Save Big $$$ on Batteries with the Nyko Charge System for the Nintendo Wii

I recently purchased a Nintendo Wii game system. Due to the fact that the remote controls (otherwise known as Wiimotes) are battery-powered, I also decided that it would be a good idea to purchase the Nyko Charge Station for the Nintendo Wii. I picked it up for around $30 at a local retailer.

The Nyko Charge Station package includes a small sized charging dock, two rechargeable NiMH battery packs, and two rubberized battery covers. It also looks pretty good too, as it is designed to match your Wii system.

Measuring at only about 4"w x 3 1/4" h x 3"d the charging dock itself is pretty small and will easily fit on a table or an entertainment center. It will charge two remotes at a time and has a six-foot long cord that plugs into any normal electrical outlet. The Nyko Charge Station also has two LED lights that light up as blue when the Wii remote is being recharged, or green to show that the batteries have a full charge. To recharge the batteries on your remote all you need to do is simply stand your remote up in the charging dock.

The rechargeable battery packs that fit in your Wii remote simply pop right in with no problem at all. The battery packs have three gold contacts that fit through a small opening in the rubberized battery covers that come with the charge station. When your remote is placed on the charging station, these contacts come in contact with those on the charging station to recharge your batteries. When fully charged, (which could take up to eight hours) the batteries should power your remote for up to 25 hours of gameplay!

The rubberized battery covers that come with the Nyko Charge Station seem to come in very handy at helping you keep a better grip on your remote. I noticed a difference immediately after putting them on my controller, as it made my remote quite a bit less slippery than it was with the original cover on it. I threw out the original covers that came with my remotes, figuring that I probably will never need them again.

About the only thing that I've noticed that I don't like is that the strap on the remote sometimes gets in the way when placing it on the charge station. If this happens, you just have to fiddle with the strap a little bit until the blue light on the charge station comes on to show that your batteries are being recharged.

So far I'm very happy with my Nyko Charge Station as it has easily saved me plenty of money when compared to purchasing AA batteries. Even after playing 14 hours, I have never yet run out of battery power in the middle of a game, and would easily recommend this to anyone who has or is going to buy a Nintendo Wii system.


Thanks for reading my review,
hddan