For all the cordless freedom that the Wii gives players, the cord that connects to the Nunchuk feels like an insult. Thankfully the nice geeks at Nyko have got our backs by introducing the Kama Wireless Controller, a wireless Nunchuk that's will immediately make you ask, "Why didn't Nintendo do this in the first place?"

The Kama kit comes in two parts, a wireless controller and a small module that plugs into the bottom of your Wii Remote. Once you wake the Wii Remote up, you hit the glowing blue button, do the same on the Kama and you're set. Seriously, even your mom could do it.

But mom doesn't play like you do and Nyko evolves the design of the Nunchuk with several other improvements. Wider and slightly heavier than the default Nunchuk, the Kama also makes the C and Z buttons wider and even added a little lip to the bottom of the Z button that makes it look a little like a wide gun trigger -- a worthy addition. Up on deck, the analog controller is similar to the Nunchuk's but with a circular base, replacing the chuk's octagonal one and two recessed buttons are used for powering on and syncing the Kama with its module (which we've only done once). Underneath, the battery cover is skinned with a rubber tread for better gripping and where the normal Nunchuk cord should be, there's a leash.


Performance-wise, we never lost a connection during the weeks that we've been playing with it. Nyko rates the two AAA's battery life at around 30 hours, and during our testing, we only had to change the batteries once. The Kama feels natural and the only learning curve here is getting used to the missing cord that always seemed to whack us in the face during heavy play session -- especially during MadWorld. It even cured a flaw in one of our Wii Remotes where the plug to the Nunchuk would occasionally lose its connection.



Yet, there's one big flaw. With the arrival of the MotionPlus module with every copy of Wii Sports Resort, the Kama module lacks a Nunchuk plug at its base and the MotionPlus module comes with two pieces of plastic that help secure the new Wii MotionPlus jacket. Those little pieces make it impossible to plug the Kama module in. Of course, after much thought, we chopped off the two little pieces, then shaved down the curvy top part of the Kama module with our handy Dremel to ensure a secure fit. Now our Wii Remote, looking like an odd baton with both modules attached and the Kama module lit up, a good sign. Wii Sports Resort started... and then we discovered that with both modules attached, the game fails to recognize the Kama and asks the user to "Connect the Nunchuk to the Wii MotionPlus accessory." Grrr... our hopes for MotionPlus wireless nirvana were dashed.


Even with the Wii MotionPlus issue, Nyko's Kama Wireless Controller should have been standard issue with every Wii and we highly recommend it. With so few games that support MotionPlus, it works with nearly all your other games. And with the lowest price we found ($19.99) matching the price of a new wired Nunchuk, the Kama Wireless Controller offers a lot more motion for your buck.