nunchuk needs no batteries unlike the Wiimote, which takes 2-AA’s. It also provides a feedback loop to the Wiimote and the console, increasing realism and control.

Boxing, for example, takes on an added dimension thanks to the Nunchuk. Gamers can jab with the left (the Nunchuk) and fire off a roundhouse punch with the right (the Wii Remote). In a first-person shooter, the Nunchuk lets you control the basic movements while you fire with the Wiimote.

The Nunchuk (named after the Japanese martial arts weapon) can do that because it contains much of the technology of the Remote and some extras. It houses the same type of three-axis motion sensors so you can shift left and right, up and down, forward and backward, and perform rotations (a combination of the three). In addition, it adds an analog stick and two buttons similar to traditional game controllers.

The Nunchuk thus becomes more than the sum of its parts. Working alone, it gives you added realism and a wider range of motions by the combination of traditional gaming controls and Wiimote-style control. Working in conjunction with the Wii Remote which works with the sensor bar and receptors in the console, it provides a new level of gaming.

Most players (like most people) are right-handed. So, they’ll hold the Wiimote in the right and the Nunchuk in the left. But the devices are designed to be ambidextrous, so you can easily switch them without a loss of control. If you happen to be left handed, or just learned to play computer games that way, you’ll enjoy the same full experience whichever way you choose.

You can even use the extra ports on the console to plug in more than one Nunchuk (and more controllers, like the Classic Controller or a GameCube controller). That permits a huge variation in your style of play for single-player games, and even more fun for multiple-player games. In either scenario, you can use the analog stick to increase character movement while you use the Remote to throw a football, aim a rifle, or perform hundreds of other moves with increased realism.

The Nunchuk is supplied but not required, though. In fact there are many games, especially older ones from the GameCube (and earlier) era that don’t take advantage of the added flexibility. Even in more contemporary games where the Nunchuk can be used, it is often not essential.

Like any new gaming device, there is a learning curve involved, but the free Wii Sports available with the system provides plenty of fun opportunities right out of the box for getting used to the Nunchuk. Once you do, you’ll rarely want to be without it. The combined pair makes gaming the next best thing to virtual reality.

1. If you don’t already have one, you’ll want the GameCube controller. This classic-style controller is perfect for all those legacy games that just can’t be played any other way, and many contemporary ones, too.

The GameCube controller has a more modern cousin made just for the Wii, the Classic Controller. It’s a superb add-on for those who want to explore the hundreds of legacy games available at the Virtual Console online site. Many of those can be played with a GameCube controller, but the Classic is just right if you don’t have that earlier game console version.

There is even a wireless version of the GameCube controller called the WaveBird. Using the Wii’s built-in Wi-Fi support, this device frees players to use the system up to about 30 feet away. That’s particularly helpful for multi-player action games where the gamers need to spread out. Nyko makes a similar wireless controller, too.

2. While we’re talking about wireless, think about how your Wii is going to connect to the Internet Channel, Virtual Console, or other great online spots. The console has Wi-Fi support built in, but it has to communicate with something.

If you already have a wireless home network, you’re in business. But you don’t have to rush out and purchase a wireless router (and figure out how to set it up) to get that same value. The Wii Net Connect is an ultra-small, ultra-simple Wi-Fi USB Connector that performs that same service.

Just plug it into any USB port on your home computer (assuming it is already connected to the Internet) and Voila! Wireless Internet connectivity in the simplest form possible.

3. Don’t forget about something to store all the stuff you’ll find on the web, though! The Wii system contains only 512MB of internal flash storage, so a Wii SD card is a must.

The Virtual Console lets you download legacy games to store internally, but you’ll want to move the ones you don’t play often to free up space. The Wii SD card is perfect for that. It’s also essential for storing images from the Photo Channel, Wii Message Board, and other sources. Videos you can playback on the Wii fit just right, too.

4. Finally, since the Wiimote, the GameCube, and the Wavebird all use AA batteries (the Nunchuk gets its power from the Wiimote via an attached cable), a charger can be really helpful. Any good AA hybrid charger will let you charge up four at a time and the advantage of the hybrid style is that the batteries are ready to go out of the package.

With these accessories, you can amplify your fun without draining your wallet.

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