Another recent switch adapted project for SpecialEffect I've built is the Wii Switch Interface above. This one is targeted for Wii-U use with New Super Mario Bros U.
By using a fully wired VGA-HD cable (15-core), it's possible to draw out a line connection to all buttons and the battery terminals to the external box. If anyone fancies trying this adaptation themselves, feel free to get in touch.
When games dictate that they can only be played via a very limited method, huge barriers are erected which disable many players.
The majority of games on Xbox using Kinect are Kinect only. The majority of games on iOS are touch-screen only. The majority of Wii games are Wii-remote only. If you can't use that interface, you are shut out. It's a massive problem that can go away for many by offering an alternative or two.
Dimitris Grammenos has blazed a path for others to follow with his brilliant article "Shaking Things Up: Can full-body games become more accessible". And I would love to see this outlook adopted across the gaming world. Two control methods or more for all games, please!
Was such a pleasure to meet Ellie and her family at the superb Little Havens Children's Hospice, early this year, even though Ellie consistently thrashed me at Mario Kart. Stupid game.
The Wii remote needed to be lightened, which was achieved in the main by removing the batteries and placing them in a separate box. A very simple hack, but worked out to be really effective.
I'm wondering if Ellie will be able to use her controller on Just Dance 4 coming out soon for the Wii-U. Hope so.
Don't know what you think, but the new Nintendo Wii U looks like an accessibility nightmare for many. Maybe I'm getting old and grumpy but that looks like it will shut out many gamers. Seems I'm not the only one peeking over at Rob McCaully's thoughts at AbleGamers.
